My chances of getting into a UC are pretty slim due to my SAT low score (1700, but will test again in October). I wouldn’t mind going to a state school (for my first two years, at least), but I’m worried the students won’t be as inspiring/engaged intellectually as I’d like, especially at schools with a huge party scene like SDSU. Does anyone know which school has a calmer/more studious vibe? I’m hoping to study philosophy, if that gives you an idea of what I’m looking for.
You might consider CCs where all the classes are small, where you can take honors classes in which you’ll find that the level of engagement is high. You’ll find alot of meaningful class discussions going on. Also you can save money and work towards a transfer to a UC.
SLO, considered to be the toughest to get into, still has its share of parties.
As stated above by @Happy2Help, all schools have parties. SDSU has a party school reputation, but that “party school” label is a thing of the past. Academics there are top notch and the 2nd most difficult CSU to get an acceptance. SLO is the toughest, but that is manly due to their outstanding Engineering and Business programs.
You will find students of all levels at CSU’s and UC’s. If you want inspiring/intellectually engaged students, consider applying for the Honors progam at any of these schools.
@Happy2Help, I was/am considering CC, but I don’t think it would be the best environment for me socially, as I’m not outgoing and tend to stay to myself. @Gumbymom, that’s a good point, thanks!
@actuallyacat My D was like you! She liked the small honors classes and hated the large UCLA classes after she transferred. There were plenty of chances to socialize or not, for a commuter. Good luck!
I’ll try to be constructive here - not sure what you mean by intellectual but, it comes across as pompous and disparaging to the whole CSU system - which includes at least one school you won’t qualify for…
With a 1700 SAT, you’ll need a 3.7+ GPA to make it into SDSU
Can you elaborate on your qualifications a bit? GPA, CSU GPA and an SAT breakdown would help understand recommend programs that may be appropriate for you.
I didn’t mean it as such, @NCalRent, I’m sorry! Right now my GPA is a 3.85 and my scores from May were 680 CR/480 M/530 W. Obviously my math score is horrendous, but I’m hoping to get up to 700 in CR and at least 600 in W. My school does not have AP’s, but I’m taking Honors in everything but math, and writing an Honors Thesis senior year. My EC’s include: writing and publishing poetry internationally, co-founding and editing my school’s literary magazine, attending a teen meditation group every week since the 10th grade and meditation retreats every summer, and working a full-time job at UCLA over the summer. While I would have liked to pursue more activities, the majority of my time is spent at doctor’s offices. I also happen to be low-income.
@Happy2Help Oh, goodness, UCLA is actually one of my top choices right now. 
What did your daughter major in?
She’s a senior now, majoring in English!
Wouldn’t it be fair to say that any CSU can have an intellectual (however you’re defining it here, I’m going to assume we’re on the same wavelength) community? I think so, and an exposure to this part of any particular CSU community would depend in part on the individual student. Meaning, every time you sit on a bench, a random guy/girl will not sit right next to you and want an engaging discourse on the meaning of life - you’ll need to seek out those individuals if that’s your fancy.
This can be done in a lot of ways too, you’d be surprised. For example, I go to a CSU and I’m in a very small major (I believe the department graduates like around 50 undergraduates each year, give or take). I’ve found plenty of opportunities to surround myself with individuals and groups that are of the same intellectually stimulating mindset as myself, such as joining and being an active member in my department’s major-related student club, accept invites to and attend networking events from department faculty, express my intellectual interests to my course professors who may have related research opportunities (or know others who do), taking advantage of the department’s honors program, attending special one-off lectures with special lecturing guests hosted by the department, and more. And that’s all just within my own small department! This says nothing about any other student organization nor the honor societies on campus.
I agree that your attitude towards CSUs, that you wouldn’t “mind” going to at least for your first two years, is a little off-putting, although I take no personal offense to it. After all, this is an online forum. If you don’t want to be part of the party scene, then don’t be part of the party scene. If you want to be intellectually challenged, at any school, the search out the opportunities the campus provides to do so. It’s as simple as that. Heck, if you were so inclined and you really couldn’t find a group to fit your intellectual liking, then you could always consider starting your own student organization so the intellectuals can come find you instead.
CSULB has a more studious vibe
Santa Cruz, Riverside and Merced aren’t out of the question with your stats.
As to CSUs, San Diego State and Long Beach are probably your best bet. Both have honors programs that are worth a look.
http://web.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/uhp/
http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/dus/uhc/Default.aspx
You might also look at Sonoma State. It is a smaller than average CSU and is highly residential. Sonoma County is beautiful and, on-campus, if feels like a private school.
Good luck.