UCSD provides excellent professors to optimize learning for its students...for the most part anyway. Like any other school, it has it's off professors, but for the most part, all of my professors have been very enthusiastic and passionate about what they are teaching. Class sizes are very LARGE. My chemistry class for example has over 400 people in it. However, discussions are very helpful and offer a little more intimacy. I would highly encourage you to attend them! Try to get to know your TA, it can help when you have to take quizzes and whatnot and they are on-the-fence on how to grade a particular problem. In addition there are several very helpful, FREE tutoring services such as OASIS (for lower division classes) and others for upper division classes, which is very beneficial. Another thing I've found helpful are the Chem Help Room and Calc Lab, two centers that offer a lot of help for those darn general ed classes, that may be tough for students like myself. There are also plenty of students who know what they are doing trying to tutor for cash if you don't mind paying. I definitely feel like the professors and faculty here want to see me succeed. The students here are crazy smart so there can be a lot of competition, however it is not impossible to get an A in most classes if you put in the effort. Professors like Christina Johnson, who teaches Gen Chem, are absolutely AMAZING and show the deepest concern for their student's success. I particularly recommend taking her if you need to take the Chem 6 series.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I am not just enjoying being here, I am LOVING it!!! What can I say, I instantly fell in love with the campus when I toured it. It's a given that the SD weather is always perfect, no more needs to be said about that. Being here just makes me happy. The vibe you get from everyone is just so amazing. It makes me sad to see spirit lacking in some people, I don't think they realize what a great school UCSD is. However, you can definitely find that spirit if you look. Plus, there is some SERIOUS TALK about us turning all our sports teams into Division I, and a possibility of a Division I football team. Both of these are going on the ballot next year, and you can bet this will definitely come with some spirit, major! Join clubs! No matter who you are there is an organization for you!!
There is truly a nice balance between academics and the other important college stuff, like being socially involved and and taking a part in the community. The college sends out student event fliers to let us know what's going on around the campus which is really helpful in deciding what you're going to do if you're feeling a little antsy. There are plenty of dances strategically planned around midterms and what not to provide a little extra entertainment. La Jolla is a beautiful area too, so a beach trip is never out of the question. One of my favorite things last quarter that we did was walk out to the beach (like a 20 minute walk depending where on campus you are-we were on the farthest side). It was like midnight when we left, it was so much fun walking out in the middle of the night together. We went to the cliffs where it was dark and you could hear the waves crashing. That night there was a GORGEOUS meteor shower. It was the perfect location, HUGE bright streaks filled the sky, I'll never forget that night. I would definitely say your college experience is what you make of it. If you want to have fun, trust me you will.
Perhaps one of the greater things abo...
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
With all I've said so far, I would hope that you would feel like you get your bang for the buck. Personally, I was astonished at how easily I transitioned into the college life, and that in itself is worth it to me. The life experiences I will gain here could not be duplicated anywhere else. Besides, who isn't in debt these days, and isn't that why we go to college in the first place? To make money to pay off our debts? That's what loans and scholarships are for.
So one of the reasons I feel like UCSD is worth the pain of reaching deep into our wallets is HELLO! it's one of the top research institutes in the nation!!! We have multiple Nobel Prize winners just walking around the campus everyday. We are one of the top nationally funded research schools and you should definitely take advantage of that! Personally, within the third week of my Fall freshman quarter, I had a lab training position where I got PAID to learn how to work in a lab, and by Spring quarter, I will be helping a PhD with his graduate level research!! Where else can you get such hands-on experience. San Diego is such a diverse city, culturally and scientifically, it is rich with job opportunities, so what better way to get a head start than in La Jolla! Port Triton (our mascot is King Triton) is a useful site that can help you with your resume and applying for jobs, and don't worry, if research isn't your thing, there are other jobs too =)
So doing the research isn't the only cool thing here, you can also be a SUBJECT by participating in research studies. Because there are so many studies going on, they are desperately looking for college students' help! And more often than not, this means COLD, HARD CASH in your pocket! A friend of mine got 90 buckaroos for answering some questions about how she doesn't smoke cigarettes! Like a forty minute interview, and a couple of short surveys, and BAM! If that isn't as easy as it gets, then I don't know what is! There is also the beauti...
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Definitely tour the campus, and if you have an interest APPLY!!!!
Utilize the resources this school has to offer. There are plenty of tools and opportunities, no excuses to not be having the time of your life in all respects!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Students who like to get the most out of education and life itself and want to be happy and feel at home in a great community.
Nothing comes easy, but if you work hard enough, this university can definitely help you out!
UCSD provides excellent professors to optimize learning for its students...for the most part anyway. Like any other school, it has it's off professors, but for the most part, all of my professors have been very enthusiastic and passionate about what they are teaching. Class sizes are very LARGE. My chemistry class for example has over 400 people in it. However, discussions are very helpful and offer a little more intimacy. I would highly encourage you to attend them! Try to get to know your TA, it can help when you have to take quizzes and whatnot and they are on-the-fence on how to grade a particular problem. In addition there are several very helpful, FREE tutoring services such as OASIS (for lower division classes) and others for upper division classes, which is very beneficial. Another thing I've found helpful are the Chem Help Room and Calc Lab, two centers that offer a lot of help for those darn general ed classes, that may be tough for students like myself. There are also plenty of students who know what they are doing trying to tutor for cash if you don't mind paying. I definitely feel like the professors and faculty here want to see me succeed. The students here are crazy smart so there can be a lot of competition, however it is not impossible to get an A in most classes if you put in the effort. Professors like Christina Johnson, who teaches Gen Chem, are absolutely AMAZING and show the deepest concern for their student's success. I particularly recommend taking her if you need to take the Chem 6 series.
I am not just enjoying being here, I am LOVING it!!! What can I say, I instantly fell in love with the campus when I toured it. It's a given that the SD weather is always perfect, no more needs to be said about that. Being here just makes me happy. The vibe you get from everyone is just so amazing. It makes me sad to see spirit lacking in some people, I don't think they realize what a great school UCSD is. However, you can definitely find that spirit if you look. Plus, there is some SERIOUS TALK about us turning all our sports teams into Division I, and a possibility of a Division I football team. Both of these are going on the ballot next year, and you can bet this will definitely come with some spirit, major! Join clubs! No matter who you are there is an organization for you!! There is truly a nice balance between academics and the other important college stuff, like being socially involved and and taking a part in the community. The college sends out student event fliers to let us know what's going on around the campus which is really helpful in deciding what you're going to do if you're feeling a little antsy. There are plenty of dances strategically planned around midterms and what not to provide a little extra entertainment. La Jolla is a beautiful area too, so a beach trip is never out of the question. One of my favorite things last quarter that we did was walk out to the beach (like a 20 minute walk depending where on campus you are-we were on the farthest side). It was like midnight when we left, it was so much fun walking out in the middle of the night together. We went to the cliffs where it was dark and you could hear the waves crashing. That night there was a GORGEOUS meteor shower. It was the perfect location, HUGE bright streaks filled the sky, I'll never forget that night. I would definitely say your college experience is what you make of it. If you want to have fun, trust me you will. Perhaps one of the greater things abo...
With all I've said so far, I would hope that you would feel like you get your bang for the buck. Personally, I was astonished at how easily I transitioned into the college life, and that in itself is worth it to me. The life experiences I will gain here could not be duplicated anywhere else. Besides, who isn't in debt these days, and isn't that why we go to college in the first place? To make money to pay off our debts? That's what loans and scholarships are for. So one of the reasons I feel like UCSD is worth the pain of reaching deep into our wallets is HELLO! it's one of the top research institutes in the nation!!! We have multiple Nobel Prize winners just walking around the campus everyday. We are one of the top nationally funded research schools and you should definitely take advantage of that! Personally, within the third week of my Fall freshman quarter, I had a lab training position where I got PAID to learn how to work in a lab, and by Spring quarter, I will be helping a PhD with his graduate level research!! Where else can you get such hands-on experience. San Diego is such a diverse city, culturally and scientifically, it is rich with job opportunities, so what better way to get a head start than in La Jolla! Port Triton (our mascot is King Triton) is a useful site that can help you with your resume and applying for jobs, and don't worry, if research isn't your thing, there are other jobs too =) So doing the research isn't the only cool thing here, you can also be a SUBJECT by participating in research studies. Because there are so many studies going on, they are desperately looking for college students' help! And more often than not, this means COLD, HARD CASH in your pocket! A friend of mine got 90 buckaroos for answering some questions about how she doesn't smoke cigarettes! Like a forty minute interview, and a couple of short surveys, and BAM! If that isn't as easy as it gets, then I don't know what is! There is also the beauti...
Definitely tour the campus, and if you have an interest APPLY!!!! Utilize the resources this school has to offer. There are plenty of tools and opportunities, no excuses to not be having the time of your life in all respects!
Students who like to get the most out of education and life itself and want to be happy and feel at home in a great community. Nothing comes easy, but if you work hard enough, this university can definitely help you out!