Campus Description — UC San Diego

A world-class university. Spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
A scenic campus forested with giant eucalyptus trees. A renowned faculty (boasting 17 Nobel laureates and a former astronaut in its four short decades). Bright and talented students. State-of-the-art research facilities. An acclaimed six-college system. A tradition of innovation. All make up the University of California, San Diego. The campus is internationally respected for its eminent faculty, highly ranked programs and contributions to global research.

Academic Highlights

With its family of six colleges, UCSD combines the intimacy of a small liberal arts college with the academic resources of a major research university. Each college has its own programmatic theme, general education requirements, housing and staff. More than 130 majors in a range of disciplines are available to students regardless of their college affiliation. Students from all colleges attend classes together. When applying to UCSD, students rank the colleges in order of preference, based on their own interests and the college's theme:

Sixth College challenges its students to examine interactions between culture, art and technology to imagine the future. Collaborative learning, artistic expression and multicultural awareness are core educational goals.

Eleanor Roosevelt College is committed to a comprehensive general education that prepares students to succeed in the global and multicultural economy of the 21st century.

Earl Warren College emphasizes a close connection between undergraduate education and personal and career goals. Many Warren students take part in internships to gain professional experience and to evaluate career choices.

Thurgood Marshall College is centered on the belief that scholarship and social responsibility go hand in hand. Students are encouraged to participate in community and public service programs.

John Muir College stresses the spirit of self-sufficiency and individual choice. Flexible general education requirements enable Muir students to take an active role in shaping their individual academic programs.

Revelle College emphasizes intellectual challenge and preparation for competition in a complex world. It features a well-rounded, structured liberal arts curriculum, with concentrations in the arts and humanities, sciences and social sciences.

Students from every college are strongly encouraged to take part in cutting-edge research with distinguished faculty members in all academic fields, who have put the campus at the forefront of creativity and discovery.

Campus Life

The serene setting of the UCSD campus, with its stands of giant eucalyptus trees and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, strikes a perfect balance with the academically charged atmosphere.

Located in the village of La Jolla, the campus is 12 miles north of downtown San Diego. The area has some of the finest beaches, restaurants and art galleries in the nation.

Campuswide and college events, quarterly festivals and 450 student clubs and organizations provide a full range of leadership and social opportunities.

UCSD's Athletics Department features 23 intercollegiate programs for men and women. Triton teams have captured 29 national championships in the past 25 years.

Four campus recreation centers, including RIMAC, a magnificent state-of-the-art recreational and concert facility, are immensely popular with students. It’s no wonder that 60 percent of the students play intramural sports. UCSD has 25 competitive sports clubs and 32 recreational clubs.

Nearby San Diego offers a wealth of activities and diversions, including historic Balboa Park, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Sea World, the Gaslamp Quarter and professional sports events. To the east, breathtaking destinations abound for camping and hiking enthusiasts in the Laguna Mountains and Borrego Desert. Mexico’s scenic Baja Peninsula is a short drive away.