Life at San Diego State or other big schools as a computer science major? Party life?

State Forums
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I’m from the midwest so I really have no idea what these California colleges are like, and I probably wont have the money to afford any of the UC’s, so I am left with the California State schools. I really liked Cal Poly for a while, but from lots and lots of research it doesn’t sound like the huge rah rah school I’m looking for. I’m beginning to really fall in love with San Diego State. Part of going here that worries me the most is the partying coming in from a computer science major. With no offense to the people in my major, I know that my major has a large majority of people who don’t want to party and stuff, but that just is not me. As lame as it sounds, I truly am looking to go to college for the party experience which is part of the reason San Diego State is at the top of my list, but it worries me since I’m coming from the midwest so I wouldn’t really know anyone, and the friends I make from computer classes and the dorm (do they organize the dorms by majors? can I request not to?) would most likely not be the best way to find the huge parties I’m looking for that I hear go on at this school. One solution I thought would be to join a frat, but once again since I know nobody, I probably could very easily get denied and pretty much be stuck with nothing to do.

I know I shouldn’t worry too much about this, and that San Diego would be a beautiful place to go to no matter what, but I am honestly looking for the best next 4 years I could get, and I’m beginning to think Arizona State or UT Austin would offer more of some of this party stuff I’m looking for but I would hate to leave Cal because I want the lovely California experience with beaches and surfing and stuff.

Any insights on computer science majors wanting to party or social life at San Diego state? Or joining a frat from no where? Any other colleges I should be looking at? -Thanks

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*Warning, Azetec Parent Here
My younger son is a CS major at SDSU whom just finished his first year. He has been pretty open with me but I am sure I haven’t heard everything, so I will pass on what I know about CS and partying. First, the party scene at SDSU is not anywhere as crazy as it was 10-15 years ago. Administration has made a concerted effort to curb the alcohol presence on campus and every Freshman is requried to take a Alcohol awareness class their first semester. Secondly, most of the partying is associated with Fraternities and Sororities which are off campus. If you a girl, getting into the parties is easy, but as a guy, you need to know someone at the Frat or be a member. This is why Fraternities have a large presence on campus.

1st semester was pretty easy for my son even with a discrete math class. He had plenty of time to socialize. 2nd Semester, things ramped up with Linear Algebra and CS 108. Spent many long nights in the library working on projects for CS 108. He maintained a solid GPA but found time to socialize. He is planning to rush a Frat this year, so we will see what happens with his schedule and grades. My attitude is that if you want to party, you will find a party, you just need to be able to balance the two. Good Luck and Go Azetecs!!!

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Along with Gumbymom’s info: Look at the sports section and join The Show. If you go to the games, you’ll definitely love being an Aztec!