UCSD is everything I wanted out of a school -- I love it here! The campus life is definitely present, but decentralized enough that you are free to participate however much you wish to. The location is wonderful and the opportunities are endless -- the perfect place to start your adult life and college academic career!
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
For any prospective student, my biggest advice would be to do your research! Look into the 6 college system and rank them carefully, based on your major and academic patterns. Do not rank them based on what sounds the coolest because you may choose one that is less suited to your path than another. Research the housing options for the various colleges and apply for any themed housing that interests you. Research scholarship opportunities and on-campus clubs before you get to campus. And most of all, VISIT! Go to Triton Day if you have the means! Seeing your campus in real life, walking across it, and imagining yourself there will be the most helpful and inspiring thing you can do to prepare. And if you do know your major, contact your major's undergraduate advisor and ask what you can do to prepare yourself for your field of interest.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
The academic rigor here is very demanding, but in the best way. You are required to meet the professor's standards, but it is definitely manageable. As a social science major in introductory classes, I found my classes to be appropriately difficult, but also incredibly fascinating. Finals week of my first quarter was as stressful as I expected, but anyone with focus, self-discipline, and optimism should see this as a good challenge rather than an indomitable threat. The knowledge you gain through your classes is well-worth the work you put into them. Also, freshman seminars are an excellent way to sneak a quick peak at a major while gaining some helpful knowledge.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I am currently in Cultural House in Muir College, and I am having the time of my life. I have never felt more accepted and supported by a group of people, and I am glad to be where I am every day I wake up. I originally was skeptical of dorm life as a whole, but House activities and my House Advisors have made life at UCSD the best experience of my life. For freshmen in particular, UCSD dorm life is a great way to meet people like you and people who aren't like you and have much to teach you about the world. I firmly believe that the people I am meeting are as much a part of my education as any class I will take here.
As for facilities, I have always found the living conditions to be clean, safe, and well-maintained.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The food here is way better than I had expected. As a Muir student, I spend most of my meals at Pines, which has an excellent selection of food such as pizza, chicken tenders, salads, burritos, quesadillas, pastas, sandwiches, stir-fry, and sushi. All the other dining halls have similar varieties, and on-campus markets make up for any snack-foods, frozen meals, or coffee one might need. And if the dining halls get a little monotonous or the markets seem too expensive, there are third-party food vendors at Price Center and restaurants and markets very close by to the school. You won't go hungry all year!
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Most people will say the beach is the go-to for fun around UCSD (and it is!), but there is also much more to discover. Downtown La Jolla is gorgeous year-round and downtown San Diego is only a hour away by bus. Between on-campus fun (which the student body organization ensures there is a lot of), and the nearby towns, any creative student will have a lot of things to do. Having a car is useful to access these things, but the bus system is reliable and wide-spread enough that you can more than sustain yourself on it (plus, the bus is free with a student pass!).
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
No matter what school you attend, college is what you make of it. But UCSD is especially appropriate for carving out a unique experience because of its diverse focus and modernity. There is always something new to do, fascinating classes to take, and helpful facilities to use and check out. Any of the UCs are a world-class education for what you're investing.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
While it may not be an official tradition, watching the sunset from the cliffs around Muir/Revelle College is a must for your first quarter of school. The vantage point is high enough to watch the sun set over La Jolla Cove -- a sight which will remind you how lucky you are and make you glad to be alive. The Loft in Price Center is also a key place for concerts and events that occur every week. Check out the 5 resource centers on campus: the Black Resource Center, LGBT Resource Center, Women's Resource Center, Raza Resource Centro (for the Latin@/Chican@ community) and the Cross-Cultural Center. These places are great for volunteering/job opportunities, study places, and friendly faces.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
UCSD is perfect for the independent, self-motivated student. The campus life can seem at times to be a little centralized with the 6-college system. And while this can create amazing smaller communities, independent types may thrive more easily in the long run. A hard-working nature is also a must, because the rigorous academics demand someone who can be self-disciplined as well as involved.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are a tons of clubs on campus with all kinds of focuses, varying from academic, major-focused clubs to fun ones such as movie-making clubs. Paying attention are organization fairs during the first few weeks is key, but the clubs are active year-round and advertise throughout. Getting involved is the single best way to meet people at UCSD, so joining clubs is a huge priority.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek life exists and is pretty active for those involved. But because of a lack of a Greek Row and no football team, the greek life is more subdued and contained. This has a lot of benefits to campus culture, as I find the school safer, calmer, and more mature because of it. If you want to join a greek organization, it is very easy at UCSD. But if you do not, its culture is not imposing on your day-to-day life.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Some areas on campus are a little dim, but on my numerous 2:00am walks, I have never felt unsafe. The campus police is diligent and the lighted paths get brighter when you walk by. The area surrounding campus seems very clean. As a very cautious person, I was especially worried about coming to college and staying safe. But at UCSD, that doesn't ever seem to be a problem!
UCSD is everything I wanted out of a school -- I love it here! The campus life is definitely present, but decentralized enough that you are free to participate however much you wish to. The location is wonderful and the opportunities are endless -- the perfect place to start your adult life and college academic career!
For any prospective student, my biggest advice would be to do your research! Look into the 6 college system and rank them carefully, based on your major and academic patterns. Do not rank them based on what sounds the coolest because you may choose one that is less suited to your path than another. Research the housing options for the various colleges and apply for any themed housing that interests you. Research scholarship opportunities and on-campus clubs before you get to campus. And most of all, VISIT! Go to Triton Day if you have the means! Seeing your campus in real life, walking across it, and imagining yourself there will be the most helpful and inspiring thing you can do to prepare. And if you do know your major, contact your major's undergraduate advisor and ask what you can do to prepare yourself for your field of interest.
The academic rigor here is very demanding, but in the best way. You are required to meet the professor's standards, but it is definitely manageable. As a social science major in introductory classes, I found my classes to be appropriately difficult, but also incredibly fascinating. Finals week of my first quarter was as stressful as I expected, but anyone with focus, self-discipline, and optimism should see this as a good challenge rather than an indomitable threat. The knowledge you gain through your classes is well-worth the work you put into them. Also, freshman seminars are an excellent way to sneak a quick peak at a major while gaining some helpful knowledge.
I am currently in Cultural House in Muir College, and I am having the time of my life. I have never felt more accepted and supported by a group of people, and I am glad to be where I am every day I wake up. I originally was skeptical of dorm life as a whole, but House activities and my House Advisors have made life at UCSD the best experience of my life. For freshmen in particular, UCSD dorm life is a great way to meet people like you and people who aren't like you and have much to teach you about the world. I firmly believe that the people I am meeting are as much a part of my education as any class I will take here. As for facilities, I have always found the living conditions to be clean, safe, and well-maintained.
The food here is way better than I had expected. As a Muir student, I spend most of my meals at Pines, which has an excellent selection of food such as pizza, chicken tenders, salads, burritos, quesadillas, pastas, sandwiches, stir-fry, and sushi. All the other dining halls have similar varieties, and on-campus markets make up for any snack-foods, frozen meals, or coffee one might need. And if the dining halls get a little monotonous or the markets seem too expensive, there are third-party food vendors at Price Center and restaurants and markets very close by to the school. You won't go hungry all year!
Most people will say the beach is the go-to for fun around UCSD (and it is!), but there is also much more to discover. Downtown La Jolla is gorgeous year-round and downtown San Diego is only a hour away by bus. Between on-campus fun (which the student body organization ensures there is a lot of), and the nearby towns, any creative student will have a lot of things to do. Having a car is useful to access these things, but the bus system is reliable and wide-spread enough that you can more than sustain yourself on it (plus, the bus is free with a student pass!).
No matter what school you attend, college is what you make of it. But UCSD is especially appropriate for carving out a unique experience because of its diverse focus and modernity. There is always something new to do, fascinating classes to take, and helpful facilities to use and check out. Any of the UCs are a world-class education for what you're investing.
While it may not be an official tradition, watching the sunset from the cliffs around Muir/Revelle College is a must for your first quarter of school. The vantage point is high enough to watch the sun set over La Jolla Cove -- a sight which will remind you how lucky you are and make you glad to be alive. The Loft in Price Center is also a key place for concerts and events that occur every week. Check out the 5 resource centers on campus: the Black Resource Center, LGBT Resource Center, Women's Resource Center, Raza Resource Centro (for the Latin@/Chican@ community) and the Cross-Cultural Center. These places are great for volunteering/job opportunities, study places, and friendly faces.
UCSD is perfect for the independent, self-motivated student. The campus life can seem at times to be a little centralized with the 6-college system. And while this can create amazing smaller communities, independent types may thrive more easily in the long run. A hard-working nature is also a must, because the rigorous academics demand someone who can be self-disciplined as well as involved.
There are a tons of clubs on campus with all kinds of focuses, varying from academic, major-focused clubs to fun ones such as movie-making clubs. Paying attention are organization fairs during the first few weeks is key, but the clubs are active year-round and advertise throughout. Getting involved is the single best way to meet people at UCSD, so joining clubs is a huge priority.
Greek life exists and is pretty active for those involved. But because of a lack of a Greek Row and no football team, the greek life is more subdued and contained. This has a lot of benefits to campus culture, as I find the school safer, calmer, and more mature because of it. If you want to join a greek organization, it is very easy at UCSD. But if you do not, its culture is not imposing on your day-to-day life.
Some areas on campus are a little dim, but on my numerous 2:00am walks, I have never felt unsafe. The campus police is diligent and the lighted paths get brighter when you walk by. The area surrounding campus seems very clean. As a very cautious person, I was especially worried about coming to college and staying safe. But at UCSD, that doesn't ever seem to be a problem!