San Francisco State University

graduated from SFSU with the class of 2022 and had an extraordinary experience while attending.

Attended SF State in early 2010s and I have a hard time looking back at this university fondly. I used to defend going here, even after bad things happened. Years later I think my faith in the university was undeserved. The degree didn't help with employment; all I got out of it was debt and regret.

There are various problems that exist here. Let's start with safety. I was attacked on campus by some random guy that snuck behind me. He punched me in the back of the head and ran. It seems that random people unaffiliated with the college just walk in and out of campus freely to cause trouble. When I tried to report it all I got was lip service. They didn't ask any questions or took anything down; I was just sent out with an "Aw, sorry that happened to you". I don't know if it's a lack of training or something but it felt very inadequate.

Secondly, there's a lack of healthy communication skills. People here don't like to talk. If they do talk, sometimes you'll get irrational suspicion. It's almost as if they're daydreaming of something dark and they're trying to connect it to people in front of them. Like, when I was submitting papers at the One-Stop Center I asked the person working the counter a question about a deadline, and she flipped and yelled "HOW WOULD I KNOW? DO YOU THINK I'M HERE TO SERVE YOU?". I just remained calm and politely explained that I needed the info to clear the hold in time for registration. I think she realized how she came off and recomposed herself. The student body here will give you a lot of practice with this personality type... In class you sometimes have to deal with people who refuse to talk. Like, I ask a classmate if a seat is taken. He just glares at me angrily and starts breathing hard like a psycho ready to start a fight, only to turn his head back without replying while still huffing and puffing. Or in another class, I ask a classmate what's the homework assignment. He grumpily says he doesn't know. Oh, okay. Then when his friend shows up and asks the same question, he suddenly knows. Everyone here is insular and cliquish. If you're the social type, you'll be very miserable here.

Then there are weird professors with boundary problems. There's a small set of White male professors that tend to say prejudicial things and play it off as ironic. They tend to behave this way in very small upper division classes when the students are overwhelmingly White, particularly in the social sciences. On the surface they present themselves as hip tell-it-like-it-is sarcastic cynical personalities that a certain type of student eats up (you know who). Underneath, it felt like it was meant to keep "Others" at a distance by making them uncomfortable while still having plausible deniability. One professor would spontaneously exclaim "Hey everyone, doesn't he look like a criminal?" or he'll start making fun of someone's facial features. Was this really happening?... Oh, it was ironic? Ha ha, yes, so funny. If this was an attempt to teach about racial bias, then it failed miserably. While sitting there shook after being called something I will not repeat here, certain kind of students (you know who) were laughing way too hard. There was no discussion after this. No one learned anything from this. Why even do this?... Note that I'm throwing a VERY generous bone by assuming it was a good faith attempt that didn't pan out, but on some level I don't believe it was so. This particular professor was too chummy with the White students who laughed, while avoidant of minority students asking questions on the material. Unusually flinchy too. I remember a Black student brave enough to point out to one of these hipster professors that you can't claim something as ironic if you say it so frequently. That professor chose to ridicule her point in front of the class. It felt like we couldn't say anything; we just rationalized it as "Hey, we're seniors; tolerate it a bit longer, we're almost done". Looking back now, I just can't let this go. We were well-behaved, soft-spoken, never spoke out of turn, respected the teacher, and went along with whatever the lesson was that day. I just don't get it... Even though I've long since graduated and never have to see them again, it still pains me that these creeps are still tenured there.

A final note. The commuter culture here encourages social loafing. In group projects some commuting students simply don't show up or try to communicate. Not even a text to say they can't make a meeting. I tried to be flexible and understanding, but it felt like being taken advantage of. They would be unavailable throughout and only showed up on presentation day. Also, beware of teams of three. One time both of my teammates didn't show up for a meeting; they ganged up to lie to the professor and said I didn't show up. She sided with them and I was penalized despite doing most of the work.

I strongly recommend going somewhere else. You're worth more; you deserve better.

Long story short, just DO NOT ever attend here if you value your YOUTH and your FUTURE...
I have NOTHING to gain from writing this; except for the sadness and sorrow from reliving all of those negative experiences from the past.
I just hope that some of you will HEED my warning, and NOT make the same brutal mistake like I did!
I was a student here many years ago, between 1995 to 2000.
Wasted at least a good 5 solid years of my prime youth chasing a dream; which actually turned out to be a NIGHTMARE.
Early on, I should've known that something wasn't right about this 'university' from the BAD start I had in my very first semester there.
It took 'em like nearly a whole entire semester, just to get me properly admitted into my classes.
I was attended classes everyday, that did not even have my name on their roll call list; eventho I was officially enrolled in those classes.
That alone, should already tell you just how DISORGANIZED they really are!
Some of the non-essential classes were pretty cool, but the credited classes (required to graduate towards a degree) were VERY DIFFICULT to understand, and the instructors were non-communicative and very hard to negotiate with when it came to disputes about your homework and grades.
Then my grades mysteriously started PLUMMETING; eventho I had followed directions precisely, and did exactly what the instructors told us during their lectures.
I was a B+ average student when I graduated from high school, so I really wondered WTF was happening to my grades HERE?
Next, I was suddenly 'REQUIRED' to go see a counselor like every 2 weeks or so; and they would always try to GASLIGHT me with some really dubious reasons or theories for my failing grades.
They were constantly trying to CONVINCE me that I was a FAILURE somehow, and that I needed to 'clean up my act'.
When I assured them that I was already doing my BEST, they kept on proclaiming that they were "JUST TRYING TO HELP ME GRADUATE".
Uh-huh?
After MANY failed semesters like that, it FINALLY dawned on me; that the ASSCLOWNS who ran this SHITHOLE of a university, were just a buncha FRAUDS!!!
Their TRUE aim, was to keep you there just like an ANIMAL caged in a prison cell; until they've drained EVERY last penny of your tuition money.
When you're flat-out broke, and can no longer qualify for grants or aid of any sort (due to poor grades), they will simply just BOOT your ass right off the campus!
And so they did exactly just that, and I spent the next few semesters drifting around aimlessly on campus; just helplessly pondering about my future.
I took advantage of the free gym and library services, to get in some fitness and to pass the time, studying about some of my favorite subjects.
To be honest, I actually learned ALOT MORE during my time alone reading various books at the library than from any of the classes I took.
I had lotsa fun and met some really amazing people at the Student Union.
I played alot of games with my friends down at the arcade, and we would eat lunch together everyday.
But then as time went on, my parents were starting to grow ever more and more suspicious of me.
They kept hounding me about how I was doing in my studies, and WHEN was I finally going to GRADUATE.
I also had a VERY hard time explaining WHY those 'report cards' weren't being mailed to our house anymore.
They bought my story at first; but then they sorta 'figured it out' after a while, and then the hounding resumed.
I had been a good student for most of my life, and was even on the honor roll once, so I really didn't know HOW my parents would feel or react if they suddenly found out that I was FAILING in college.
So, I guess you folks can figure out just what kind of HUGE dilemma I was facing at that point in my life.
Then one day, I just couldn't bear lying to them anymore and finally broke the TRUTH to my parents; telling them I had already DROPPED OUT of college long ago, and haven't been attending ANY classes for almost 3 years.
I came clean and explained EVERYTHING to them, about how I got scammed, cheated, and TOTALLY FUCKED OVER by the system and why I wasn't making ANY progress like all my cousins; who were attending OTHER universities and were actually GRADUATING.
It was a VERY emotional moment for me and my family, to say the least.
It took MANY months before they would finally understand.
Then 9/11 came along, and everything went to HELL... Just what we needed!
This corrupt and fraudulent institution; put a TON of undue stress on my life, WRECKED my family apart, and DESTROYED my future.
Thinking back in ANGER, if I had NOT attended SFSU and instead seeked employment with ANY of the food/retail/hotel chains; then I probably could've worked my way up the corporate ladder, and become a senior manager or CEO making like over $300k by now!
A few friends which I met from SFSU, continued to stay in contact with me even years after I left the campus for good; and that was perhaps the ONLY positive thing that I could ever say about it.

I attended SFSU from 2018-2019 before withdrawing and transferring to UCLA. Here's some context--

I can guarantee if I stayed at this school it would've seriously derailed my professional success and academic development.

This school completely lacks student life and school spirit. By Friday at 3 p.m that campus becomes a ghost town because the majority of students live off campus and commute to school. This critically harms the sense of community. The campus lacks vibrancy of other universities. The social scene here was odd...many people had their circle of friends and didn't seem to deter from that. Although I met a few great people it was incredibly isolating experience. There's also a big recreational hard drug culture on campus. The academic overalls lacks rigor and innovation, the courses I took were uninspiring, juvenile, and lacked challenge.

The housing was a whole other issue. Facilities constantly falling apart and outdated for the price. On orientation day I recall touring the dining hall under the false belief SFSU had sushi, Mediterranean, and other great food options. Later I learned there's a lot of staging that goes into orientation to mislead prospective students into thinking food facilities are sufficient. The dining halls are actually dreadful. Many people frequently got food poisoning. Also, many of my friends who stayed and graduated are struggling in finding careers post-grad--talking 10 months to a year post grad with no job prospects. Showcases the career development also is in the lacking department for undergraduate students. Many of my old friends are struggling even getting into mid tier graduate programs which is very unsettling.

Overall, if you're not in STEM, nursing, or film seriously consider another school. Best thing I could've done for myself is left when I did. Low ranking school with outdated facilities, mediocre curriculum, bored professors, and poor institutional community.

If this is the only school you got into and you feel pressured to attend a four year university--do yourself a favor and go to a cc and transfer to a school you'll actually love and have a great undergraduate experience at. With so many prestigious schools in the bay that can offer you endless resources to transform your life, aim higher. You deserve better than this joke of a school.

Most of my daughter's classes for the 2.5 years she has been attending SFSU has been conducted remotely. In fact, last semester it was completely remote. I am extremely disappointed and angry that there are no other options for her to be able to attend in person unless she changes her major or transfers to another school. As a result, her grades have dropped and she feels overwhelmed and depressed. Not everyone can learn and thrive under these circumstances. SFSU does not care about their students. Please open up all classes to in person learning or lower the tuition. STOP all the politics and just TEACH!

I can say this because I myself have not missed a day of in person work before, during, and after the pandemic. I work in healthcare and can you imagine if I tell my patients I will care for them remotely? They would die! Please do away with these ridiculous ZOOM classes!

As a parent, I would NOT recommend SFSU to students. They will not learn academics, but they will be indoctrinated by false ideologies. They will not experience a lively campus life. They will not make friends. They will gradually lose the momentum and inspiration that they started off with and just end up lost and depressed.

I graduated from SFSU in 1991 and it was impersonal and cold back then, but the teaching was solid. I sent my daughter here hoping she would get a decent education. I can honestly say it's a thousand times worse now. Universities are the biggest scam. I see a lot of reviews about the degrees not being worth anything. It's true. I graduated and my degree didn't open any doors. I ended up going through a two year vocational program at ANOTHER, cheaper school where I actually LEARNED a skill. I make almost 200k a year now. If you're a student I urge you to consider this route. Yes, I advised my daughter,but she believes the lie about college degrees. Society has been brainwashed into thinking that college degrees will give you an advantage in life. It used to, but not now.

Your experience at SF State will depend on your department- if you had a negative experience with 'bored' professors and 'juvenile' coursework, as one yelper aptly put it, I HIGHLY recommend considering another major.

I am writing this review for others who may have had a bad experience at SFSU and are on the fence. Don't give up- explore other departments!

I recently took the MA (medical assistant) program at sfsu. When I tell other people my experience, they look at me horrified, just shake their head and ask if I filed for a refund claim or went to small claims court.

Student: can you draw blood without gloves?
Prof: yeah you can

Final exam day came and that student just interrupted my procedure, yelled at me to move and grabbed my patient's finger and started squeezing for blood.

No hand sanitizer, no consent, no gloves. That student then yelled at me "look! No gloves" as if that is something to be proud of in a medical class. That was the professor's favorite student.

While that was happening on my left, another student from that group that was intentionally messing up other student's final exams started reaching on my right for my supplies. They were done with their finals and could've just gone home.

They said the professor told them to pack up. I was still doing my finals and class wasn't over yet. My stuff was contaminated with blood so I threw away the equipment before that student mixed them with clean equipment for future use.

After that, the professor then went on to give that group life advice and praises and told their favorite student that didn't use gloves during a blood procedure that "I see myself in you".

I feel worried for the future patients that group will have in the medical field with the way they acted in class with adults. Imagine them with younger patients.

Another member of that group walked away when I was about to demo a shot on a mannequin they're holding. I was doing the exact same thing other students before me did. That group intentionally targeted me for helping another student that they were openly tearing apart in class up to the last day of class even with the professor just watching everything.

That was sanctioned bullying.

Another student called out the group for what they did in class and they responded by recommending we take sensitivity training so we can better prepare ourselves to work in the real world.

I think that class violated some health code rules and needed a visit from the local state health board.

People were afraid to speak up in fear of retaliation.

This program also works with the JVS nonprofit that serves the community. I hope the Jewish vocational services can work with another program with better instruction.

I wouldn't recommend this program especially with the harassment I experienced that other students also experienced and reported but nothing was done.

I emailed the program manager about what happened in class.

No response.

The location is excellent. The campus continues to be remodeled. More facilities are added often. I majored in PLSI and acquired plenty of experience while in undergraduate. I work for the State and am completely satisfied with my outcome. The professors were passionate about their subjects. Michael Graham is my favorite. Robert Smith was also great.

SFSU provided good value for me. Make sure you seek a ton of experience while attending to set yourself apart. I made the most of my opportunity at SFSU.
A classmate from SFSU I remained close with attended UC Hastings in 2011. There's certainly options. Do not rely on merely graduating. Add to your resume. Seek experience.

Some friends within my major studied abroad in Spain. There's opportunities.

Just not a challenging educational institution - doesn't prepare students well for the real world. Better at teaching you what to think as opposed to how to think. Much better off learning at CCSF and perhaps transferring to a private institution

Cci

Staff: Janet Alford, Isabel Seiden

This review is for the in-person Clinical Medical Assistant Program at SFSU that is contracted with CCI.

This program is so disorganized and chaotic.

The instructor (CW) denies the class is chaotic and instead describes it as 'organized chaos'.

There is not enough supplies for everyone as if you didn't pay for the class.

There was a group of students that was going around bullying other students, sabotaging other student's finals and the administration and instruction didn't do anything. The instructor didn't do anything because the bully (BM or bowel movement) is their favorite student and is constantly praising the bully. This created a hostile learning environment. The instructor just washed their hands of any responsibility.

As a contract instructor, they could care less about class surveys since they have been labeled as the 'best instructor' for the past few years.

YouTube is better for up-to-date learning than this class.

The process for getting externship with CCI is a hit and miss as they just search on Indeed and place you at private practice clinics where they sometimes don't even have MA's on staff and just want free labor.

The starting pay is so low for MA's that it doesn't really justify the cost of getting a certificate that doesn't even cover the cost of ccma certification and bls certification.

Someone who speaks another language like Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese has a better chance of getting better externship placements and getting hired after. It would be better to just find a doctor's office that is willing to train you.

This program isn't good. It's better to look somewhere else. Even an ekg tech has better chances of getting paid over minimum wage which is what's offered to most MA's without experience.