<p>Okay, I'm in a little dilemma. I'm trying to decide if I should apply to San Diego State. I have already been admitted to UPortland with a $40,000 scholarship, so cost isn't a factor in this decision. </p>
<p>I've recently read that only 57% of SDSU students even graduate, and that only 1/3 graduates in 4 years. I knew the school was heavily impacted, but I didn't know it was that bad. </p>
<p>I mean I really like SDSU's location, weather, beaches, and social scene, but I'm thinking graduating is a little more important than those things. </p>
<p>I plan on majoring in finance or marketing (with a minor in communications), so would you agree that UPortland would be better in these fields? And also do you feel that choosing UPortland is the best decision, or do you have reason to believe that graduating from SDSU in 4 years is entirely possible. </p>
<p>And just for a little more information, I don't plan on crashing courses or waking up at 8am on Monday to get the classes I need. So if this is the only way I would graduate from SDSU on time....it is definitely not an option for me.</p>
<p>You should definitely apply to SDSU to keep your options open. Portland and San Diego are very very different places, you're talking about 4 years, you need to figure out where you want to be. I understand not wanting 8am classes, but being unwilling to "crash" classes isn't reasonable. Sometimes you have to be aggressive to get the classes you want.</p>
<p>I see no problem in crashing a course or two, but I if I have to do it for pretty much every class, I don't want to be in that academic environment. I mean...getting the class shouldn't be the hard part.</p>
<p>My 2 cents...U of Portland is a private school which next to SDSU means smaller classes, most likely more interaction with your profs, $$ to go towards tuition and also a school which is out of state for you...which = a great lifetime learning opportunity. Unless you are willing to "crash" classes, take summer sessions and possibly winter sessions I wouldn't suggest SDSU. I vote Portland. You have been handed a great opportunity seize it! Congrats!</p>
<p>You will be able to graduate from SDSU in four years without taking 8 am classes or "crashing." The registration system is understandable and you can plot your course load so as to ensure your ability to get the classes you need. It will help if you take a class or two in the summer - which you can do at your local CC the first year or two - but even that's not critical. The low grad rate isn't due to class impaction. SDSU is very much a "sink or swim" environment with a lot of distractions, and they will let you "sink." UP is a safer bet. Beyond that I can't help you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help...and if anyone else wants to post their input, I would greatly appreciate it.</p>
<p>And just to clarify these aren't my only options. I have already been accepted to Indiana U Bloomington, and I'm still waiting on UMiami, Florida State, Pepperdine, and LMU. </p>
<p>And lastly, UP is sounding really nice right now. A current UP student called me congratulating me on my acceptance and offered to answer any questions I had -- and he cleared up all of my misconceptions. </p>
<p>Thanks again for the help...keep the opinions coming...I'm still not 100% sure.</p>
<p>It wasn't hard at all to graduate from SDSU in four years. I could have accomplished it in three and half. You'll probably find similiar statistics at UCSB etc. in terms of graduating and of course there will be a 3-4 year lag time due to the quality of students coming in and out.</p>
<p>Stop all the anxiety!!! Indiana's a fine place. You'll also enjoy 4 years at either U Portland or SDSU, that is unless your intention is not to graduate on time.</p>
<p>My vote is for UP! You can always live in San Diego later but the value of the small private education in a great city like Portland seems to me to be a no-brainer. I am biased however in favor of small schools so take that into account. Huge congrats on the $$ BTW!!! Do you mind my asking you how you netted $40,000? I am curious about your stats because my DDs are both interested in UP and I am interested in merit money :-)</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. I decided to not apply to SDSU. I really think UPortland will be a great experience, if I decide to go there. And lastly, I think their academic environment is stronger and will provide more opportunity than SDSU.</p>
<p>Its dreary here in PNW. Come Xmas, PDX gets dark, dark at 4. SEA dark at 3. Even darker when it rains (there is a reason for the mascots, DUCKS, BEAVERS, PILOTS (read water/river )).</p>
<p>That's not altogether true. Global warming has helped out immeasurably in the PNW. ;) Today is brilliantly sunny in fact. </p>
<p>SoCal--good to hear you eliminated SDSU. There is simply no comparison--UP is going to give you a fabulous education, a strong community of friends that you will keep in touch with over the years, and as people have said Portland is a really amazing town. The beach is just over an hour away and skiing is just about an hour away. There is a really good music scene and the whole city is just very cool. </p>
<p>Congratulations on your award. Mind if I PM you to get some specifics? Son is going to be applying next year and UP is on MY list (even if he isn't too tuned into it yet) as a potential great fit for him.</p>
<p>Even though I said I wasn't going to apply to SDSU, I changed my mind. I wasn't 100% sure, so I just applied to SDSU to be safe. So even if I don't go there (or even get accepted for that matter), it's best to have as many options as possible.</p>
<p>SoCal, I think it is smart to apply to SDSU and keep your options open.</p>
<p>As you've already seen with the U of Portland, schools tend to look very different through the eyes of an ADMITTED student than they do through the eyes of a prospective student.</p>
<p>I like U of Portland a great deal. It is a nice, small university which can be very nuturing. But, SDSU has its pluses as well, including superb marketing and finance departments. After you get into SDSU (and perhaps some other schools as well!), revisit the schools, spend time on campus, talk to students, and see which feels more right for YOU then.</p>
<p>There is NO NEED to rush to make a decision just because U of Portland admitted you -- wait until you have all of the cards on the table, and then see how you feel as May 1 draws near.</p>
<p>By the way, according to NACAC Standards of Good Conduct, if a college asks a student to commit in order to keep a scholarship, by the NACAC SGC, the college must allow the student to request (in writing) an extension until May 1. So, you have plenty of time to weigh all of your options and make the choice that feels best to you next April.</p>