Still undecided

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - San Diego
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<p>My son will be visiting next week and is weighing several options. His other two schools are medium-sized (4500-5500), east coast and south, very tight-knit schools with lots of school spirit (although not necessarily great football teams or any one sport that pulls the school together). All three schools -- including UCSD -- have a fine reputation for his major, political science. He's been accepted to Revelle.</p>

<p>As a mom who went to a school that's more akin to those he's looking at closer to home, I have concerns about UCSD's size, as well as its reputation for being dead on weekends. </p>

<p>I've heard that since most students are from Southern California, they just bolt on Saturdays and Sundays. Son is not a drinker (and no, I just don't say that as a mom -- he works as an intern for a federal law enforcement agency) -- and he's an introvert.</p>

<p>I'm just worried about whether he'll be happy. He knows he loves California (we lived there when he was young) and he has relatives there, but how easy is it to make friends/find stuff to do on campus/have a social life?</p>

<p>I'm not planning to sway him. It's his decision. I'd just love to hear some of the folks who are thrilled to have been accepted to UCSD to tell me why they love the school so much. Then, maybe I'll be happier when he chooses a school 3,000 miles away :o)</p>

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<p>D went to small cozy schools all her life and is thriving at UCSD (she is not exactly an introvert though). The college system and dorm life foster a sense of community. She joined a couple of clubs so is involved on many levels. I get the impression that the administrators, RA’s and advisors truly care about these kids and want to help with the transition. As a parent I am not worried about “dead”. Walk about campus and music, sports, art and more are happening everwhere. Read the posters listing future events. D and friends are constantly cooking something up-sometimes literally in the dorm kitchen.
On the other hand I was happy she did not go 3000 miles away (I asked her, “what will you do if you need your appendix out?”) I’m also pleased that she is far enough away so as not to be able to come home on weekends! Another thing to think about is the major. Does your son want to take all that calc, chem, physics and so on required by Revelle? Revelle is full of very motivated science-oriented students.</p>

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<p>In response, I am a second year here, and love it. Its only socially dead if you make it so.</p>

<p>I’m from Southern California, but don’t go home on the weekends. There are actually a lot of kids from the Bay Area who are here on weekends. There are tons of things to do if you actually try. The suites make you really get to know a group of ~10 people, then you start meeting people just all around. I’ve found that Humanities and Social Science kids (me included) are just the kind of people you can start talking to, and it wont be weird. So…yeah. Not trying to bash the other schools, because I don’t even know what they are, and its your kid’s decision…but don’t believe the stereotypes about this place! </p>

<p>For example, I don’t drink or party and have made many friends here. I did get involved and joined clubs (definitely the thing to do since there are so many), I found my best friends here are those I lived with/ near, or were in classes together with. Though I assume that’s pretty much a general college thing…</p>

<p>And the people here with (I think) the biggest circles are church people. </p>

<p>I took a poli sci class here last quarter (oh yeah, quarter system is hard to get used to, but good since you get the chance to take more classes and meet more professors), and it was pretty tough but interesting. I learned some relevant info for my everyday life, I must say. It was a lecture-discussion style class with ~300 people in it, so I didn’t really get to know the professor, as I usually like to do, but I did make sure my TA knew my name and he was really smart and interesting as a TA. </p>

<p>If you’re worried he’ll be an introvert, have him sign up for a mentorship program with upperclassmen, I did that first year and it was great to have someone older who could help me out. Now I am a mentor, though I swear my mentee is teaching me more than I am teaching her!</p>

<p>My mom said the same thing as fastpitchmom about getting my appendix out! That’s why I’m glad I’m not too far (and figured out the healthcare system here).</p>

<p>Good luck, and lemme know if there’s anything else I (or any of my fine peers here at CC) can help with! :)</p>

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<p>I think you’re thinking of UCI instead of UCSD on the basis that it is dead on weekends and students bolt during the weekend.</p>

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<p>^^ Andrew - the same thing definitely happens here at SD to some extent. many, many students go home for the weekend.</p>

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<p>^^^ I don’t see that as much of a problem. Even if students don’t live close by, that’s no guarantee that they’ll stick around to campus. I mean, look at the big-city schools like Columbia and UCLA – there’s so much to do off-campus, why would you stick around?</p>

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<p>Thanks to all who replied. Fastpitch – thanks for the information on Revelle’s requirements. My son loves nearly all things academic, so he’s actually looking forward to the science classes. He could live without Calculus, though! It looks like he’ll be able to skip the first quarter at least, because of his AP score (kind of hard to tell whether he can skip one quarter or two? He got a 5)</p>

<p>Regarding on-campus versus off and a social life, my biggest concern is not where he’ll be having fun, I guess my biggest concern is whether he’ll meet friends and the student body is sociable. (For example, at MIT, one of the problems the administration has is getting the kids out of their rooms and libraries on weekends to have fun). Having heard that UCSD, and in particular, Revelle is a rather intense study enviroment, I was just concerned. But hey, why should I be? This is California! I’m guessing the kids will know how to “work hard, play hard.”</p>

<p>He can decide for himself when he’s there next week. It sure will be hard not to love the ocean and mountain views!</p>

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<p>@astrina - I don’t think it’s much of a problem either. :slight_smile: I was just noting that it happens here, too.</p>

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<p>Revelle does attract the serious student, one who might become distraught over a first-ever B. That’s what Dean Renee told the parents last year. And the new admits (an exuberant and happy group) were advised to make a friend, care about someone, do something if they saw someone becoming withdrawn. Tell me, is that “pledge” to make at least one friend true at all of the orientations, or just Revelle (or just last year).
At finals time everyone becomes serious! CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) kicks into high gear, there are therapy dogs on Library Walk and you might get an email telling you how to send a care package to your student.
UVaHoo, let us know what your sons thinks about UCSD and Revelle…</p>