How can I make the most of a UCSD virtual tour?

I'm planning to apply to UCSD and was thinking of doing a virtual tour to get a feel for the campus since traveling there isn't an option at the moment. Has anyone done their virtual tour recently, and how was your experience? Did it cover important aspects of the campus and give you a good sense of what being a student there would be like? Are there any parts that are particularly worth focusing on during the tour?

For sure, a virtual tour is a great way to familiarize yourself with a college campus when you can't visit in person. While a virtual tour, like UCSD's, won't entirely replicate the experience of walking the campus, it can certainly offer a valuable glimpse into life at the university.

While taking any virtual tour, consider making a list of important aspects to you; these can include academic buildings, libraries, dining halls, or dorms related to your program of interest. Since UCSD's virtual tour is self-guided, you have the flexibility to focus on areas that matter most to you.

Take advantage of the information pop-ups and additional resources. Often on virtual tours, you can click on different buildings or points of interest to learn more. These could provide important details about different departments or facilities, so don't skip this feature.

For UCSD in particular, you might want to pay close attention to their colleges. UCSD has a unique system of separate residential colleges in a university, each with its own traditions and general education requirements. It might be beneficial to note which colleges pique your interest as you'll be asked to rank them when applying.

Finally, while taking the tour, you might want to make a list of questions that arise. You can reach out to admissions officers or college representatives to help answer these. This way, you're not just passively consuming the tour but actively engaging with the information about the university.

Remember, taking a virtual tour should be more than just scrolling through pictures. The more actively you participate, the more you'll get out of it. The goal is to form a clear vision of what it would be like to be a student at UCSD.