UC San Diego

Greetings From the Campus of….UC San Diego!

Just as UC Santa Cruz sits within a forest of Redwood trees, UC San Diego is within a forest of Eucalyptus trees, providing much needed shade from the hot Southern California sun. Another option is the beach which borders one side of campus and students can take surfing for credit as a recreation class. Certain dorm rooms provide “killer” views of the ocean.

Students would enjoy fun in the sun more, if they weren’t so focused on academics. UCSD is a “hardworking, smart campus” and students spend a great deal of time in the modern library that looks like a space ship and provides views across campus. There is a serious emphasis on research in all disciplines, starting as early as freshman year. UCSD is particularly known for the sciences and many majors in Biology and Computer Science are “impacted” meaning that there are more students who want to major in these fields than there are slots available. In these cases one is admitted to a pre-major program and must compete academically for entrance into the major. Pre-med studies are very popular and UCSD is the #1 school in the country for Neuroscience.

Students are guaranteed two years of on-campus housing. They live in one of six residential/academic “colleges” or neighborhoods. Students rank their preference for each college based on its “philosophy” and general education requirements. For example, the Eleanor Roosevelt College (ERC) stresses “developing world citizens through scholarship, leadership and service.” Requirements include six quarters of the “Making of the Modern world” course and activities include language conversation tables in the dining hall, a celebration of a different culture each quarter, and international affairs discussion groups. In contrast, the John Muir college “celebrates the independent spirit” and the environment. Residence in a college is unrelated to a student’s major.

For fun, students participate in over 400 clubs, such as the DJ and Disc spinning club that broadcasts tunes all day at the Price Center, the state of the art student center with a movie theater and billiards room. Or, they can relax in the all-student-run Student Center or host their own radio or tv show. They also enjoy the spring Sun God festival with headliner bands and campus traditions such as the roof-top watermelon drop as a physics experiment. For a very large university, students “feel well-treated and taken care of” by the school.

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University of Denver (DU)

Greetings From the Campus Of…. University of Denver (DU)

(originally written 4/17/09 during a spring snow storm) It was 70 degrees all week, then rainy and cool yesterday, and now a snowstorm! The snow just makes the campus even more beautiful. The DU campus is in an ideal location: eight miles south of Denver in a residential area and one hour from the ski slopes. The campus buildings are a mix of historical and modern, evoking that “university” feel.

Students seem genuinely happy to be here. Actually, they don’t want to leave. More than one senior at the student information session lamented their upcoming graduation. The students seem to be a very involved, and also a very friendly bunch. Each one listed a vast number of extracurricular and service activities. Many were a part of the Pioneer Leadership Program, a program that requires a separate application and results in a minor in Leadership Studies. All had studied abroad, as 74% of the students do. The university heavily advocates the experience and subsidizes any programs more costly than DU tuition. Most of the student panel was part of the Alpine Club, the most popular club on campus, which organizes outdoor activities, including trips to the nearby mountains.

The students described DU as a “work hard, play hard” kind of school. The school is selective with an average GPA of 3.7 and the SAT mid-range from 1120-1320. Business majors are quite popular and opportunities for internships in Denver are plenty and easily accessible from the on-campus light rail stop. The Korbell School of International Studies is also well-respected with many popular majors. The Lamont School of Music has a world-class facility and many classes are open to non-music majors. The six-week interterm winter break also provides opportunities for internships or service learning classes, some international.

DU is not a place for students looking for a big sports school. While their Division I, National Championship Hockey team replaces the void of a football team, as does their National Championship Ski Team, students otherwise need to create their own school spirit. Most students do so by living on or near campus in abundant housing options and becoming very involved.

The student course load seems manageable with plenty of time for a well-balanced college experience. Most students graduate in 4 years, even if they wish they could stay longer.

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