Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Seventh College - General

Where is Seventh College located?

Seventh College is located in the northwest corner of campus, formerly known as The Village at Torrey Pines. Every apartment has a full kitchen and many boast spectacular ocean views. The college is next to the LionTree athletic complex, the Rady School of Management, the School of Global Policy and Strategy, and Eleanor Roosevelt College.

UC San Diego Campus Map - Seventh College

What is Seventh College's theme?

The College's theme is "A Changing Planet." This encompasses a broad range of pressing global issues such as the climate crisis, mass migration, and rapid cultural and technological change. The goal of Seventh College is to help students acquire the skills needed to confront these challenges.

Will Seventh College be eventually named?

Yes, Seventh College will eventually be named--however, an exact timeline of when this will occur is to be determined. The naming of the colleges at UC San Diego is a careful and deliberate process involving input from the entire UC San Diego community. We’re excited to see who our namesake will be!

What research and educational opportunities are provided to Seventh College students?

Seventh College students have all of the same amazing research and educational opportunities as students in the other colleges. A great starting point for investigating these opportunities is the Undergraduate Research Hub.

We also encourage students to check out the experiential learning opportunities listed on the Teaching + Learning Commons and Study Abroad websites.

How does Seventh College promote interdisciplinary learning?

At the core of Seventh College’s academic mission is the Synthesis Program, which draws upon material from a broad range of disciplines, highlighting how different areas of study approach questions and arrive at answers. As a result, students are able to hone their critical thinking skills and enrich their expertise in their major.

What recreation activities are available to Seventh College students?

Seventh College's close proximity to UC San Diego's sports complex, RIMAC, allows our students to participate in a wide variety of recreational activities including access to equipment and facilities, in-person and virtual fitness classes, and more.

Please visit UC San Diego Recreation for further information.

What are Seventh College’s colors?

Seventh College's color is Seventh Gold.

Academic Advising

What advising services does Seventh College provide? Is each student assigned a specific advisor?

Incoming Seventh College students receive advising over the summer via New Triton Advising in the Virtual Advising Center.

During the academic year, students have access to all Seventh College Advising Services.

Students may meet with any available Seventh College academic advisor.

Are academic advising services in-person or remote?

Seventh College Academic Advising offers both in-person and remote advising during the academic year.

Where is the Seventh College Academic Advising office located?

Seventh College Academic Advising is located in Seventh College's Administration Office (The Gallery), right above The Market at Seventh College.

When do I contact my department/program advisor?

Consult department and program advisors for assistance with major requirements and courses.

Contact Seventh College Academic Advising for help with college and university requirements or any other academic matters.

How do I create a personalized long-term plan?

After successful completion of at least one quarter:

Review plans.ucsd.edu and your degree audit (MyTritonLink).
Use the Degree Planner to create a personalized academic plan.
Meet with your department/program advisor to add required major coursework.
Schedule an appointment with Seventh College Academic Advising to add remaining courses.

Please note: transfer students are able to schedule a long term planning session during their first quarter in order to ensure timely degree completion within two years.

What are Seventh College's GE requirements?

Seventh College’s general education curriculum consists of 14 required courses, some of which are likely to overlap with major coursework. Specifically, students are required to select two courses from each of five different areas:

Arts
Humanities
Natural Sciences and Engineering
Quantitative Reasoning
Social Sciences

Additional requirements include Synthesis 1, Synthesis 2, and Synthesis 100, all offered exclusively to Seventh College students. Synthesis 1 and 2 are writing-intensive, while Synthesis 100 is project-based.

The High-Impact requirement is satisfied by completing one course (2-4 units) selected from a variety of engaging experiential learning options (e.g. internship, mentored research, study abroad).

Which Seventh College GE requirements do transfer students need to complete?

General education requirements vary depending on a transfer student's particular academic background.

Refer to the Degree Requirements for Transfer Students page for details and contact Seventh College Academic Advising with any questions or concerns.

Will any of my major requirements overlap with my Seventh College GE requirements?

It is possible for major requirements to overlap with the Alternatives and High-Impact requirements.

Synthesis courses are specific to Seventh College and cannot overlap with other requirements.

I've heard that Seventh College's GE requirements are spread out over all four years. Is that true?

Research shows that students benefit more from their general education coursework when they take these courses throughout their college career. For this reason, we encourage students to spread out their general education coursework.

However, students at Seventh College are free to take their general education courses whenever they want, with the exception of Synthesis 100, which requires junior or senior standing.

Why does each college have different General Education (GE) requirements? What makes Seventh College’s GE’s unique?

The UC San Diego college system combines the academic advantages of a large research university with the finest features of a small liberal arts college. Each undergraduate college has its own residential neighborhood, general education curriculum, support services, and distinctive traditions.

Seventh College GE requirements encourage students to approach large-scale, global issues from an interdisciplinary perspective and to enhance their academic and real-world skills through research, internships, and study abroad.

Can my AP/IB scores and/or community college coursework satisfy degree requirements? Is there a limit to how many credits I can receive?

AP/IB credit may satisfy degree requirements. Please refer to Seventh College’s AP and IB charts for details. There is no limit to the amount of credit you can receive from AP/IB scores.

Community College coursework may also satisfy degree requirements. Information about how to transfer courses can be found on our website. A maximum of 105 quarter units can be transferred from outside institutions.

What should I do if I missed my first-pass enrollment appointment time?

If you missed your first-pass enrollment appointment time, you will need to wait until your second-pass enrollment appointment time to add courses. We recommend enrolling in open sections whenever possible. If you need help selecting courses, you can schedule an appointment with a Seventh College Academic Advisor.

Should I schedule back-to-back classes with a 10-minute gap in between?

We typically advise against scheduling back-to-back classes, however this might be necessary in order to enroll in your required courses. You have the option of trying out a back-to-back schedule during the first week of the quarter, and if you find you don’t have enough time in between classes, you can make changes to your schedule up until Friday of Week 2.

What academic deadlines should I be aware of?

Be aware of the following important deadlines:

Thursday of Week 2 - automatic waitlists close
Friday of Week 2 - deadline to add classes
Friday of Week 4 - deadline to drop classes without “W” grade
Friday of Week 6 - deadline to drop with “W” grade and deadline to change grading option

Can I change my major?

Students can change their major online using the Major/Minor tool on TritonLink. Please note that this only applies to majors that are not capped.

I was not admitted into my first choice major which is capped. Is it possible for me to switch into a capped major?

Some majors at UC San Diego are “capped,” which means enrollment in the major is restricted due to high demand. If you were not accepted to the major upon admission to UC San Diego, you will need to apply sometime after you arrive on campus.

Every capped major has its own admissions requirements, so it is important to contact the major department or program directly to ask about the application process. We recommend exploring alternative majors since admission into a capped major is not guaranteed.

How do I declare a double major?

If you are interested in declaring a double major, we encourage you to review How to Declare a Double Major at UC San Diego. Note: if the second major is capped, you will need to be admitted into the capped major before submitting a double major petition.

How do I declare a minor?

Students can declare a minor online using the Major/Minor tool on TritonLink. Refer to How to Declare a Minor for more information.

Residence Life

Are incoming first-year students required to live on-campus?

Students are not required to live on-campus. However, we believe that through participating in the residential experience, students can strengthen connections to peers and their college community, develop independent living skills, and gain access to valuable on-campus resources and programs.

How many students are assigned to a room in Seventh College apartments?

Information on housing plans for the 2022-2023 academic year, please visit HDH Housing for Incoming Undergraduates.

How does roommate selection occur?

Students who complete their housing contract by the stated deadline may submit roommate requests during the summer. Roommate requests require students to form groups through mutual invitations (all individuals in the group must accept the roommate request invitation). While Housing tries to honor roommate requests, they are not guaranteed. If you do not submit a roommate request, roommate matches will be determined by your responses to the housing preferences form. Please note that Seventh College Residence Life does not assign any of the initial room placements.

Students are encouraged to routinely check their UC San Diego email address for housing information throughout the summer.

Are there gender inclusive housing options within Seventh College?

Seventh College provides gender inclusive housing where all genders may live together in an apartment.

We acknowledge the importance of space for all gender identities and gender expressions. We encourage any student who believes they may benefit from gender inclusive housing to select this option when completing their housing preferences form.

What on-campus dining options are available for Seventh College students?

At UC San Diego, there are dining commons located in every residential neighborhood. Seventh College students have the opportunity to dine at The Bistro, shop for groceries and essentials at The Market, and utilize full kitchens in all apartments.

Students who live off campus have access to dining options at Seventh College and the greater UC San Diego campus.

Are pets allowed in Seventh College apartments?

Aquarium fish are allowed in tanks no larger than 10 gallons. Limit of one tank per resident.

If you have a Service or Assistance animal that provides disability support, please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities in order to have your animal approved to live on campus.

What residential amenities within Seventh College are open 24/7?

Seventh College’s security services and laundry services are available 24/7. The Bistro and The Market have scheduled daily hours of operation.

What do Seventh College apartment kitchens include?

Apartment kitchens are equipped with a full size refrigerator and stove/oven unit. Microwaves, toaster ovens, coffee makers, and other small appliances are not included. Students are encouraged to coordinate with their apartment mates regarding any additional appliances and items.

Is Seventh College's Residence Life office offering in-person apartment tours?

Seventh College Residence Life will not be offering any in-person tours of the apartment units for the 2022 - 2023 academic year.

Potential and incoming residents are encouraged to view information under Seventh College Residence Life for apartment information.

How do I find Off-Campus Housing?

Students who wish to live off-campus are encouraged to review the following resource pages for further information:

UC San Diego's Off-Campus Housing page for information regarding finding off-campus housing, safety tips, renter’s responsibilities, and other resources.
UC San Diego's Commuter Resources to learn more about commuter lounges, resources, and ways to build connections on campus.
Seventh College Residence Life's Off-Campus Resources page for additional information on off-campus housing resources, public transportation, student legal services and advice from previous students.

Student Life

How are traditions established at Seventh College?

Seventh College traditions are established by college student organizations, Resident Assistants, Orientation Leaders, and the administration at Seventh College. If you have ideas, please contact our Student Affairs team at seventhstudentaffairs@ucsd.edu

How can I meet and build a community with peers from other undergraduate colleges?

UC San Diego offers many ways to engage with students from across the colleges. We highly recommend joining campus student organizations, participating in Associated Students (Student Government), attending athletic events, and more.

Seventh College also partners with other colleges to create events and programs for the entire student community.

What resources are available for Seventh College commuter students?

Commuter students have access to the same university experience as residential students - engaging courses, excellent academic advising, and comprehensive campus services. We encourage commuter students to participate in college council, join in campus and college activities, and utilize resources such as our community centers and commuter lounges.

Please visit Commuter Resources for further information.

Synthesis Program

What is the purpose of the SYN courses?

The Synthesis program enables students to fulfill the writing requirement necessary for graduation from UC San Diego and develop a better understanding of Seventh College’s theme, “A Changing Planet.” At Seventh College, we focus on a broad range of pressing global issues such as the climate crisis, anti-racism, mass migration, and rapid cultural and technological change.

How are SYN 1, SYN 2, and SYN 100 different from each other?

SYN 1 and SYN 2 are writing-intensive courses that introduce a variety of disciplinary perspectives and research methods while developing students' understanding of our changing planet. SYN 100 is a project-based course that takes a real world, solutions-oriented, collaborative approach to solving complex problems.

Do I have to take the SYN sequence in order?

Yes, the writing program is intended to be taken in sequential order as each course builds upon the skills and methods starting with SYN 1. SYN 100 is offered to upper level students who have completed both SYN 1 and SYN 2.

Can I take SYN 1 concurrently with SYN 2?

No, SYN 1 is a prerequisite for SYN 2.

Can I take SYN courses pass/not pass?

No, SYN courses must be taken for a letter grade.

When should I enroll in my SYN courses?

The recommended schedule is to complete SYN 1 during your first year, SYN 2 during your second year, and SYN 100 during your third or fourth year. Please keep in mind writing courses fill up quickly so enrolling early is highly recommended.

When are the SYN courses offered?

SYN 1 is offered every Winter and Spring quarter. SYN 2 is offered every Fall and Winter. SYN 100 is offered every quarter.

Will SYN courses be offered in the summer?

Yes, SYN 2 and SYN 100 will be offered over the summer.

Is there a prerequisite for SYN 1?

To enroll in SYN 1, you must meet the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR). Please refer to the Analytical Writing Program page for further details.

What do I do if I can’t enroll in SYN 1 this quarter?

SYN 1 will be offered every Winter and Spring to ensure all Seventh College students have an opportunity to take this course within their first two years.

I’m taking SYN 1 this quarter and don’t know if I will pass, but I want to enroll in SYN 2 next quarter. Can I enroll in SYN 2 before I get my final course grade in SYN 1?

You may enroll in SYN 2 prior to receiving your final grade for SYN 1, however, if you do not pass SYN 1, you will need to drop SYN 2 and take SYN 1 the next time it is offered. Contact your Seventh College Academic Advising via the VAC (vac.ucsd.edu) on how to best proceed with your academic plan.

What am I going to do in SYN 100?

SYN 100 is a project-based learning course. This means that instead of your traditional lecture or discussion class, the majority of your learning will happen through completion of a group project. Your instructor will serve more as a mentor and guide for your project.

What kind of project will I do in SYN 100?

Each SYN 100 section will focus on a specific challenge, question, or problem that is relevant to the climate crisis. Your instructor will develop the section’s theme in consultation with the Synthesis Program. We plan to offer a wide variety of sections so you can enroll in one that most interests you.

Are SYN 100 projects group-based?

Yes, all SYN 100 projects are group projects of 3-5 students. This is because one of the core learning outcomes for the Synthesis Program is developing teamwork and collaboration skills and because teamwork is a key skill that employers look for in the hiring process.

In SYN 100, you will learn about your own strengths and weaknesses in group environments, as well as how to effectively work with your team.

Can I choose my own group in SYN 100?

This will be up to the discretion of your instructor.

How do I see what sections of SYN 100 will be offered?

You can view the SYN 100 course descriptions on the Synthesis Program website. We will continue to update this page as we plan future quarters.

What if none of the sections interest me?

SYN 100 will be offered every quarter so it is likely that there will eventually be a section that interests you. We will continue to increase the number of sections over the 2022-2023 academic year. Finally, the section themes are meant to be broad enough that you will have ample opportunity to apply your own interests and skills to your class.

Can I continue my SYN 2 project in SYN 100?

If your project fits in with one of the offered sections you may have the opportunity to continue it. In future quarters, we hope to offer an additional section for projects that do not fit in with other existing section themes.

What if I don’t want to continue my SYN 2 project in SYN 100?

You don’t have to continue your SYN 2 project. You can view the SYN 100 course descriptions on the Synthesis Program website and enroll in a section that interests you.

What is the course repeat policy?

Refer to How to Repeat a Class for detailed information and contact Seventh College Academic Advising via the VAC (vac.ucsd.edu) if you have any questions.

Can SYN courses be used to satisfy English writing requirements for graduate programs and professional schools? Are SYN writing courses the same as English classes?

SYN 1 and SYN 2 are considered writing-intensive courses, which at other universities might be classified as English composition.

If you need verification of this for graduate school or professional school applications, contact Seventh College Academic Advising via the VAC (vac.ucsd.edu).

How can I apply for a Graduate Instructional Assistant position in the Synthesis Program?

If you are interested in being part of the Synthesis Program as a Graduate Instructional Assistant, please contact the Synthesis Program Coordinator at synthesis@ucsd.edu.

Who do I contact if I have a question that was not addressed above?

Please direct additional Synthesis Program questions to synthesis@ucsd.edu.