University of California-Irvine Top Questions

Soccer Team & Water Polo. Plus the Frats. Some dorm students leave their doors open.

Deciding where you go to school is difficult, but it is important that you like the area where you are going. The ranking of the school doesn't matter if you're so depressed after returning from summer vacation that you don't do any schoolwork. The differences between the UCs are negligible aside from Berkeley and LA. Is UCSD or SB a better school? Depends on the department, and how you like everything outside of class. As for Irvine, I am not a huge fan of strip malls that have nearly all chain restaurants and stores. And I am not a huge fan of having to drive everywhere. And I am not a huge fan of having nowhere to park when you return from driving everywhere. So the city of Irvine was not the right choice for me even though I have really enjoyed the classes and the professors at UCI.

know the right people and you'll have a good time ;)

To have a social life at UCI, you really have to put yourself out there. It's not hard and I feel like with any school, the social life isn't going to just come to you anyway. I think that as long as you get involved in any club or organization on campus, you can get a decent social experience. It's not hard at all to find a club event or party to go to because campus clubs are always throwing parties and flyering all along the campus. But if you're a guy and not in the greek system, it can get tough to find a party. You'll probably be limited to rush parties and friends' house parties. I chose ASUCI (student government) and the greek system. I think people usually go Greek here after they realize that finding parties is hard. Also, a lot of guys realize that most of the hot girls usually end up joining sororities, and after that they tend to hang out with the fraternities more. But it's possible to have fun without going greek at UCI. The big drawback of the Greek system, and any greek system is that it is extremely fake, and it's pretty much like high school. Basically, each frat can be compared to a clique in high school.

Greek life is the most popular organization on campus and is the only place that allows social involvement on campus. I meet my closest friends through work, organizations and living accommodations. People party on a weekly basis depending on whether there are exams coming up. Last weekend was a fairly typical weekend for me, just relaxing and studying a little. You can go to the beach, club, or practically anything under the sun on a saturday night not involving drinking.

Concert venues gallore, amusement parks gallore, beaches, clubs, amazing food (I love newport!), crazy awesome cheap and expensive shopping. Really UCI has everything an urban school has just Irvine / Orange County is prettier and safer! UCI is NOT a commuter school. Yes a lot of people commute but that is true about all schools. Also of those who are consider "commuters" thousands of them live within walking distance of UCI. Parties! There are plenty. One thing though is that at UCI "the party is not knocking on your door" as I always say. Meaning there is rarely noise problems or conduct violations. If you want to go a party the frats will bus you to the clubs they rent out. It's all amazingly fun. At UCI there's always a place to study or participate in innocent fun, and there's always a billion parties to hit up, plus there is LA just up the freeway.

The Greek system isn't nearly as popular as the average college campus. I'm not sure really...

Dorms for me were great. Always left door open, everyone did. Dating scene was terrible. Closest friends were from certain classes and the dorms and then through the friends they met. Awake at 2am means you're probably hanging out with friend OR finishing a paper you procrastinated on. Lots of traditions and events, but few are really that fun or interesting.

I think sororities and fraternities are the most popular. Sometimes when you meet someone, the first thing they ask you is "are you affiliated"? I am not personally in a sorority so I find it annoying. I am in Accounting Association. It is a great experience because we learn to network with the different accounting firms and this helps us in our job or internship search throughout college. Then through these internships, you may be offered a job. When I was in a dorm, I used to leave my door open when I was in there, but not everyone did. I think that it is good to leave it open if youre not studying or sleeping because you can meet so many people and be more social. Everyone in my suite left their doors open most of the time so we were all one big group sometimes and it was really fun. If I am awake on a Tuesday at 2am, I would most likely be studying. I've met my closest friends through classes. Ever since I started taking classes pertaining to my major, I met my closest friends. Then since we have the same major and have to take the same classes, learn because if you have questions in what youre learning, you know exactly who to ask. Also, we have the same interests since we have the same major, so I suggest to make friends in your major. I don't party a lot, but I know people that drink and party every weekend. I think most freshman do because this is new to them, then as they move forward in school, they feel like studying more than just drinking.

I met most of my friends and dates in the dorms freshman year, either because I lived in the same dorm hall with them or I met them through one of the social events set that were arranged for all the dorms in Mesa Court. I don't think I ever went to or was aware of any athletic events. However, a big part of our social lives was the "Live Nude" improv show on Campus. That was an event not to be missed every Friday night, especially if you lived on campus