Hi I am a freshmen from UCSD major in biochemistry/ cell biology. After a year at the school, I realize that the school vibe just isn’t for me. I also know a few peers that are transferring out as soon as they can. I was wondering any advice if I want to transfer to UW or UCLA?
No one can help you if you do not say why UCSD is not a good fit for you. Without knowing that, no one can say whether the other schools could be better.
Of course, whether transfer is realistic depends on your college record and cost constraints.
I feel like the school vibe isn’t right for me. Our school really promotes independent studies rather than group work, and people are more kept to themselves here, every man for himself attitude in class. I thought only I have this feeling, but apparently, many of my peers do too. My grades are not great, with a 3.3 overall GPA (kinda low for UCSD), and I want to go to LA because I live nearby, and for UW i really like the city. The academics for UCSD is alright, but somehow I feel like people go to class for the sake of getting good grades rather than learning. If there’s no attendance or iclickers, only 50 people will show up at a 200 size class. I really don’t like it. All people do is study here. I understand the importance of studying and academics, but somehow this is what people do all the time here. On the weekends, people just go home since this school consist mostly of socal people. It feels more like a cc here than a UC to be honest with you .
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major can give you an idea of where you stand for transfer admission to various majors at various UCs.
A couple of things.
I understand that the Everyman for himself mentality can be discouraging for any collaborative projects or learning. But as long as you focus on learning for yourself, what does other people’s approach to coming to class for the sake of getting good grades rather than learning have to do with you? If kids don’t come to class, it is their loss, not yours. I can tell you that most college students worry more about grades at most schools.
Of a school that has over 25,000 undergrad students, you are saying there is nothing to do on weekends and that most people go home?
What are you looking for in a new school? Are you saying that you don’t like UCSD’s heavy emphasis of academics? Are you looking for a more work hard play hard atmosphere or more social setting?
One other thing is that your major tends to have lots of premeds who compete for the limited number of A grades to avoid being in the majority who get weeded out. That may be the reason for the environment that you see, and you may find similar at other schools as well.
In addition, if your major is a competitive admission major, that can also contribute to that environment.