10,000 Visit Campus for Admit Day

Christine Clark | April 11, 2011

Eleanor Roosevelt college junior Rashika Rakibullah answered questions for prospective student Chloe Jackson.

They got to explore the UC San Diego campus, learn about student life and academic departments and take a snapshot of the undergraduate experience on campus. In all, nearly 10,000 visitors attended Admit Day, Saturday on the UCSD campus.

The university recently received a record 70,474 freshman and transfer applications for Fall 2011, the second-highest number of applications received by a UC campus.

The event targeted prospective students who are making their final college decisions for Fall 2011. It helped admitted student Jenny Li make new discoveries about the campus. “I never realized how beautiful the campus is. It is so breathtaking," Li said. “I have been considering attending UCSD because of its academic prestige, but now I can see myself spending the next four years here.”

Admit Day kicked off with welcome sessions in the Price Center, where Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Penny Rue, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Mae Brown and student ambassadors welcomed attendees on behalf of the university.

“You made it,” Rue said. “This journey didn’t begin a year ago for you, it began a decade ago. UC San Diego received more than 57,300 applications and we had 3,700 spots. You are the students we want.”  Rue added that many parents have concerns about paying for college, but she reminded the audience that UCSD's graduates rank third nationally in their salary earnings among U.S. public universities. “At UC San Diego, you definitely get a return on investment.”

Welcome programs and presentations at each of the six colleges introduced students to their college neighborhood, provost, staff members and programs specific to each college.

Admit Day kicked off with welcome sessions in the Price Center where Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Penny Rue and Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Mae Brown.

“Don't come here if you just want a research-based education,” said Sarah Spear-Barrett, dean of Eleanor Roosevelt College's academic advising. “Our college system is designed to give you a liberal arts education within a research university setting. With technology constantly changing, we don’t know what the new jobs will be in the next 10 years. The college system is designed to prepare you for the future with the most comprehensive higher education experience possible.”

The information fair on Library Walk and Town Square was popular with visitors who got to find out about student organizations and support services, listen to the UCSD Pep Band and watch performances from Ballet Folklorico, The Beat and the UCSD Tritones.

Although Allison Proud of Arcadia, Calif., had offers from other colleges, she had already made up her mind by Admit Day to attend UC San Diego. “I first came here my junior year,” Proud said. “I want to major in biology and UC San Diego’s research opportunities and science programs will be a great fit.”

Prior to Admit Day, more than 139 first-generation and low-income students from San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles and the Bay Area participated in the Student Promoted Access Center for Education and Services (SPACES) and Black Student Union (BSU) overnight programs. The programs, which are open to all prospective students, provide a glimpse of what it’s like to attend UC San Diego. Students spend two nights in resident halls and participate in special events and activities leading up to Admit Day.

This year the overnight program had its highest level of participation to date. The experience allows prospective students to visit classrooms, tour the campus and meet with faculty members. In addition, students get to socialize at mixers and dances.

Prospective students and their families attended the morning welcome sessions in the Price Center.

Junior Kelly Garcia participated in the SPACES overnight program and has returned to host new students for the past two years.

“It’s been a really rewarding experience,” Garcia said. “I want to give back because when I first attended I got to learn about all the resources on campus like Summerbridge.  This year is exciting because the girl who I am hosting says she is going to look at other campuses, but really likes UC San Diego and will probably send in her intent to register form after this weekend.”