University of California - San Diego
Reviews

SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES!

There are a plethora of opportunities, on and off campus.

Amazing City

San Diego county has great weather and very relaxing lifestyle.

IF NERDS ARE YOUR THING

MANY PEOPLE GIVE UCSD A BAD RATING, BUT WITH OVER 20,000 STUDENTS THERE IS SOMETHING (OR SOMEONE) FOR EVERYONE! PLUS WITH THE BEACH RIGHT NEXT TO CAMPUS AND THE NIGHTLIFE OF PACIFIC BEACH JUST SOUTH, THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF HOTTIES. NOT EVERYONE DRESSES TO IMPRESS IN CLASS, SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH ON AND OFF CAMPUS ACTIVITIES.

Living on Campus With Dining Dollars

The actual dining halls are not the best place to eat on campus. You have a set amount of dining dollars of around 2,700 at the beginning of the year if you are in a dorm, and less if in an apartment. But the problem is that most of the food is the same every day, and it's easy to get sick of it. In the beginning it wasn't so bad, but after a while, it's easy to spend the rest of the money at the convenience stores around campus, with name brand foods that are either microwave or stovetop.

Being a Chemistry Major

It is challenging to balance between school and social life, especially during the first year of college due to the freedom and independence that you've never experienced living with your parents. However, though, the intro-level courses are not too difficult, and even if you feel that you're not doing well enough, there are plenty of resources out there for help. You can attend discussions in a small classroom environment, go to professors'/TA's office hours, and/or apply for OASIS. From my experience, it is definitely manageable, and I really enjoy everything UCSD has to offer.

Culturally Diverse Location

San Diego is a great place to be for graduate school. There are a lot of different activities for students of all cultures, backgrounds, and ages. It has been a fantastic experience so far. San Diego has not disappointed me yet; there is always something new and fun to do! There are so many cultures that merge in this city, which is evident in the various farmers markets, event centers, and weekend activities.

Terrible Parking Space

Parking on campus is expensive and it's not always convenient because spots are hard to locate. There's people watching the cars and giving tickets.

Athletics...What Athletics?

Besides the availability and visibility of the track fields and the Rimac and Main gyms, athletics & student involvement are pretty non-existant at UCSD. I don't really mind because I'm not a huge sports person, but it would be nice to be able to attend football games every now and then.

I Hate the Food

The dining halls are simply terrible. Once I ordered a pizza to find little metal pieces under the crust. Not only did I find metal pieces, I found flies inside the cookie glass cabinet. At this point, I'm scared to find flies in my sandwiches.

What Sports?

Until we are division 1 or have a football team I think sports will be pretty minor on campus. But waterpolo and volleyball are really good and the guys are really cute.

Drinking Is Everywhere

For being known as UC "socially dead" I certainly see a lot of parties. Drugs are used, but the scene isnt obvious until you are at a large-scale campus dance or house party. Drinking is more popular. Usually on the weekends it is a common sight to see college students stumbling home from a night of partying

Great for Sciences!

I am a biochem/chem major so the work load is pretty heavy. There are a lot of requirements needed to fulfill this major; and to graduate within 4 years, it’s very likely that any given person will have to take summer school. The 4 year plan also shows that for this major, you will be required to take anywhere from 18-21 units per quarter which is a lot; so be prepared. There are however a lot of tutors offered and a lot of programs and clubs for all science majors. It’s just up to you to find them. Since UCSD is a school focused so much on research, if you talk to your professor an get to know him/her , there are many opportunities to become involved in the research as well; even as a freshman.

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.

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.

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.