UC San Diego Fall 2020 Transfer Thread

Transfer Students UC Transfers
681

@letstryround2 Hi! I go to UCSD currently and I transferred last year. Going from a CC to a huge university, there is definitely a big difference in how things operate.

Personally, the whole UC Socially Dead thing is a myth for me. There’s always people on Library Walk for clubs and events. Price Center is always packed with people and the Revelle Plaza has people chilling out and going to Bear Garden all the time. There’s always events on campus that are happening that students are welcome to join and I’ve met a few friends at events like these. Joining clubs and meeting people in your classes helps out a lot as well. Lots of people join the sororities and frats too.

Does the campus ever feel quiet or lonely? Yeah, but all campuses are like that. At UCSD, it gets quiet during finals week, right around week 5 with lots of people having midterms, and with random days in between. Also, if it’s raining. No one wants to be outside chatting in the rain when they’re trying to catch a bus to UTC or to their apartments. Another note: the UCs runs on a quarter system so everything is fast if you want to keep your friends that you’ve made in classes, then TALK to them. This is universally known.

Keep in mind that UCSD does not have a Greek row because it is situated in La Jolla and the residents do not permit it. We also do not have an official football team to bring in crowds of fans of the sport. So if you’re looking for a preppy, outgoing league of students at school while you’re taking classes, maybe UCSD is not for you. And that’s okay if it works out like that.

I chose UCSD because it offered me everything I wanted in terms of high-quality education, opportunities, and perks, and being in a great environment that I knew I could excel in. I like to socialize and I’ve been able to find some great friends. I did have a hard first quarter but my schedule was wack and I was living off-campus so I kinda kept to myself on purpose. Either way, if you choose UCSD welcome!

EDIT: I reread your original post and will admit that UCSD’s transfer team is just starting to develop in a good way! When I transferred, they offered the students the chance to join a “transfer counseling” class of sorts and they discussed programs and branches on campus that was essential to know about and I loved it. I was able to meet some friends in my classes and I got to really know one of my future professors. This year they have recently built a small transfer center in the Biomedical Library where they offer guidance, advice, and post info sessions, hold game events, and give away free food, etc. I’ve met some of the peer mentors and they’re really nice and supportive (there’s one for every college). Their Instagram handle is: @tritontransfers. They’re still developing their programs but if you really want UCSD, you can make it work.

682

Anyone else trying to decide between UCLA and UCSD?

683

pick UCLA lmao

684

You’re extremely helpful

685

Just curious, what factors are you considering when deciding between both schools?

686

Hi everyone.
I am having trouble deciding between UCI and UCSD. I got into UCI for the major that I wanted (Mechanical Engineering) however I got into UCSD for my alternate major (Electrical Engineering). I heard it was really hard to switch majors at UCSD and I feel I will be too behind in Electrical Engineering. Any advice?

687

@Herbidot I am also in that position but feel like I am leaning towards LA mainly for the environment and resources. Feel free to PM me to chat, I am rather sleepless these days.

688

I can not decide between UC Davis and UCSD for the life of me… :frowning:

689

@exfolieate Had the same internal debate. If these are still my only options after this week I’ll SIR to Davis. Not an easy choice though. Good luck :relaxed:

690

Accepted to Warren College for Computer Science at UCSD
Transferred from Community College
Major: Computer Science
Major Prep: Completed all except CSE 30, 21, and 15L
GPA: 3.95 (admitted gpa)
IGETC: will be complete by spring 2020
EC’s: N/A
Personal Statement: I think they were great. I had a friend who’s studying at UC Berkeley review my Insight Questions and she seemed to love them.

691

Do I have to send my transcript which also includes my Spring 2020 classes?

692

@athanasia If you choose to accept your offer to UCSD, you do need to send in your transcript(s) from any colleges you have attended. I would recommend sending it in a week after your grades are in and appear in on your transcript.

693

Can someone please offer me any guidance? I am in between UCI and UCSD for Political Science. I plan to take advantage of all the opportunities I can find since I want to go to law school. I just want to go to the school that can better prepare me. UCSD is close to home and offered me great financial aid while UCI is like an hour away but gave me a full ride. I’m just really stuck. Which school do you guys believe would be better for my major + future in law?

694

@uclahopeful4 Hi there! So first, both schools provide quality education and no matter which school you pick, you will be prepared for law school.

With UCI, I know they have a School of Law, which I can assume that you will have a more direct connection to that law school. You will probably have more opportunities to talk to lawyers, law school professors, and law school students on campus, which is awesome! Also, UCI has a Pre-Law Outreach Program that will directly assist you through the whole process and allow you to connect with different mentors. That and other resources on campus, like the Pre-Law Society, which will definitely help you get prepared.

With UCSD, they don’t have a law school, but I believe there are three law schools in San Diego (correct me if I’m wrong). However, there are many, many different internships and externships at UCSD. Most importantly, they have a list of professional mentors who you can connect and talk to so you can get multiple perspectives. There are also many different student organizations that are political science-related, such as Mock Trial and United Nations, that you can connect with.

I’ve provided some links to look at if you want to. Make a list of preferences you have and the pros and cons of each school. You have a long time before you need to accept your offer. You will succeed no matter where you go. Good luck with everything!

UCI Pre-Law Outreach Program: https://www.law.uci.edu/about/public-service/public-interest/community-programs/pop/
UCSD internships: https://polisci.ucsd.edu/lawandpolitics/internships.html
UCSD professional mentors: https://polisci.ucsd.edu/lawandpolitics/Resources.html#Professional-Mentors

695

Thank you so much! I am looking at those links now! ?

696

@uclahopeful4 , hi, I’m asking two friends who are UCI Law grads about your questions, and will let you know what they say. But I have a question for you. Do you know how financial aid works at the different UC’s in regards to how they vary? Like, how does one give you a full ride and another not? They’re looking at the same financial picture, so on what grounds does the award differ? The aid is need-based right? And when you say full ride do you mean room and board, fees, etc.?

If you want to answer, but privately, feel free to DM me. Thanks. And good luck in your decision. These decisions are really tough. For what it’s worth, if the money part is not a huge factor, just go where you think you’ll feel happier.

697

@uclahopeful4 , so my friend who is a UCI Law grad (and lecturer/mentor/etc.), and practicing attorney, says this: “grades matter, LSAT matters, institution and major do not matter.” She believes going to UCI would not give you any advantage with UCI Law admission. So, again, I say go where you’ll be happier. Happy student means more successful student. But I guess if one program or the other would seem to better prepare you for the LSAT then that could be a factor, but I doubt there’s a real difference.

She adds: “they should look at the summer pre law outreach programs at the UC schools during college.”

Good luck with your decision.

698

Hey! I don’t mind answering your question here. Yes, it is need-based. For me, the UCs I was admitted to all offered me the same amount of financial aid (about $23K) which already covers tuition and most of housing. I consider those two the most important in this process. That money is coming from Pell Grant B and the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. On May 5th, I was notified that my UCI financial aid package was available for me to view. I assumed it’d also be around 23K but they offered me an amount closer to 30K. I couldn’t believe it. That covers all tuition, housing, and meals. I hadn’t applied for a single scholarship. The Pell Grant $ was similar to the amount I had been receiving in community college already. When I checked where that extra money is coming from, it fell under “university grants” (where the B&GOP falls under). However, for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, I was also told that you are capped at the amount that covers your tuition. So, I’m honestly convinced that UCI just decided to be more generous with me because there’s no special thing I did. I’m a broke, dependent college student. Hope that helped! Feel free to ask me more questions if you need further clarification.

Edit: I’d also like to add that if you can’t afford to go where you really want, reach out to the financial aid office at that institution and ask for them to review your FAFSA again. That can never hurt. I did that with SDSU.

699

Thank you so much for your help! I will continue looking at those outreach programs and make my decision based on that.

700

Does anyone have any advice about the differences between mechanical and aerospace engineering. I am currently studying mechanical but I got admitted for my alternate major, aerospace. I am not sure if it will be more difficult or mostly the same. Anyone have any thoughts?