Admissions

For all incoming freshmen i strongly recommend that you live on campus at a dorm, it’s a fantastic way to make new friends and to find people who you can live with your sophomore year. Plus you’re much more involved in campus activities when you live at the dorms. Campus activities are so much fun and a great way to be social. Activities include carnivals, concerts, casino nights, dances, games, BBQ's, outdoor movie nights and much more. Also by living in a dorm you receive access to an AM (Academic Mentor), this person can help you plan your upcoming semester classes, give you advice on school work, look over your schoolwork and much more, they are a great resource for freshmen.

Make sure you visit the campus first to see if you like the environment. Meet new people and surround yourself with good group of friends that you can work with throughout the semester.

Once you get to college, any college, study study study. Don't put off studying until the last minute, it doesn't work trust me. I never had to study in high school because I learned all I needed to know in class but, in college you only get half the lesson, the rest you have to teach yourself by reading your text book. Practice good study habits! I can't stress that enough because no matter how smart you are if you don't study, when the test comes you won't understand anything. Tests are basically your whole grade so do good on those and you will be fine. If your planning on working during school, find a job on campus, it pays well and they work around your class schedule. Don't overwhelm yourself by taking too many classes at once. I recommend taking 12 units (approx. 4 classes) so you can get a feel for the college experience and still qualify for financial aid. By taking less classes it also allows you room for extracurricular activities.

Be sure to fill out the FAFSA ecause SDSU is very gracious with financial aid. Also, be sure to get involved in something fun when on campus. It makes school a lot easier.

Make sure to apply early! Rumor has it they stop viewing applications after they receive a certain amount. Make sure to research the new admission requirements, they just changed them.

Live on Campus. The housing on campus is amazing. THe rooms are clean, big and it is the best way to meet new people. Along with the housing you are given a meal plan as well, which makes it easy and convenient to get any groceries you need. This campus is safe. Another peice of advice I have for you is to get involved and utilize what our campus offers. We have a state-of-the-art gym with sauna and rock wall. This makes it easy to get fit. If you are not the type to get on a treadmill and run, SDSU also has a huge aquaplex and bowling alley that offers fun and easy ways to get in shape.

If you're going into any field of study here, prepare to be challenged. Though the material itself isn't so hard to understand, and the workload is not unfair, the atmosphere of San Diego can suck you in and take hold. Make sure to prioritize your life. The cost of the institution should say it all; College is important!

Advices for SDSU prospective students.
Try to balance your classes do not rush trying to finish your GE in the first semester.
Bring lunch if you do not live on campus at least 3 times per week.
Study for finals two-three weeks before the exams.
Go to office hours/do extra credit if possible.
Library will be open 24 hrs during finals go there and actually study, don't try to order pizza and study with a friend at 2:00am. Trust me it will not work better to study for yourself or STUDY with a group of people.
If you like to party well try to balance school and social life.
Do not let professors scare you, you can raise your grade even if you fail or did not do so well on the first test.
Try to focus on classes that are for your major since those will count towards your GPA.
Finally try to relax, you have four or five yrs to finish with college you may as well try enjoy college while you can.

Don't let freshman year GPA bring you down! It may be hard to adjust to the college style of learning but come in expecting that and it will be easier for you to adapt to it. The classes you take freshman year will be some of the easiest you will ever take and it will be a shame to miss out on a GPA boost.
Talk to your professors! I can't even say how important it is. I know some may be intimidating, but that's their job so don't be afraid. Trust me, if you talk to your professors when you have questions (about anything!) you will be very thankful you did.

Whether you're ready to get into the college life or are scared out of your mind to be away from home, everything will work out fine. Yes, that sounds cliche but everyone I know has adapted incredibly well to college life. It feels just like home and no one really feels homesick either. Sure there are times when people miss their families and beds but that's about it. Also, just a heads up, if you're one of those people that take really long showers, that won't work here too will because I can guarantee and that, since these are communal showers, you will want to get out of the shower as quickly as possible.
Also, just remember that you're going to have less space in the dorms that you did at home probably and therefore you shouldn't bring every single thing in your room but then again, don't just bring the bare minimum either because then you'll feel like you under packed; bring the necessities as well as some things you really like and just want to have to do in your spare time but the more stuff you have, the messier your room will look.
The meal plans are kind of crazy and there's so much food on campus that you will not go hungry. However, it is definitely nice to have some snacks stored away in your room for those late nights or weekends (depending on your meal plan). The freshman 15 is definitely not a myth either so take advantage of your gym membership as much as you can.