Hi, so i know that there are probably already posts on this topic, but I just want to know from a personal perspective which university would be best for me.
I have been accepted into both SDSU and UCSD. At SDSU I have been accepted into the microbiology major, and into their honors college as well, whereas at UCSD I was accepted into the Global Health major and Eleanor Roosevelt college.
I want to be a doctor or medical researcher, and I think that the program at UCSD has “cooler” class listings for me to choose from as it is less orthodox and unique. However, at SDSU I know that the program is more basic as far as med-school admits go, and their honors program seems like a great opportunity to live with people with similar interests.
Campus wise, I haven’t visited either yet, but am planning to before the time of decisions; however, from looking online, It seems like SDSU is a more fun atmosphere with more of a laid back vibe and a lot more social activities going on for someone not from the area. But I do like the physical location of UCSD better because it is literally right on the beach, and SDSU is a bit inland. Is UCSD kind of “square”, or not as fun as SDSU? I have also heard that the students at SDSU are a bit more stuck up? Is this true?
I’ve basically narrowed down my choices to these two schools, so if you have any guidance it would be much appreciated
If you’re a premed, I think UCSD will offer you more opportunities for shadowing/clinical and research experience. It’s less of a party school than SDSU, but I wouldn’t call us “squares” lmao. I’d definitely visit both campuses’ admit days before making a choice
You need to visit the campuses.
Maybe you are confusing UCSD with Santa Barbara? Santa Barbara is steps from the beach. Santa Cruz is closer to the ocean, CP SLO is near the beach. UCSD is off of Torrey Pines Road, which is up a hill and cliff away from being “literally right on the beach”.
Maybe pictures show the pier? You can go to the glider port and hang glide down to the beach, but that can be risky. The last time I drove on Torrey Pines Road at UCSD, (yesterday) I needed a car to get to the beach. It will take you a while to get to that beach, if you walk, and you need to hope that the fog burns off for the day. Visit the campuses to find out which suits you.
I’m in a similar situation where I am not sure which to choose either. I feel as if SDSU, though lacking in prestige, has a lot more to offer me in the Honors Program than UCSD is offering me. I visited SDSU last weekend also and the campus was really nice, and there were a lot of people out and about. My tour guides from the Weber Honors College were really nice too, but the students walking by did come off as a bit pretentious, though I am judging wholly off what they seemed to be like. Everyone who I actually talked to though was really nice, and the weather was beautiful. I am concerned though with the fact that SDSU does have less prestige and is looked down upon by some, but all the kids in the Honors Program said their classes and teachers generally were good but the honors teachers themselves were exceptional. Also just a side note, I would say SDSU and Cal Poly are roughly the same distance to the beach without traffic.
@dstyja I completely agree! I feel like I will like the atmosphere at SDSU a lot more. I think that the honors college is prestigious as well and has so many great opportunities. Its such a hard decision. I’m going to visit on Monday so hopefully I like it. Did you visit UCSD as well?
My sister went to SLO so Im pretty familiar with it as well
@marcellajoann I was not able to visit UCSD when I went down because there was an accident on the 5 so traffic made it practically impossible to fit both of them in before I had to head back (I was driving in from Orange County). I really wanted to visit UCSD’s campus just to check it out, but since I couldn’t I did some research on it instead. It has a much more modern feel than SDSU as SDSU is built like a missions almost whereas UCSD is mostly modern style buildings. The people at UCSD are probably less stuck up and pretentious but from what I’ve heard they are less social and very invested in their academics, which is good as that’s why it’s so highly ranked, but they sound a lot less inviting and social which is a downside. My friends have visited both and say that UCSD is a lot more of a stressful and academic-only feel whereas SDSU is pretty laid back. You can take a virtual tour of UCSD on their website, which I did, and I personally found that I liked SDSU’s mission-like campus better than UCSD’s more concrete urban style campus.
@dstyja Thats what I have heard as well. Thanks for the information! Im really hoping that I like one of the school’s and the campus atmosphere since I know that both will give me a good education (maybe UC moreso).
Choose SDSU, I’ve heard from multiple students who attend UCSD that the social scene is atrocious and barren. Even though SDSU is a solid academic school in contrast to what some may say, if you’re solely focused on your academics and don’t really care for a social life then I would choose UCSD
@marcellajoann - Welcome to Aztec Nation! One of my kids is in the Honors College there, and has had a truly wonderful experience (and he also declined admission to several UCs in order to attend SDSU).
