<p>Anyone go here or know about it?
I was admitted, making it 5 for 5 acceptances.</p>
<p>It's not one of my top choices, more like one of my last ones, but I want to give everything like an equal consideration.</p>
<p>How is the academics? The teachers? The dorm life? The surrounding community? Is Fresno a big city? I love the city feel and I want to live in or near a city.</p>
<p>Platinumtlc, I've been following your saga and given you some advice. It sounds like you really really want a big city. Your questions are about the nightlife, the clubs, the city feel. You've been accepted at San Francisco State,Portland State, and other schools in Oregon. Fresno--are you kidding me? Not to put down Fresno--- my H almost took a job in Reedley once--- but if you want to go to school in a big city, how can you even consider Fresno?</p>
<p>By the way, congrats on your 5 for 5!</p>
<p>Platinum - S was admitted to CSU Fresno...it is a safety for him as we live in the area...Fresno does NOT have a "big city" feel...in fact no one goes "downtown" unless they have to...there are ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown, but it is slow, slow, slow! </p>
<p>I don't really know much about the university itself. I think that the education you would receive there would be a good one however; the CSU schools overall are solid, if not "prestigious". I think the location of Fresno hurts, as Kinshasa said, people in No Cal and So Cal "look down" on Fresno as "nowheresville...However, people are moving here in droves because of the low cost of living...Lots of school spirit and support for the athletic teams esp foot ball, baseball and basketball.</p>
<p>As far as night life goes, there does seem to be quite a bit - the SaveMart center is adjacent to the college and it apears that the venue is attracting more "names" . Also some of the little clubs in The Tower District bring in bands - for example, Flogging Molly and Tsunami....Something...can't remember the full name, but my son knows these bands...are at a local club next week. The Tower District is a funky area with lots of unique shops and restaurants...fun to hang out there.</p>
<p>It does seem that CSU Fresno attracts more local kids...being in the Central Valley, Fresno itself is difficult to get to...as I recall you are from NJ (my home state) and you would probably have to go through San Francisco or LA to get to Fresno...</p>
<p>On the plus side, it is <em>very</em> cheap to live here compared to most of CA - the college just built a bunch of new student "apartments" that look really nice - no rush hour or traffic - the college is practially across the street from the largest mall in Fresno if you care about things like that...Fresno is only about 1 1/2 hours from Yosemite if you like camping, etc. About 3 hours to San Francisco and 4 hours to LA, so easy enough to go there for weekends, etc. About 3 hours to the beach and less than that to the mountains...also within a few hours drive from Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, etc.</p>
<p>I'd say the overall vibe of this area is almost more "midwest-ish" than California-ish....much more "low-key" that the Bay Area or southern CA.</p>
<p>If you have any specific questions, I'll try to help...</p>
<p>Agree with ckr. We lived in Fresno several years back. The city has a population of about 450,000, which if located in any other state would be considered quite a big city. But its location in the fertile central valley predominated by farming communities along with being in a state with mega cities (LA, SF, SD) doesn't help Fresno escape its hicksville reputation. Everyone touts that it's 3+ hours to LA, SF, or the coast (Monterey/Carmel, Pismo Beach, etc.) so people think they need to leave town to have any fun. Very friendly people live there. CSUF is a center of community activity. The campus is surrounded by many trendy establishments. I took a couple of daytime grad classes there years ago, and observed a great deal of vibrancy on campus. Out of state enrollment is less than 5%, and many students are from the area so it does have a commuter component.</p>
<p>:) I'm glad people recognize me! Honestly I do know I want to live in a city or near a city, I just want things busy. I thought Fresno looked like a nice town, or like a town where if I had to live in , I would. Going into the process of choosing colleges to go into, I honestly honestly thought I would get rejected from everything, so CSU Fresno was one of the last minute addons to make sure I would get into something. And the fact that Zoology isn't offered in many colleges anyway.
But as of right now, I plan to visit San Francisco State, Portland State, and Oregon State. I know a lot of people keep labeling some of the schools as "commuter" schools but there still has to have some college feel in the dorms. So end of march I'll head west to check out my choices.</p>
<p>If I were you I'd take a good look at Portland State. From what it seems, you really want to be in a major city with lots of nightlife and outside activities. PDX is located RIGHT in the middle of the city, perfect for all of that. I've done some research on the school myself and have found a couple of helpful things while narrowing down the selection. First off, it's true that pdx is a commuter school. but think of all the different kinds of people you'll be going to school with...it is said that the average age of students who attend are around 25. There are dorms at the school, but they're kinda more like apartments as there aren't any halls. If you're worried about meeting people or making friends-- don't be. I once read that there are TONS of clubs to join, almost one for every kind of interest. The only REAL drawback that I've heard of so far is that the folks in administration over there are really sketchy. I don't know how that plays into affect in your decision making but this is likely at any large state school you'll go to. </p>
<p>Of course this is only what I have read based on reviews and such. to be able to actually experience the school is a completely different thing I'm sure. so that's really great that you're going to take a look over there, Portland is a really cool place. Let us know how you're doing after the visits!</p>
<p>Wow thanks for all the input!</p>
<p>Yeah, everyone saying "commuter school" makes me a little nervous so thats why I am going to wait til I visit them to give an opinion. I don't know if I want the "college" feel but I do know I want to live in a city or near a city where I can go out on the weekends and have fun, always have something new to do and see, and I want to meet like new people every day and make new friends every day. I dont want the place to be like dreary and sleepy and like a small town feel, I'm tired of that kind of life. So hopefully my visits will clear my doubts and whatever else.</p>
<p>bumping this</p>
<p>I agree that it's a commmuter school. If you want to meet your fellow classmates, it'll probably be in class or out on the town, but it's not going to be that likely on campus</p>