University of California-San Diego Top Questions

It's very difficult to pinpoint particular activities on campus as being "most popular". There are some annual dances and festivals that are very popular (Sun God Festival is AWESOME!), but there are also some political events that have very good turnout. For instance, the theater was packed for a speech given by Tim Wise, and it turns out that speaker events generally have high attendance. When the Clinton Global Initiative University came to campus, many people were buzzing about trying to get accepted in. I was lucky enough to be accepted, and RIMAC stadium quickly filled with people waiting to hear speeches by Bill Clinton, Mandy Moore, Sean Penn and the likes. There are no overly-popular groups on campus. Politically conscious people follow closely the work of the Associated Students. Frat/Sorority types are well aware of the stigmas attached to each of the other Greek houses. Conservative groups are aware of the liberal ones. Sports teams support one another and often follow the division standings. One of the most well known publications on campus is "The Koala", which has always tried it's hardest to push the limits of free speech. A quick Google search will enlighten you to their antics, which have been extremely controversial. Dating on campus is pervasive. When you go to school with 23,000 undergraduates, your bound to have some catch your eye, and also get caught up in the cross hairs of another. Just don't let it get you distracted from school! I for one will go on record in saying the stereotype that girls at UCSD aren't attractive is absolutely FALSE!! If you ever have your doubts meander over to RIMAC gym sometime. I can't say there was any single avenue that I met most of my friends through. I've grown strong bonds with fellow AS members, mentors, roommates, classmates and even people I just randomly talked to about campus. Take a chance and say "hi" to a stranger, you'll find students at UCSD are very receptive to making new friends.

I am involved with an organization known as APSA (Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance). APSA is open to EVERYONE and community members. It is a safe space for students from a diverse background no matter one's ethnicity, race, age, gender, sexual orientation, APSA welcomes everyone. APSA has challenged me in a way that I never thought. I grew to be more politically aware of my API community. I learned more about identity and culture. In addition, APSA also organizes social activities such as bonfires, study jams, retreats, and more. During my first year, I lived on campus in the dorms. My suitemates were all really friendly and always had their doors open. It really depends on the student. Sometimes, students want their space so they have their doors closed, but when they are free and want to hang out, their doors are always open and people usually come by and say hi and just take a study break. UCSD lacks a football team, which usually is one of the major sports of a college campus. I think for that reason, the athletic spirit isn't present as much as other college campuses. However, there are other athletic teams such as basketball, waterpolo, tennis, soccer, swimming, etc. I met my closest friends from a summer college transition program called "Summer Bridge." Another thing that I appreciate about UCSD is that there is a lot of resources present. Through summer bridge, I truly made life long friendships. The friends that I hang out with till this very day all attended Summer Bridge with me 4 years ago. There are also other programs for transfer students as well.

I am involved with an organization known as APSA (Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance). APSA is open to EVERYONE and community members. It is a safe space for students from a diverse background no matter one's ethnicity, race, age, gender, sexual orientation, APSA welcomes everyone. APSA has challenged me in a way that I never thought. I grew to be more politically aware of my API community. I learned more about identity and culture. In addition, APSA also organizes social activities such as bonfires, study jams, retreats, and more. During my first year, I lived on campus in the dorms. My suitemates were all really friendly and always had their doors open. It really depends on the student. Sometimes, students want their space so they have their doors closed, but when they are free and want to hang out, their doors are always open and people usually come by and say hi and just take a study break. UCSD lacks a football team, which usually is one of the major sports of a college campus. I think for that reason, the athletic spirit isn't present as much as other college campuses. However, there are other athletic teams such as basketball, waterpolo, tennis, soccer, swimming, etc. I met my closest friends from a summer college transition program called "Summer Bridge." Another thing that I appreciate about UCSD is that there is a lot of resources present. Through summer bridge, I truly made life long friendships. The friends that I hang out with till this very day all attended Summer Bridge with me 4 years ago. There are also other programs for transfer students as well.

Definitely joining fraternities or sororities is a big thing. Other frats such as co-ed business, service or specific professional field like engineering, premed, etc. I feel like orgs are also the place where most people meet their boyfriend/girlfriend. Closest friends are often formed in first year dorms, the people you live with, and then continue to live with second, third, years. Sungod is definitely the biggest and most spirited event that happens at UCSD all year, it gets so crazy people fight for tickets by camping out at 12 am for the next morning. When you turn 21, there's definitely a lot more opportunities to go out, Pacific Beach is a huge spot for UCSD students, filled with bars, taco shops, shopping, beaches. PB Thursday is a big night out for cheap drinks. Downtown SD is big for clubs and a lot of guest appearances/dj's/club events with famous people, and it's convenient because both PB and DTSD are 15-20 minutes away. When you're younger, drinking is mostly in dorms, frat houses, and off campus apartments. If you're not drinking, then I don't know what you're doing.

I would say academic groups are the most popular groups on campus although other come very close as well. I am very involved with Christian fellowships on campus. I am currently involved with one called InterVarsity. They are really great and have been here for over 20 years. Athletic events are not very popular unfortunately (they are if you really want to be involved).

There was a sterotype when I was there that UCSD students were anti-social and studied all the time. Well depending on who you ask, this may or may not be true. Students at UCSD study hard, but they also party. Does this make them anti-social? If you compared the average UCSD student to a student from SDSU, then yeah, you may come to the conclusion that UCSD students are more anti-social than SDSU students, but hey, you're supposed to learn something while in college, so having to study and do a fair amount of partying may not be a bad idea.

Students on the library walk.

A shot at a Guitar Hero tournament.

the greek life isn't large but very vital. you have to get involved to make friends

Sports teams are not that popular on campus. Our most popular event on campus is sungod, but that has started to become something to dread rather than get excited about.