Regret going to UCSD?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - San Diego
1

<p>Hey guys, </p>

<p>I've been dwelling on this for a while now, in fact for the entirety of my undergrad education at UCSD. Should I regret going to UCSD?</p>

<p>Let me try to explain my story. I'm an out-of-state student who applied to UCSD on a whim. At 17, I was self-aware enough to know that I needed a change of scenery to truly get out of my comfort zone, and grow intellectually as well as spiritually. Everything about California and San Diego seemed so grand and beautiful. I fell in love with UCSD the moment I got accepted. </p>

<p>As an OOS student who rejected a "better" school on the East Coast, I knew all the odds were against me in terms of validating my school of choice. I am asked almost constantly, "why da heck did you choose UCSD?" I abhor that question. Not only does whoever asking it assume I'm average and got rejected from the Ivy League, they also assume I'm some spoiled brat who is partying his life away on the beach on his parents' dime. This could not be further away from the truth. </p>

<p>I came to UCSD because I thought it was the best "fit" for me. Is that too hard to understand? </p>

<p>The truth is, I have a 4.0 GPA in a hard major (some of you may not believe it, but we exist); have balance in my life (sleep 8 hours a day, deeply involved with extracurriculars i.e. music/sports, great social life, and have awesome relationships with Profs and TAs); and it's looking like I'm going to end up with a job that pays close to 6 figures. Before I continue, please give me the benefit of the doubt if what I just said appears arrogant. I mean this is an anonymous forum, so there really is no reason for me to show off. I simply worked hard and things fell into place. I am no more/less superior to anyone else. </p>

<p>So here I am after a couple years wondering the same thing. Should I regret coming to UCSD? I've put down more than a 150k to come here. Was it worth it? Will I be forever branded as the "state-school kid who partied his life away on the beach?"</p>

<p>I understand that it's useless for me to care about this now, but it has been truly tough for me to come to peace with my decision. For that, I was wondering if you guys could lend me a hand with this chip on my shoulder. Thanks :).</p>

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<p>When has anybody going to UCSD been accused of partying their life away on the beach? Ha ha.</p>

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<p>^ My thoughts exactly. But if after your time at UCSD, you still aren’t sure if it was the right decision for you, it probably wasn’t. You’re only a college student once, and if you’re not having the time of your life, then something is probably wrong.</p>

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<p>As far as I’m concerned, you’ve come on here to gloat. No one will be able to make you feel at peace with your decision except for yourself, and ultimately, it will be up to you to make the most out of your UCSD degree.</p>

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<p>Lol. Thank you and that is very true, but only for people in California. Like I said, I’m from the East Coast, and most people have never even heard of UCSD. It’s a real shame because it’s really a good school.</p>

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<p>ucsandiego915, believe what you want, but I’m not asking for any validation. If telling the truth is gloating in order to get some honest feedback, so be it. I am doing you nor myself any favors by bragging. I hope you understand. </p>

<p>But you’re right. This is something that I need to come to terms with for myself, and I appreciate your comment. It struck a chord with me because I’ve always believed life is what you make it. No matter how cliche it sounds. I guess my self-doubt has just been creeping in lately.</p>

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<p>It’s your life. There is no way for us to tell you if your decision was right or wrong, or whether you should regret it or not. If I were to guess, based on what you have typed, and the fact you have been questiong your decision for for so long, that you do regret your decision to attend UCSD.</p>

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<p>HowieRoark: You know the truth, and in your own words: “The truth is, I have a 4.0 GPA in a hard major (some of you may not believe it, but we exist); have balance in my life (sleep 8 hours a day, deeply involved with extracurriculars i.e. music/sports, great social life, and have awesome relationships with Profs and TAs); and it’s looking like I’m going to end up with a job that pays close to 6 figures.” The truth is you thrived at UCSD. </p>

<p>It doesn’t matter what other people’s perception of your choice is. By your standards and any reasonable person’s standards you have succeeded in making the most of your educational opportunities. You have worked hard. And you have a solid job lined up (not many graduates have that security upon graduation these days). You have balance and direction–you are on a continued path of achievement. By my definition, that IS success! But you must know your own definition of success and tune out negative naysayers. </p>

<p>UCSD has many incredible programs, students, and professors. I know students who work extremely hard there. I’m sure there are partiers, but all schools have partiers. These days it is extremely difficult to get accepted into UCSD. I know students who had high GPAs, standardized scores, and strong extracurriculars who did not get accepted there. </p>

<p>I also know many UCSD grads who are working in their field of interest and passion. That, to me, is success–not where they went to school. For undergrads, many UCSD programs are very strong. And UCSD has excellent graduate programs, too. My opinion is: Ivy, UC, private liberal arts, BIG Name school, BIG 10, community college–it doesn’t matter! It’s what you make of it, it’s what you do, what you believe, how you treat others, and it’s who you are as a result of your experience, that matters. </p>

<p>Rise above people who may be insecure, jealous, or into “Ivy or big named schools”–the people who ask “Why would go there–to party?” Sometimes people who are envious of your success try to bring you down so they can bring themselves up. </p>

<p>They don’t know the truth. YOU know the truth and that is what matters in life!</p>

<p>Best wishes to you!</p>

<p>Do you mind letting me know what you major was? I like to hear that you were able to have balance. Please PM if you would like.</p>

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<p>Exactly. Don’t let other people’s ignorance of UCSD stop you from doing what you want to do.</p>

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<p>I feel the same way sometimes, as a freshman here. I constantly get the “why didn’t you go to UC Davis?” since I live right by there, or “why didn’t you go to UCLA since you got in?” UCSD, even to California residents, seems to fall in the average category of being good but not good enough, or not-quite-social or good beach scene but “still not the best.” It’s kind of a shame, having fallen in love with this school before I even applied, to hear my friends here say, “I hate this school!! I’m only here because it’s close to home / they gave me money / it’s the most prestigious one I got into.” </p>

<p>Like Rypto said, college only happens once, and if you have the money to afford getting an education at the place you love what’s stopping you from doing so?</p>

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<p>I know this is an old post, but I agree with you, I regret going to UCSD. I sometimes wonder why i chose it in the first place. It is so expensive. Is it worth transferring to a community college now to save up, and then go back to a UC?</p>