I cant choose between SDSU and The University of Utah. I think I fit into both school but they are so different I cant choose. My biggest Con about Utah is ive heard their Greek life and Party scene is bad. And I to have a fun time in Greek life and also have some fun parties. My biggest con about SDSU is ive heard from people that go there either LOVE it or HATE it. I dont want to make the wrong decision. Please help me decide.
any opinions are appreciated
SDSU
love or hate - maybe you’ll love.
Utah - people will be hiking, skiing. SLC is fine but it’s still a quieter, less party state.
What are your pros for Utah ? Your con of SDSU seems silly. Have you visited both ?
Nobody here knows you. Nobody can guess where you will be happier. If both schools are comfortably affordable, try to visit (or revisit) both options and then make a choice. Once that decision is made, never look back.
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What else do you like/dislike about each school? Do you like the courses available in your chosen Major? Where do you live and is it easy to get to/from each ?
What are you planning to major in?
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I was wondering this also.
Other issues include budget, and what if any long term career intentions you have in mind.
Is there any significant different in cost between the two schools? Do both fit your family’s budget?
This will describe people at SDSU but I would also add, people that go to college for four years and are indifferent.
This will also describe people at the U.
The types of fun you have at the two will be different.
Do you prefer the beach or mountains & winter sports ?
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SDSU grad here. But from 1997 
As much as SDSU has changed over the last 30 years, there are some things about the culture that I think have stayed the same or intensified. If you are into Greeklife and parties, if you are into fitness, and you are self-confident, you will likely have a blast. If you are insecure or you compare yourself to others quite a bit, you may struggle. This may apply to many places, but I found the combo of Greek life, parties and the southern CA lifestyle a shock coming from even nearby northern CA.
Of course, SDSU is a huge school and it’s possible to have a very different experience without Greek life and the party scene. But I think as a freshman living in the dorms, it can be difficult to avoid. From my experience, those who hated it, hated it for the social life and the insecurities it inspired in them, not for the school itself.
From an education perspective, I was a journalism major and I was well prepared for my writing career. I hustled on my own to get internships and they were plentiful around San Diego. There are a bunch of industries in SD—biotech, telecom, defense, healthcare… so that could be a draw.
You likely know that SDSU is not near the beach, but it’s common to live on or around campus for 1-2 years and then head out to Pacific Beach or Mission Beach for years 3-4. It’s about a 20 min drive from campus, but the beach is stunning and it was worth the drive 
Everything is relative.
But the drive from the University of Utah to the nearest beach in Southern California is well over 10 hours.
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How serious are you about partying? You won’t be able to party and maintain a decent grade point average.
At San Diego State, because the classes and courses are not lax, people who don’t know how to study, will have a rough time there. No one is going to hold your hand. It’s a small city.
I attended San Diego State eons ago, and in my major, I didn’t have time to party. I did go to a few games because we got free tickets to everything, but that was back in my time.
What I found about San Diego State is there something for everyone to do because it’s so large and no one really cares about what you’re into. The area has a ton of things to do. Everyone does their own thing.
My nephews attended San Diego State and they enjoyed their time there but they also found that their courses were tough and you have to pay attention and meet deadlines, apply for internships and research positions on your own.
If you decide to visit San Diego State, walk around campus and notice the “body energy”. Then, go across town to UCSD and notice the body energy there. There’s a huge difference. The students at San Diego State seem carefree and happier.
? First of all, I don’t agree with your assessment about who seems or looks happier. And second- since this student isn’t considering UCSD, what’s the point of visiting there to see students who will not be in his/her classes, dorm, eating lunch, etc.
I thinks UCSD gives off “super chill vibes”– kids walking to class actually chatting with each other and not looking down on their phones, kids finding a gorgeous spot to sit and read, etc. Not sure what your implication is- that a more rigorous university has unhappy students? All universities have unhappy students– is your contention that UCSD has more than its fair share?
My point wasn’t to offend. My point was to visit another local campus with same weather, busy and local vibes. I know that students at UCSD place a lot of stress upon themselves and it shows. It’s a tough quarter system.
This student OP says he was told that either you love it or you hate it. He could visit another campus to see what another vibe is like. San Diego State and some of the other local campuses can be equally as challenging. My visual impression continues to experience a definite difference but I’ll admit that I shouldn’t have used UCSD in a “pejorative” manner. My apologies to all.
I’m not offended, just confused.
But certainly visiting both Utah and SDSU would be a good idea if possible. I would hardly call UCSD a pressure cooker university– maybe a subset of that (the premeds, the “majoring in biochem to work in VC”) but walking across campus you don’t feel that. Ask the Classics majors, the Urban Planning majors, the History majors about the “pressure” they feel….
As a Salt Lake City resident, my sons’ friends who attend U of U seem to really like it. If you’ve not spent much time here in SLC, it’s a great fit for someone who loves the outdoors. There is certainly plenty of typical winter mountain activity (skiing, snowboarding, etc.), but even us hiker types have fun snowshoeing. April through October are much more about snow-free summer activities, and the nearby access to hiking trails along the Wasatch Front are unmatched. I’ve lived here 10 years and feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. And if you have a vehicle, some amazing national and state parks are scattered all over the state.
Obviously don’t know what you enjoy doing, but for an active person, I think it would be a really fun place to spend 4 years.
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And if you’re into music, SLC is booking more and more these days, with this festival getting a lot of national attention: https://www.kilbyblockparty.com/
My oldest son and his girlfriend flew home from school in Seattle (UW) just for it last year.