University of California-San Diego Top Questions

The best thing about UCSD is the campus. You have to see it to believe it. The area is INCREDIBLE. I live in Revelle, which I think is the prettiest part of the massive campus. There are so many trees and old buildings, it feels like an Ivy League school, but with the amazing California weather year-round and great beaches within walking distance. If I could change one thing about the school, it would be the quality of the TAs. Most of the professors I've had so far have been good, but I've yet to have a good TA which helps a LOT when it comes to your grade. For me personally, the campus is just the right size. The way it's divided into six colleges rocks, it really helps keep everything organized. There's really no college town since UCSD is located in La Jolla... which is full of rich old people. But all the basics are within bussing distance. There's a great outdoor mall with good prices, and a more upscale mall just a little further away. One thing I REALLY wish UCSD had was a football team and the school pride that would come with it. Too many people at UCSD are here JUST to study and don't seem involved enough in our fabulous school. UCSD gets a reputation for being socially dead, but your experience is what you make of it. If you WANT to spend all day and night studying in CLICS, then by all means do so. But I've found that most of the people who do that drive themselves crazy and aren't the well-rounded people that will get them anywhere in life.

people think of UCSD as a very good school, "oh, you must be smart". I spend most of my time in my dorm or in a classroom. La Jolla is pretty calm and I like the suburban feel. Administration? I don't notice what they really do. Controversy...none that I can think of. There is some school pride but you can wear your other college sweatshirts and not get killed.

love it great weather and academics impressed in dorms not really a college town fine admin controversy? not too much pride unusual=cool art

Best Thing: Living minutes from the beach and the one of the best surfs in California, and being awesomely close to MEXICO. One Thing I'd Change: The RSOs on the prowl 24/7. School Size: If you have to walk, the campus is HUGE. But it's nice because its not congested. UCSD Reaction: If people know about UCSD and its academic reputation, then I usually get positive reactions. But those are few and far between because UCSD isn't as well known as other UCs (maybe because we don't have prominent sports teams?). Time Spent on Campus: I'm usually sleeping. Or going to the bookstore, its like a mini shopping center. Great place to spend my parents money on "school supplies." College Town or Not: La Jolla is kind of an uppity town. The only fast food in town in McDonalds, due to a city ban on fast food. But minutes away in Pacific Beach or Downtown, the people are way more receptive to college students and the atmosphere is awesome. UCSD Admin: I don't really care either way about the administration. They are kind of strict I suppose when it comes to ResLife. The RSOs will hassle you all night and day. Two thumbs down for them. Controversy: I live in Marshall college, so it was the DOC controversy. Long story, you have to ask someone in person, or read the school newspaper, The Guardian. School Pride: NOOO! We don't have a football team, which usually gears school pride. There is minimal support for other athletic teams, but its usually the friends of the players... Unusual UCSD: People think that students are bookworms here, but you'd be surprised at the amount of parties that occur well into finals. Memorable Experience: Seeing T.I. at SUNGOD. Frequent Complaints: Too many asians. Not enough diversity. No football team. RSOs everywhere. Nerdy.

I think UCSD's campus is a lot bigger than other college campuses. I mean, I like the variety that each college brings to the university, but it's not very convenient if you happen to wake up late for class one day. I do love our food selection though - since we have so many colleges, we have a lot of dining options as well. Also, I think the campus is designed in a great way that allows students to meet new people in their own college through orientation activities, and then having a greater range of people to hang out with once you start classes.

The best thing about UCSD is definitely how relaxed the atmosphere is (well, at least in the Muir dorms anyway). The people are mostly friendly and sociable, and of course the LOCATION is amazing. I'd change the way the dining halls charge for food. As it stands, they expect you to eat 9 dollars a day, which is not nearly enough for three, hell even TWO meals a day. The school is fairly large, but the size is perfect. When I tell people I go to UCSD, they're impressed and they say I've "made it". I usually spend a lot of time in the dorms, since there's so much going on in them that you don't usually have to go out too often to talk to your buddies. La Jolla isn't much of a college town, it's mainly just old white rich retirees. It's a beautiful place though. Although I do not have too much experience with the UCSD administration, I will say that the security officers (RSOs and CSOs) tend to vary between friendly and relaxed to uptight and pompous.

The one thing I would change would be to have a football team. Sports at other schools and at UCSD when we have big basketball games are really unifying as a campus and bring people out. It's one of the few times that I feel like campus is really alive.

The concerts are the best. I'd change the size -- UCSD is just too big. There's no way for professors to get to know you personally and for you to feel more comfortable with a difficult class. I usually get the usually "wow" with wide eyes when I tell people I go to UCSD because of how hard it is to get into nowadays. UCSD is situated in La Jolla, which is a richy rich town. There are things to do and free public transportation to get there, but I would advise you bring a car or become friends with someone who has one. Compared to other colleges I've attended, UCSD's administration isn't bad -- it's organized and all internet-based. There isn't a lot of school pride, I think because we don't have a football team (which is probably a huge blow to the sports fans).

the location of the school - the setup of the campus so that it's not so hard to get from one end of campus to another (especially when you're living on campus) - just right - they are always very impressed/proud of me - at class or in geisel to study/kill time between classes - college town mostly - it works as far as handling all of its students, but some of the organization skills as far as each individual college goes is not as good as it can be - bomb threats - school pride comes along when other schools are brought into the picture or when annual events (triton night/spirit week) comes around, but otherwise.. people just sport the sweatshirts/clothing cuz they like to - its a lot more art-innovated than it comes off to be - my hard classes - for engineering students, it'd be the constant homework and hard tests that are administered.

good studying environment school spirit too large oh you party like crazy huh?! in my apartment what college town?! idk hazing in fraternities/sororities no school pride at all! not that im aware of. waking up in the hospital from overdrinking... haha LAME/DRY CAMPUS