The University of California San Diego

Date: Jul 23 2011
Major: Psychology (This Major's Salary over time)
Hello guys I am writing this review not to drive you away from attending UCSD but just so you guys know what you're getting into and tailor your expectations accordingly. I am 3rd year psychology major and I'd consider myself pretty normal. I have close friends and sometimes I party. This being said I had an pretty difficult time fitting in and I found my department lacking in resources.

Academics: If your a non science major your department will be lacking in number of professors, research opportunities and so on. As a psychology major I had my share of troubles in finding opportunities and even fellow psych majors until I started taking upper division classes. The professors are also so wrapped up in their own worlds that you seem to them more like micro organisms than the micro organisms they are researching. At least the micro organisms they are researching actually get a little of their attention.

Social scene: The people here in general are not very friendly. Don't expect to come here and easily strike up conversations with people in say class or on the school shuttle for this never happens. People here tend to be more often than not very conservative and close minded. They form a group of like 5 friends and for the rest of their college lives they don't try to meet new people. Cliques unfortunately don't disappear because your now in college, at least not in UCSD.

Parties: well if on most forums and from most people the best answer you get is its what you make of it, some red flags should be coming up. I have a couple friends that party and we have a few kickbacks every now and then but it took me a very long time to find this crowd. If you're into partying and unless you're lucky, it will probably take you some time to meet the right people.

All in all, don't come to college thinking I'm going to have a great time, party at night, do research and connect with my ta's and professors by day.