Great Learning Environment (if you are proactive)

Introduction
I chose this school because of its proximity to San Francisco. However, if you want to actually live in the San Francisco urban area, this school is not necessarily for you. I live in the middle of the city, and it takes me an hour via public transportation to get to the campus at the edge of the city. So, if you are a student who wants to go to San Francisco State so you can live in the MIDDLE of San Francisco, you will be disappointed. If you are a student who wants to live NEAR urban San Francisco (accessible by a decent rail line that runs until about midnight), then this is the place for you. I know the address of the campus is San Francisco, but it's actually on the edge of it.

Campus Life and Social Life
I am an older student so I'm not into the social life at SFSU. From what I see, though, it's a pretty social campus. While I don't even try to make friends here, I can't help but meet people who are very friendly. There are numerous clubs you can get involved in. Sports are not too visible here, but they do exist and they have a large gym and football field on campus. The best thing that happens socially is that at least 3 times a week there is something going on in the Malcom X Plaza at the student center, and it's almost always something cool (music and cultural events). Advertisement
Academics
I am in the chemistry/biochemistry department, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE!! There are so many scholarship and research opportunities, if you just ask! All you have to do is contact the SEO office and they will direct you. The professors are so accessible when it comes to letting undergrads do research - there are a lot more than you would find at other schools, who focus on their grads only. I have met so many helpful professors who sincerely want me to do well. I have had good experiences with the Humanities department as well - the professors in that department seem to really care and become interested in the students. As for the other departments on campus, I don't know enough about them to comment. There do seem to be a lot of academically-centered clubs by department.

Student Body
I am not involved in the social life at this campus, so I can't really comment, as I said earlier. I can only comment on what I've observed, which seems like a fun atmosphere where everybody knows everybody.

In Closing...
This is a very underrated school. I was disappointed at the low ratings this school has academically, including the professor rating. Most of my experiences with my professors have been so positive, and they are wonderful experts in their fiels. I think the CSU system simply has a bad reputation that should not extend at all to SFSU, especially in the sciences. I believe it is on caliber with some of the UC's in some ways!