Help us make an FAQ!

[u/tornato7]

We had 28 responses to our megathreads survey! A Majority voted in favor of having megathreads for new student questions, but an even stronger sentiment was the need for an FAQ. Perhaps having a good set of resources will both help students and reduce the number of redundant or easy-to-answer posts.

So for the future (and I want other mods' opinions on this), maybe what we'll do is only make a new student questions megathread in March / April / May when the bulk of questions come in, and otherwise work on an FAQ for the sidebar or canned responses.

So what do you guys think should be in the FAQ? Post some ideas in the comments and hopefully others can reply with some helpful resources to help build it out. Thanks!

[u/tornato7]

FAQ Question: Should I buy a bike / scooter / skateboard to get around?

[u/FrankLaPuof → u/tornato7]

UCSD is a very large campus. It can take upwards of 25 minutes to walk from from your dorm to class (For instance: Revelle to Rady). With no doubt, a bike, scooter, or skateboard, would be helpful.

It is worth noting that the use of such devices are technically prohibited in many of the places you would want to use them. However, enforcement is often scant, but there is an enforcement campaign roughly once per quarter. Further, using the devices during passing times can be reckless, and at least one student has died skateboarding down one of the major, steep thoroughfare paths.

At times, bike theft has been rampant on campus, and thieves have been known to cut through U-locks. You should purchase and protect your bike knowing this.

As a potential alternative, UCSD provides a free campus loop shuttle that provides great access to most living areas and classrooms. However, walking will generally beat the bus in many cases.

All that said, whether or not you want a bike, skateboard, etc. is up to you. Many students have bikes or skateboard, and also, many students do fine without them.

[u/GoodChanceImStoned → u/tornato7]

I ride a longboard and it saves me soo much time. 10 minutes to get to class as opposed to 20 or 25 minutes walking.

I estimate that every week having a board saves me about 3 hours or so, but I often go back to the Village (my dorm).

[u/UCSDscooterguy → u/tornato7]

Obviously scooter

[u/tornato7]

FAQ Question: What's the deal with the 6-college system? How are they all different? Which one is the best?

[u/GoodChanceImStoned → u/tornato7]

UCSD is so large they decided it would be better to spread out resources by dividing the school into 6 separate colleges united under the UCSD umbrella.

Freshman/Sophomores that live on campus will live at their respective college dorms/apartments.

Otherwise the only differences are GE requirements, which vary. There isn't really a best college; it's all a matter of opinion. Although in general some colleges have easier GE's than others. But at the end of the day you can succeed at whatever college you're in.

Note that any student in any college can major in any major (although many majors or capped and it is hard to get into them).

[u/tornato7]

FAQ Question: What's the deal with switching into CS?

[u/GoodChanceImStoned → u/tornato7]

Starting in the fall CSE applicants will require a 3.3 GPA and it will be entirely based on a lottery system. So get a 3.3 and that's your lottery ticket.

[u/FrankLaPuof → u/GoodChanceImStoned]

Alum here. I thought you were making shit up. Then I looked it up- Holy fuck. It's a lottery! You can 4.0 be the next coding star and miss out.

[u/tornato7]

FAQ Question: What are my chances of getting off the waitlist for a class?

[u/[deleted] → u/tornato7]

Something based off this post: https://redd.it/48o8fg

[u/tornato7]

FAQ Question: What's the parking and transportation situation at UCSD?

[u/GoodChanceImStoned → u/tornato7]

PARKING IS TERRIBLE.

Public transportation is pretty good though, including on-campus shuttles that run frequently during weekdays.

[u/tornato7]

FAQ Question: Is UCSD really socially dead?

[u/[deleted] → u/tornato7]

I think this post does a good job of answering it: https://redd.it/4egw47

[u/GoodChanceImStoned → u/tornato7]

I found it hard to find parties, so I took it upon my self to throw them. It's up to you, parties wont fall in your lap.

[u/tornato7]

FAQ Question: I got a 'subject to academic disqualification' notice. Is my life over?

[u/eezaberra]

A FAQ question about AP credits and chances of getting a single would be nice

[u/a_venus_flytrap → u/eezaberra]

Posting for easy reference

https://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/pdf/APC-chart.pdf

[u/gingerini]

Anyone know what are the approximate move-in dates will be for freshmen?

[u/swagglikerichie]

For those who qualified for full financial aid amount, how much did you receive? I'm trying to find a place to live in and figure out my budget

Edit: or how do I figure out exactly what I'm gonna get?

[u/haramber27 → u/swagglikerichie]

It's different for everyone. You just have to wait for them to email you saying that you're awards are ready to be accepted. Normally they email around mid July, but I've heard that this year, they're really behind. I still haven't gotten mine yet.

But typically, if you're awarded the max aid, you'd be getting $28k in grants and loans for on campus living, and like $23k for off campus. (Both should be enough to cover costs). Also, don't take my word for it tho. You should just wait til you get the email to make a budget

[u/swagglikerichie]

UCSD Graint-In-Aid is awarding me 16 grand. Tuition and Fees come out to 14 grand, does that mean I can use the 2 grand towards housing? (I am living off campus)

[u/haramber27 → u/swagglikerichie]

You can use whatever money they give you in the check you get after all the school fees are paid

[u/[deleted]]

Is there any way to get out of your colleges required classes? I am a transfer and have a lot of other classes I would rather take instead.