San Diego State University Off the Record (College Prowler Series) Book

College guides written by students for students.

San Diego State University Students
Tell It Like It Is

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 mydegree."

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.

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The Boston Globe

The prospective college student's antidote to the Princeton Review doldrums.