Best UC San Diego college for computer science?

I'm thinking about applying to UC San Diego for computer science, but I've heard they have multiple colleges to choose from. Any advice on which one is the best for a CS major?

It's a common misunderstanding that the college you select at UC San Diego directly affects your major or field of study. The truth is, your major, like Computer Science, will fall under one of the university's divisions (like the Jacobs School of Engineering for CS) rather than your residential college.

The college system at UCSD is mainly about the general education requirements and the residential experience you'll have. Each residential college at UCSD has different general education requirements and philosophies that shape the kinds of classes you'll take outside of your major. They also each have unique residential opportunities, community projects, and student life activities.

For instance, Sixth College's general education philosophy is "Culture, Art, and Technology," which focuses on understanding the modern world's complexities by seeing how culture, art, and technology intersect. Meanwhile, Warren College's philosophy is "Ethics and Society," aiming to help students understand the moral implications of issues arising from the interplay between society, technology, and the individual.

Therefore, when choosing which college to attend at UCSD, review the unique philosophies and general education requirements of each and think about what kind of learning experience you want outside of your computer science major. Maybe you're interested in more humanities-focused classes, or you want a program with fewer general education requirements so you can dive more deeply into your major. Your choice should reflect your academic interests and how you want to spend your time outside your major classes.

All this being said, you should know that Warren College is often popular with engineering and CS majors because its GEs are more streamlined for these students, allowing more time and credits to be allocated in your schedule for your major classes. However, this doesn't necessarily mean it's the "best" college for every CS student; the best one for you will depend on your personal preferences and goals.