🏠 University of California, San Diego — Parent Guide

🏠 How housing selection works at University of California, San Diego

UC San Diego guarantees housing for all incoming freshmen for their first year. UCSD is organized around a unique system — every undergraduate is assigned to one of eight , each with its own identity, required coursework, traditions, and physical housing cluster. College assignment is a major part of the UCSD experience and is made during the application/enrollment process.

Colleges:Each college has a distinct academic theme and . (natural sciences, engineering — oceanside) is the oldest and most traditional; (individual freedom, multiculturalism) is known for its social atmosphere; (applied academics — international perspective); (technology and society — closest to the engineering school); (social responsibility and public service);; (applying knowledge for change — opened 2020); and (2023). Freshmen are placed in their assigned college's housing and take the college's required writing/general-education sequence.

First-Year Housing:All incoming freshmen are required to live in their assigned college's residence halls during their first year. Each college's freshman dorms range from traditional corridor halls (Revelle) to suite-style complexes (Warren, Sixth). Students apply for housing after committing to UCSD and are automatically placed 's .

Themed and Special Communities:'s housing, UCSD offers optional themed housing communities (science cluster, global health, sustainability, entrepreneurship) and a global thematic community. The UCSD Honors Program does not maintain its own dedicated but offers special programming integrated into the college system.

Upperclass Housing:Returning students apply for on-campus apartments through a continuing-student lottery. Most UCSD sophomores and upperclassmen live off campus in La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and the surrounding communities north of San Diego.