Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Regents and a Jacobs Scholarship?
Both merit scholarships are awarded to the highest achieving students that apply and are accepted to UC San Diego. However, the Jacobs scholarship is specifically awarded to engineering applicants. Please refer here for more information on the Regents scholarship and here for more information on the Jacobs scholarship.
How does RSRI (Regents Scholar Research Initiative) work?
If you choose to participate in RSRI, you will be asked to research and choose five UC San Diego faculty members who you would like to work with. During the summer, you will be matched with one of your choices, and you will both work out an arrangement on how you can assist with their research. This program is a great way to engage in research as soon as you enter college with the added benefit of skipping the usual application process that most students go through.
How does the college system work?
UC San Diego is currently comprised of seven distinct colleges: Revelle, John Muir, Thurgood Marshall, Earl Warren, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sixth, and Seventh. You can think of them like Hogwarts houses! Each college has its own unique core values, which influence the General Education (GE) classes you are required to take as well as where you live on campus for your first two years. The college system was implemented in order to provide students with a tight-knight community, access to college-specific advisors, and create an architecturally diverse campus. You can learn more about UC San Diego’s colleges here.
How is college with homework and the classroom environment compared to high school?
Opposed to classrooms of 20-30 people like in high school, your classes will most likely be large lectures of up to 400 people with smaller classes for discussions. Classes start as large lectures for popular classes, but it gets smaller as you progress into major-specific classes as a junior and senior. College is where people learn to be more independent, as there is no one monitoring you to make sure you do your work. Homework varies on a class to class basis, with some classes relying only on the exams to make up one’s grade.
What is student life like at UC San Diego?
Every student’s experience on campus will be different! However, it is undeniable that UC San Diego has a broad range of student organizations and clubs. You can explore a list of UC San Diego organizations here. With such a diverse selection, it would be hard to not find a community suitable for you— as a Regents Scholar, you can even join Scholars Society! In addition, UC San Diego’s seven college system makes it easier for students to form bonds within these tight-knit communities, especially since you dorm and take many of the same classes with them.
What is the difference between the student and family program
The student and family programs are held concurrently and will take place on Friday, April 12th. If the student and family member(s) are signed up for both events, family member(s) should drop off their student at Great Hall where students will check-in, and family member(s) will be walked over to Jacobs Hall by our volunteers. The student program is an opportunity for students to be introduced to UC San Diego academic and student life, go on lab and campus tours, interact with current scholars, and more! The family program provides families with the necessary information and resources to understand the experience and guidance their scholars can have at UC San Diego. Families will hear from various faculty and staff such as individuals from the financial aid office, housing and dining, undergraduate research, and more!
Note: Family member(s) cannot attend the student program, and students cannot attend the family program.
What is the difference between Triton Day and the Scholars Breakfast?
Triton Day is a UC San Diego wide event to welcome all incoming first-year and transfer students. This event is held by the university and not the SWS Committee. The Scholars Breakfast will take place right before the Triton Day activities begin, and is specifically for incoming Regents and Jacobs Scholars. Unlike Friday’s events, family member(s) and students will be together for this event where a buffet style breakfast will be provided. This will serve as an additional opportunity for students, families, faculty, and scholars to mingle and ask any remaining questions. While these events are held on the same day, their registration is separate as they are hosted by different entities. To ensure your registration, please visit your applicant portal and check your email for confirmation.
Where and how do I park?
Friday, April 12th: Parking is free on Friday, the parking code can be found in your confirmation email. We highly recommend parking in the Pangea Parking Structure as it is directly across the street from Great Hall. Our volunteers will only be at the Pangea lot. How to access free parking for the event (video instructions).
Saturday, April 13th: Parking is free on Saturday (Triton Day). We recommend parking at Sixth Parking Structure (Parking Lot 506), which is closest to the Scholars Breakfast at the Ida and Cecil Green Faculty Club.
When do the programs begin?
The student program will begin at 10:30 AM, but students can begin checking in at 9:30 AM. The family program will begin at 11:00 AM, but families can begin checking in at 10:20 AM.
Will there be a dorm tour?
No, students and families will not be allowed to enter residential spaces as part of our programming. If interested, please check out this Youtube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtLVX-34JD2Cs3rC0GzTRK5VMFDAJ9P5d with dorm tours created by UC San Diego students and from the residential staff.
How do I join Scholars Society?
As incoming scholars you will all be invited to join via an email that will be sent out in the Fall as the quarter begins. Scholars Society holds quarterly general body meetings, and has academic, social, and mentor-mentee events multiple times throughout the year. For more information on Scholars Society visit: https://ucsdscholarssociety.weebly.com/
How does priority registration work?
Priority registration begins in the Winter Quarter for first-year scholars. UC San Diego operates on a two pass enrollment system. In the first pass students are able to enroll in 11.5 units, and 21 in the second pass (most classes are 4 units). As scholars you will be able to enroll on the first day that registration opens in both passes.
How do I maintain my scholarship?
Regents: Scholars are expected to enroll in a minimum of 12 units per quarter. A minimum 3.0 cumulative UC grade point average is required for renewal.
Jacobs: Scholars expected to enroll in a minimum of 12 units per quarter. A minimum 3.5 cumulative UC grade point average is required for renewal.
How much money does a Regents Scholar get?
Regents provide an honorarium of $5,000 per year (only 4 years for incoming freshmen, and 2 years for transfers). Scholars who apply for financial aid, either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Application will have their basic CA resident need met through an additional Regents Stipend (includes the honorarium amount). Meaning that if you have a financial need, the additional cost of attendance (after considering the Cal Grant and Pell Grant) will be mostly if not completely covered by the stipend. This stipend is only available to CA residents, non-residents will only receive the honorarium of $5,000. The Regents Stipend will be reduced by any scholarships or benefits awarded by other agencies.
Both merit scholarships are awarded to the highest achieving students that apply and are accepted to UC San Diego. However, the Jacobs scholarship is specifically awarded to engineering applicants. Please refer here for more information on the Regents scholarship and here for more information on the Jacobs scholarship.
How does RSRI (Regents Scholar Research Initiative) work?
If you choose to participate in RSRI, you will be asked to research and choose five UC San Diego faculty members who you would like to work with. During the summer, you will be matched with one of your choices, and you will both work out an arrangement on how you can assist with their research. This program is a great way to engage in research as soon as you enter college with the added benefit of skipping the usual application process that most students go through.
How does the college system work?
UC San Diego is currently comprised of seven distinct colleges: Revelle, John Muir, Thurgood Marshall, Earl Warren, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sixth, and Seventh. You can think of them like Hogwarts houses! Each college has its own unique core values, which influence the General Education (GE) classes you are required to take as well as where you live on campus for your first two years. The college system was implemented in order to provide students with a tight-knight community, access to college-specific advisors, and create an architecturally diverse campus. You can learn more about UC San Diego’s colleges here.
How is college with homework and the classroom environment compared to high school?
Opposed to classrooms of 20-30 people like in high school, your classes will most likely be large lectures of up to 400 people with smaller classes for discussions. Classes start as large lectures for popular classes, but it gets smaller as you progress into major-specific classes as a junior and senior. College is where people learn to be more independent, as there is no one monitoring you to make sure you do your work. Homework varies on a class to class basis, with some classes relying only on the exams to make up one’s grade.
What is student life like at UC San Diego?
Every student’s experience on campus will be different! However, it is undeniable that UC San Diego has a broad range of student organizations and clubs. You can explore a list of UC San Diego organizations here. With such a diverse selection, it would be hard to not find a community suitable for you— as a Regents Scholar, you can even join Scholars Society! In addition, UC San Diego’s seven college system makes it easier for students to form bonds within these tight-knit communities, especially since you dorm and take many of the same classes with them.
What is the difference between the student and family program
The student and family programs are held concurrently and will take place on Friday, April 12th. If the student and family member(s) are signed up for both events, family member(s) should drop off their student at Great Hall where students will check-in, and family member(s) will be walked over to Jacobs Hall by our volunteers. The student program is an opportunity for students to be introduced to UC San Diego academic and student life, go on lab and campus tours, interact with current scholars, and more! The family program provides families with the necessary information and resources to understand the experience and guidance their scholars can have at UC San Diego. Families will hear from various faculty and staff such as individuals from the financial aid office, housing and dining, undergraduate research, and more!
Note: Family member(s) cannot attend the student program, and students cannot attend the family program.
What is the difference between Triton Day and the Scholars Breakfast?
Triton Day is a UC San Diego wide event to welcome all incoming first-year and transfer students. This event is held by the university and not the SWS Committee. The Scholars Breakfast will take place right before the Triton Day activities begin, and is specifically for incoming Regents and Jacobs Scholars. Unlike Friday’s events, family member(s) and students will be together for this event where a buffet style breakfast will be provided. This will serve as an additional opportunity for students, families, faculty, and scholars to mingle and ask any remaining questions. While these events are held on the same day, their registration is separate as they are hosted by different entities. To ensure your registration, please visit your applicant portal and check your email for confirmation.
Where and how do I park?
Friday, April 12th: Parking is free on Friday, the parking code can be found in your confirmation email. We highly recommend parking in the Pangea Parking Structure as it is directly across the street from Great Hall. Our volunteers will only be at the Pangea lot. How to access free parking for the event (video instructions).
Saturday, April 13th: Parking is free on Saturday (Triton Day). We recommend parking at Sixth Parking Structure (Parking Lot 506), which is closest to the Scholars Breakfast at the Ida and Cecil Green Faculty Club.
When do the programs begin?
The student program will begin at 10:30 AM, but students can begin checking in at 9:30 AM. The family program will begin at 11:00 AM, but families can begin checking in at 10:20 AM.
Will there be a dorm tour?
No, students and families will not be allowed to enter residential spaces as part of our programming. If interested, please check out this Youtube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtLVX-34JD2Cs3rC0GzTRK5VMFDAJ9P5d with dorm tours created by UC San Diego students and from the residential staff.
How do I join Scholars Society?
As incoming scholars you will all be invited to join via an email that will be sent out in the Fall as the quarter begins. Scholars Society holds quarterly general body meetings, and has academic, social, and mentor-mentee events multiple times throughout the year. For more information on Scholars Society visit: https://ucsdscholarssociety.weebly.com/
How does priority registration work?
Priority registration begins in the Winter Quarter for first-year scholars. UC San Diego operates on a two pass enrollment system. In the first pass students are able to enroll in 11.5 units, and 21 in the second pass (most classes are 4 units). As scholars you will be able to enroll on the first day that registration opens in both passes.
How do I maintain my scholarship?
Regents: Scholars are expected to enroll in a minimum of 12 units per quarter. A minimum 3.0 cumulative UC grade point average is required for renewal.
Jacobs: Scholars expected to enroll in a minimum of 12 units per quarter. A minimum 3.5 cumulative UC grade point average is required for renewal.
How much money does a Regents Scholar get?
Regents provide an honorarium of $5,000 per year (only 4 years for incoming freshmen, and 2 years for transfers). Scholars who apply for financial aid, either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Application will have their basic CA resident need met through an additional Regents Stipend (includes the honorarium amount). Meaning that if you have a financial need, the additional cost of attendance (after considering the Cal Grant and Pell Grant) will be mostly if not completely covered by the stipend. This stipend is only available to CA residents, non-residents will only receive the honorarium of $5,000. The Regents Stipend will be reduced by any scholarships or benefits awarded by other agencies.
How much money does a Jacobs Scholar get?
Jacobs is a full-ride scholarship that covers the entire cost of in-state tuition and housing. Meaning that if you are an out of state student, you will need to cover the remaining tuition cost.
How does housing work?
Both Regents and Jacobs scholars get guaranteed on-campus housing for four-years. As long as you fill out the necessary paperwork each year, you will have a place to live on-campus. Failure to submit the housing application by the given deadline forfeits your eligibility and guaranteed housing.
What is RSRI?
RSRI is the Regents Scholars Research Initiative, which provides incoming Regents scholars with the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in their first quarter at UC San Diego. This program is unique to Regents scholars at UC San Diego, and serves as an incredible opportunity to address real world problems with an esteemed faculty member. While this program is only during the first quarter, many scholars continue working with the faculty and/or lab they were matched with. For more information visit: https://ucsdscholarssociety.weebly.com/rsri.html, and for questions regarding RSRI contact Marie Sheneman, the RSRI Coordinator at rsri@ucsd.edu.
Note: RSRI is not guaranteed and is on a first come first serve basis, and on faculty availability.
Can I switch into a different college?
While it is possible to transfer from one college to another, it is extremely rare as it is only granted under special circumstances and is a tedious process. For information on inter-college transfer visit: https://academicaffairs.ucsd.edu/_files/ug-ed/uaac/ICTCriteria.pdf.
Jacobs is a full-ride scholarship that covers the entire cost of in-state tuition and housing. Meaning that if you are an out of state student, you will need to cover the remaining tuition cost.
How does housing work?
Both Regents and Jacobs scholars get guaranteed on-campus housing for four-years. As long as you fill out the necessary paperwork each year, you will have a place to live on-campus. Failure to submit the housing application by the given deadline forfeits your eligibility and guaranteed housing.
What is RSRI?
RSRI is the Regents Scholars Research Initiative, which provides incoming Regents scholars with the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in their first quarter at UC San Diego. This program is unique to Regents scholars at UC San Diego, and serves as an incredible opportunity to address real world problems with an esteemed faculty member. While this program is only during the first quarter, many scholars continue working with the faculty and/or lab they were matched with. For more information visit: https://ucsdscholarssociety.weebly.com/rsri.html, and for questions regarding RSRI contact Marie Sheneman, the RSRI Coordinator at rsri@ucsd.edu.
Note: RSRI is not guaranteed and is on a first come first serve basis, and on faculty availability.
Can I switch into a different college?
While it is possible to transfer from one college to another, it is extremely rare as it is only granted under special circumstances and is a tedious process. For information on inter-college transfer visit: https://academicaffairs.ucsd.edu/_files/ug-ed/uaac/ICTCriteria.pdf.