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University
of California, San Diego
Five Colleges - You Choose One When You Apply
"More pictures!" Will selecting your college come down to this?
By George Glonka
© Copyright 2001
by Parents' Press. All rights reserved. This article first appeared
in the September 2001 print edition of Parents' Press.
Photo © Skjold Photography
The University of California, San Diego, home to five undergraduate colleges Revelle, John Muir, Earl Warren, Thurgood Marshall, and Eleanor Roosevelt occupies a sometimes foggy 1,200-acre campus overlooking the seaside enclave of La Jolla.
Is one of these five a good fit for you?
Courtesy of the Provost's office, we joined a contingent from Eleanor Roosevelt College (seven students, one alum, most from Northern California) to discover how they came to ERC and hear their takes on the college experience. Armed with their insights and tips that follow, you can log on, download ... and decide.
Would they tell us why they choose Eleanor Roosevelt College?
Joel (3rd year, theater/dance major): "I chose ERC because of the international focus. The website was really helpful."
Lincoln (1st year, political science): "ERC's website didn't have many pictures of what it looked like ... reading about Making of the Modern World (ERC's core curriculum), actually that was what drew me into ERC."
David (senior, bio-engineering) explained that Making of the Modern World spans six quarters, during which students study different cultures and civilizations from the points of view of those groups.
Cassie (1st year, political science/international relations): "I really liked the idea that I'd be studying with other students who had the same interests as me and especially the opportunity to study abroad" (as do over one-third of ERC's students).
What would have helped them during the selection process?
"More pictures."
"Yes, more pictures."
Since most students do not visit the San Diego campus before applying, maybe our informants are on to something.
Lency (senior, Spanish literature/ human health): "I was completely oblivious as to how to go about the college process ... I really needed some step-by-step instructions."
Megan (Class of '95, academic advisor at ERC): "I think most students don't understand what the purpose of the colleges is at UCSD, and they think their major is going to determine what college they'll be a part of. They can be at any of the five colleges (for any major). The more research you do so you'll understand the philosophy behind the college, the happier you'll be."
Would they describe their arrival on campus?
Joel: "I felt like this was where I was supposed to go. It was nice to think that you could be out on the bigger campus but have somewhere more cozy to go back to."
Lincoln: "I live near the Cal Berkeley campus, and it's completely different. I expected all of the UCs to be somewhat similar. Berkeley is a very different place."
Cassie: "My whole experience ... was like Joel's. I felt like I belonged right away ... I really treasured the academic atmosphere here."
Grant (2nd year, political science): "I'm from a very small town ... a school this size was pretty intimidating. When I got here for orientation ... there was an orientation leader and academic advisor ... both were very friendly and accessible."
Lency mentioned that, "There really is something for everyone here ... but it's up to the individual to find that ... there's a huge diversity of opportunities."
What sort of opportunities?
Lency: "I'm really excited about next quarter. I'm doing a lot of new things yoga, surfing ... auditioning for a modern dance performance ... in charge of a community service group in International House."
Do you ever sleep?
Lency: "This is the case with everyone here. If you don't have this balance, then college is just classes."
Allison (senior, religious studies/ biology): "My work as a childbirth specialist (or 'doula') is my favorite job outside school. The UCSD Medical Center is one of the pioneers in developing a doula program and birth center within their hospital. Being able to help a couple bring a child into the world with minimal stress is a great accomplishment."
Grant: "I think she brought up a good point. Not everything is on campus."
Cassie: "Just a few weeks ago I was invited to go with
CORE, the Community Outreach Effort. We're going to the Dominican
Republic to work with an orphanage. I'm extremely excited."
Provost Ann Craig: "Joel did something different - the Muir
Musical."
Joel: "Last year I was in the Muir Musical. We did 'Little Shop of Horrors.' The entire production is run by students, with a faculty advisor from Muir."
Extra-curricular activities not only provide balance, but, as Allison and David added, graduate schools look for applicants with community service and human contacts outside their major field of study.
Do stereotypes about the colleges exist?
David: "I was in the orientation program for two years and ... the myths changed for which was the party school, which was the studyaholic school. Maybe it changes by class."
Grant: "The colleges are independent of any academic focus ... so you have a somewhat equal dynamic."
Lency: "You can't deny the fact that Roosevelt has more women than men, Warren has more engineers, Revelle has tons of biology majors. Marshall has a lot of poly-sci ... Muir "
Joel: "It's more laid back ... it's closest to the ocean."
"Surfers!"
Do you have favorite places to go, on or off campus?
Provost: "I'll leave the room."
David: "A lot of people have favorite places to eat. If you go out of La Jolla into downtown (San Diego), it's such a diverse culture. Maybe things aren't as close as people would like, but if you have some friends who have cars..."
Lincoln: "At UC Berkeley you can walk off campus and there's tons of stuff to do. Here, it's not like that at all ... it forced me to get more involved in the campus."
What about public transportation. Does anyone use it?
Lency: "Living in I-House, I feel awful because there aren't that many people with cars. It's really tough if you don't have a car."
Joel: "The transportation system around campus goes everywhere you need to go. The problem is the frequency."
Megan: "People with cars become very popular."
Eleanor Roosevelt College turned out to be the right choice for this band of eight, but will a different one of UCSD's five (soon-to-be-six) colleges lure you? If so, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Lincoln: "All we hear about is, 'Aw, San Diego. It's just desert.' I expected to come here and see some palm trees and sand. I can't believe I expected that."
More pictures?
|
MORE INFORMATION University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, (858) 534-2230, admissions (858) 534-3160. www.ucsd.edu UCSD's home page has links to each college's web page. Costs: Tuition, on-campus room and board, supplies, and other expenses are estimated at $15,170 for academic year 2001-2002. Financial aid: Approximately 58% of students receive some form of financial aid. You may download financial aid forms from UCSD's website. You should know: Applicants "must" rank colleges in order of preference. If not, accepted students will be assigned on a space-available basis. Applicants are doing their homework. In years past, 60% were accepted by their college of choice. Last year, over 80% got their preferred college. Tips from the Admissions Office: -Read the colleges' brochures and log onto their websites. (Each college has an "Internet Ambassador" who will answer questions). -Study the core curriculum and philosophy that define each college. -Read and follow the instruction booklet for the UC application. Be sure to respond to the (on-line) "prompts" for the personal statement, then use your personal statement to let admissions officers get to know more about you. Sixth College is coming in Fall of 2002. As tradition dictates, the newest college at UCSD will be identified by a number until it selects a name. The sixth of seven planned undergrad schools, it will focus on art, culture, and philosophy. Brochures should be available in Summer 2001 along with a website linked to UCSD's home page. |
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