--- title: "A Guide to the 8-College System at UC San Diego | Elite Prep" description: "UC San Diego (UCSD) has a unique system where the undergraduate experience is divided into eight residential colleges, each with its own distinct philosophy…" url: "https://eliteprep.com/blog/a-guide-to-the-8-college-system-at-uc-san-diego/" image: "https://media.eliteprep.com/ucsd%2B8%2Bcollege%2Binfographic%2B01%2B(Elite%2Blogo)%2B(rev)-webp-card.jpg" language: "en" datePublished: "2024-10-03T17:53:42.000Z" source: "eliteprep build" --- [College Admissions](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-admissions/) [College Application](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-application/) [University of California](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/university-of-california/) # A Guide to the 8-College System at UC San Diego October 3, 2024 9 min read [Explore Elite College Consulting](https://eliteprep.com/consulting/) ![Infographic "A Quick Guide to UCSD's 8 Colleges" comparing Revelle, Muir, Warren, Roosevelt, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Marshall colleges' majors, GE requirements and unique features.](https://eliteprep.com/media/ucsd%2B8%2Bcollege%2Binfographic%2B01%2B%28Elite%2Blogo%29%2B%28rev%29-webp-w800.webp) Newer guide: [UC San Diego's eight colleges, compared side by side](https://eliteprep.com/uc-san-diego-colleges/): general education, foreign language, housing, and which students each college suits. [**UC San Diego**](https://www.ucsd.edu/) (UCSD) has a unique system where the undergraduate experience is divided into [**eight residential colleges**](https://admissions.ucsd.edu/why/colleges/index.html), each with its own distinct philosophy, general education requirements, and campus culture. This structure is designed to provide students with a smaller community within the large university and to tailor their academic experience based on their interests and values. When students apply to UCSD, they rank the colleges based on personal preference, and the university places them in one based on availability and their preferences. The choice of college does not limit a student’s choice of major, as all majors are available across all colleges. - **General Education Requirements:** Each college has its own general education requirements. While all colleges require students to complete courses in college writing, math, science, social sciences, and the humanities, the number of required classes for each subject differs from college to college. In addition, most colleges have specifically designed thematic courses that all students at that college must take regardless of major. Lastly, note that some colleges require courses in a foreign language, and some don’t. - **Residential Life:** Each college has its own residential halls, providing students with a sense of community. In addition, each college has its own dining hall, library, and common areas. First-year students are generally required to live on campus in their assigned college. - **Academic Advising:** Each college provides its own academic advising and supports students in fulfilling both general education and major requirements. - **Events and Traditions:** Each college organizes its own social and cultural events, traditions, and leadership opportunities. **The Eight Colleges of UCSD** - Revelle College - Muir College - Marshall College - Warren College - Roosevelt College - Sixth College - Seventh College - Eighth College **Campus Maps** Check out these campus maps to get an orientation of where each college is located before diving into the information about the educational and living experience: - [**PDF – UCSD Campus Map (Self-Guided Tour)**](https://issuu.com/ucsandiego/docs/self_guided_tour_map?fr=sNjQ0MjUyNTUzNjY) - [**Interactive UCSD Campus Map**](https://maps.ucsd.edu/map/default.htm) ![Revelle College UC San Diego seal with a shield, sunburst, triangle, and the words Purpose, Truth, Vision and 1964.](https://media.eliteprep.com/Screenshot%2B2024-10-03%2Bat%2B12.31.02%E2%80%AFPM.webp) ## [**Revelle College**](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/) **TOTAL # OF REQUIRED GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES:** 16-20 **[GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education/index.html):** **[Humanities](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education/humanities.html)—5 courses** 1. Foundations of Western Civilization: Israel and Greece (intensive writing) 2. Rome, Christianity, and the Middle Ages (intensive writing) 3. Renaissance, Reformation, and Early Modern Europe 4. Enlightenment, Romanticism, Revolution (1660–1848) 5. Modern Culture (1848–present) **[Mathematics](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education/mathematics.html)—3 courses** (Three courses in mathematics, which include two courses in calculusand one additional course chosen from an approved list) **[Natural Science](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education/nat-science.html)—5 courses** - 1 course in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics - 2 courses from Biology, Chemistry, and Physics above or an [approved list](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education/nat-science.html#Approved-Courses) **[Social Science](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education/soc-science.html)—2 courses** (Two lower-division courses in the social sciences chosen from an approved list) **[Fine Arts](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education/fine-arts.html)—1 course** (Art, music, theatre) **[Foreign Language Requirement](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education/language.html)—0 to 4 courses** (May be satisfied by passing language proficiency exam or appropriate [AP](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/_files/academics/ap.pdf) or [IB](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/_files/academics/ib.pdf) score) **HOUSING:** Cluster of 8 multistory residence hall buildings overlooking Revelle Plaza. Mostly triple rooms. **LOCATION:** Most southwest part of the campus. Facing the Pacific Ocean. **NEARBY DEPARTMENTS:** Natural Sciences; Theater, Dance, La Jolla Playhouse; Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine **RECOMMENDED FOR:** - Premed and science majors - Toughest GE requirements: heavy on math and science ![John Muir College UC San Diego logo with a green tree inside a square frame](https://media.eliteprep.com/Screenshot%2B2024-10-03%2Bat%2B12.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.webp) ## [**John Muir College**](https://muir.ucsd.edu/) **TOTAL # OF REQUIRED GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES:** 11-14 **[GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS](https://muir.ucsd.edu/academics/degree.html):** **Writing Program—2 courses** **Math or Natural Science—3 courses** from one of the following themes (cannot mix and match themes): - Math and statistics - Computing and logic - Biological Sciences - Chemistry, Physics, and the Environment **Social Sciences—3 courses** from one of the following themes (cannot mix and match themes): - Culture, Society and Social Justice - Language and Communication - Mind and Cognition - Government and Economics **Fine Arts, Humanities or Foreign Language—6 courses;** must choose TWO of the following topics: - Fine Arts (3 courses)—Music, Theatre and Dance, Visual Arts (cannot mix and match themes) - Humanities (3 courses)—Historical Narratives, Literary Narratives, Philosophical Perspectives (cannot mix and match themes) - Foreign Language (3 courses in the same language)—May be satisfied by appropriate [AP](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/_files/academics/ap.pdf) or [IB](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/_files/academics/ib.pdf) score; May NOT be cleared through a language proficiency exam **HOUSING:** 2 high-rise residence halls for first-year students: Tioga & Tenaya. Primarily triple rooms and some singles. **LOCATION:** Southwest part of the campus. North of Revelle College. Facing the Pacific Ocean. Close to Geisel Library. **NEARBY DEPARTMENTS:** Humanities and Social Sciences, Biology, Applied Physics and Mathematics **RECOMMENDED FOR:** - Most students, given the minimal number of GE requirements - **Most popular college choice;** you MUST select Muir as your first choice to be admitted to Muir ![Red circular seal of Thurgood Marshall College, UC San Diego, "Scholar and Citizen," with three clasped hands](https://media.eliteprep.com/Screenshot%2B2024-10-03%2Bat%2B12.32.08%E2%80%AFPM.webp) ## [**Thurgood Marshall College**](https://marshall.ucsd.edu/) **TOTAL # OF REQUIRED GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES:** 15 **[GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS](https://marshall.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education-requirements.html):** **[Dimensions of Culture](https://marshall.ucsd.edu/doc/index.html)—3 courses** 3-course sequence includes two six-unit courses with intensive instruction in university-level writing. - [DOC 1: Reading Diversity](https://marshall.ucsd.edu/doc/doc1/index.html) - [DOC 2: Arguing Justice](https://marshall.ucsd.edu/doc/doc2/index.html) - [DOC 3: Imagination](https://marshall.ucsd.edu/doc/doc3/index.html) **Mathematics, Statistics, or Logic—2 courses** (Either two courses in mathematics or one course in mathematics and one course in computing) **Natural Sciences—3 courses** (One course each in biology, chemistry, and physics) **Humanities—2 courses** (Two courses selected from a prescribed list of courses in domestic and global cultures) **Fine Art—1 course** (One course selected from a list of approved courses in Music, Theatre & Dance, or Visual Arts) **Disciplinary Breadth—4 courses** (Noncontiguous to the major. Two must be upper-division; one must include writing. A four-unit public service option may be used to fulfill one course in disciplinary breadth.) **Foreign Language—Not required** **HOUSING:** Resident halls house students in suites that vary from triple, single, and mini-double rooms surrounding a common area with a living room, large bathroom, and a patio. **Most luxurious college.** **LOCATION**: West part of the campus. North of Sixth College. Facing the Pacific Ocean. Close to Geisel Library and RIMAC sports complex. **NEARBY DEPARTMENTS:** Economics, Social Sciences, Supercomputer Center, School of Global Policy **RECOMMENDED FOR:** Students interested in multiculturalism inthe United States ![Earl Warren College, UC San Diego crest: a maroon and white shield with scales of justice.](https://media.eliteprep.com/Screenshot%2B2024-10-03%2Bat%2B12.32.20%E2%80%AFPM.webp) ## [**Earl Warren College**](https://warren.ucsd.edu/) **TOTAL # OF REQUIRED GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES:** - Engineering Majors: 12 - Non-Engineering Majors: 18 **[GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS](https://warren.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education/index.html):** **Writing—2 courses** **[Ethics and Society](https://warren.ucsd.edu/academics/ethics-and-society.html)—2 courses** (PHIL or POLI 27 and PHIL or POLI 28 learn how to make moral decisions, engage in moral reasoning, and understand the positions of others in the great moral conflicts of our time) **Formal Skills—2 courses** (Calculus, symbolic logic, computer programming, and/or statistics) **Programs of Concentration *(for bachelor of arts/bachelor of science in arts/sciences)*—12 courses** Two programs of concentration, each containing six courses, and each unrelated to the major and to each other. - Humanities and Fine Arts - Natural Sciences, Math, and Engineering - Social Sciences **Area Studies *(for bachelor of science in engineering)*—6 courses** Two area studies, one in humanities/fine arts and one in social sciences, each containing three courses. - Humanities and Fine Arts - Natural Sciences, Math, and Engineering - Social Sciences **Foreign Language—Not required** **HOUSING:** Residence halls feature suites of single and triple rooms overlooking the UC San Diego Ecological Reserve. First-year students may also be housed in 2-bedroom apartments with four to five students in double and triple rooms. **LOCATION**: Northeast part of the campus. Facing Interstate 5. Close to Geisel Library. **Very far from most of the other residence halls** **NEARBY DEPARTMENTS:** Computer Science and Engineering, Bioengineering, Structural and Materials Engineering, Physics **RECOMMENDED FOR:** Engineering and Computer Science majors ![Blue circular seal with a globe reading "UC San Diego, Eleanor Roosevelt College, Est 1988"](https://media.eliteprep.com/Screenshot%2B2024-10-03%2Bat%2B12.33.07%E2%80%AFPM.webp) ## [**Eleanor Roosevelt College**](https://roosevelt.ucsd.edu/) **TOTAL # OF REQUIRED GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES:** 13-17 **[GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS](https://roosevelt.ucsd.edu/academics/gen-ed/index.html):** **[Making of the Modern World](https://roosevelt.ucsd.edu/mmw/courses/index.html)—5 courses** Includes two quarters of intensive instruction in university-level writing. - MMW 11 Pre-history and Ancient Foundations - MMW 12 Transforming Traditions & Emerging World Communities, ca. 100 BCE-1200 CE - MMW 13 A Globalizing World: Exchanges, Entanglements, and Exploitation, 13th-18th Century - MMW 14 Divergent Paths to the Modern World, 18th-20th Century - MMW 15 The Contemporary Era: Conflict and Aspirations in a Globalized World, 20th-21st Century **Fine Arts—1 course** **Natural Sciences—2 courses** **Quantitative Methods/Formal Skills—2 courses** **Regional Specialization—3 courses** - Must include two upper-division courses - Choose from: Africa, Multiculturalism in North America, Latin America, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East **Foreign Language—0 to 4 courses** (May be satisfied by passing language proficiency exam or appropriate [AP](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/_files/academics/ap.pdf) or [IB](https://revelle.ucsd.edu/_files/academics/ib.pdf) score) **Upper-Division Writing—1 course** (One upper-division course that includes a significant writing component (4500-5000 words or 18-20 double-spaced pages)) **HOUSING:** Residence hall suites primarily consist of triple rooms and some single rooms. **Considered to have the best dorms and dining halls.** **LOCATION**: Northwest part of the campus. Facing the Pacific Ocean. Close to RIMAC sports complex. **NEARBY DEPARTMENTS:** School of Global Policy, Institute of the Americas, Latin American Studies, Social Sciences **RECOMMENDED FOR:** Students interested in multiculturalism **outside** the United States. Considered to have one of the toughest writing requirements compared to the other colleges. ![UC San Diego Sixth College logo: "Innovative I Interconnected I Aware" arc over "Culture I Art I Technology"](https://media.eliteprep.com/Screenshot%2B2024-10-03%2Bat%2B12.33.26%E2%80%AFPM.webp) ## [**Sixth College**](https://sixth.ucsd.edu/) **TOTAL # OF REQUIRED GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES:** 16 **[GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS](https://sixth.ucsd.edu/academics/requirements/index.html):** **[Culture, Art, and Technology](https://sixth.ucsd.edu/cat/courses/index.html)—4 courses** The CAT lower-division sequence includes two quarters of intensive instruction in university-level writing for academic audiences with coverage of research methods, collaboration, and media. CAT 125 is a four-unit course in upper-division writing for public audiences. **Information Technology Fluency—1 course** (One computing course; may be satisfied with courses from a variety of departments) **Modes of Inquiry—7 courses** (Two courses in the social sciences, two courses in the humanities, two courses in the natural sciences, one course in math/logic) **Exploring Data—1 course** (One course in statistical methods) **Art Making—2 courses** (Two courses in literature, music, theatre and dance, or visual arts) **[Experiential Learning](https://sixth.ucsd.edu/elr/index.html)—1 course** (Capstone project in which students apply theory to practice in local and global communities through departmental courses, internships, research opportunities, or study abroad programs) **Foreign Language—Not required** **HOUSING:** North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood. Opened in Fall 2020–one of the newer residence halls. **LOCATION**: West part of the campus. North of Muir College. Facing the Pacific Ocean. Close to Geisel Library. **NEARBY DEPARTMENTS:** Arts and Social Sciences, Humanities, Cognitive Science, Communication **RECOMMENDED FOR:** Students interested in art and computer/data science ![Gold circular seal reading "Seventh College, A Changing Planet, UC San Diego · 2019" with a sunburst design.](https://media.eliteprep.com/Screenshot%2B2024-10-03%2Bat%2B12.33.37%E2%80%AFPM.webp) ## [**Seventh College**](https://seventh.ucsd.edu/) **TOTAL # OF REQUIRED GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES:** 14 **[GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS](https://seventh.ucsd.edu/academics/degree-requirements/degree-requirements-first.html):** **[Synthesis](https://seventh.ucsd.edu/synthesis-program/index.html)—3 courses** The synthesis lower-division sequence includes two quarters of intensive instruction in university-level writing. SYN 100 is a four-unit project-based course. **Arts—2 courses** (Selected from an approved list) **Humanities—2 courses** (Selected from an approved list) **Natural Sciences and Engineering—2 courses** (Selected from an approved list) **Quantitative Reasoning—2 courses** (Selected from an approved list) **Social Sciences—2 courses** (Selected from an approved list) **High Impact—1 course** (Selected from a variety of approved experiential learning options, including a departmental capstone, internship, practicum, mentored research, or study abroad) **Foreign Language—Not required** **HOUSING:** Residents live in a single, double, or triple room within an apartment with a full kitchen. **LOCATION:** Most northwest part of the campus. North of Roosevelt College. Facing the Pacific Ocean. Close to sports facilities (track, soccer, baseball, RIMAC sports complex). **NEARBY DEPARTMENTS**: Rady School of Management **RECOMMENDED FOR:** - Students interested in climate change and racial justice (focus of Synthesis GE requirement) - Students who want to live near the athletic facilities on campus ![Circular gray seal reading "Eighth College, UC San Diego" around an interlocking looped knot emblem.](https://media.eliteprep.com/Screenshot%2B2024-10-03%2Bat%2B12.33.44%E2%80%AFPM.webp) ## [**Eighth College**](https://eighth.ucsd.edu/) **TOTAL # OF REQUIRED GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES:** 14 **[GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS](https://eighth.ucsd.edu/academics/degree-requirements/first-year.html):** **[Critical Community Engagement](https://eighth.ucsd.edu/engagement-program/index.html#Critical-Community-Engagement-3)—4 courses** The synthesis lower-division sequence includes three lower-division courses (two of which involve intense instruction in university-level writing) and one upper-division project-based course. All four courses provide training in interdisciplinary inquiry and community engagement. **Arts—2 courses** (Selected from an approved list) **Humanities—2 courses** (Selected from an approved list) **Natural Sciences—2 courses** (Selected from an approved list) **Quantitative Reasoning and Engineering—2 courses** (Selected from an approved list) **Social Sciences—2 courses** (Selected from an approved list) **Foreign Language—Not required** **HOUSING:** Residents live in one of five residential halls ranging from nine to twenty-one stories tall. Four offer apartment and residential hall-style living spaces, and one offers apartments designed to house between 9 and 12 residents. Opened in Fall 2023, making these the newest residential halls on campus. **LOCATION**: Most southwest part of the campus. South of Revelle College. Facing the Pacific Ocean. **NEARBY DEPARTMENTS**: Theater, Dance, La Jolla Playhouse **RECOMMENDED FOR:** Students who want to live in the newest dorms or near the Theater District and/or the School of Medicine *Elite Prep has helped thousands of high school seniors [apply to the University of California and other selective colleges and universities](https://eliteprep.com/consulting/).* *Contact an [Elite Prep branch office](https://eliteprep.com/locations/) to speak with one of our experienced counselors about how we can help you get into your dream school.* [Back to top](https://eliteprep.com/blog/a-guide-to-the-8-college-system-at-uc-san-diego/#top) ## Free Tools for This Topic - [UC admission predictor](https://eliteprep.com/uc-admission-predictor/) - [GPA calculator](https://eliteprep.com/gpa-calculator/) - [College list builder](https://eliteprep.com/college-list-builder/) ## More on This Topic [All posts in College Admissions](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-admissions/) ![A campus bell tower rising above trees and buildings, with a bay and hills in the distance at sunset](https://media.eliteprep.com/iStock-1169502265%2B%281%29-webp-w400.webp) [College Admissions](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-admissions/) ### [The University of California Under Pressure — Why the SAT/ACT May Be Coming Back, and How You Can Be Ready](https://eliteprep.com/blog/the-university-of-california-under-pressure/) The University of California (UC) currently follows a test-free admissions policy—SAT and ACT scores are not considered at all in undergraduate admissions… May 1, 2025 ![Split image: a university campanile tower among trees, and hands typing on a laptop with multiple-choice A B C D answer bubbles overlaid.](https://media.eliteprep.com/UC-SAT-Faculty-webp-w400.webp) [College Admissions](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/college-admissions/) ### [Could the SAT and ACT Return to UC Admissions? 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