Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming to SDSU:- The campus is large; be prepared to walk around a lot.
- Campus housing policy is extremely strict in regards to illegal substances.
- The school is filled with NoCal natives. Be prepared to hear a lot of 'hellas.'
- People here tend to dress in the latest fashions and take great pride in their appearance.
- When you tell people you go to school here, expect the 'party school' response. Zura Hall is the most rundown of all the dorms.
- If you wear socks with your sandals, you will be shunned, and rightfully so.
- There are a lot of college kids in San Diego, especially community college kids.
- Mexico is only fun the first few times you go.
'San Diego State is essentially defined by its social culture, and if students relate to it, they love the school, and if they don't, they can loathe their time here.'
Brian Webb, Author
The College Prowler guide to San Diego State tells you everything the school doesn't want you to know?everything the students know is true about their school! Don't get all your information from a campus visit and a brochure. Make sure you know what the students really think before deciding if SDSU is right for you!Academics:
'The teachers here at San Diego State always seem like they try too hard to make class entertaining, as well as intellectually stimulating. Classes are interesting when I'm into the topic, such as human behavior or sea anemones. Otherwise, they are just a class I have to try and pass so I can get my degree.'
Local Atmosphere:
'San Diego is definitely a chill city. With so many options, there is always something to do here. Just make sure to stay away from the border if you aren't going with someone who is familiar with it. I've heard numerous horror stories from friends about the corruption of the police in Tijuana.'
'The atmosphere in San Diego is very relaxed. Individuals of all sorts can find comfort and entertainment here. There are lots of students at UCSD, making La Jolla an especially pleasant place. When visiting San Diego, the best places to go to are La Jolla, Del Mar, Garnet Street by the beach, Lake Murray, and the Gaslamp District in downtown.'
Food on Campus:
'San Diego State offers a plethora of fast food options and not much else. There is only one dining hall as opposed to the 10-plus locations of fast food outlets. If you are a healthy eater, it will be quite difficult for you to satisfy your appetite here at SDSU. There are no really healthy alternatives except for the Salad Bistro, which sometimes carries less than fresh ingredients.'
Find out if SDSU truly has something for you, straight from the students' mouths.
Visiting campus isn't enough.
Read our San Diego State University guide and discover what it feels like to be on campus for 4 years.
Discover if San Diego State is Right For You.
While writing our series of college guides, we felt it was critical that our content was unbiased and unaffiliated with any college or university. By hiring current students as authors, we strive to create college guides that truly represent each campus. Our guides cover both the good and the bad, and whether survey responses point to recurring trends or varying opinions, these sentiments are directly and proportionally expressed through our guides.
From the very beginning, student writers gather the most up-to-date stats, facts, and inside information on their colleges. They fill each section with student quotes and summarize the findings in editorial reviews. In addition, each school receives a collection of letter grades (A through F) that reflect student opinion. Once a guide is written, additional college students serve as editors and check for accuracy even more extensively. This same process is applied to all of the 258 colleges and universities College Prowler currently covers. Each guide is the result of endless student contributions, hundreds of pages of research and writing, and countless hours of hard work. All of this has led to the creation of a student information network that stretches across the nation. It’s no easy accomplishment, but it’s the reason that our guides are such a great resource.
