How is Portland State?

[kalit]

I'm wondering, does anyone know if the CS program/professors are any good at PSU? I'm pretty sure I'm going to PSU in the fall (transfer), but just curious. The course looks pretty good, and anything is better than my current school, which teaches only Java, VB, and RPG (no C/C++).

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I attended PSU for 1 year. While the quality of education was generally poor (that's why I transferred- the school isn't well regarded in any circles) I got to know a few of my professors and a few "study buddies" and watching pretty women (many braless) parading up & down the park blocks in the spring & summer was great fun. Also, being a big city university it may be easier to find summer intern jobs locally. Also, Portland is one of the top 3 liberal cities in the US and liberal ideals are aggressively pursued- if that interests you then this would be a great place. Portland is a true zero tolerance city for conservatism of any sort. If you are conservative to moderate you may find this city and its university very hostile (and I mean that literally).

[roneb]

Originally Posted by BLAZER PROPHET

I attended PSU for 1 year. While the quality of education was generally poor (that's why I transferred- the school isn't well regarded in any circles) I got to know a few of my professors and a few "study buddies" and watching pretty women (many braless) parading up & down the park blocks in the spring & summer was great fun. Also, being a big city university it may be easier to find summer intern jobs locally. Also, Portland is one of the top 3 liberal cities in the US and liberal ideals are aggressively pursued- if that interests you then this would be a great place. Portland is a true zero tolerance city for conservatism of any sort. If you are conservative to moderate you may find this city and its university very hostile (and I mean that literally).

I'm curious to find out when you attended PSU. It's an aweful harsh judgment to categorize the whole of the college as poor. As stated earlier, the School of Urban Studies was recently ranked as one of the best in the nation. Every university will have stronger/weaker programs, depending on your interests. The negative reputation PSU has is certainly not deserved for many schools and departments. And like any school, what you make of your experience will count for the most. I received my Master's ion Public Health Ed. in 96 and haven't felt shortchanged. My nephew received his Engineering degree from PSU just a couple of years ago and is doing very well locally. He's already putting in a bid on his first house!

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by roneb

I'm curious to find out when you attended PSU. It's an aweful harsh judgment to categorize the whole of the college as poor. As stated earlier, the School of Urban Studies was recently ranked as one of the best in the nation. Every university will have stronger/weaker programs, depending on your interests. The negative reputation PSU has is certainly not deserved for many schools and departments. And like any school, what you make of your experience will count for the most. I received my Master's ion Public Health Ed. in 96 and haven't felt shortchanged. My nephew received his Engineering degree from PSU just a couple of years ago and is doing very well locally. He's already putting in a bid on his first house!

Good point. While it IS a relatively lower ranked college, some areas get average to good marks. Areas such as Urban Studies are worthwhile there. When I was there I worked as an aid (work study) to a prominent department. We were ordered to give certain students (mostly blacks & foreign students) higher grades than they were getting to keep them in school and the tuition flowing. It was blanant cheating and I was told by a personal friend that trend was still going strong as of about 5 years ago. I found it detestable then and I still do now.