A list of greivences and loves, from a 2nd year UC Merced Student.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Merced
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<p>I only read a few posts here, but I am currently going into my junior year and I have a few things to say:</p>

<p>First of all, premed4life who are you? I am curious to see if I actually know you, as I am fairly certain I know 90% of the school. Sitting here talkin ishh is doing nothing good toward bringing the school forward, all youre doing is scaring the incoming kids.</p>

<p>Second, the city is highly geared toward UCM students. There has been continual improvements and openings of new shops/things to do. I am from San Diego, and really the only thing we do not have in Merced is go to the beach, go to the club, or a hookah bar. They just put in a brand new sports bar down on main st, with a new billiards/bar across the street (18&up even though they serve alcohol), a froyo place further down, and a new mongolian bbq/hibachi buffet place. </p>

<p>Third, there is plenty of “night life” for lack of a better term that doesnt sound “delinquent.” We are a small school, get to know people, I cant remember the last time I stayed in on a weekend, and a majority of my thursdays(and yes I am currently pulling a 3.0 as a mechanical engineer so dont give me that crap about studying blahblah). </p>

<p>I got distracted and lost my train of thought, but there is plenty to do in Merced. People say it all the time “College is what you make of it.” Dont be a ■■■■■, go out there and make friends, go to the gym, get active, meet girls(or guys if thats your boat), get good grades, and have fun. Besides, if it is THAT bad(as some people thing it is for god knows what reason), its ONLY FOUR YEARS. You forget the scope of your life vs education. A four year sacrifice for a marginal social life and an excellent education is worth 100000x more than a ridiculous social life with a community college education(which half of you clowns would never even make it through, 90% of my community friends are still in community, 3 years later)</p>

<p>I don’t really read this forum, but ill stop by to answer any questions if necessary.</p>

202

<p>Well said razore, I’m an incoming freshman to UCM, looking forward to college life, and you’re post was really the kind of thing I love hearing about UC Merced</p>

203

<p>Revive bump. Wanted to know if there have been any new developments with UCM in the past year?</p>

<p>I’m going to start CC this Fall and was thinking about a list of schools to transfer to. I will be doing the TAG with UCSC and was thinking about applying to UCM as well. My intended major will be Economics, but I’d like to try to double major in Political Science as well (not sure if that’s even possible at UCM since both are BA).</p>

<p>A few things:

  1. I’m a veteran and will plan to use my GI Bill benefits for UCM, so hopefully I will graduate debt free, so I’m not worried about the “Paying the same cost for UCM as UCB and UCLA not being worth it” argument.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I currently live in the bay area and will attend CC here too, but I graduated from a HS in Stockton, so I know how the geography can be in the Central Valley (farms and cows galore). I’ve lived in a hugely populous city for the last 6 years, but am not afraid about getting back to my small-town roots. Never actually been to Merced though.</p></li>
<li><p>Being older, and a transfer, I care absolutely nothing for housing or food standards. I’m a big boy and will be paying for my own rent and food, so for the few amount of times I will need to be exposed to these facets, I will deal with it. I also am not for the party scene. I’m of drinking age already so a) it’s not a taboo for me and b) I’m mature enough to know that it shouldn’t play that big a part in my life.</p></li>
<li><p>I don’t have plans to go on to graduate education. I know what type of profession I want to get into, and specifically which positions, and they do not require an advanced degree - even for advancement (to qualify for those positions the degree just needs to be from an accredited institution). Maybe much much later in life just for the heck of it, or if I ever do get to a spot in my career where it will make me more competitive.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Things I like so far about UCM:

  1. It’s a smaller UC (that is now accredited!), so I like how the student/faculty ratio will be lower giving that more personal feel and also fosters more research opportunities.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Being such a new school a student can really forge their own path and plant their own footprint there. I’m not sure how recepting or active the student body though.</p></li>
<li><p>I’m sort of drawn to the mistique of the unknown of the school. Most people have negative things about it, but I’ve always favored an underdog, and I’m willing to put in the effort to make my own opportunities - even if all the right tools aren’t there. I’ve made something out of nothing before, figuratively, of course. I’m not a wizard.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>So does UCM seem like a school for me to apply to as a transfer? Are there any new things about UCM that a potential student should know about?</p>