zenskeptical

When I first visited this school, I knew it was for me. I had been to Berkeley numerous times and UCLA once before. I felt UCSD was right for me....

But after visiting it again for transfer day, I have to say how unimpressed I was. The academic's are awesome but do not disregard the complete lack of social life. I'm not just talking about parties and getting drunk etc. but small things like people playing basketball or Frisbee on campus...parts of the campus felt abandoned and only near price center did their seem to be liveliness.
I asked some student reps what was going on, why it was so dead- their response was "it's saturday"...not the best response for a potential transfer. Saturday should never look like a Monday!
Granted, I went during finals week, but it was a Saturday and the more prestigious UCLA was extremely lively the day before.

For everyone that goes to UCSD or if UCSD was the best school you got into, congrats, I still LOVE San Diego and the beaches nearby but for those debating between UCSD, UCLA, UCSB, or CAL....leave UCSD out if you value social interaction.

jackiech

I think you have been somewhat misled. Actually, most UCSD students spend their weekends at UCLA playing basketball.

Phantogram

Its socially dead if you are the type of person who just wait for parties to happen in front of you. I have visited multiple times and stayed with friends who actually have fun and party on the weekends and it is always a blast. No matter what school you go to, the social scene is only gonna be as social and outgoing as you are.

Anacondrea

@zenskeptical Transfer day was a horrible this year at UCSD. Been there many times before and I know its still the perfect school for me, but ohhh man did transfer day blow. My bf described it best by saying it seemed like it was the second day of some big event where only some stragglers were left behind to watch what was left of the event that wasn't good enough for the first day.

Make sure you fill out the survey about Transfer Day so they don't make the same mistakes they did this year again next year. I wrote paragraphs of suggestions on mine.

@Phantogram I completely agree.

UCSDisMyGoal

^ I agree.

I visited UCSD on multiple occasions (weekdays and weekends), and I can say that it does seem a lot less active during the weekend (except when bill clinton came to make his speech). Although you are right, some parts of campus always seems to be kinda dead, but honestly that's also what I like about some parts of the campus. Usually when I go to the village, it really seems silent and peaceful with a nice ocean breeze (I wouldn't want the dorm environment I live at to be loud or crowded by people).

But UCSD does have many activities ! You just have to make the effort to find them. UCSD actually just had their SUNGOD festival like a few days ago , too bad it's once per year.

Also I don't know if its fair to compare the social scene to UCLA. I think UCLA is more active and social than lots of other UCs/Calstates, also UCLA is smaller than UCSD so it would be easier to find social life. Not to mention... over a hundred ncaa championships.

Overall what Phantogram said is correct, couldn't summarize it any better.

Silenthillnight

Yea, you have to consider UCSD is basically secluded on the La Jolla cliffs while UCLA and Berkeley are right in the center of the city hubs of Westwood and Berkeley respectively. Plus, UCSD is so spaced out that you need to take the shuttle or a car to get around unless you don't mind the long walks. Now if UCSD was adjacent to the Gas Lamp District, you can bet the social atmosphere would be comparable to UCLA and Berkeley. But if you don't mind quiet and semi-seclusion, I think it's a great campus. Personally, I'm hoping I'm accepted from the waitlist to UCSD or I'm accepted to USC with a sizable financial aid plan. Otherwise I'm stuck at Davis.

zenskeptical

Great points everyone. I stand corrected.

munaluna

This is what I've been saying this entire time...

angryengineer

@Its socially dead if you are the type of person who just wait for parties to happen in front of you. I have visited multiple times and stayed with friends who actually have fun and party on the weekends and it is always a blast. No matter what school you go to, the social scene is only gonna be as social and outgoing as you are.

Agreeing with a wishful thinking sentiment doesn't make a statement true. The whole "it's all about you" argument in regards to this issue makes absolutely no sense. It doesn't matter how social you are if there aren't other people partying or fun places to go. A few friends from high school that you know does NOT equate to a party. If the TV is on or are playing video games or even sipping beer while eating crackers and cheese is only a mere get together of friends and certainly not a party unless you are super lame. There is no reason to be in denial and choose ignorance on this subject. UCSD isn't called the UC of the Socially Dead for nothing and has earned that deserved reputation with honors.

UCLA is not more "active and social" than other UC's and CSUs. SDSU, Chico State, SB, SC and Davis beat UCLA hands down for always finding people to party with. I'm not talking merely about frats with idiots who don't know how to handle their alcohol but the general atmosphere and actual people. Believe it or not some students know how study hard and party hard so spare me the whole 'maturity' or serious vs non serious student tripe.

UCLA's biggest parties are at the beginning, middle, and end of the quarters but there are smaller ones scattered throughout the quarter. What I am using to qualify as a 'party' is at least 50 to 200 students from freshmans to seniors with a mix of every type of person including the USC students even attending UCLA parties and vis versa. There is (hopefully good) party music with lots of food, beer, and pot with everyone having a great time not worrying about all the stupid PC crap that makes people socially retarded.

If you want to play frisbee or hack, then go to Cal. Many of us would get together or get in on a game with strangers playing frisbee football all the time in Berkeley. Many times we would get up early in the morning on the weekends and get a group of friends together, grab some beer, smoke, food and throw discs and drive out to the various frisbee golf courses. Fun times!

UCSDisMyGoal

^
Are you trying to argue no parties = socially dead?


You pretty much ignored the other UC/Calstates (and I said lots not all). Also its "SOCIAL SCENE", the social scene is not all about partying, hopefully you are not assuming that. For UCLA there are wide variety of activities just like other UC schools, not to mention the intense school spirit they have (over 100 ncaa titles). Ever been to UCLA sport game? (football, basketball, swim, etc)

As for UCSD, yes they may have less "parties" or such. But parties are not the only way to meet people. UCSD still have many activities and clubs you can partake in.

Also "The whole 'it's all about you' argument in regards to this issue makes absolutely no sense." I think you are being rash about this, how does that make "absolutely no sense". To a certain degree, it does make sense. If the individual is not a partying type, and doesn't want to go to parties (the type of person who rather stay in dorm and study/play videogames) then it WOULD make sense to how it depends on the individual, not just the school.

" It doesn't matter how social you are if there aren't other people partying or fun places to go" Okay now this statement should be self-explanatory... [Appeal to Ignorance/Argumentum ad Ignorantium] *look that up*. There is fun places to go, and many activities to be a part of. ONCE again, the social life does not always only depend on parties.

BTW nothing is wrong with having a few friends over (from high school or not), and having a nice little kick back. I don't see that as lame at all. But of course we are all entitled to our opinions.

"There is no reason to be in denial and choose ignorance on this subject." I agree with you on this one.

angryengineer

UC Socially Dead is because the university is filled with a bunch of socially awkward zombies. Would you prefer the living dead? UCLA and Cal actually like smart students with at least some personality and/or social skills which is why all the smart rejects end up at UCSD. That is their claim to fame since they have no Greek or major sports. The majority could be more accurately refered to as UCSAD (Social Anxiety Disorder) students.

Other reasons UCSD is Socially Dead: No night life, everything closes early, no chill hang out spots, town is old fuddy duddies who frown on fun, enviroment is sterile, many students are square, spoiled, and/or shallow, clubs are cliquish etc.

The UCSAD deniers are famous for spouting the 'its what you make of it' argument. Anytime someone attends or visits UCSD and complains 'wow this place is dreadfully boring or does this college only admit students beat with the ugly stick' there is always some student smelling like teen spirit making that claim.

Here is just one of many UCSD students who brought up the issue and got that response. What they said made me laugh so decided to post for all you CC'ers.

"P.S. "School is what you make of it" Why does this come up so much when people talk about this place. Trust me you don't want to know. Also this quote makes it sound like you just lost a job and your making due with what you got or you got some disease but your hanging on. College shouldn't feel like that. It should feel like "You went here and it was awesome!" which ucsd absolutely is not."

Chargo

^^ social life for most people does mean partying, kicking back with your friends is something you do when there isn't a party (i.e. after you get your stuff done during the week)
"If the individual is not a partying type, and doesn't want to go to parties (the type of person who rather stay in dorm and study/play videogames) then it WOULD make sense to how it depends on the individual, not just the school."
That's pretty much the textbook definition of antisocial, nothing wrong with being antisocial just don't pretend it isn't. It's annoying when people try to equate "clubs&activities" on par with partying for a social life, we are talking about college not junior high summer camp.

angryengineer

@^^ social life for most people does mean partying, kicking back with your friends is something you do when there isn't a party (i.e. after you get your stuff done during the week)

I agree. This person is just in denial and attempting to defend their school of choice.

I like playing sports but could care less about whether a university has a top sports team or not. I'm there for the academics and the experience, not join some church group or club which tend to primarily consist of people who have difficulty making friends.

mbfox125

"That's pretty much the textbook definition of antisocial, nothing wrong with being antisocial just don't pretend it isn't. "

Well that's really not the textbook this is:" pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood"

It's really the wrong term and shows just how silly this thread has become. Different people like different things can can meet social needs. Not liking parties is not anti-social. Parties are just ONE of many social actives. It's one UCSD falls short on doesn't mean it's social dead. It's a factor people should consider but it's not really a knock if parties aren't something you're into right now.

angryengineer

I agree that the term 'anti-social' is thrown around alot with shy or SAD students. A anti-social person is denoted as one who has agressive tendencies and lacks empathy. That still doesn't detract that both the social and party scene at UCSD is woefully lacking. There is much consensus on this issue so this is not just my opinion. If UCSD didn't have such high rankings (UG's riding the coattails of) with their grad level programs, there is a good chance many less students would want to go there besides the locals and rejected students.