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Inside Scoop

Quick Stats

School Slang
  • The Comber: The Beachcomber bar
  • The Fox: The Silver Fox, a local bar
  • JCP, Jenny Craig: Jenny Craig Pavilion
  • MB, PB, OB, IB: Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Imperial Beach, respectively
  • Mission: Mission Beach
  • The Palms: Palm trees near Camino/Founders
  • P-Safe: Public Safety
  • SLP, "Slip": Student Life Pavilion
  • State: San Diego State University
  • The UC: Hahn University Center
  • UC: University of California at San Diego, not to be confused with "The UC"
  • University of Spoiled Daughters: Hey, the school is two-thirds women . . .
  • The Valley: Mission Housing Complex
  • Virgin Vault: Camino/Founders halls
Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming To School
  • At least one trip to office hours before tests is basically mandatory.
  • Attendance is mandatory in some classes, and attending every class is harder than you think.
  • It is not a major party school.
  • No one remembers if you miss orientation week events.
  • Rush week is too fun to miss, even if you aren’t going to "go Greek."
  • School spirit is not that great.
  • Students are required to take three theology/religious studies classes.
  • Traffic is really terrible here.
Tips to Succeed
  • Become an email addict.
  • Bring graded papers and tests to office hours and dispute bad grades.
  • Don’t worry about your peers' income brackets.
  • Get in the habit of going to class.
  • Get involved in clubs that interest you. It's the best way to meet people that you will really get along with.
  • Make friends with the locals, as well as students from other universities.
  • Stay relaxed. USD and San Diego are more mellow than most places in the United States.
  • Take advantage of the beach. Learn to surf. Play intramural sports.
  • Try to be as immune as possible to gossip.
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San Diego Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Inside Scoop at University of San Diego

USDcurrent

Business Administration and Management '15

5.0
A+

What You Make It

It is a smaller school than others and it is a closed campus. But honestly it is what you make it. I could have been disappointed by the size and school spirit in regards to games. Instead I get involved in everything I can get my hands on. Now I know over 25% of the people I pass walking to class or SLP. It's a great feeling. I joined a fraternity which increases the amount of people you know on campus and can trust. Your social life skyrockets, you now have themed dances and parties you can go to if you want to every weekend.

But it's not so small that you don't see new people all the time. 5k is the perfect number.

The girls are a plus if your a guy haha. We have some beautiful women here

Apr 09, 2012

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Inside Scoop at University of San Diego

sofialopez189

History '13

5.0
A+

Class Size and QUALITY OF EDUCATION

USD is gorgeous, but there is more that meets the eye. Because USD has small class sizes (max. 35) students are able to receive one on one attention from professors. tutoring is free all around campus and because professors know a name to a face they are able to help students on a personal level. yes, the tuition is steep...but i wouldnt think twice about coming to USD; the quality of education i have gotten is amazing.

Feb 18, 2012

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Inside Scoop at University of San Diego

mpnowell

Communications '15

3.8
B+

It's San Diego

USD is an amazing school, especially for its small class sizes, close-knit community, and scenery. The lack in school spirit and the lack of party scenes on campus make going out at night a bit challenging. Despite that, I love the people here and the community I am a part of.

Jan 27, 2012

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User rating for University of San Diego - Inside Scoop is 4.6 out of 5 based on 20 user reviews.

Facts

Traditions
  • Catholic Tradition: USD is a Catholic school, but there is no religious recruiting strategy that many students envision when they consider applying or first arrive. As University literature states, “Because early academics believed that God is truth, they had no fear in consulting all sources including Islamic and Jewish scholars in their search for truth. They believed the learning experience was enriched through diversity. More than single-faith based policy; USD’s tradition is more one of free inquiry rooted in serving others and developing a faith community. Acting on Catholic teaching and philosophy is the major goal of University administration.”
  • The Colachis Plaza Echo: Colachis Plaza has a famous spot where you can stand and hear a powerful echo. Stand by the plaque on the west side of the plaza and face across the plaza. When you yell, you can carry on a great, although repetitive, conversation with yourself.
  • Father Serra Foot Massage for Luck: Didn’t study for that economics final? Totally clueless about the difference between Fitzgerald and Faulkner? Rub the toes of the statue in front of Serra Hall, and all will become clear.
  • Greek Week: Sororities and fraternities form teams and compete to raise money for a charity. Events include letter writing and skits.
  • Homecoming: Homecoming is an important event for all Toreros, past and present. USD hosts an impressive tailgate party before the football game, as well as a rather competitive alumni golf tournament that students often attempt to crash.
  • Miracle on Marian Way ("Winter Wonderland"): This Christmas festival involves cookies, teddy bears, and Santa.
  • Torero Days and Welcome Week: Torero Days is how the University welcomes all of its new freshmen to campus a few days before classes start. There are mandatory icebreakers that can get old quickly, but there are also social events that are a great way to meet people. Welcome Week is for all students, new and returning. The University sponsors activities like trips to the beach, to Padres games, and to the Little Italy Farmers' Market.
  • Voyage to the Top of the Immaculata: You’ll either have to be some sort of cat burglar or have a slick rap with the security guards, but a visit to the top of the chapel is a must for USD students worth their salt. Not to be done while the bells are ringing.
Urban Legends
  • Some say that Founders Hall is secretly trying to brainwash and recruit new nuns.
  • Superstition says that if you step on the University's symbol on the floor of Maher Hall, you won't graduate in four years.
  • There's a rumor that a nun hanged herself in Founders Hall.

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.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.