University of California-San Diego Reviews

"UCSD is a significantly big school with very strong programs in STEM, especially in the areas of computer science, biology and oceanography. The courses were for the most part very rigorous and the professors took their job seriously in all aspects. They expected students to work independently and they carefully checked for cheating during exams and especially for homeworks and projects. They programmed automatic checks alongside with manual reviews. The only downside of this school is the administration. The school could be better by having an administration that cares about the students and not just about expanding and getting funding.Read Less"

"UCSD is such a great school. The academics are top notch and the location is unbeatable. I loved spending time at the beach, and the Mexican food was out of this world. The facilities are pretty new and the dorms are small but nice. I also found a great campus community to get involved with!"

"UC San Diego is a great school that has so much potential, given the location of the school. San Diego is an up and coming city that is rapidly changing and becoming more popular. The school itself has great professors, although definitely crowded. I would say the school is on the older side, but offers great education."

"As a commuter, it is a bit difficult to determine whether the school's atmosphere on campus did me any good, but the physical environment is something I find rather nice. It is very open so you have lots of space to lounge under the shade or exercise inbetween classes, however a downside to this is oftentimes traversing from one class to another can be time consuming. I made great friends through the clubs, and academically I'm doing fine. I'd say if you wish to achieve something you gotta be proactive.Read Less"

"I think UCSD has a strong reputation as a STEM-focused school, but because of this it seems to attract professors who appear to be only interested in conducting research rather than actually running good classes and teaching undergrad students. Oftentimes it felt like teaching was low on their list of a their priorities. Also, as someone who wanted to enter the business/finance/consulting industry, they didn’t offer the best business courses and the relevant coursework felt lacking in this regard. The management courses felt very shallow, whereas some of the technical courses were way too granular and lacked the big picture insight into how what you are learning can actually be used and applied in real life.Read Less"

"I am a graduate student at the University of California San Diego. I didn't attend undergrad here so I can't attest to the academics and social life on that front. I have a small cohort and perhaps got lucky but everyone is sweet and very sociable. The professors are very accomplished and accommodating. My tuition is paid for through a stipend I receive by being a TA."

"My experience at UC San Diego was wonderful. From the supportive staff, to the multitude of on campus resources, a thriving and welcoming student body, and the prestigious nature of the institution, I felt I was able to truly gain a better understanding of my field of study. I enjoyed studying under professors with extensive knowledge of Ecology, animal behaviors, and evolutionary principles. Curriculum in-class was supplemented by field excursions that were enjoyable and aided in the retention of the subject matter. All in all I am satisfied with my academic experience at UCSD.Read Less"

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at UC San Diego. Academically, I felt I could choose between various courses for my major and had some really great instructors. Socially, I gained meaningful friendships through club sports and found great community there. This is a school where you must make an effort to find that community, but its very rewarding once you find it. Financially, San Diego is tough in more ways than one"

"I believe that UCSD was the best college I could have went to. Each student has their own preference on campus and type of academics they want, but for me UCSD was my number one pick. Beautiful weather, right by the beach, rigorous academics, and multiple communities to join. I'm very glad I chose to be a triton."

"The school offers great and technical degrees and supportive staff. The campus is large, beautiful, and next to the ocean and beaches. The campus is divided up into colleges where you are able to socialize with others. Many extracurricular activities are available."

"The reason I give this school a 4 is because of the location, the resources and the education. I have been in three different colleges. This college has some of the hardest courses I have ever experienced but it is rewarding to get through them. It can be a little harder to meet people if you have a difficult major that takes up your time. For graduate school, I think your personality fit and work ethic with the P.I matters the most. Overall, you will enjoy your experience hear if value education and research over partying. You can find partying but it is not the main focus of this school. I had a full time scholarship for my bachelors and that made all the difference in the world. Unfortunately , they do not extend the same financial assistance for Masters so make sure it’s worth it.Read Less"

"The physics department at UCSD is a phenomenonal environment to both learn graduate level physics and obtain invaluable research experiences through a wide variety scientific opportunities and an impressive roster of established and passionate professors."

"Coming from a CSU to a UC you can feel the difference of pace, now that is a quarter system, it feels a little rushed. Besides that, I think the education is really valuable, I am able to interact with people that are in a great professional level and I am learning things that would be helpful for my profession."

"I had an okay time at UC San Diego. Granted, it was a really big school, so the class sizes were really large. Enrollment in classes was competitive. If you want individualized teaching, this is probably not the school for you. This is definitely a stem-focused school, so going for a social science may not be the move."

"My time at the University of California, San Diego was memorable and worthwhile. The campus offered quality education and opportunities to build and create experience. My only regret was not exploring more of what the university had to offer and branching out. The location of the school was quite beautiful, as well. I would say any prospective student would be lucky to attend this university."

"I went to UCSD from 2021 to 2023, and I studied sociology and marketing. loved the campus, students, professors, and my overall experience. I learned a lot, but after graduation, it was hard to find a job. It seemed like my education and degree didn't matter. It was hard to get internships, but I think it's because I didn't have close relationships with professors, so I didn't ask for references. At first, my classes were online, maybe for the first 2 months, but I was excited when I got to experience in-person classes. Met a lot of cool people, and there were many fun events for free! I enjoyed the city too. It was safe, and there were many things to do. I'd definitely recommend this school to anyone who wants a beautiful campus, quality education, and a fun city!Read Less"

"UC San Diego was my top choice other than Harvard/Stanford. I chose them over UCLA, UMich, WashU and some other places because I loved the environment at the school. It being so close to the ocean, with incredible views as much as incredible teachers, made it the perfect blend of being an academic powerhouse while still having a chill vibe among the student body. 10/10 would go here again - also got me 10 med school interviews!"

"If you're looking for a college with a laid-back atmosphere, located in one of the best neighborhoods within San Diego, and offering a wide range of exciting opportunities, then UCSD is the place for you! UCSD is a place where you can hold onto that small-town feel while also attending a top research institution that's part of the best university system in the US. For me, between the diverse classes, near perfect climate, and pristine beaches, I loved my time at UCSD."

"Computer Science had a reputation as being one of the hardest majors besides Computer Engineering or Biochemistry and Biomedical degrees at my school. It was a rigorous and challenging cirriculum. I remember we had to take Compilers CS131A and it was only after my graudating year, that the class became optional. The class itself was basically a full time job, requiring coding 30+ hours a week to build a compiler from scratch. The school and degree definitely was well earned in my opinion and all the courses challenged us and helped us prepare for a real carreer in the industry.Read Less"

"Graduated last year and the school itself is very large, but since being a liberal art major at a STEM school, you have to venture outside of class to gain experience. I worked at two of the departments so there are plenty of opportunities for students; you just have to go out and find them."