USD is a small school that places a great deal of emphasis on small classes and giving students individual attention. A downside to this is that many classes, both intro level and upper division, have mandatory attendance or weigh participation in your final grade. The benefits are that your professors will know your name, your strengths, your weaknesses, and in some cases, your hobbies, and how you’re doing in other classes. This can be motivation to come to class and keep up with the material. There are no teaching assistants at USD, so it is easy to form close, personal relationships with faculty. Professors are required to have office hours, and it behooves students to go in and talk, either to ask for help or just to check in. After you declare a major, you are assigned an adviser who is a tenured faculty member in your department whose research interests go along with your professional interests (e.g., an English major interested in creative writing will be assigned an adviser who publishes short stories or poetry). This comes in handy when you are planning your courses because professors get to know and understand your personality and goals, and will help you build a meaningful schedule.
As a liberal arts school, USD has a broad core curriculum that is a burden for many students. In addition to the fairly standard math, science, and literature requirements, USD also requires students to take logic, ethics, fine arts, and three semesters of theology and religious studies. These courses can be admittedly tedious, and many students take core classes abroad for three weeks during summer or intersession, utilizing USD’s expansive study abroad program. This way students get a pretty easy three units and get to travel. Not bad.
San Diego Student ReviewsWhat's This?
Sort by:
Academics at University of San Diego
USDcurrent
Business Administration and Management '15
4.2
A-
Course Load
Freshman year the classes are still pretty challenging. It's a big adjustment like any college if you were an AP student and all of a sudden you don't have a 4.4 anymore because there are no bumps to your GPA. Second semester you'll get a better hand of your schedule. First semester of college, like anywhere, your oblivious to what is going on and just trying to absorb as much as possible.
The biggest difference I'd say is attendance is mandatory in basically every class you take. This is not a school where you can sleep in every class, plan on not missing more than 2 classes a semester or it will affect your grade in that class.
Apr 09, 2012
Comment actions:
Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate
Academics at University of San Diego
iamevan
Business Administration and Management '14
5.0
A+
The Academics
The academics at the University of San Diego are on par with the top schools in the nation, competing with Harvard. The Business school was ranked in the top 25 in the nation.
Mar 30, 2012
Comment actions:
Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate
Academics at University of San Diego
B
Really good!
USD does have great academics. The most you will have in a class is about 40 students (this is rare) and the professors teach, there are no TAs at USD. USD does have a great business school and generally rank high in academics. Professors are very sincere and knowledgeable and don't hesitate to join them in office hours or send them an e-mail! The only thing I can suggest is to look on RateMyProfessors before registering, generally the reviews are true and helpful!
The only thing I can nitpick at USD is the amount of general education. There are too many required General Education courses, they fill up the entire first two years!
Mar 10, 2012
Comment actions:
Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate
User rating for University of San Diego - Academics is
4.6 out of 5
based on 44 user reviews.
Become a Contributing Author Learn more »
Most Recent Student Author View all
- Name
- Shannon Palka
- Hometown
- Thousand Oaks, CA
- Major
- English and Theology
- Grad Year
- 2015
College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.
Buy the eBook "University of San Diego 2012: Off The Record"
Download a FREE Printable Summary (PDF)