Get an Insider’s Look at UC San Diego at Triton Day Experience

Photos-Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications

“I am so excited to be accepted to UC San Diego––it is an incredible feeling,” said Jose Roberto Sandoval,  one of a record 60,785 freshmen who applied to UC San Diego for fall 2012. Of the thousands of freshmen applicants, only about 38 percent of students, including Sandoval have gained admittance to UC San Diego. “I feel like I have accomplished something great,” he said.

Current UC San Diego students, faculty and staff are invited to share the Triton spirit with newly-admitted students for the Triton Day Experience, a combination of Admit Day and Open House that will take place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 7 on the UC San Diego campus. The Triton Day Experience, expected to have about 15,000 attendees, will give an insider's look at UC San Diego through a day of education and entertainment with fun for all ages.

At the event, admitted students, members of the campus community and San Diego residents will have the opportunity to check out the latest sustainable vehicles, get their blood pressure screened, witness cutting-edge research, learn about college planning and listen to live music, all in one place, at one time.

“This year’s Triton Day is especially important because we want students to accept their offer to attend UC San Diego,” said Mae Brown, assistant vice chancellor and director of admissions at UC San Diego. “Many of our admitted students are also admitted to other competitive campuses, such as UCLA and UC Berkeley, so the experience is an opportunity for the campus community to welcome admitted students and show them the uniqueness of UC San Diego.”

UC San Diego’s academic programs, undergraduate colleges and innovative studies will be on display during the Triton Day Experience through hands-on demonstrations and exploring fairs. Attendees are invited to interact with leading UC San Diego professors and students as they demonstrate some of their cutting-edge research, technology and world-changing projects.

Attendees will be able to journey from coastal shores to the bottom of the sea through a display by Scripps Institution of Oceanography featuring mysterious sea creatures from local tide pools to the world's deepest ocean trenches. In addition, students from the Biofuels Actions and Awareness Network (BAAN) will have a collection of biodiesels made by BAAN from all sorts of differing feedstock such as butter and bacon.  And undergraduate students from the Jacobs School of Engineering will be displaying the hardware they use to launch balloons into near-space (20 miles up).

“I remember the thrill and sense of pride I had when I found out I was admitted to UC San Diego,” said alumnus Lauren White,’08. “I look forward to having the opportunity to meet new students and share the excitement of what it’s like to be a Triton at UC San Diego, a top-ranked university recognized around the word as an academic and research powerhouse.”

Other Triton Day Experience activities include a car show and sustainability showcase, which will highlight the latest in fuel-efficient industrial and consumer vehicles.  And there will be the “Charting the Course” college planning and information session to give middle and high school students and their families information on how to plan for, get into and pay for college.  In addition, Thurgood Marshall College’s Cultural Celebration will feature music, dance, games and a children’s village with face painting, cotton candy, a henna workshop, scavenger hunt and world-art trivia. Current students will guide campus tours departing every 30 minutes, and there will be various stages with live music, singing, dancing and demonstrations.

Volunteers are needed to help showcase the UC San Diego campus to admitted students and the community for the Triton Day Experience. Sign up at http://volunteer50.ucsd.edu/. Volunteer shifts are available from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on the Triton Day Experience, go to http://tritonday.ucsd.edu/experience/.