San Jose State University

Date: Apr 01 2005
Major: Math (This Major's Salary over time)
A lot of people complain about SJSU as being a commuter school. That can be frustrating. Consider that most people who are really serious and committed to academia got into Berkeley or Stanford, leaving those who are more concerned with their jobs at the mall and buying a new car. Nevertheles, if you take the effort to look around, there are quite a few people around who actually want to be here, and are trying to do things. Most clubs only have a few members and few people show up to events, but those who do are more interesting than the large herds of followers one normally encounters. The

trying to make something happen

atmosphere is frustrating, but has a raw energy of its own that is refreshing when compared to the dominant established schools. As a result, a motivated student can do very well here; in fact, I would say better than at a place like Berkeley, because he/she is not at war with other hyper-ambitious students, so desperate that they are willing to lie, cheat and steal to make the grade.

It should also be noted that there is plenty of affordable housing around the campus, and on-campus housing, so SJSU is not necessarily a commuter school unless you are one of them.