Ask a current UCR freshman anything!

<p>Is it the housing first come first serve? Or I can submit the application for housing at April 30 and still get the room type I want? thx</p>

<p>How is the dorms divided diversely? Like which one has more asians, etc.</p>

<p>UC Riverside was the only UC that accepted me. I am now deciding between UC Riverside and a local Community College where i'd go through their TAG program and transfer to UC Davis after 2 years. </p>

<p>However, I'd like to get your guys opinion on that. I dont want to make a decision i'd regret. If I went to a CC for 2 years, i'd save lots of money, but... is it worth it?</p>

<p>I was the same as you xAbre1200. UCR was the only UC that accepted me, even though I had a really good chance to get into UCLA and UCSD. I don't know why UCI rejected me, but whatever that's beside the point.
When I found out I didn't get into anything but UCR, I had pre-decided that I would just go to a CC and transfer through the TAG program, all because I had "heard" from other people that it was ghetto like USC without actually experiencing the campus.
However, after experiencing a full day at UCR, I automatically changed my mind. Why? I thought everything about UCR was so awesome. It was big, but not too big, just right. It was neat and clean, which brought a sense of freshness to it. The people there are so friendly and welcoming. They were all so nice and were willing to answer my questions when they themselves were busy with their own work. Outside of campus, there's so much to do, and not "ghetto" as some would call it. It's actually entirely the opposite of what everyone "says" about UCR. I absolutely loved it.
If I had not gone to UCR and actually seen the campus, I would have been stuck with the opinions of what other people have "said" about it. A CC is good in the sense that you could get better results in regards to grades, but being able to experience a UC level university for the first two years of your college experience is something where you would most likely not want to miss out on. Coming from a fellow incoming freshman, I know it probably won't impact your decision as much. Even though there's a small chunk of money you may have to pay in comparison to paying for a CC tuition, being able to even go to one of the top 100 public schools in the nation and experiencing it, is definitely something an incoming freshman shouldn't miss.
You can still gain good grades at UCR and transfer after two years.
All in all, I wouldn't say it isn't worth going to a CC your first two years of college, since you're saving money, but to miss out on the opportunity of going to UC would probably be something to regret on. I'm pretty sure there are some who aren't in your position would like a chance to go to UCR, but couldn't since they were denied admission due to budget cuts (probably). I dunno, my opinion would be to go to UCR and then transfer. At least you would be getting used to the competitive standards of what a UC wants before you transfer to another UC school, whereas going to a community college would be a lot more lenient.
Just my input. Don't go bashing on me for this. D:</p>

<p>Edit: I do realize that what I said above is a little hard to understand, haha. I kind of jumped a bit from topic to topic. xD</p>

<p>Thanks for the response Forevermore. After reading around here about UCR from people that actually attend UCR and not from people who have never actually been there, I think I may actually give UCR a try. </p>

<p>Another question though, is it easier to transfer to another UC from attending UCR then attending a CC and transferring through TAG. I hear CC students are given priority, but even priority over UC students who want transfer to another UC?</p>

<p>Well, I'm not really sure how to answer that, since I'm like you, an incoming freshman. But I do know that because of T.A.G. higher priority is given to CC transfer students. However, going from a UC to another UC MAY BE (I'm not saying it is) easy as well. I'm not sure though. I called UCSD's admissions office about transferring from UCR to UCSD rather than a CC to UCSD, and the lady told me to go through CC because of the T.A.G. program's guaranteed priority. So I'm not sure. ^^; Sorry.</p>

<p>Personally I would go for UCR and then transfer out, since I would at least know the standards a UC would want, rather given leniency from a CC. This way I would at least be more focused, due to the the curriculum set by a UC like UCR, rather than laid back. But that's just me. ^^;</p>

<p>Forevermore:
I'm glad you liked your visit to UCR! Did you attend Saturday's Discover Day? </p>

<p>xAbre1200:
Going from a UC to UC is not easy. Unless you have a compelling reason to do so, its VERY hard. A good example would be you coming to UCR and then wanting to become a Vet. Then you would send letters to the deans of UC Davis' respective college which has a Veterinarian major in it. I would recommend you do what Forevermore and I did, visit the campus. I went around visiting all the UCs and picked UCR. (yup, picked UCR over Davis). I work for one of UCR's Undergraduate Recruitment departments and I'll double check the UC to UC transfer rates for you. We also have a transfer resource center which you can also contact if you have more questions. Don't be discouraged by only being accepted by UCR, might just turn out that you're going to love it here!</p>

<p>pk38555:
Housing works on a somewhat first come first serve system. The earliest you apply, they better chance you have. Get it done asap if you want the competitive suite style Pentland Hills. The application was made available on the first of April, and deadline is May 10th. (most students who do not get pentland normally end up living in the other two resident halls)</p>

<p>JayEsZee:
UCR is the most diverse campus in California, and ranked 3rd in the nation. No matter where you are living, you will be surrounded by diversity. UCR's Housing offers several themed halls for its residents, including a Pan-African Theme Hall (PATH) and a Unete a Mundo Hall. In those two, you will find more African-American and Mexican/Hispanic students respectively. Living in the CNAS Scholars hall (the science majors hall) I had expected to be with more asians, but nope, pretty well diverse there too! haha</p>

<p>@MehediMD: Yup. That's what made me proud of choosing UCR over a CC. (I had sent in my SIR before Discover Day) I had so much fun during the entire event, especially the campus tour.. The housing tour was packed with people, but it was fun nonetheless. </p>

<p>Btw, I was wondering, I had already sent in my housing contract on Saturday (April 4th), but today I accidentally sent it in again, but with a different first choice. (I had A-I first, but the second time I had Pentland.) I'm not sure what they would do. :/ Do you think they'll consider me for Pentland? or for A-I? :/ [I had signed up for Honors Hall (first choice) and CHASS Connect (second choice)]</p>

<p>To any current UCR Student:</p>

<p>How do you know if the registrar office received your housing payment? I sent it in by check/mail and keep logging into my Growl but it doesn't really tell me anything.</p>

<p>Forevermore:
Who was your tour guide? I'll give them a pack on the back, haha! If I remember correctly, the housing app is made in a way where you can update it, and submit it. Seeing that you resubmitted with Pentland, I think that is the one that will show up on Housing's records. I would advise you to call in if you want to double check. Call the Housing office before lunch, that way they have more free time to help you out. </p>

<p>xobgg:
Growl should say that payment was received. If its been over 10 days, call them.</p>

<p>@ MehediMD: OHHH okay. Thanks so much! Oh and the Campus Tour Guide I had was named...Adrian? I think. He said he was gonna be some Director of an event. My memory is a bit fuzzy haha. XD</p>

<p>Did you take a compatibility quiz? Are most of your friends happy with their room mates?</p>

<p>My friend didn't get a quiz! Should I just submit my first payment or should I wait for the quiz and pay? Does it even matter? haHa</p>

<p>How are the intramural sports at UCR?</p>

<p>How is the Computer Engineering Program?</p>

<p>I need a NetID to log into housing.ucr.edu. I have submitted my SIR; do I get my NetID via e-mail or mail?</p>

<p>Thank you for your time :).</p>

<p>check for your ID under "My UCR IDs" or you can check it in GROWL</p>

<p>Go to my.ucr.edu, log in, then go to myucr IDs : )</p>

<p>I have no idea what my password is to log onto housing. Is my password my pin?</p>

<p>It's the last one shown on the MyUCR ID. It's supposed to be 6 numbers.</p>

<p>Never mind, I'm stupid =.</p>

<p>haha, no you're not! You just prolly looked in the wrong place (:</p>