<p>Just wondering what parents think of San Diego State University...good or bad...</p>
<p>I did my MBA at SDSU. Here's my take on the school: it can be a very good school for highly motivated students who aren't easily cowed by bureaucracy. Not much (if any) hand holding, not much individual support. Not a terribly intellectual school overall, but some students and most teachers really do care - just have to find your niche if that is what you are looking for. You have to be a bit pushy to forge relationships with professors, get decent advising, and get into classes. But, overally, I think many of the programs at SDSU can be very good for the right type of student. That said, be sure to check on which programs are impacted and, if you're interested in an impacted programs, anticipate headaches in terms of getting classes.</p>
<p>SDSU is a huge, overwhelming school. Carolyn is right, there is absolutely no hand holding there! My husband and I both graduated from "State" in the mid 70's; it was swinging and raucous, about $50 a semester, party central, loads of fun.....ahhhhhh, those were the days. (After SDSU we moved to a UC for 4 years while husband got a PhD in Physics, UC campus life paled in comparison, LOL.) Nowdays tons of SDSU applicants are turned away, it's getting tough to get into which my husband and I find amusing as in the 70's anybody with a pulse could attend. The kids that I have known who have attended there recently have trouble getting all the classes they need in a timely manner, also a few of them complain that the on-campus housing empties out on the weekends. My daughter was accepted OOS in 2002, she chose to go elsewhere but several friends from her Kauai high school did attend SDSU and were overwhelmed by its all around massiveness.</p>
<p>There is something for everyone at SDSU.</p>
<p>My daughter, who will be a senior at SDSU in the fall, was an average student in HS, but has blossomed academically at State, primarily because she is studying geology, about which she is passionate. She is on a first name basis with all of her geology professors, as well as quite a few of the professors in the Religious Studies department (her other passion). She has been very active in the student geology club (AGS), which is how she has gotten to know the faculty in her department. On the recommendation of one of the faculty members, she obtained a very nice geology internship last year in Washington D.C. Thus, despite its size, there are ample opportunities to excel on an individual level at SDSU. It is all what you make of the opportunities which you are given.</p>
<p>There is a dorm for freshman called the LLC, which provides support services to ease the transition from HS to college. There was definitely less partying and more of a focus on academics in that dorm. (Or so I am told!) I am glad that my daughter lived in that dorm freshman year.</p>
<p>My daughter is displeased with many of the other students at the university her perception being that they are more interested in partying than in studying. She is probably correct, but I try to point out that this behavior is not specific to State. She is just at a different place in her life than they are in theirs. Frankly, it seems to be less of a party atmosphere than in the 80s when my husband was there and I came to visit. </p>
<p>The bureaucracy that Carolyn references in legendary.</p>
<p>thanks for your candid thoughts...anybody have any insight on the theatre dept at sdsu?</p>
<p>Only that UCSD's theater department is much better. :) Sorry for the jest. I personally don't know much about SDSU's theater program, in San Diego the theater program that gets all the play, both locally and nationally, is UCSD's.</p>
<p>yes, I heard that about UCSD's theatre dept., but its virtually impossible to get in to any of the UC's these days...</p>
<p>If your daughter is interested in theater, another cal state she may want to look at is Humboldt. Apparently, they have a good theater department. Sorry I don't know more about SDSUs program.</p>
<p>If this daughter is interested in theater, why not look at Chapman? Yes, it's more expensive as it's a private school, but I understand they are very generous with merit aid especially for students with higher stats who they are trying to attract. They have a great theater program and we thought the campus was very nice as well.</p>
<p>Thumper, A girl from our town who will be majoring in theater at Chapman just received a full ride including tuition, room/board from Chapman. She was in the top 10% of her school with SATs in the low 1200's.</p>
<p>One tidbit of information: The theater department IS listed as an inpacted program at SDSU (see <a href="http://www.calstate.edu/AR/impactioninfo.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.calstate.edu/AR/impactioninfo.shtml</a>) Be absolutely certain to find out how that affects class availability, programs and admissions. I'd contact the department directly.</p>
<p>Almost every major at SDSU is impacted. Generally speaking you have to prove yourself for your first two years before you can "officially" major in just about anything. But it would seem that if you're not cutting it by your third year maybe it just wasn't meant to be...</p>
<p>yes, I heard that most of the majors are impacted. And since they give preference to kids who live near san diego, its even harder to get in.</p>
<p>We'll wish for the best...its still a great school and affordable too!</p>
<p>thanks for all your input!</p>
<p>I have a co-worker whose son is a theater major at SDSU. His son is loving every minute of it! His father (my co-worker) had absolutely NO IDEA if it was a "good" department or not, but I do know that his son has had parts in a couple of productions (he's a junior) and was in London studying theater this summer. He has not mentioned anything with respect to the major being impacted. </p>
<p>An aside, I have another friend whose daughter is a liberal arts major (will be getting her teaching credential next year) and she is going to graduate from SDSU in 4 years, and has only had a few bumps in the road with respect to getting the classes that she needed. It certainly isn't as bad as it used to be, "back in the day...", lol.</p>
<p>At freshman orientation, the parents hear the message that kids CAN graduate in 4 years (although when we went to the science majors orientation they told us to forget about that. Science majors require 5 years due to course sequencing issues.) They want those kids moving through in 4 years to free up spots for other students.</p>
<p>thanks for your encouragement regarding the theatre dept....we'll hope for the best.</p>
<p>And what a beautiful destination spot for us to visit! Its beautiful in San Diego!</p>
<p>They don't give preference to students when picking classes based on where they live. This semester, I had the worse sign up date at the school and I got all the classes I wanted. Although i do admit i had to "crash" a few classes and in one of those classes I saw many students get turned down from crashing, I just talked to the teacher on a personal basis afterwards and got the class, so if you personally seek to get the classes you want, you can get them.</p>