University of California-Irvine Top Questions

Greeks would be most popular, but I think it´s all a bunch of bull shit. It just feels like highschool again except a little fundraising and community service inbetween, "DID YOU HEAR THAT so and so HOOKED UP WITH so and so of TRI DELTA, I cant believe it." But a lot of people are into that sort of thing without realizing there´s a whole big world out there.. I thought about rushing, pledging whatever, soley because being affiliated means networking big time and you never know who you´ll run into along the way.. But I can´t handle the popularity show. Dating scene? I dont know, date whoever you want.. there are lots of good people on campus. I met my closest friends in the dorm and at 2am if I am on campus I am in the drive through line at Del Taco, otherwise, not much else to do..? Traditions and events every year would be Wayzgoose, outdoor festival with music and food, definitely fun... Off campus, I would be at the beach, Newport is amazing, or working... I come from Northern California so being in SoCal is a big change but I like it alright. I visit my friends in LA, SD and Santa Barbara a lot. Also, as convenient as it is to live near school in AV or whatever those apartments are called, LIVE IN NEWPORT.. a lot of students do, the partying is more fun, the beach is close AND.... they are making a shuttle that goes to UCI so no driving, no parking permits nor parking issues and public transportation cuts down on pollution... so we all win.

Campus and Social life is one of the most important things for me because when I came to college I wanted the entire college experience and not just the academics side of the university. I wanted friends, parties, campus life, etc. And I wanted to meet as many people as I could. I think some of the main things to be involved in on campus is definitely Greek Life, campus housing, SPOP, cultural organizations, and other campus leadership opportunities. I actually live in a dorm right now because I am an RA and my residents for the most part leave their doors open, but some are more interpersonal and don't choose to be out and about like the rest of the hall. Athletic events aren't super popular unless there is an incentive to go (Homecoming, free t-shirt, etc.) I think that Greek Life is extremely important on campus because I think that is how people become involved other places on campus and learn about those opportunities. Without being Greek I would not have the opportunities I have been given so far at UCI. Each year we have fun events like Wayzgoose/Celebrate UCI, Shocktoberfest, Homecoming and the welcome BBQ in Aldrich Park I think. These are pretty fun events! I like them!

Dance teams are popular. Student housing is a competitive job to get. There are lots of jobs on campus. We have a BEAUTIFUL free gym called the ARC. There are always things going on, especially dance and theater performances, sports games (which are free for all students!) and lecture series. Last week I went to programs in my housing community, a fun quiz game and a culture night based on Chile, then I applied to internships through the UC Washington DC program, went to Disneyland with my coworkers, went out to lunch and then to the UCI Basketball Homecoming game (which we won!)

The most popular groups were the fraternities/sororities, religious groups, special interest groups, and sports teams in that order. Students in my dorm left their doors open. Athletic events are not that popular. Guest speakers and music artists were very popular. The best UCI tradition is Wayzgoose, it's like a medieval fair.

Parties were good. I was in a fraternity...we got the stereotypes, ididn't care. I found a small group of guys that i could bond with and went through hell and back with them and therefore have a life-long bond..even AFTER college..that's what i wanted and that's what i got. i'm going to type in caps to emphasize the next point... I HATED IT WHEN PEOPLE SAID OH FORGET THOSE FRATS/SORORITIES, YOU'RE JUST PAYING FOR YOUR FRIENDS..THAT'S SOO ILLOGICAL...TAKE ANY SOCIAL/COMMON INTEREST CLUB (VSA, KABA, CA, ETC)..DO YOU PAY DUES? YES. SO AREN'T YOU ESSENTIALLY PAYING FOR YOUR FRIENDS..SAME CONCEPT EH? IM PROUD TO BE IN MY FRATERNITY...WE ONLY PAID WHAT WE NEEDED FOR ADMIN COSTS(80/QTR)..ONE OF THE CHEAPEST AROUND..THE REASON BEING IS THAT HALF THE FUN IS HANGING OUT WITH MY BROS FUNDRAISING FOR SOMETHING FUN WE WANTED TO DO...

I wasn't involved with any on-campus clubs. I do recall a strong Greek presence, as well as a mix of clubs based on the environment, political affiliation, sexual identity and dance.

SPOP & and Greek org. SPOP, it was a life changing org that really pushed me out of my bubble and exposed me to so much in the world. I never left my dorm open because of where I grew up at, you just didn't do that. However, I did welcome my dormmates and friends. Athletics: Bball was good when I was a 1st year and then Baseball started to get good and popular during my 4th year and on. Close friends: through orgs and the dorm Tradition: Mesa Court students would go streaking on Monday night of Finals week but due to the cops that has been stopped. It was a way for students to relax and enjoy themselves. It sucks that they stopped it. Partying; Thursday- Sat night Frats: Important for both guys and girls

Many students are involved in the greek community (sororities and fraternaties), as well as cultural groups (although these are not limited to persons of any specific culture). There is a very diverse group of clubs and organizations on campus that can appeal to any student's desires. I found that due to the fact that freshman dorms are situated in smaller, individual "residence halls", the atmosphere of each building (which houses between 45 and 75 students), can vary drastically from another. Depending on the tone set by your Resident Advisor, your fellow residents, and you yourself, you can have a very low key and private dorm experience or you can have a hall full of best friends within just a few weeks of living at UCI. At 2am on a Tuesday, you would be likely hanging out with friends watching a movie, eating Del Taco (open 24 hours, correct?!), or just chatting.

Students usually don't have too much of a problem leaving their doors unlocked. The halls to the dorms are locked, so most of the people inside either live there or are guests of those that live there. Me, I was one of the few people that had a "Micro-Fridge" which meant that I had a microwave as well as a fridge. So I would often leave my door unlocked so that my suite mates could come in and use the microwave. There wasn't too much theft as far as I was aware. I think most athletic events were much less populated than most schools. UCI doesn't have a football team, so school spirit and pride is much less. However, I did have a good time playing in the pep band at various other sporting events. One of the more popular events, especially for Drama Majors, is: Live Nude People (With Clothes On). It's an improv troupe on campus that recasts its group once a quarter, and performs 4 times each quarter. Each show usually fills up the house, forcing the event to often move to bigger locations. It's the event to see great comedy and a great excuse to dress up in whatever the theme of the show is. I was fortunate enough to perform on the troupe one quarter and it was by far one of my most fondest memories at UCI. Theatre and dance at UCI is amazing. Everything from classical to experimental, big budget to low tech. Each show has its own life to it, and if you're a Drama Major you'll be thankful that the shows you have to go see are actually quite enjoyable.

I was a part of the improv troupe "Live Nude People (With Clothes On)." It was a popular group. We would get anywhere from 200 to 400 audience members from all majors. We had shows every other Friday at 11pm and I know that was one of the only options for a social activity late at night. Dorm life was fun, very open. I met my closest friends during my first and second years in the dorm. After that, my friends were all in either the Drama department or were from other majors, but performed in Live Nude People with me. Cast parties were a huge part of my social network.