University of California - San Diego Reviews

It's about $780 a year...

It's about $780 a year or $550 for three quarters for the permit now.

They're very strict, even though...

They're very strict, even though we are not a dry camps.

Public transportation is very...

Public transportation is very good. There is a campus loop that goes around the whole campus and comes around every 15 minutes. There are also off-campus buses that come around every 5-10 minutes that can take you anywhere else.

Getting around campus on the...

Getting around campus on the shuttles is easy and all of the public buses that run through campus are free for students, so that is a plus. However, getting anywhere off campus takes a bit of time, even on the bus, because we aren't close to a whole lot.

Drinking in the dorms is easy to...

Drinking in the dorms is easy to get away with if you are smart about it, which means not a lot of people and not a lot of noise. Your first offense won't really hurt you unless you end up in detox or they find drugs.

The weather is ordinary and not...

The weather is ordinary and not diverse. There are no seasons, and the leaves on the trees never die.

This campus is as diverse as it is...

This campus is as diverse as it is athletic.

Sometimes I do wish I had gone...

Sometimes I do wish I had gone somewhere else. I choose UCSD because I was an engineering major, and UCSD supposedly had the best program. Since I’ve left that program for a non-science major, I think I could have used a better support system from a liberal arts college. UCSD is tailored for science students, particularly biology majors, and everything else is an afterthought. I haven’t considered transferring, though, because I know how valuable the UCSD name is on my degree, regardless of my major.

The school claims to be diverse,...

The school claims to be diverse, but it’s really not.

Our campus is not very diverse,...

Our campus is not very diverse, just white and Asian.

There’s a little bit of everything...

There’s a little bit of everything here—a lot of goody-goodies, a lot of the typical sorority/frat types, liberals, conservatives, and everything in between.

It’s easy to get around La Jolla,...

It’s easy to get around La Jolla, UCSD and other nearby places using public transportation, but it is not very convenient. It is hard when there isn’t a direct route and you have to transfer buses.

La Jolla is not a college town....

La Jolla is not a college town. The beach is close, so that’s nice, but most of the fun stuff to do is kind of far. San Diego is great—there are tons of different things to do.

For every excellent professor that...

For every excellent professor that I’ve had at UCSD, and I’ve probably had a handful, there are lots of inadequate ones that shouldn’t even be teaching. They’re at UCSD to do research and teach to kill time, and it sucks for us.

The Revelle dorms are the worst,...

The Revelle dorms are the worst, since they are the oldest and most outdated. There really aren’t many dorms at all, and I don’t think that many more are being built, so just be happy if you get something!

Asians and whites dominate.

There are some hot girls, but not...

There are some hot girls, but not that many.

My biggest problem with UCSD...

My biggest problem with UCSD overall is that it can be an amazing school for one individual and an absolute nightmare for the next. It is a huge mixed bag, and often people tend to be having either the time of their life or are completely depressed and miserable. With a close group of friends, however, this school can be tolerable for most students.

The academics and level of...

The academics and level of education here is one of the best in California and in the country, but I hated the lack of social life. I met a lot of friends, but never really felt like I belonged.

Amazingly diverse, although the...

Amazingly diverse, although the lack of African American students is always an issue. Expect to be immersed in Jewish vs. Islamic issues, or to realize the importance of not mistaking a Korean student for Chinese. I’m originally from the Midwest (St. Louis), and it is very strange to go back to that part of the country now and see so many white faces. UCSD and SD as a whole is a wonderfully diverse area, and it is no where near as racially tense as the Midwest.

Dorms are okay—kind of small, but...

Dorms are okay—kind of small, but livable. I got into the on-campus apartments. It depends what college you’re in.

Take the Bus

The parking permits are not only expensive, but parking is almost impossible to find. Your best bet is to park off campus and either skate or take the bus.

House Parties

The actual city itself is for 21+ students. Yet on and off campus there are plenty of parties for the freshmen and sophomores, just have to know the right people.

Relaxing

The UCSD campus promotes a very relaxing and calm atmosphere. Although it may not be one of the craziest schools, it has its fun. The scenery is the one thing that stands out most about the school, the beach is just around the corner!

It's OKAYY

there are several libraries on campus which is nice. But they all close early. At lease one should be open 24-7!! The gyms are nice and other campus activities are okay too.