Student Profile
KM
- Class: Junior
- Major: Biology
- Gender: F
- High School: Alhambra High School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
I think that one of the greatest things about UCSD is the college system. It makes the huge university feel smaller. WIthout the college system, the university could definitely seem way too big, however the colleges give you a feeling of a smaller, closer-knit community within the university. The college system allows you to get to know a smaller group better while still having the opportunity to meet students from all over the campus. So, because of the college system within the university, I think the size of UCSD is just right. When I'm on campus, I don't hang out too much because I don't live on campus. I go just for class. But when I am hanging out on campus between classes and such, I hang out it Price Center the most often. Price Center is basically where everyone hangs out during the day between classes and such because it has become such a social place and its where the food court is. I'm either in Price Center or in Geisel Library studying. La Jolla is definitely a "what college town?" There is not much for college students to do in the nearby surrounding areas. There is the beach of course (my favorite), and places to eat and shop and stuff a quick bus ride away, but if you don't have a car it can be kinda difficult to get to some places. And as for the social scene, there are almost no bars or anything in the area surrounding school-you have to go to Pacific Beach for that. And there is also no greek housing which also cuts down on the social life. It still exists but you definitely have to have a car because "greek houses" (usually 4-6 people from a chapter) are spread out all over the surrounding towns/cities.
Academic Life
Most professors don't know your name unless you go to their office hours all the time or something. I would say that most students don't go to office hours or spend time with their professors outside of class. But those who do usually get something out of it like a better grade or a potential recommendation letter. I think most students study a lot...the 'unsocial bookworm' thing. However, those that are social still study quite a bit too. Most study during the week more than on the weekends. I think that the academic requirements are pretty fair. Each college has their own set of requirements which is nice because in choosing a college, you can decide your GE's. That is how I decided on a college when applying to UCSD and I think that was very helpful in deciding.
Student Body
I don't know how much any student would feel out of place at UCSD, but we do have a very low proportion of black and hispanic students so it is possible that they may feel out of place. However, I think most students at UCSD are very open and welcoming so such students would me made to feel welcome through interactions with many students.. There is a variety of what students wear to class...also depending on what time of day class is. Early morning class you can find many students in sweats and sweatshirts and such. Later in the day, many are very casual: jeans, a shirt and some flip flops. However, you'll always have students that wear sweats to class any time of day and those that get dressed up for class. Most students are from California-mostly Northern California. There is a good number of out of state students but not too many. Other than that a lot of students come from northern California because they want to stay in state but get away from home. This is the same reason why many southern California students to to northern california for school. I haven't found that any certain financial background is prevalent though.
The Best Things
The college system and the location!
The Worst Things
Not enough school spirit.
