Reputations... UCSD for Literature

[zaza]

Hi there,

It's very very possible that I'll attend UCSD next year for a PhD in compartive literature (Spanish, French, English). On the website and on the brochure, the partment of literature seems very interesting and progressive, but... Honestly speaking, how reputated is UCSD for literature? And how is it really??

Thanks a lot!!

[anonscribe]

I got my M.A. from San Diego State, so I had some interaction with UCSD folks. Professors in my department had some rancor towards them; they thought they were a bit elitist, but that could have been nothing more than sour grapes. The grad students I met there seemed happy, except that funding seemed like a common complaint.

As far as reputation: I think their placement record speaks for itself. It's well-regarded, and the emphasis the program places on foreign language ability increases your marketability. In short, you should be very happy. UCSD is a fantastic school with a strong reputation. I hope you enjoy it there. San Diego, though a bit bland sometimes, is a beautiful city. My only advice: don't live next to UCSD in University Towne Center. It's a stucco nightmare. Living close to downtown is worth the short commute (15 minutes by UCSD shuttle from SHARP medical center in Hillcrest).

ps: "reputated" should read "reputed" in your last post.

[zaza]

Thanks a lot for the info... and for the correction!

I made up my mind yhis morning and I am finally going to UCSD. As far as housing goes, do you have any idea of the areas? I really do not want to drive (I don't mind riding a bike for half an hour to get to university but, honestly, I don't even want to have a car). I have checked the housing offered by the housing service and it seems OK -prices and so -, but do you have any idea of how they really are? Coast appts, La Jolla appts, etc.?

Thanks again from sunny Paris!

[anonscribe]

There are two epicenters that I think fit your desire to live without a car and go to UCSD.

By shuttle (all in uptown):

1. Hillcrest* (this is where the shuttle leaves from)

2. University Heights*

3. North Park*

4. Missions Hills south*

5. Banker's Hill

6. Normal heights

By campus:

1. La Jolla (crazy expensive)

2. UTC* (also somewhat expensive--and a stucco nightmare)

3. Clairemont (nondescript suburb with lots of houses and apartments)

By regular bus (all three are congested and full of frat boys and surfer punks and loud bars):

1. Ocean Beach

2. Mission Beach

3. Pacific Beach*

So, those are the main communities you could live in and get to UCSD reasonably without a car. Hillcrest/University Heights I think offers the optimum balance of affordability, ease of transport and culture/character. They're both in uptown, just above downtown. Lots of coffee shops, restaurants, bars, etc., but almost none of the frat boy/surfer punk contingent. You need to be GLBT-friendly to live near Hillcrest though.

Here are some links for rentals and neighborhood descriptions:

signonsandiego.com

sdreader.com

craigslist.org (click on san diego)

*I've lived here.

[nicacar]

I have to agree 100% with anonscribe.

I go to UCSD about where it is best to live without a car.

I don't know about the Lit. Dept. though.

[schamber]

I work at UCSD and have used the opportunity to take classes in the Literature department. Like most places, it depends on who you work with. I've been pleased and disappointed. Funding isn't great, and most students teach in the writing courses. If you're fine with this, though, no reason to turn down an offer.

But I'd be careful about deciding where you're going to go before you've heard anything. I work in the grad studies department and I know that Literature hasn't made any decisions about who to admit yet, let alone determined funding packages.

[ohno]

I just graduated from UCSD and I live near downtown, San Diego. La Jolla is a nightmare, so head south. I prefer artsy/dive bars/mom and pop shops- so I live in downtown/Golden Hill.

Hip/Artsy:

Golden Hill (victorian homes, cute coffee shops, eateries, little shops, park overlooking downtown, close to all highways)

South Park (northeast of Golden Hill, lots of cute homes, shops, no freeway access)

North Park (up and coming area, cheaper rent, directly east of Hillcrest and UCSD shuttle)

University Heights (near Hillcrest and UCSD shuttle, quiet gay-friendly community with beautiful homes and shops)

Busy/no car needed:

Hillcrest (shuttle directly to UCSD, bustling/busy gay-friendly neighborhood, very popular amongst UCSD students)

downtown (busy, expensive, and interesting...)

Bankers Hill (north of downtown, lots of homes, small shops, near harbor)

Mission Hills (north of Hillcrest, fun and cute area with a few small shops, overlooks all of downtown and harbor)

Beaches:

Ocean Beach (known to be laid back, hippy friendly, awesome co-op)

Pacific Beach (undergrad party central, a little too manic for me)

Mission Beach (family friendly, mainly vacation rentals)

La Jolla (too expensive and you'll end up driving to all the other areas listed to hangout and get out of La Jolla)

Good luck finding a neighborhood!

Although I felt the student body was a bit stuffy and unfriendly, I did enjoy my undergraduate experience there. They are building a wine bar on campus and have hired the BEST interior designers, so there will soon be plenty of neat hangouts on campus. Other than that, the campus is beautiful- I think you'll enjoy going to UCSD.

[rising_star]

Just a FYI, unless you're posting about the literature program, all of these comments about where to live in San Diego belong over in the City Guide section of the board. Thanks!