Class of 2026 Explores San Diego Universities on College Tour

St. Margaret’s junior class traveled to San Diego this week for a two-day college tour, visiting three prominent institutions: the University of San Diego, San Diego State University, and the University of California, San Diego.

The trip was organized by the Upper School College Counseling Office, offering students an opportunity to experience a variety of campus environments and gain firsthand insight into college life.

During the visit, the junior students explored a range of university settings, including a private university and public institutions from each of California’s two university systems. The itinerary was designed to help students better understand their college options as they prepare to begin the application process this fall.

At the University of San Diego, students met with the admission representative assigned to St. Margaret’s and attended an informational presentation before touring the campus with current USD students.

The visit to San Diego State University offered a more self-guided experience. St. Margaret’s students explored the campus independently, visiting academic buildings aligned with their interests, browsing the bookstore, and checking out athletic facilities. In addition, the students enjoyed a Padres game at Petco Park where they were joined by local university admission reps.

At UC San Diego, students attended a panel featuring current undergraduates who shared their campus experiences. The visit also included a guided tour of UCSD’s expansive campus. Three St. Margaret’s alumni—Aidan Momtaz ‘22, Isabelle Vartanian ‘22 and Sophia Kistler ‘24— provided more of a personal campus tour and offered valuable insights into life at UC San Diego. They shared their perspectives on the college transition process and how their experiences at St. Margaret’s helped prepare them for university life.

The college tour provided a valuable preview of the higher education experience, helping juniors envision their future as they prepare for the next steps in their academic journeys.