Reviews
San Francisco State University
Liza from Bolinas, CA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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I have enjoyed all but one teacher in my first year here at SF State. My teachers are committed to giving me the best education they can and that's a lot to ask for from a state school.
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Am enjoying being here
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San Francisco is one of the best city's on earth, so yes, I am enjoying it here. The dorms at SFState are horrid, and I luckily did not have to live in them my first year. It is difficult to make friends in such a big school, but I'm still enjoying myself.
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Bang for the buck
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Definitely a deal! If you find an apartment in the city instead of paying for the dorms you save a bundle of money, and get away from school once you're done with your classes.
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Tips for prospective students
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The city, the school, the people, and the diversity of SF State make it a choice location for any perspective student. Everyone fits into this big school somewhere.
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Great for these types of students
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EVERY TYPE!
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Kirsten from San Francisco, CA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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Classes that are offered here at state are interesting. ALL professors here at state are passionate about their discipline and they are very helpful! We have great and supportive departments. I am a Biology major at state with hopes of attending UCSF for med school and they provide a lot of support. The Biology department is one of the best in the CSU system since SFSU has a lot of connections with Biotech companies in the bay area and health care companies. The Biology department is ranked #3 in the public universities when I read reviews about it.
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Am enjoying being here
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I love the atmosphere of SF State. So much diversity. Find an organization that you're interested in & it will be the best move you'll ever make!
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Bang for the buck
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I personally do not live in the dorms because I save so much money living in an apartment. I have friends at the dorms & I've been to all of the types of dorms at SF State. The Mary Ward Halls (freshmen dorms) are okay. Not much privacy, but you meet tons of people. The Towers & Village are the way to go if you're looking for apartment style living, But they are more expensive than the MW Halls. Tuition at SF is reasonable & being a student here has many advantages: Melting pot, transportation is cheap, & many opportunities for exposure available academically professionally in the city.
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Tips for prospective students
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Get involved with an organization of your interest! It is the best way to network & advance yourself. Also, utilize the professor's office hours! It may be intimating at first, but once the professors can put a name to a face you will most likely gain a connection with them and learn a lot more. Check for your professor's teaching style & ratings on ratemyprofessor.com. CARP offers FREE tutoring in most subjects! The Cesar Chavez Student Center is awesome & is designed for student's success & their enjoyment. The library is still under reconstruction, but the Annex is one of the best places to get work done. Also, be prepared for the changing weather! It will be sunny one minute then cold and foggy the next.
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Great for these types of students
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Every type of student! SF State offers a variety of opportunities for success and you live in one of the greatest cities! Many opportunities to network within the school & outside of SFSU.
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Lauren from Crescent City, CA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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The school offers a wide variety of options in classes and majors, and there is something for literally everybody. The teachers are very committed and always welcome students to visit them during office hours whenever needed and as often as possible for help in their class, on a paper, etc.
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Am enjoying being here
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Everyone is so nice! I haven't ran into a single person that I've just thought, Wow, what a jerk. I live in the Towers at Centenial Square, and although the floors tend not in interact with each other as much as in the Mary Ward or Mary Park halls, the rooms are spacious and dormlife members (RA's) offer many fun events many times a week for us to participate in. San Francisco is an AMAZING city, and there is always something to do for everyone whether they like to go to club events, explore nature, attend meetings, or just take a simple walk to the beach.
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Bang for the buck
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I haven't had to deal witha single problem that I'd wished my money hadn't been spent on. The only complaint I have is that the DC (dining center) isn't always perfect, but they like to experiment and offer a complaint/suggestions box. They are very stable with their basics though (salad bar, noodle place, stir fry, desserts, late night dining section, and worker-made salads are always available given the hour of the day). Also, if one is not happy with the DC other options such as Burritos in the Park (mexican food) and the Cantina (pizza, pasta, stomboli's) are open weekdays until 8 pm.
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Tips for prospective students
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Personally, I wouldn't be nearly as happy living in such small quarters as the Mary's (average two person rooms with shared bathroom on the floor), so I suggest being on time with your housing applications and applying to the Towers or the Village at Centenial Square (which have multiple bedrooms, shared living rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom), unless you prefer to be in such close quarters with so many people. Also, don't be afraid to apply to a major that is impacted. I applied straight into the journalism major (one of the most if not THE most impacted major at SF State) without any previous experience, just a strong desire to learn journalism, and I got in! Also, pick an early date for your orientation if you do get accepted and choose SF State, because the fun classes fill up really fast! (I also suggest taking RPT 230, Growth Through Adventure. You go on three field trips: Rock climbing, ropes course, and snow camping [if you're in the Fall semester] or white water rafting [if you're in the Spring semester]. It is easily the most fun and exciting 3 units you will ever take!!)
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Great for these types of students
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Open-minded students who love to be included in deciding your own educational process. There are countless activities in the quad, and students definitely have a strong say at SFSU. The ethnic studies college is HUGE here, and was actually the first ethnic studies college to ever be created. San Francisco is beautiful and endless, so those who like to explore AND have options should definitely at least apply here. Come tour the campus and you'll fall in love. :)
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A from San Francisco, CA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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There are a lot of dedicated professors here that are passionate about the subject they teach. You can really see that they are here because they want to spread knowledge not just on their tenure for the money.
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Am enjoying being here
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SFSU has the best of both worlds, a college-life experience but in a large bustling city. Lots of parties if you know where to look, plus the school has a monthly rave/club type event held in the student center. There is always something to do in the city and is only a bus ride away. There is amazing food options here, on campus and a close by. Everyone is positive with smiles and carefree and always willing to help.
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Bang for the buck
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SFSU is a state school so it's cheaper in comparison to private schools. It's even cheaper than it's UC counterpart. However, cheaper doesn't mean less quality. The professors here are top notch and teach you as well or ever better than ones in other universities.
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Tips for prospective students
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Don't move here with a car. It's so not worth it, parking fees, street cleaning tickets, gas and all that add up. You can bike or bus it anywhere for cheap, save the environment and your money.
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Great for these types of students
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Come here if you want to go to a college in a big city.
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Stefeny from San Jose, CA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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The professors that I had during my first semester at SF State were very helpful. I learned new things and got to review things that I have nearly forgotten. If a professor has office hours, use them, during those time your teacher can help you with things in a one on one environment
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Am enjoying being here
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I love being in San Francisco, the weather could be a bit cold at times but other than that it is really beautiful, the campus especially.
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Bang for the buck
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Transportation is cheap and gets you around San Francisco with ease.
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Tips for prospective students
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For the first I recommend staying in the dorms, even though it is a bit expensive it allows you to meet and make a lot of friends.
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Great for these types of students
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those who enjoy cold weather, and being surrounded by all types of personalities
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Liz from Daly City, CA
a current student here
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In three sentences
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You can tell that (most) teachers really care about their students, and have been doing their best to be there despite all of the drastic budget cuts. It has impacted the availability of services, which is disappointing; but you can see where the faculty and staff put out the extra effort in still making resources available and allowing the students to be informed. It is a great campus to be politically active or to be in a club and participate in community activities.
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Tips for prospective students
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Make sure you know what your major is. Many majors are impacted, and having a major you end up changing is WAY better than being undeclared. Get to know the teachers, they are more than willing to get to know you and to help in any way they can to make your education easier.
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Academic Rigor
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SFSU has good standing on academic rigor, and I would have to say that I have been challenged mentally in a very good way. Most professors I've had understand that students are human, and life doesn't happen on a semester basis. But they expect you to be interactive with your education, to take initiative in doing the assigned work, and coming to the professors in their office hours if you are having difficulties.
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Dorm Life
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I live off campus with roommates, so I cannot say how the dorm life is. I've heard that the dorms are nice, but can be cramped which is to be expected. They are all very close to campus and make it a lot easier for transportation, especially if you are new to the city and don't know your way around yet. They aren't cheap though, so if you're looking to save money I highly recommend using the school's roommate finder and getting an apartment near campus.
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Food and Dining
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The food in the cafeteria is excellent, they have a huge variety of different kinds of food from around the world to choose from. They have a large portion of healthier and vegetarian options which is very nice, since I do not eat meat. The pricing is a little high, but nothing so outrageous that it is completely non affordable for a student. You should be able to find something you like.
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What to do for fun
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Join a club, or come to one of the talks done by a professor or other speakers. They can be very influential and informative. Being involved in the campus community can open up a lot of doors for networking and for information for graduate school if that's what you're interested in. There is almost always something going on in the Student Services center, and there are a lot of fun events to join in on. The theater has done some remarkable plays that are definitely worth seeing. Plus, you are only a short bus or train ride from the city which has endless possibilities for activities.
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Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
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There are a few hidden areas tucked away, secret gardens if you will. There are quite a few neat little paths that lead to areas where you can read, eat, hang out and listen to your ipod. There are natural benches made out of tree trunks all around campus and a lot of diverse and interesting architecture and sculptures.
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Great for these types of students
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It is definitely a Liberal campus, and a lot of students are very politically active. If you are looking for a place to discover yourself and express your individuality, or to be a part of a group that is involved on or off campus, this is the place for you. This school is very welcoming to all ethnicities and walks of life.
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Campus Safety
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I always feel safe on campus, even at night when the fog rolls in. If you're a girl though, it's probably wise to carry a small can of pepper spray with you as a precaution if you find that you walk alone at night often, regardless of where you are on or off campus.
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Eva from Santa Clara, CA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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I've only been here a semester, but I'm learning a lot. All the teachers I've had are committed to helping you learn something. But really, your education is what you make of it, so of course... go to class. :)
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Am enjoying being here
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I think this school is great. SF is great to explore, especially while we're young. I wish this school were a little closer to everything but it's also nice that the campus is a piece of peace and quiet amongst a busy city.
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Bang for the buck
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I think this school would be great for those who want the basics - an education. The dorms are expensive, so skip out and get a great apartment nearby for a lot less (not Parkmerced though). I just wish the campus had a little more LIFE in it - sports, greek life, and school spirit. And I also have to mention that it's really hard to get classes because of the budget, and I don't see this problem getting any better, but that's a problem every state student is facing.
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Great for these types of students
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Bay area commuters, those who love SF, students who want to live in the city environment while going to school.
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Dru from Oakley, CA
a current student here
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In three sentences
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San Francisco State University has been a great school so far. I just finished my first year and I had the best time of my academic career. The other students at SFSU are extremely friendly and the sense of happiness that the atmosphere and campus greenery of the campus gives me is a feeling I won't ever forget.
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Tips for prospective students
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I definitely recommend prospective students to visit the campus a couple of times before the academic session starts just to get a feel for the campus because the campus is pretty big. Another good idea for prospective students would be to get involved with on-campus activities. There are various activities going on each day at SFSU and you will have a great time participating in them.
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Academic Rigor
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The professors here at SFSU have been great so far. They are all very passionate about their job and the professors are extremely dedicated to making sure the students get a proper education.
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Dorm Life
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Even though the dorm I chose wasn't very roomy I still had a great time. You will not mind the small rooms once you meet the other like-minded people on your floor and participate in the activities that the RAs put on.
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Food and Dining
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The food that SFSU provides for students that purchase meal plans are bearable at best. The food isn't all that great but it could be a lot worse.
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What to do for fun
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There are plenty of things to do for fun while attending SFSU. San Francisco is a great city with tons and tons of places to go and enjoy. There are plenty of beaches that are close by, one of which is walking distance. Getting to downtown San Francisco is only a Muni ride away. If you prefer to stay on campus there are a bunch of clubs that meet up weekly and there is also the Cesar Chavez Center which has an arcade, food court, and billiards rooms. There is never a dull moment on campus.
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Bang for the buck
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For the price you pay to attend SFSU you really get a great education. In my opinion, the tuition and other college costs of SFSU are pretty reasonable and definitely worth the cost. The professors are really dedicated to providing you with the education you pay for.
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Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
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Above the Cesar Chavez Center is an outside theater like area in which students can access any time. There are a bunch of seats in the area and even a cement wall where you could watch movies if you have a projector. I had a great time while I was up there.
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Great for these types of students
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Any type of student would enjoy San Francisco State University.
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Clubs and Activities
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There are so many clubs and activities to choose from and participate in. The campus green is filled with various different clubs in the first few weeks of both the fall and spring semester. There are so many clubs it is almost overwhelming. The activities on campus are endless. There is always something going on and you will know because of all of the flyers you see around campus. The RAs always have something planned for their floor as well.
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Greek Life
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I didn't join any fraternities but during the club rush there were a bunch of fraternities and sororities looking for people to join them. There is definitely a fraternity or sorority for you.
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Campus Safety
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There was never a moment where I felt unsafe on campus. At any given time, no matter how late it was, I always had a sense of security because the campus police do their job exceptionally well at SFSU.
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Amanda from Daly City, CA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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The academic aspect of this school has been very enjoyable. I've been able to take a variety of classes that I've learned so many new things from. The professors that I've come in contact with have been excellent. I had no problems with any of them. The workload was not overwhelming and I was able to gain knowledge while interacting with both the professors and fellow students.
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Am enjoying being here
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The main thing I enjoy about this college is the campus. The campus is beautiful. Although it is not very large, the scenery makes up for it. Throughout the whole school a wide variety of trees, plants and flowers are arranged. All of this adds to the natural feeling of the school. It is as though you are walking through a forest rather than a college campus.
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Bang for the buck
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For the price that students have to pay to attend this school, I'd say it is worth it. Having access to both rural and urban landscapes is definitely a bog plus. The school is extremely close to the beach and the city. Being able to get aroound so easily and having so many opportunities from the placement of this school has been a big reason why paying the price has not been as painful.
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Tips for prospective students
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As bad as the housing provided my be, I would suggest living in the dorms for atleast the first year. I made the decision to live off-campus my first year and I regret it. I know that it would have been a lot easier for me to make friends and be more involved if I lived on campus.
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Great for these types of students
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The school is very laid-back; so any students that are looking to study and learn in an easy-going and natural envorinment, this is the school for you.
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Sara from Los Angeles, CA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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I have only been at State for a semester so far but i feel that I have learned a great deal of material. The teachers are passionate about their subjects and want to learn. Go to office hours if you don't understand things.
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Am enjoying being here
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I'm originally from SoCal and like many people have said it does take some getting use to. The weather is very different up here lots of fog but not too much rain. You learn to layer clothes to keep warm. There's always stuff going on in the city. There's tons of public transportation and pretty cheap. After you get use to the weather its not to bad.
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Bang for the buck
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San Francisco State prides itself at being one of the cheaper Cal States. The campus is beautiful and green but classes are kind of hard to get. Housing is a tad bit expensive.
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Tips for prospective students
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Be aware of the weather! If you can find housing near campus do it living on campus is a tad bit expensive. Do not bring a car when you first move up there is no parking or it is expensive. Everyone takes public transportation its a lot cheaper and takes you all around town.
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Great for these types of students
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People with open minds. There's tons of different people who live in San Francisco its so diverse. You're always learning new things.
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