San Francisco State University
Category: Colleges & Universities [Edit]
Neighborhood: Lakeside1600 Holloway Avenue
(between Cardenas Ave & Varela Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94132 (415) 338-1042
52 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
"I'm such a dork, I love school. I feel like I've gained so much in the MFA program. Most of the professors that I had were very encouraging…" read more »
101 Reviews for San Francisco State University
I like this place because it's not for overachievers and it gives you a chance to have a somewhat of a life. Some of the professors aren't perfect but never had a real problem with that either. Things can be resolved if you talk to your professors. I really like the fact that they get rated after we are done with their class which doesn't give them too much power. Most of them will grade on a curve as well because the University Requires you to have a C average in your class. Overall a good place to go if you can't make it to Stanford or Berkeley and also cost effective.
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After high school I applied only to two schools, and this was my back-up. I chose it because, frankly, I knew it wouldn't be that challenging, and because I love San Francisco.
I have to say that overall I'm very happy with my experience at SF State. The campus is pleasant but somewhat lackluster and not very big (which is actually a plus because there's less walking), and getting classes can be a total bitch. But when I talk to friends at most other, especially public, schools it seems that our class sizes are very small and that there's a lot of room for interaction with professors. Maybe I've just been lucky, or adept at using ratemyprofessor, but I'd say out of about 20 professors I've had, only 1 has been horrible and the rest have been at least decent.
I also have to do a little shout out for my major department. The political science department has been SO much more than I expected. If you're planning on studying political science, you may pass SF State up because it's not that well-known a place for it, but all of the professors I've had from the department have been above and beyond. I love my department because it's pretty well-organized within itself, they put on lots of events, and they have really great connections, from internship and volunteer opportunities to jobs and scholarships specific to political science.
Besides the lack of classes and campus life, though, I'd have to say the only other negative is that it's barely in San Francisco. I didn't expect that when I first moved to State, and it is my biggest disappointment. I mean, even the SJ State campus seems more urban. SF State is next to a freakin mall and a freeway. What's up with that?
I (eventually) had a great experience at SFSU. That being said its not the school for everyone. Here's some advice if you're thinking about going here: know what department you want to study in! Some of the departments are an absolute joke, some of them are real gems.
The way SF state is structured freshmen have the highest priority for choosing classes, followed by seniors, then juniors then sophomores. And let me tell you, sophomore year(s) were brutal. There was a time when I was seriously considering transferring because getting classes was such a pain and the classes I could get into sucked. But I made it through to junior status and finally started getting into some classes I enjoyed, from then on it was smooth sailing. There's very little help for incoming students, don't expect anything to be handed to you. Its very easy to coast through an education at SFSU without really learning much, but there are great resources there, you just have to seek them out.
The campus itself is pretty unremarkable, and the weather sucks. Its a commuter school, so basically theres no school spirit, clubs, greek stuff, or sports. (There are sports, but its very limited). I don't like any of that stuff so I was totally happy with that, but if thats the kind of thing you're looking for SFSU is definitely not the place for you.
I was studying in the printmaking dept. and it was excellent. The facilities are really good, which is becoming a rarity these days, especially outside of art schools. The professors were great (both regular and visiting). Its a very small dept, so I got a lot of hands on help and personal interaction with the teachers. Once I got through most of the GE stuff I was focused almost completely on art and art history. I would routinely spend 8-10 hours a day working in the studio. Good times.
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Despite the complaints and my general distaste for our university's colors, I'm pretty content with going here. I think I'm majoring in the right department here because the Design and Industry department is spectacular. My teachers know what's up and know what they're doing. The advisors IN the department are actually helpful.
Sadly, the day I graduate, I'll have a Bachelors of Art degree in my hand while sporting a stylish purple gown with yellow trim. I know these colors resembles royalty and are complimentary colors. But geez, couldn't they have chosen something else?
My mascot, somehow, is an alligator.
Oh well! At least my parents will be proud and I'll be done with school in 2009.
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SFSU alumni: "Did you know that you can watch PORN here?"
Me: No waaay, duuuudde
SFSU alumni: Yes waayyyy, duuude.
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Ahhhh. Human Sexuality, course # that I can't remember from the top of my head right now.
It was classroom set in a theater. Knuth? McKenna? Don't remember quite frankly. It was a room full of pimply-faced, teenage geeks---
including myself sans the pimply and geek part of course.
This class was not showing us the "Last American Virgin" or even "Blame it on Rio" kinda crap.
Nope, this was a straight up seck-shual-i-teee course. Educational PORN! Yea!
During the first couple of classes, the 'sexpert' showed us a clip of a lady caressing herself. It was beautiful and artistic. It was touching (best adjective I could think of right now). I felt like I shouldn't be there watching her----I was an intruder in her bedroom. It truly was a beautiful scene except for the random snicker and/or catcall ("Bush whacker") from the audience. So,so juvenile.
By the fifth or sixth class, we're talking vas deferens (what difference?) and fallopian (falopiwhat?). Where's the PORN?
By the seventh or eight class, I started cutting a lot. A LOT. ALOT ALOT ALOT! The urethra just wasn't doing it for me.
The next time I show up, they're showing us an x-ray-like clip of male-female penetration. Wow! That was sooooo hotttt (not). This ain't porn!
Couple of classes later, they're already showing child birth. I just about hurled the pizza that I grabbed from the SU beforehand.
I got a "B" in the class. Guess I suck (figure of speech) at sex.
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In the 9 years (Undergrad and Masters work) that I spent here, I....
*... would've graduated sooner if it weren't for all of the color and design, dance, and golf classes that I attended. Egg Drop, tango, or putting contest anyone?
*... miss the days when I could just spend a whole day studying at Muddy's or Atlas
*... spent a ton at the SU eating the cheese steak sandwiches and cruddy pizza. Sorry for all of the belching in the Management class that one semester.
*....sported a 3.40 GPA. Pretty low for someone studious; pretty high for a habitual class-cutting simpleton like myself.
*....miss sleeping in on T/TH
*....miss the post-final margaritas at Chevy's
*....cussed out every professor that I had. Who the hell gives a term paper deadline during spring break ?
*....regret not doing the spring break 'thing.' "Hey, there's RJ! He's wilding out on MTV's Jerry Springer!"
*...wish any new students the best. Study hard, party hard.....
*... never did see any porn.
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this is #9 in my series of reviewing all the colleges and universities i've been to. (thanks silly)
i am currently finishing up my first semester at state. i like the campus and it's easy to get to. the fake bird calls coming out of the random boxes hidden among the flowers calm me every morning as i run late to class. the teachers i have are all really great. not having been in a four year school for many years, i had anxiety that it was going to be really hard and i would have to be real serious about school. well, big girl school is the same as little community college except that it costs more. i can still slack off as much as i want and get good grades
i will say, that being ___(insert number here), i do sometimes feel like i'm the oldest person in the room. i remember when i was 17 and starting college and having someone my age in a class and thinking, wow...they are really cool for loving school so much or really lame for not having their shit together by now. now i know the answer.
really cool for not having my shit together.
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I am terse when I tell people SF State is my alma mater. "What did you learn from here?" Um. I want to write this review in order to give a perspective for incoming high school seniors about how the departments are run here.
This is strictly about the departments.
SF State is underfunded in such a dire way, that all the departments I studied under have at least one course requirement in which you are paying tuition to do free manual labor for the school. These requirements by each department are called "praxis," a "lab" or "volunteering for the community." The idea is for people to gain practical experience WITHIN SF STATE, working within the department masked as an educational experience. The more time you put in, the higher your grade.
Bull. It's work. It's a faux internship. What you learn is how the faculty use you for the department's personal gain and what the parameters are for safely achieving an A. I understand many new students fluctuate in and out of departments so fast that it's easier to burden them with free labor when there is no money to adequately fund more faculty salaries. It's also an absolute paradox that president Robert Corrigan makes a higher salary than governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with circumstances like these.
Consider going to SF State if you want to stay in San Francisco but REALLY REALLY KNOW what you want to do here because you will not graduate in four years if you don't. Less than one out of every five incoming Freshmen graduate in four years. The only advisers are faculty during office hours. There are too many class requirements for each department while classes are so difficult to get into, and "praxis" or "lab" course requirements are inevitable. You'll be spending your whole day editing [X]press, organizing the Holistic Health Library, setting up readings at The Poetry Center and helping artists install their art at the International Art Gallery before you get a chance to study for a midterm exam.
Ask yourself: is it worth the low tuition to attend a severely underfunded school?
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The professors are really good overall, and most of them have a true passion to teach and inspire. It's one of the only places where one can major in ethnic studies, and I appreciate that being Native American (Iroquois).
There's a lot of people who aren't professors who just work on campus, and they are never helpful, many of them just fuck around on the computer all day, looking at porn and finding miscellaneous ways to waste student's money. The advisers may or may not be helpful (it depends on their moods).
I worked in the housing office for about 3 years, one of the worst jobs I ever had. What was funniest to me was how seriously the staff takes itself, they're really convinced they're "making a difference" when they're really charging students at a COMMUTER COLLEGE thousands to put them in ghetto shit holes, it's laughable.
My other friend in the housing office worked for someone who asked her to lie on official STATE documents, he was found with porn all over his computer. Also, they funneled money illegitimately and wasted thousands (maybe millions) in buying shitty apartments all around SF State in the hopes of making it less of a commuter campus. Hello, it's in the WORST possible part of SF, nobody wants to live on the border of daly city surrounded by immigrant families and rich people in St. Francis Wood.
Also, they keep raising tuition, and they make it pretty difficult to graduate for some majors.
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*This review is only for the process of applying to SFSU*
I did my application, thought I had covered all my bases, when something catches my eye. So I email the applications office and after three, completely in lower case, rife with bad grammar, confusing emails from some girl who certainly has better things to be doing. I find out that it seems that you cannot be taking summer classes if you intend to go in the Fall semester.
This was never brought up, not even when I was accepted and had specifically stated on the application that not only would I not have the 60 credits, but I would not have the GE requirements done.
After calling SFSU, I asked them why they had accepted me even thought they knew I was taking a summer course and had said so on my application. This is the exact answer I received, "We don't look at the applications."
"Don't look at the applications"? Then why they hell did I spend 2 hours doing it I ask? Apparently all they look at is your units...and they don't even check if any of the units are non transferable. Which is why I got accepted even though I don't have the 60 transferable units yet.
All I can say is WTF? There's a breakdown in the system somewhere if this seriously happens regularly, which from my experience, I'm thinking it could. I would refuse to go to this college just on my dealings with the applications office so far if there were another area I wanted to live in.
So please if you're applying. Be aware that they don't take you if you're taking summer courses, and to triple check your application, cause they sure won't.
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Home of the ten year, parentally financed, liberal arts undergrad!!!
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I TRANSFERED FROM A UC FOR THIS?!?!?!
...well its not that bad....my first semester has been nothing but crappy though. i've only been to campus 3 times at the time of me writing this review.
based on my observations, student life is a JOKE. they are more like high school clubs. at my old university, there would be clubs/frats/sororities promoting everyday, there would be music/bands/concerts. but so far, ive only had people stop me and talk to me about joining frats and making me 5 minutes late for class. obviously my body language wasnt clear enough when i was walking away and they just kept talking.
At my old university we had a university plaza where there were stores and restaurants open until midnight or later. it was also walking distance from campus....here....nothing. I AM STARVING while getting out of my 10pm class which ran back to back since 4pm. i wish there were something open that i can walk to without having the assumption that i'll get jumped.
Parking is terrible...i drive around the damn lot for at least 30 minutes before i see anyone get out. damn fools cant even park in their own lanes....i spent 9 dollars on parking tickets on my first day because i realized i only had 4 one dollar bills and you cant get the money back. although i would rather spend 30 minutes trying to find parking than having to park half a mile away from campus and having to walk to class.....well maybe half a mile was a bit exaggerated. either way....a smaller campus like sfsu has its perks.
....at least theres a bar on campus....
OH and the women are MUCH MUCH better looking than my previous University. (changes 2 stars to 3 stars) =D
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It's a mix thing here, I guess I should give it a 2.5 stars. I don't care about the look of the school and what not but about the quality of the instructors mostly. I can only think of a handful of great quality instructors who showed their support and respected their students opinion. Then there's plenty a-holes of instructors.
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If you compare SFSU to SJSU or SDSU, SFSU looks ghetto.
If you give it five stars just because you met nice people and new friends to hand out, you think that school is just for fun but a part of your future career.
It's ok though.
I chose SFSU, hoping that it should have a kind of connections to design fields that I want to work and that I can get professional practical skills in the school. But actually this school is huge disappointment.
I learned most of required knowledge and skills in the field from books I bought and internship I started with because teachers don't know them!! ;-(
I don't want to bad mouth about my school, but I can't help complaining about some crappy classes from which I learned little or nothing about hands-on skills in design fields. Even worse those classes are packed with so many students, and it's hard to register.
It always makes me sick when I remembered I paid about $6000 of out-of-state tuition for such classes every semester.
What the hell am I paying for?
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man, is this place a shithole or what. classes are hard as fuck to get into, the weather is a whooping 50 degrees on average, there are more bums than students in the library. i traded so cal for this? tragedy.
You'd think that a university in a city as intriguing as S.F. would be something worth talking about-- unfortunately, this place isn't very inspirational and cannot begin to compare with the UCs.
Resources are very limited. The library is a huge disappointment (hey, when you decide to go to grad school, you'll understand what I mean). Recent-slash-ongoing budget cuts mean less class offerings. The student union is a joke-- sure, the arcade in the basement level seems fun, and there is, believe it or not, a pub on campus... but the upper level terraces are small, have few tables and chairs, or are dimly lit and inadequate for studying or groupwork. Funny-- usually the ascent is more laudable than the descent.
Student associations are also limited to (a) sororities and fraternities, (b) minorly different Asian-themed clubs, and (c) a variety of Christian-oriented groups. There are a few others, but the operative word here is "few."
School activities are also few and not particularly exciting. There is no school spirit here, simply put.
If you decide to come here, be certain that the department you want to major in has quality faculty and ample resources-- it'll make a world of a difference.
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It's difficult for me to criticize one of my alma maters. So, I won't be too hard here.
As a social work major, I transferred here from CCSF in 2004 when the University was threatening to dissolve the social work undergrad degree program and I was scared I may not be able to take the major I wanted. The program was saved thankfully - after alot of bitching and protesting.
The department itself offers most of the classes you might need - and most of the professors are approachable, understanding folks. (One or two exceptions excluded).
Classes are kinda mixed - some are so packed many people cannot add it who want to, whilst others are half-empty.
When I completed my BSW I was relieved to be done. Whilst I'm thankful that I was able to attend here, I think the University has some serious problems it needs to address as far as funding and class sizes.
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Oh SFSU, you old so and so. I did my last 2 years here so I don't know much about GE classes. The departments I'm familiar with are art history, photo, film and beca.
For the most part I enjoyed my classes. Not amazing, but nothing terrible either.
So far as the photo department goes, I like that they give you A LOT of freedom with interpritation of assignments. The approach is basically "what do you want to do?" "Great! let me know if you have any questions". The bad part is...I didn't learn much because of this approach....plus photo kids are generally assholes...can't blame SFSU for that though.
The art history department isn't great. Uninspiring teachers, mostly textbook lectures and memorization tests.
I really really liked both of the BECA classes I took, but then again, "social aspects of the media" is a pretty interesting topic.
I took 3 film (crit) classes and I enjoyed all of them.
The campus is kind of crappy, but it IS located in the best city in the country. Plus it is the only non-art, non-medical school in the city so what are you gonna do?
All in all I had a pretty satisfactory experience here. I enjoyed it far more then Loyola Marymount, which had a significantly higher price tag. In retrospect I should have majored in BECA or journalism, but I felt like I had to finish college in 4 years...Like a shmuck.
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oooohhh sf state....so much to say what to write. well, i have to give it 3 stars because they accepted me even though im pretty sure everyone gets accepted it's still a self esteem booster.
The classrooms suck. Especially having ALL of your classes in HSS 130 and 135 just really blows and gives me a reason to write on yelp just to complain about how much it sucks. And it's really unmotivating to go to classrooms like that. The classes are sooo packed and the seats are so close together it gets ridiculous...
However, there are some really awesome professors...mainly professor Carrington.. hes pretty much my favorite person ever. If he wasn't gay i'd ask him to marry me...seriously though.. human sexuality is already a cool fuckin class but he just makes it SO much better..i've thought about taking his class again just to see him lecture haha.
The campus itself is ok and the people are pretty cool cuz the campus is so diverse....theres a little bit of everything. The party atmosphere is pretty sucky cuz. sf state just isnt a "party" school which can get annoying for the people who aren't 21 yet.. classes are decent but it's tough to get the ones you want cuz the schools so impacted. all in all, 3 stars.
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SFSU Class of '93. Represent! SF State Gators. ASU New Administration Building J.Paul Leonard Library Broadcasting Music Drama McKenna
I am so full of memories of my Alma Mater. Yes Infodiva has Education.
http://www.sfsu.edu/
San Francisco State University (commonly referred to as San Francisco State, SF State, State and SFSU) is a public university located in the southwestern San Francisco, California, bordering Lake Merced and Lowell High School, near Fort Funston and Daly City, near the San Mateo County line. The university, as part of the 23-campus California State University system, offers 111 areas of study for bachelor's degrees, 96 for master's, 27 credential programs and 34 certificate programs, from eight academic colleges.[4]
Education is Sexy. Stimulating the mind is foreplay. The mind stimulated as an aphfrodisiac.... Do you feel me?
I see SF State Daily from my window. I am reminded daily that I received a quality education.
My Major you say?? I was a Special Major. http://www.sfsu.edu/~b... Ask Me about my Major sometime.
In the year of 2006-2007, approximately 29,628 students were enrolled in the university, of which 80.4% were undergraduate students and 19.53% were graduate students.[3] It is currently ranked as the 48th best universities in the Western United States by U.S. News & World Report.[1]
I had the "total" college experience. I never had to take out Student Loans. I could walk to school. Great Performing Arts Program.
I could go on and on. I am a proud alumni.
Infodiva OMI reppin' Education in San Francisco. Recognize!!! 94132
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Eh. It's okay. I commute there and it sucks. Parking situation is sketchy b/c people will try to break into your car or slam into and not leave any notice...not that I would expect them to, but I've seen it. Also, the parking lots rape you b/c they turn back the clocks on the meters by at least 5 minutes, so if you come right at 8 and your classes end at 11, you'll pay from 7:55, meaning you have to pay at least $4 instead of $3.
I have had some awesome teachers like Ken Walsh for the CJ Dept (CJ is my major). Kastruri Ray from Women's Studies...yeah. Most of the professors dont really want to be there or they are too busy and lecture at other places.
I dont feel that there is that much of a community per say. Most of the kids in the dorms just party party party and end up either dropping out or moving out to party in a different location, and do crappy in classes and then get shit job. People in the Dance and Theater Dept are pretty pretentious (not ALL but most of them). They definitely fulfill their stereotypes and its annoying to deal with them. Unless you find a group of halfway decent people, you'll most likely end up having a shit time. Especially if you commute. Like me! But I have thankfully found a good group. B/c I know that all of you care
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I dont care what people have to say about my school. I love it. Why is it that everytime I tell someone that I go here they crunch up their nose. Someone told me that it was ghetto??? wtf, they were retarded i know. yay for parking, going to class, moving your car, eating, moving your car and repeating this all day. the birds suck on campus especially near cafe rosso, i try to avoid that area.
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I was going to write a nice little review on how San Francisco State University is a nice little university in San Francisco with great people, great teachers, and great classes that will make you a better person and a thoughtful citizen.
Instead, I give everyone thinking of coming here this piece of advice: Don't come here.
The school is overpacked with students, yet tuition keeps going up and the ability to get core, crucial classes keeps going down. Other than a handful of classes spread out through all of the departments, the education you get here will most likely set you backwards. It's not worth spending your hard earned money in a place where you have to fight tooth and nail to get into classes where you won't learn anything.
Almost all of the departments are underfunded and understaffed. Most of the teachers don't give a shit. if you are planning on just coasting with a degree in Leisure Studies, this is the place for you because you will not learn a goddamn thing here.
There is no room to customize your major. In my department, they are stuck in technology and design approaches from the 1990s. You could learn more by reading the Elements of Typographic Style than taking an entire semester of Graphic Design 2.
This is a fucking joke.
So again I say, don't come here. Stay in Southern California, since most of the people here are transplants from Los Angeles. Keep your cars in your garages, since this is a commuter school and it is impossible to park, unless you can pay $200/week in parking tickets. The parties here are high school status. The campus life here is a joke.
This school makes me weep for the future.
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What the hell am I paying you guys for?
I'm a Zoology major. They don't offer the classes that I need. They don't have the professors that I need. They don't know what the F is going on. I have no school spirit.
If you're a interested in a degree in zoology, go somewhere else.
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all right all right.
It is no UCLA or Berkeley or even Stanford, but hey you get an education. I graduated in 1996 and from what I can see, the school is still there and there are still students attending. Can't be that bad.
I had some great teachers, very inspiring and others were dull, but isn't that life?
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If you want to become a management drone for AC Transit, Hollister/Abercrombie, or the local school district - go here.
If you want to get a menial job like teaching - go here.
If you want to bask with a bunch of liberal hypocrites who only care about pushing a left-wing agenda - go here.
If you want go to a school where the brats here talk about Hollister, Juicy, Uggs, how great their Toyota or Honda Hybrid/Sienna XLE Limited/Odyssey Touring/Lexus/BMW/Mercedes is - go here.
If you don't give a damn about who will hire you after graduation, unless you want to work for forementioned firms in my first line - go here.
Otherwise, avoid this shithole like the bubonic plague. I was about to transfer here from DVC on a whim, until I came to my senses and decided not to go here and stay at DVC until my GPA improves so I can avoid this shithole - and having to go back onto Prozac again. I dunno why my friends think this is school is the best thing since sliced bread - but they're in frats.
/edit 1: A BlackBerry, MacBook, or a Dell OptiPlex with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, even a Lift-Master garage door opener can be smarter than those sorority whores at State...
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I got my MFA in Cinema from SFSU. There was definite pros and some major cons.
Pros:
Really great community of grad students. Top notch. The department attracts good people.
Fairly reputable for its grad program.
Focuses on both production and theory, which makes for better filmmaking.
Is a comprehensive program.
Offers some great production techniques training.
Some of the professors are really great.
You get to live in SF and partake of the SF film scene.
CONS:
Desperately underfunded department.
Some totally apathetic but tenured professors.
A couple of downright unethical professors.
Lack of support for thesis work.
Department is prone to a lot of interpersonal politics (what department isn't?).
Program was in flux when I was there, which was hard. That was a few years ago.
SF is a very expensive city be a a film student in.
Wishy washy leadership in the department and constantly changing department chair.
I have some very fond memories and some unresolved ill will. I don't think they really fulfilled their promise. I felt really mentored and guided in the beginning and then everything just fell apart and they completely abandoned and dropped us all off at the curb.
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I agree.....the main campus isn't the most comfortable place to be when it comes to studying because the library smells and is old. HOWEVER, if you're thinking about getting an MBA degree, THEN Sfsu is the place to be because all classes are held at the new downtown building, which is located on Market st., above the Bloomingdales Mall. The faculty and staff are great and the services are OFF the HOOK!!!!! To attend sfsu, you're getting the BANG for your BUCK at SFSU.
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do i need to join the swim team to get some classes?
do i need to hire biology professors myself?
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The worst college in the united states....FOB central
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This is coming from someone that was in their graduate department. I have no idea what the undergraduate education at SF State is like, so I won't shit on it.
I came here to go to get an M.A. in Cinema Studeis. SF State was my Plan B but it really should not have been a part of my plans at all. For starters, they sent me emails for six months telling me that I forgot to submit my transcripts (I didn't forget a darned thing). When I called them, I was sent to 13 other people who all sent me in every lousy administrative direction. In spite of this, I somehow got admitted.
Well, the bullshit didn't stop there. Upon getting in, I was told to take a $50 "Graduate Essay Test". I earned my degrees in English and American Studies as an undergrad, so I felt pretty confident about it. Regardless, I slept early, ate a nutritious breakfast and wrote a concise, critical essay from a prompt that looked like it was for a high school course. In spite of this, I failed the damned test. If I stayed there, I'd have to take a remedial UNDERGRADUATE writing course.
Finally, their library sucks. If you're going to do any type of research, I highly recommend getting a UC library card and going across the bridge to Berkeley. The staff there looked like they were semi-retarded and were totally useless.
Now I'm going to re-work on my grad school applications and go anywhere that's far away from this dump.
I'm giving it two stars because the campus had some pretty nice trees and gardens.
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Coming as a transfer from USF all I can say is I love state and my program in the Psychology department. The people are friendly, the staff is well-informed, and they don't grade solely based on attendance.
I love it here and I will deff be back after I graduate in May, I'm going to stay for 2 more years and get a master's before I head off elsewhere to get my Ph.D. I couldn't have done it without my education at SFSU! Yay for quality schools!
PS State allows dogs on campus and in some classes too!! Yeah, this public school feels the four legged love unlike the haters at USF.
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No, I'm not a student here. But my BF did get his BA in Asian American Studies here (finally)!
Anyhoo.. this review is for SFSU's organizations (PACE, LFS), the murals, and Ethnic Studies College.
1. SFSU's student organizations have contributed a lot to the community - not only in SF but in SJ where FYC is located. They always have great events, and are always welcoming and encourage FYC students to go.
2. The Bookstore/Student Union Murals: I'm talking about the murals that are outside this building.. more specifically, the Filipino-American Mural. It's small, but it's packed with so much symbolism and history. It's a always fun taking FYC to see this, because this is something that was created recently and appeals (but is not limited) to younger generations. According to Mark (my bf), PACE office has 5x7 cards with more info about the mural.
3. SFSU's Ethnic Studies College is FAMOUS or infamous?! This college has a lot of history. It's the only Ethnic Studies College, that I know of. It's even written/mentioned in many intercultural studies books. This should serve a model for other universities.
- Ann Leslie V.
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this school is semi of a joke but i think they're trying to change their image. like people said already, its overcrowded, classes are difficult to get into, registration time is a bitch and some teachers are just not the most competent nor caring.
i don't know why i'm here either...??! O__O
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I'm pretty surprised at all these people giving such negative reviews about SFSU. As a current student there, I really love it.
I find this campus to be really amazing. It feels like a little city inside of SF. Living on campus is not that bad at all, disregarding my roommate that is. The furthest building from my room is a brisk 10 min walk and some are even as close as 4 or 5 minutes away. I am told that's pretty rare for campuses in big cities because normally some buildings might be across a street or in a separate part of town. With the downtown classes now offered at the Westfield Center, that sort of has come true. But those are much more of a convenience to people than a hassle I am sure since SFSU is sometimes a hard to get to with muni. But yuyuummmmm Village Market has good pizza.
Being a independent person with a steady boyfriend, I'm not into the party scene. That's another reason I like this school. I'm able to go to sleep at night in peace since everyone is able to go out into the heart of the city to party versus hovering around some bottles in their dorms about to get written up. The people you meet in classes are generally really friendly and there are always activities going on in the quad daily. Also, there are tons of booths out for clubs to join. Also, coming from good ole marin county across the golden gate bridge, my life lacked diversity. Coming to SFSU made me happy because now I was surrounded by all colors of the rainbow!
If you use ratemyprofessor.com to pick your teachers you really can't go wrong. I did not do that my first semester and got one hooorrrible lady who I will avoid at all costs now. Using it for the rest of my semesters has proven its worth. I have received great(!!!!) teachers and knew what kind of person to expect when I got to class. Some teachers, like the awesome history master Mr. Sigmon, even check what kids say on that site and improve every semester.
People complained about administrators not caring about them or whatever and I have to say I disagree. Anytime I have had to figure something out I was able to get in contact with someone from the right department and get an answer. I don't use the counselors to map out my every move like some may, because I can easily figure out what I want to major in, what I need to take, and when to do it.
Sure parking sucks, it's San Francisco still. This school is mostly a commuter school, but I live on campus with a car currently and parking is really not bad at all. The furthest I have ever had to park (w/ no SFSU parking permit) was near where the students who have permits park. You have to move your car once a week for street cleaning days but if you use your car you can time it perfectly to where you never have to make a trip just to solely move it.
If you are a crazy party person who wants lots of dorm life/craziness to post on myspace/facebook, then you probably don't belong on this urban metropolis of a campus... go to Chico!
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I feel like the name of this school is misleading. That's how I think I got conned into going here. It should really be called Daly City State University.
I went here thinking, "Oh, school in SF will be awesome--the culture and the city-life!"
My first day here was like that scene in Ocean's 11 when Andy Garcia realizes that the tape on the security camera was a recording and that someone made a duplicate of his vault.
4 years later, it's still pretty terrible. People say it's Arnold's fault, but I think it has something to do with 9/11.
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