University of California - San DiegoAcademics Summary

Written by Juan Ramirez

Juan Ramirez

Hometown

El Monte, Calif.

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At UCSD, there are intelligent people doing amazing things everywhere you look. UCSD has some of the top programs in the nation for sciences, social sciences, theater, and dance. The faculty is made up of world-class professors who rank at the top of their fields. Freshmen who are often at the top of their classes in high school are surprised to be just one of the masses at UCSD, where everyone is just as smart as they are. Academics at UCSD are taken very seriously by the majority of students, and on any Friday night, you can find just as many students in the library studying as you can out partying.

Although many students are upset they have had professors—especially science professors—who were more concerned with their own research than teaching, most agree that the good professors and TAs outweigh the bad. One way to find the best professors in your area of study is to read CAPE—a Web site put together by students that ranks professors and classes. Standing for Course and Professor Evaluations, it is a great way to get word-of-mouth advice without having to know anyone who already took the class. Overall, UCSD students agree that professors are always willing to help if they are approached. All professors have office hours, and they are there to help you.