University of California-Irvine Top Questions

It's a tie for the best thing about UCI: on campus housing and the cirriculum. I wouldn't trade my dorm experience for anything ni the world. Also, in four years I had only one, maybe two "bad" classes that were either poorly organized or executed. If I could change one thing it would probably be more student hang outs off campus (especially now that the pub is closed; R.I.P. Anteater Pub). Irvine is NOT a "college town." When I was on campus I spent my time in the area around the food court and bookstore, or lounging between classes in Aldrich Park. When I tell people that I'm a UCI alum, they have always been impressed. Not only do you get the benefit of the "U.C" reputation, but I think that UCI really stands out in the top ten public universities in California. I always had great experiences with faculty, staff and administration when it came to my schedule, special requests and paperwork.

Best: SPOP - the 3 day orientation programs changed my life as an incoming freshman and the two years I staffed Change: Culture...get away from being a commuter school School: Just right! Better than UCLA Reaction: most people have no idea where UCI is until you say Irvine or the OC Spent: CCC or the Student Center What college town: ???? There was no central place that we could walk to other that the UTC that sucks Administration: With the new chancellor I thought things would be better but I really enjoyed the old Chancellor because he was active in all sporting events including attending the baseball games frequently. Controversy: Hate crimes committed at UCI Pride: We do internally but it wasn't known to the nation until this past baseball season Unusual: We're a small school with an Anteater as a mascot Experience: Becoming part of the SPOP family for life Complaints: UCI is not a party school

Although UCI is a rather large school in terms of number of sudents (+25,000), it always had a small feel to me. The group of students you will meet in your classes and especially in your extra curriculars will make you feel like you have a smaller campus within the larger university. Most people in northern California do not know about UCI. I always liked to think of it as my own little secret -- a great place to be that not too many people realize exists. It sometimes gets old trying to explain where UCI is ("Have you ever seen the OC? Well go a few miles inland, and you're at UCI!"), but I didn't mind keeping it my own secret place. It is most definitley not a college town. Luckily, there are communities close around (Newport Beach, for example) that have more of a college town feel, but if you don't have a car and are stuck to the UCI campus, you wont exactly be surrounded by bars and night clubs.

There isn't much of a "college town." UCI is in Irvine. The school is near a residential area as well as an old folks home. Things have a tendency to close by 6pm. Loud parties are usually stopped by 11pm. The biggest controversy on campus in my year was the removal of the Pub, which was the one lifeforce left on campus. However, I've been told they rebuilt that area and have put in a new pub. The school size is good. There are many great opportunities on campus, especially if you are into the arts. The drama department has a great program on campus with 7 mainstage plays and several workshop productions directed by students each year. Unfortunately the film department, mostly based in theory, has a limited production program. In fact, the drama department has better film equipment than the film department, having their own green screen video studio. The film department is growing, however, and hopefully will soon begin to develop into a better organization. Networking is important.

Being a part of the Drama department was amazing. The sense of community I felt while there was what made my college experience so wonderful. I would say that most, if not all, of the other departments are lacking that. I knew almost everyone in my program, but other majors I talked to said they only really knew about 10 other people in their program. They also seemed sort of down about this. Not a lot of school pride, so far as I know. Mostly we were all just embarrassed about how damned boring the town is. Next to no culture, and I'd say the school was a part of that. Like I said, I loved my department. There was a definite sense of culture. But stepping outside of that was like stepping into a wasteland. Just sterile and constricted.

The best thing about UCI is the location. It is 5 miles from the beach and the surrounding community is suburban and consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the country. Orange County is a unique and albeit beautiful place to go to college. I'd change public transportation on the campus. The campus is large at about 1500 acers or so and while the walk is nice--I think a lot more people would go to events if they had some way easy to get there. For the amount of students (around 25,000) and the size of the campus I think it is just right although I know they will probably increase the population in the next 20 years. People who live in the west and have for a while are impressed I went to UC Irvine and know it as an academic school--But I live in Washington, DC, now and nobody has every heard of it. I spent most of my time on campus hanging out in my college dorm living room or with friends I met there. There was a controversy at the UCI Medical Center where some organs went missing. There is school pride, but only if you are really into the historical parts of the school. I will always remember my dorm experience in Mesa Court. We were all transfer students and bonded immediately when ever there were housing activities. I've heard that the most recent student complaints are directly toward the student elected government, Associated Students of UCI.

My school is unique and it has helped me to grow who I am - i think it's stupid and pretentious to think that I am not a stereotype.

UCI is unrecognizable, not a lot of name recognition. When I say UCI, employers are like 'UCWho?' UCLA or Berkley have name recognition, not UCI. I spent most of my time on campus looking for parking, walking to class, or in the library. Racial issues were the biggest issue when I was on campus; From what I observed was between Asian and Middle Eastern cultures speaking disrespectfully. Specifically when the cartoon of Mohammad came out.

Best thing: Location, Orange County is beautiful and its right by the beach. One thing I'd like to change: wish we had more school spirit with sports. I don't think our school is too small, but you feel like you know everyone. I personally like the size. When I say I went to UCI, they just kind of nod their head. It seems to be a very average school in the UC system. Or maybe they just don't know a lot about it. UCI's definitely not a college town - its a huge commuter school. Actually, thats another thing I wish I could change. I think the school would be better if more of the students stayed on campus instead of going home on the weekends. Recent controversy: BRING BACK THE OLD SCHOOL PUB. There's a fair amount of school pride I think. I still have it.

The best thing about UCI was the people I met there. I know this is probably true of any school, but almost everyone I met at there seemed unpretentious and interested in learning. I also loved living in the dorms freshman year, and I wish there was more upper class student housing. I would definitely change the parking situation, there was never enough. People are generally impressed when I tell them that I went to UCI, but are also confused when I say that my degree is in art (they may not know that the school has a great arts program). When I was on campus, I spent time at the Cyber A cafe (the coffee shop on the arts side of the school) and sometimes in the library or the student center. Unfortunately, I haven't been back to see the renovated student center, but I'm sure it's amazing. I never had any problem with school administration, although I was a little bummed when they discontinued phone registration for classes (now it's only online). As far as school pride, I'm sure there was a lot when you were at a sporting event, but I only attended one basketball game my entire four years.