Back to Class

SDSU will welcome nearly 8,000 new undergraduate students when it begins classes on Monday, August 27.  The entering freshman class is one of the highest achieving and most diverse ever with an average GPA of 3.6 and SAT score of 1085 (two-part).

Best and brightest

The new freshman class includes University Honors Program student Mackenzie Aiken, a graduate of El Capitan High School (Lakeside, Calif.) who will begin classes with 41 college credits under her belt and a 4.6 GPA. Aiken, a National AP Scholar who was also accepted to Hofstra University and Emerson College, received the Field Family Endowment Scholarship and the Siemens Foundation Merit Scholarship.

“I am really looking forward to the wonderful learning experiences I’ll be presented with at San Diego State,” said Aiken. “I'm excited to explore the intellect and insight available to me as a student.”

Lots of new Aztecs

The incoming class consists of approximately 4,100 first-time freshmen and 3,800 transfer students. SDSU will also welcome nearly 1,800 new graduate students, some of whom will be enrolling in a new doctoral program in physical therapy and a master's program in hospitality and tourism management.

Total student enrollment is expected to top 31,000.

What's new?

The campus community will return to several new additions and changes at SDSU this semester, including the following:

• Price Community Scholars Program: Fifteen high-achieving freshman students from City Heights and its surrounding areas will mentor three middle school students from the same neighborhood as part of the first cohort of Price Community Scholars this fall.

• New Classes: SDSU will launch a digital media literacy course in the School of Journalism & Media Studies. The course will teach students effective and professional use of Twitter, Facebook, etc.

• Online Classes: SDSU will offer around 90 online or hybrid (online/in-person) courses this fall. These courses offer students more options, open up new lines of communication between students and professors and allow for innovative teaching methods.

• New Book: “Hail Montezuma: The Hidden Treasures of San Diego State,” is a colorful coffee table book that every Aztec should own. Written by SDSU anthropology chair Seth Mallios, the book tells the story of SDSU through artifacts from throughout its 116 year history. Did you know that there are 250-million year old dinosaur tracks on the SDSU campus? That is just one of many secrets revealed in the new book to be released on Aug. 28, available at the SDSU Bookstore and online.

• New Faculty: San Diego State is welcoming five new faculty members this fall, including new directors of the School of Nursing and School of Art, Design and Art History.

• 100th Anniversary of The Daily Aztec: SDSU’s independent student-run newspaper is celebrating 100 years in publication.  Many prominent journalists got their start at The Daily Aztec including Daniel Weintraub (Sacramento Bee) and Nick Canepa (U-T San Diego).

• First Mariachi Ensemble: The new SDSU Mariachi Ensemble held auditions this August thanks to collaboration between San Diego State University School of Music and Dance, Compact for Success and a Presidential Leadership Fund grant from the Campanile Foundation.

• Bike Rental Program: Associated Students will offer a new “Aztec Bike” rental program through the Aztec Recreation Center. Beginning in fall 2012, the program will allow SDSU students, faculty, and staff to rent one of 10 beach cruiser-style bikes for a one month period.

• Aztec Student Union Construction: Construction continues on the new Aztec Student Union. The sustainable student center, which will be the first LEED Platinum building on campus, will benefit multiple generations of Aztecs to come, providing a space for connecting, studying, eating and relaxing. Due to construction, access to certain roads and parking lots is impacted.

• Storm/Nasitir Hall Construction: This summer, construction began on the renovation of Storm and Nasitir Halls on the west side of campus.  Built in 1967, the makeover will include new and upgraded classroom technologies, academic and research laboratories, and faculty offices. Renovations will also include two new lecture halls with 275 and 475 seats, and a small food service facility/convenience store.

Traffic and parking information

San Diego State will once again implement a comprehensive traffic management plan to assist faculty, staff and students with traffic flow, directions and parking. Commuters to SDSU are encouraged to arrive early, use alternatives to the College Avenue exit during peak hours (7:30-11 a.m.) and use public transportation. More information is available online.