Freshman Orientation

Freshman Bruce Gilmour visits campus during new student orientation.

In just a few weeks, 18-year-old Bruce Gilmour will be living on campus and studying construction engineering.  Although the freshman from San Diego’s Scripps Ranch High School won’t be far from home, he’s looking forward to college life at SDSU.  

"I'll definitely be going to sporting events and getting involved in as much stuff as I can," he said. "I applied to seven colleges, but I chose San Diego State because it's a good school and I wanted to stay local."

Gilmour is one of approximately 4,100 first-time freshmen expected to enroll in classes this fall at the campus on Montezuma Mesa.  Last month he and his father, Robert Gilmour, visited campus as part of the annual new student orientation that takes place in late July and early August.

(l-r) Robert Gilmour and his son, Bruce, visit campus during new student orientation.

"I'm actually very favorably impressed,” Robert Gilmour observed of the orientation program.  “It seems they're giving us a lot of good information - information that, frankly, I had never even thought of.”

The information new students and their parents receive includes everything from how to get involved in student activities to assistance with financial aid.  Research has shown that students who attend orientation have a more successful first year than students who don’t attend.  They have higher GPAs, are less likely to be on academic probation and are more likely to continue their education.


Navy veteran Jessica Bias attended orientation with her husband, Ruben Castro.  Although the 22-year-old Maryland native will pay for much of her education through the GI Bill, she was looking for information on campus involvement.

Freshman Jessica Bias hopes to become an elementary school teacher.

"I want to get onto some kind of committee, but I'm not sure what yet,” said Bias, who hopes to become an elementary school teacher. “I like the arts, so I want to do something with that."

The former naval engineer will be among more than 1,000 student veterans expected on campus this fall.  Like many of them, she’ll be counting on lessons she picked up in the military to help overcome any classroom challenges she might encounter.

“If you need help, ask for it,” said Bias, who entered SDSU with the help of the Troops to College program. “That's something the Navy taught me and I'm real quick to ask for help.”

Why San Diego State?

Freshman Jessica Bias with her husband, Ruben Castro on campus during new student orientation.

"I hear a lot of good things about this university," she said.

Final numbers won’t be known for several weeks after enrollment is complete, but first-time freshman students who have declared their intention to attend SDSU have an overall grade point average of 3.6 and a combined SAT score average of 1085.  The statistics are on par with last year’s incoming freshmen.

Fall semester classes start Monday, August 27.