BatDog said:
I'm researching the local CSUs (Hayward, SFSU & SJSU) in order to complete my prerequisites for vet school.
For those of you in SFSU's program, how do you feel about the quality of the instruction? How about the level of support from faculty? What is the average class size? Are there any career changers here who were social science majors as undergrads?
Anyone in SFSU's pgm be interested in corresponding by e-mail? I have a lot more questions that I feel are best answered by students.
Thank You,
BD
Hi there - Just finished SFSU's post-bacc program. I had mixed feelings about the school, even though I've been successful getting into med school. I've heard better things about Hayward. The classes at SFSU are HUGE. Even my biochem class had over 200 people in it. Microbiology had at least 100 people in it. Labs are impacted, even though we as post-bacc's get priority. Its not berkeley's 800 class size, nor is it Mills' 5-20.
The quality of instruction varies so much I can't generalize here. You'll have to ask about specific teachers - some are good, some are great, some stink. That's where teacherreviews.com comes in handy.
There's factors awork at SFSU in the chemistry and bio departments I didn't appreciate but that could just be an effect of going into science. I was an English Lit. major, switched from a career in marketing to medicine. Had great relationships with all my teachers during undergrad and was very surprised at State to discover that the relationship with science teachers is very very different. I was used to going into office hours, chatting with the teacher about my career goals and classroom performance, and having them get to know me a little bit.
The teachers at SFSU want to talk about the material alone, answer your questions, then its time for you to skee-daddle out their door. Of course, there are some teachers who are quite wonderful, but I very rarely got the idea that most wanted to get to know me. Then again, with huge classes, impending research and so many students groveling for letters of rec, I'm not surprised.
The change in prof's attitudes could be across the board in the sciences and perhaps evident at all the schools you're looking at. I'm still in contact with many of my undergrad profs after ten years but I will NEVER come back to SFSU to visit (other than the student health clinic - they ROCK!! I will come back to visit some educators).
Feel free to PM me and I'd be more than happy to answer your questions.
Kay
