University of California - San Diego
Reviews

Study Spaces

There are many areas to study on campus, the most popular being Geisel or Clics, and a few other favorites of mine are the Biomedical Library or Scripps right by the water. Price center also has study rooms and tables available right next to the food court. There are also numerous computer labs and study lounges spread throughout campus so that no matter what type of environment you prefer to study in, there are always options.

Academic Assistance

From the moment I stepped foot on UC San Diego I was instantly helped with all the questions I had on my major and informed in all clubs and organizations I could become involved . They offered many programs that grabbed my attention and were really helpful in getting me started. Since I am currently declared in Mechanical Engineer my schedule and work load has been hectic yet even saying so the Jacob School of Engineering office and its advisors have helped me find programs that can help assist me with ways to balance my homework and schooling.For example by joining the Womens Engineering Program i have become more familiar with the work i will do with my major and have been able to develop better communication skills by meeting new people who passions are similar to mine. The professors too have been a great factor to understanding the material from helpful office hours to a break down of the material during lectures. They help you prepare for the many internship and job opportunities that the school offers to help get an extra edge and understandment in the major you are interested in or would like to get to know.

Sunny San Diego

The weather is very nice most of the time. Except when it's foggy, but it's not that bad.

Where?

I've only been to a few parties, but there was nothing beyond alcohol or marijuana. Common. No pressure

Join a Club

Join a club or be prepared to be OVERLY friendly. A lot of people I've encountered are really shy, and don't like to get away from campus. The only way to meet people is to join a club, or several, or just dorm. Yes, there are lots of Asian people, but who cares?

Enough to Satisfy

The great thing about UCSD is that it has 6 different dining halls for people to choose from with each usually offering a variety of different foods to choose from. The meal plan offered is a very easy and convenient way to pay for dining where basically the standard plan has 3,000 points to spend on whichever of the six dining halls which is more than enough to last one a year.

Curved Grades

UC San Diego is pretty competitive; most of our grades are curved and a lot of people still can't pass a class. I don't believe the classes are too difficult but we only have 10 weeks to complete them and another week to take our finals. If you study enough, you can have some fun and sleep and still do good in school. Also, UC San Diego is world-known for its science departments so if you are into that field, you should really consider UCSD.

Nice Weather

The weather is pretty nice in general, but sometimes it's foggy and windy at night or in the morning.

Dont Drink on Campus

Don't drink on campus!!! the police are super strict and they are super mean!! especially during Sun God!

Sleepless Nights

the course load is rigorous and challenging. You have to be very self motivated and disciplined. Office hours are key and there are loads of research opportunities.

Class Availability

UCSD was my first choice because of the high academic scored and reviews i researched. The professors had high ratings and the curriculum was ideal. The one thing that may be at a poor level here is that the school is cutting down on classes and only offer a few of each subject and to add on, they class sizes aren't growing. This prevents us from keeping in track with being able to graduate in four years.

Let's Start With the Professors...

I chose to go to UCSD specifically for its biology department and it certainly doesn't disappoint. The professors know their stuff and the curriculum is challenging but manageable. I have yet to enroll in a small class, though, so it's hard to get to know the professors even when going to office hours. I love studying at UCSD's libraries but they are closing CLICS and IRPS next year--my two favorite libraries--and I just know the quiet library atmosphere is going to be ruined when Giesel is packed with students next quarter.

The General Biology Major at UCSD

This major is very impacted and extremely competitive. The program forces you to take more classes than required at most other universities. The lower division classes have nothing to do with the major either (math, general chemistry, physics), so for a person like me that loves biology but is horrible at all of the three aforementioned, it is pure hell. I am suffering a low gpa due to having to take classes I absolutely detest. Only now do I get to take upper divison actual biology classes. The professors of these lower divisions are all Ph.Ds and doctors within that area and are NOT teachers. They know TOO much about these topics and so these lower divison classes that have no relevance to your major will be very difficult and workload is extremely high. Facilities are all over the place because it is such a huge university. You have to manually look for interships and job opportunities- it is difficult to do so because of the time you need to spend studying however.

Everyone Chiefs

This campus is full of brainacs who love to wind down with a nice bowl after a hard day's work.

Not Known for Our Looks, but the Rumors Are Exaggerated

UCSD has what people in and out of the school call "Triton Vision", which refers to the fact that students are supposedly so hideous you have to properly adjust your scale on looks, e.g. an 8 in the real world is a 10 at UCSD etc. The truth is, very few people here actually legit fall into the ugly category -- the student body as a whole is about average as they come, no different from high school. You'll find plenty of I'd-bang-you-on-the-spot types, some I'd-need-5-shots-before-I'd-touch-you types, and in-betweeners. But like in most places in society, expect to do a lot of chasing to land the better-looking ones. Triton Vision is absolutely a lie and most likely arose from the fact that UCSD shares the San Diego region with SDSU, a school that is notorious for their parties and beach-model-type girls.

It's San Diego

Weather in San Diego is typically mild and the beach is very close to UCSD. People are rarely discouraged from going out by the weather.

Biological Sciences

The major is impacted and has a very rigorous structure. If you want to go bio, go general. You have much more choice within courses you can take that apply to your major.

No Alcohol Policy

There is a no alcohol policy on campus, which makes the campus very dead since parties must be held off campus. It depends on your RA on whether you can drink without getting in trouble on campus. My RAs are really chill and don't really care if we drink. You can still get written up by RSO's so it still sucks. They really need to repeal the no alcohol policy.

Great Academic Tutoring Services

The large class sizes make interaction with professors quite difficult. Each biology class demands about ten hours of studying per week outside of class. UCSD has many resources for free tutoring, such as the Physics Helproom, Calculus Helproom, Chemistry Helproom, and OASIS Workshops.

Boys Boys Boys

Thank god there are not a ton of meatheads here. Guys work out because it is san diego, not because they are tools. Everyone is relatively fit, and there are some really cute guys. I was afraid of triton eye when I came, but luckily I haven't gotten it and hopefully wont ever! BONUS: you know that the guy who looks like a model? yea, he is smart too ;)

Greek Love

Greek life on campus isn't obnoxiously in your face. Being greek allows you to have your friends that you live with and friends outside the dorms, and will give you connections all over this semi-segregated campus. Greek parties are only exclusive becuase the frats and sororities hold exchanges with eachother to get to know eachother better, and becuase it is hard to get off campus if you don't drive. However, lots of weekend parties are held where non greeks are welcome to attend. It is a good weekend social thing and totally adds to the college experience.

Bioengineering

If you want to get into this major, apply from high school! They make it pretty impossible to transfer into any of the impacted majors once you are already a student. Bioengineering at UCSD is one of the best in the country, so it's worth it to apply!

I Love the Library - and I Never Used to.

UCSD has many libraries and lounges in which you can comfortably get your studying done. I love the main/biggest library, Geisel, because not only is it beautiful but there are many places in which you should be able to find the right environment you need for getting your work done. I never used to enjoy libraries but here you have the levels where you can chat with neighbors, or the levels which are designated for complete silence. The study rooms with the views are awesome and the people are generally pretty helpful.

Safe as Can Be

Because UCSD is a public campus, you must be aware that at any time and at any place a random pedestrian could just walk onto the campus. However, as scary as that may seem, the security and police force on campus is ridiculously friendly and always ready to help you if you may need it. UCSD also has a CSO program, which means Community Service Officer. You can call them up anytime before 1AM and ask for a police escort. If you need an escort after 1AM, the police force will respond instead of the CSO. Personally, I have called CSO and asked for an escort when it was pitch dark and around midnight. Since UCSD is such a big campus, you won't need to fear knowing that the CSO is just one call away!

DRUGS

the drug game is at every school, and i know alot of people capable of getting just about anything you need