Hi!
I’m applying to UCSD and I have some questions about the colleges. I looked online and I liked Muir and Warren, mostly because they don’t have so many GEs. I’m planning to apply as a econ major, if that matters. I’m a quiet person and I would prefer to have a single room. If I had my own room, I would be mostly studying in my room, but I’m wondering where are good places to study that are quiet and that there aren’t so many distractions. Is there places to study inside the residence halls or do you have to go to the library? I read online that Muir has a lot of parties, which I’m trying to avoid. What is your experience with that? Where do you think would be more suitable for me; I’m looking for somewhere that is more quiet and studious. Since I imagine that a lot of people want single rooms, what are the chances that I could get one?
UCSD students: What are the pros and cons of each? What is your experience in your college?
THank you!
Muir has the fewest GEs by far, Warren is a bit closer to average for non-engineering majors. Your chances of getting a single are either 0 or next to 0; most colleges don’t have any left and the few that remain are likely being converted to mini-doubles this year. As far as study spaces go, there’s no shortage of quiet spaces in any of the colleges/residence halls except Sixth. Muir has a single-person study room at the end of each suite (in Tioga, the ones facing west on the higher floors have great ocean views). There’s also spaces on each floor with tables and couches which might be noisy sometimes, but ok for studying when deserted. The Half Dome Lounge, Roots dining hall, and Middle of Muir cafe are also pretty nice. In Warren, there’s a lil study lounge/common area in the middle of each floor, and the Courtroom and JK Wood lounge. As far as the other colleges, I’d say Revelle has the best study spaces (one study lounge per floor/Fleet, Galbraith Hall study lounges, close to biomedical library); all of the colleges have pretty similar setups (Goody’s and Oceanview Lounge in Marshall, Sixth College Lodge, ERC Middle Earth lounge and GPS Library). If all else fails, just go to BML or Geisel (the 2nd floor is 24/7, and floors 4-8 are usually silent). Parties and kickbacks aren’t hard to avoid regardless of college.
@DoctorP Thank you for your detailed response. Is it allowed to go to other colleges to study? This setup seems to be very unique to UCSD. So you think what really matters about choosing a college is the GEs?
Yes and yes, you can go wherever you want. GEs and accommodations are really the only direct ties you have to your college