University of San Diego - Academics

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Everything about academics at USD looks good, but we all know that sometimes looks can be deceiving. On the positive side, students recognize that USD professors are at the top of their fields and take a genuine interest in meeting students’ needs. Class sizes are incredibly small for university standards, and instruction is tailor-made as a willing student will find on any campus anywhere. Locally, a USD carries a good amount of weight and respect, especially in the business, finance, and hospitality industries. On the negative side, small class size and the annoyingly common practice of taking roll drives many students out of their minds. Some students feel passed over for the needs of their more interactive classmates.

There is also a large contingent of disinterested students at USD. Classes are often dragged through tedious custodial disputes (“Will this be on the test? Should we be taking notes?”) Many students complain about too much reading, and nearly everyone hates that many classes count attendance against the final grade. With such small classes, there is simply nowhere for the lackadaisical student to hide. The impacted environment can nag at you, and some students feel the University treats them like high school students and does not live up to its high tuition costs. Many of the professors do realize that the intimate nature of the campus creates a need for flexibility, but it is up to the students to talk with their professors. Professors provide large blocks of time for office hours, are constantly accessible through e-mail, and are always willing to make sure their students are learning.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

The teachers are concerned with... The teachers are concerned with the students as individuals and want each student to succeed. The majority of the classes are interesting. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

To be honest, only come here if... To be honest, only come here if you have a scholarship. It has been my experience that the faculty is not top-rate, and the school is not worth spending the money on. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

The teachers are just like... The teachers are just like professors anywhere else. Some are tough, some are easygoing, some are friendly, and some don’t seem to care much for the students. They usually know what they’re talking about, though, and I have learned something valuable in most of the classes I have taken. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

Sometimes USD teachers give a... Sometimes USD teachers give a pretty heavy workload, which can be grueling, but that can also be avoided by choosing the right professors. One thing about the teachers here is that, unlike most other universities, a lot of them take roll call and count excessive absences against you. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

Regarding the teachers, I believe... Regarding the teachers, I believe the most important aspect is taking the initiative to go in and talk with each one of them individually. Unfortunately, I didn’t discover how helpful this would be until my last few semesters of college. Most (not all!) teachers are more than willing to devote personal time to you, and it lets them know that you really are serious about your education. 12345 Academics Report

Facts

Did You Know?

San Diego de Alcalá, the city and schools namesake, was the Franciscan brother canonized St. Didacus in 1588. Campus is known as Alcalá Park.

USD was named the “hottest” institution in the nation for students to study science by Newsweek and the 2006 Kaplan/Newsweek College Guide.

ISI also ranks USD fifth highest impact research institution in the nation for economics and business, second in the nation for the most cited clinical medicine research papers, and third in the nation for the most influential research in pharmacology from 1995–2005.

Best Places to Study:
Copley Library, Hahn University Center

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