UC San Diego
UC San Diego is located in a scenic environment close to beautiful Southern California beaches. The school sits on a wooded plateau that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. La Jolla, the town that surrounds the campus, has a population of 32,800 people and includes top-quality restaurants, shopping and art galleries. The campus is about a 15-minute drive from downtown San Diego, which also features many cultural and urban attractions, including the famous San Diego Zoo, the historic Gaslamp District and Horton Plaza shopping center.
Student Body
UCSD has a medium-sized student population in comparison to the other UC schools, with about 15,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students, 98 percent of them from California. The student body is diverse, although less so than the student bodies at UCLA and Berkeley. According to recent figures from the University of California, underrepresented minorities (blacks, American Indians, and Latinos) account for approximately 11.5 percent of the student body.
Academics
UCSD has many research opportunities. The school is divided into five colleges, each of which emphasizes a broad subject area, such as international issues, humanities and sciences. Upon enrolling, a student must rank the colleges in order of interest; the school then assigns the student to one of the colleges. Although each college has a different academic focus, a student can major in any subject offered at UCSD, regardless of his or her college. The academic atmosphere is competitive, but students can usually get into the classes they choose. Science classes tend to be large, even at upper levels, but in general, the teaching assistants are good and accessible. If students take advantage of office hours, they can get in contact with professors. UCSD has an Ethnic Studies major. Tutoring is available for most subjects.
Health Opportunities
The sciences are strong at UCSD, especially biology and chemistry. There are many research opportunities in the sciences, and UCSD has a medical school and hospital located on campus. UCSD also sponsors a Medical Scientist Training Program that allows students to earn a combined MD/PhD degree. UCSD's medical school has been ranked among the top 20 medical schools in the nation, according to the U.S. News and World Report.
Students have many opportunities to work in San Diego's hospitals and clinics, and there is decent public transportation between La Jolla and San Diego. The science-focused college in the UCSD system is called Revelle College; it is supportive and encouraging of its students. UCSD is also affiliated with an excellent marine biology center, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Financial Aid
Approximately 50 percent of freshmen and 46 percent of upperclassmen at UCSD receive financial aid – about 45 percent of freshmen and 30 percent of upperclassmen receive scholarships or grants; and some 35 percent of freshmen and 40 percent of upperclassmen take out loans. Most scholarships are need-based, and, on average, the school meets 74 percent of a student's need.
Transportation
UCSD is in a suburban community. A bus system serves the area, but it is helpful to have a car. A bike is useful for getting around the large and spread-out campus.
Housing
The university guarantees two years of housing to students. One-third of the students live on campus; juniors and seniors generally live off campus. About 20 percent of students join the Greek fraternity and sorority system.
Student Life
The university is organized around the five colleges. Each college has its own support staff, dorms and dining facilities. Students within each college enjoy small classes, specialized activities and an intimate learning environment. The atmosphere on campus is relatively quiet and laid-back, in spite of the intensity of academics. Many students go home on weekends.
UCSD tends to be more conservative politically than other UCs, but more than 200 student clubs and organizations meet most students' interests. The San Diego area has a wide diversity of cultural offerings. Students are also active in the university's sports and recreation program, which includes 23 intercollegiate varsity sports for men and women, 13 competitive sports clubs and 27 recreation clubs.
UCSD May Be for You If....
You are interested in science and are willing to seek out professors and research opportunities. You enjoy beautiful weather and a tranquil atmosphere.
Go to http://www.ucsd.edu to learn more about UC San Diego.