SDSU vs ASU

<p>What are your thoughts of San Diego State versus Arizona State. I currently attend ASU and have some thoughts about transfering to San Diego to have a change of scenery but i am not sure if this is a smart decision or not How does San Diego compare to ASU academically and more specifically, their business school.</p>

<p>I did my MBA at SDSU. To be honest, I'd give ASU a slight edge on SDSU. SDSU's business school isn't bad at all but you have to be very aggressive - with the state budget cuts, it's not for the faint of heart. I also suspect that ASU has more of a national reputation than SDSU.</p>

<p>Carolyn,
what kind of extra effort do u see me doing at sdsu if i chose to attend? Do u see any advantages of San Diego over Arizona?</p>

<p>Wonger - I'm speaking from my personal experience in the MBA program. I had some excellent teachers at SDSU but I found that classes even in the MBA program tended to be on the large side and difficult to get into. Things are worse now because of the recent budget crisis. Many people find it takes more than 4 years to graduate. Even in the MBA program I had to do some of my required courses at a community college because I couldn't get into them at SDSU. To make personal connections with professors, you have to be aggressive about visiting them during their office hours. Advising is slim to none. If you don't know what you want to do or what you need to take, good luck finding someone to help you with the answers. The undergrads (and even many of the MBA students) I had contact with didn't seem particularly motivated or intellectual, but, of course, there are exceptions. It's certainly easy to stand out as an outstanding student with a modicum of effort. :) The career placement office was a joke in my opinion. You won't get recruited by a top level company or consulting firm at SDSU. SDSU is trying to develop a more national reputation but it hasn't yet done so. ASU has come farther in that regard in my mind. </p>

<p>On the plus side, I found that once I established contacts with teachers, they were very supportive and there were lots of opportunities for the asking (paid internships, research opportunities, etc.). The marketing department is excellent. Many of the professors have "real world" experience that makes the classes come alive so that it's not all theory. The international business program is also very good - ranked among the top 20 in the nation I believe with some interesting study abroad opportunities (although as a transfer I'm not sure if you'll be able to take advantage of them). San Diego employers generally view business grads from SDSU pretty favorably, although I suspect they may prefer someone who graduated from UCSD if it came right down to it. I was satisfied with the education I received at SDSU but I already had my undergrad degree under my belt. I'm not sure I'd recommend it to my kids for undergrad but many do just fine there. Again, I think it takes a certain type of person to succeed and thrive at SDSU - someone who is self-confident, willing to look for and take advantage of opportunities, doesn't give up easily, and isn't looking for a lot of hand-holding. A strong sense of what you want to do with your life and education is also important. </p>

<p>You obviously know ASU better than I do = if it's about the same as I'm describing, then the other advantages of SDSU are the weather and the location. ;) But I'd think twice about transferring if that's the only benefit.</p>

<p>One more thought: if you really want to be in San Diego, you'd probably get a much better education at the University of San Diego. Best of luck.</p>

<p>I thought about USD but i have big concerns of how i will be able to attend there financially. And also the chances of getting accepted there.</p>

<p>Both ASU and SDSU are party schools. You should have a great time at either. I have been to SDSU a few times and DAMN what beautiful people!!!! I hear ASU is super fun also. At least you have good taste in schools.</p>

<p>Wonger - where do you live? USD isn't that much more selective than SDSU and they can be generous with financial aid if they want you. </p>

<p>But Shyboy is right - there probably isn't much difference in the social scene between ASU and SDSU.</p>

<p>I'm from Arizona, i'm not much into the party scene so that is defintely not a priority. I'm just ready for a change and want to go to the Southern California area. ASU is a great school and they have great people there but it just does not suit where i am in my life right now. The quality of education, particularly the business school, is what i am most interested in my choice right now.</p>

<p>I had no idea that USD was that helpful with financial aid. I hope they will be generous and want me at that school because that would be an awesome opportunity.</p>

<p>Son considered ASU because of a scholarship. Husband studied lots about the school and was very impressed with the business school. Son is a music major, husband just likes to learn all the facts. ASU is great and so I wonder if it would be worth it to pay the extra out of state tuition for either of the CA state schools. USD-might be worth investigating-Carolyn has given students great information in the past.</p>

<p>I'm also impressed with ASU's business school but my heart is pretty set with relocation right now. If i didn't feel so strongly about leaving Arizona then i would stay at ASU hands down because they do have an excellent business program but i'm just searching right now for my best options otherwise. Thank you lamom and thank you Carolyn especially, your information has been extremely valuable to me.</p>

<p>Are either of these schools fine for finance? Which has the better companies recruiting on campus?</p>

<p>I know that ASU's finance program is the toughest to get into at the w.p. carey school of business. The average gpa for students that are majoring in finance is something around a 3.8. It is a very competitive school to get into. As for USD i'm not sure, i'm hoping to find out more information these next few days, the same goes for SDSU.</p>