StudentsReview :: San Diego State University - Extra Detail about the Comment
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San Diego State University

How this student rated the school
Educational QualityA Faculty AccessibilityA
Useful SchoolworkB+ Excess CompetitionA
Academic SuccessF Creativity/ InnovationA
Individual ValueB University Resource UseA
Campus Aesthetics/ BeautyC+ FriendlinessA
Campus MaintenanceA Social LifeF
Surrounding CityA+ Extra CurricularsA
SafetyA-
Describes the student body as:
Friendly, Approachable

Describes the faculty as:
Friendly, Helpful

Male
Bright
Lowest Rating
Academic Success
F
Highest Rating
Surrounding City
A+
He cares more about Social Life than the average student.
Date: Aug 07 2008
Major: Psychology (This Major's Salary over time)
I transfered from a community college before earning my BA and MA in psychology. During my time there I volunteered in research labs and worked as a teacher's assistant for 3 years and then as a regulatory analyst in the division of research affairs for almost 1 year. So I know quite a bit about the university and about psychology. As far as research activity goes, SDSU is often underrated. There is some very high quality research going on at the university in several different departments. Many professors are engaged in some very important research and are leaders in their fields. Many programs at SDSU have earned distinctions for the quantity and quality of research that they produce. Most professors are also very friendly and genuinely care about their students' success. If you are motivated and dependable, you can easily get involved with research and gain valuable experience for future jobs or graduate school. Regarding academics and the quality of the student body, I think the classes are reasonably challenging, although it depends on the course. The large lecture classes tend to be relatively easy because the professors don't want to read more than 70 papers or written exams. But the more advanced courses tend to be more challenging and rewarding since the classes are usually small. If you need help, most professors are willing to help you directly or refer you to a TA or a tutor to help you. The quality of students is more variable than the more snooty elite univerisities. SDSU is not just for the monetary and intellectuall upper crust who manage to get into the super elite schools. There are a lot of morons who think they're living in a National Lampoon's movie, but there are also a lot of very intelligent and very motivated students who do some impressive work. There are a lot of talented students who either can't afford an elite school or don't want to be in such a competitive environment. Once you get beyond the general ed requirements you will mostly be around the good students. Most of the morons don't make it that far. Or they take courses in areas like business, marketing, or finance. There is also a lot of diversity on campus. There are many people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. SDSU has a large number of international students. I always appreciated this aspect of SDSU. It is easy to meet people from a variety of backgrounds that you might not otherwise get to meet without extensive traveling. The social/cultural life on and off SDSU is fantastic. There are lots of things to do in SD. We have some of the best weather in the world and some beautiful beaches. And lots of beautiful people too! The gym at SDSU is top-notch. There are lots or rec classes and intramural sports teams. Or you can hang out in the gym or on the sports fields and wait for a pick-up game of basketball or soccer. There are tons of student clubs and organizations. And we have a designated free-speech area where all the wackos come to rant and rave. It's usually pretty entertaining. My favorite are the Religious Nuts and the rabid Republican/Israel haters from the various leftwing clubs on campus. They usually have something hilariously offensive to share with the world. And you can watch all the other nut jobs creep around and try to argue with them. It's always good for some lunchtime entertainment. Or if watching crazy people argue isn't your thing, you can go watch one of the bands that usually play during lunchtime. Regarding the reputation of SDSU, it depends on which program you're talking about. Overall, the university seems to be associated with wild parties and shallow bros and bro hos, but many of the individual programs are very highly respected. For example, psychology, business, education, nursing, exersice and nutrition sciences, and probably many others that I know less about. On a personal note, if you want to major in psychology, think twice! A BA in psychology will not get you a job in the field of psychology, unless you want to work in a mental health facility babysitting people with severe mental illnesses. I did that for 3 years and it was emotionally exhausting, and you would make more money working as a server or a pizza delivery driver. Getting a MA degree in psychology is also not a good idea unless you plan to pursue a PhD in psychology. According to the American Psychological Association only 1/3 of people with a MA in psychology find work in the area of psychology, and those are usually research related jobs or the kind of mental health jobs you could get with just a BA. Competition for the good research jobs is very high and those jobs tend to go to students with lots of experience in the cognitive neurociences. For all other non-psychology related jobs, it is often difficult to land a job because employers don't understand why you want to work for them if you have a MA in psychology. My advice is to double major in psychology and something practical but related to psychology like human resources, management, biology, or marketing. Don't major ONLY in psychology unless you are certain you want to get a PhD in psychology, and you know what that will require. Even still a double major in psychology and something else will only help in future job searches and in applying to grad schools.
   
Responses
What type of campus life does the school offer?
What type of campus life does the school offer? how selective is the school?
commentYou wrote "Most of the morons don't make it that far. Or they take courses in areas like business, marketing, or finance." I find it quite funny that someone who is a psychology major thinks that the morons are in business and finance courses. HAHAHA that is so laughable. I think you have it backwards.
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