<p>I got admitted to UCM for Fall 2010 but I'm still undecided on whether I want to attend this college or not. I've visited the campus, and although the campus itself is very beautiful, the surrounding area is not.
The reasons why I'm considering UCM are:</p>
<p>-It's a UC :)
-Small classes = more attention from professors
-Study Abroad Program (I really want to study abroad)
-Living in dorms > living with parents.</p>
<p>The reasons why I don't want to go to UCM:</p>
<p>-It's a low-tier UC. But I understand that it will grow and all that, but probably not for another 3-5 years.
-I actually want to have fun over the weekends, and I hear that 70% of students go home over the weekends -___-. That doesn't sound fun.
-Location = middle of nowhere. </p>
<p>I guess that's all. So, I'm just wondering if you could go back and decide, would you go to a JC and transfer (to UCSB or UCSD) or would you still go to UCM? And if you would go to UCM, why?</p>
<p>It was between UCM and BU for me, but I chose UCM because you’re right about it being a UC. Its smaller so you don’t have to deal with a lot of the budget cuts the state is making. There’s more research opportunities which is a biggie for me because I’ll be applying to medical school.</p>
<p>But the fact is, I think you don’t get the college experience if you go to a CC, especially the ones around where I live. Yeah you can transfer, but you miss out on the two years of making friends and joining organizations and clubs and other things like that. </p>
<p>So some people go home on the weekend at UCM, big deal. At least people are there as opposed to a CC. If town is as boring as they say, I’m hopping in a car and going to SF, simple as that. Prestige was a big thing for me too, but I got over it. Most people at my school were rather accepting of the fact that I was going to Merced and thought it would be a great opportunity. We won’t know what its ranked until it gets accredited but I think it’ll be pretty high. Besides, its not where you start, but where you end up.</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree with you. I’m planning to go to med school too, but I just figured it would be better to graduate from somewhere more prestigious. But you’re right, its where you end up that really matters.
Thanks Maybe I’ll see you in the fall!</p>
<p>I graduated from UCM, but I went back to Merced CC for a speech and history class. OMG it was packed! For a class with 30 slots it was max out with 20 people on the waiting list. Luckily, I got into speech, but not so lucky for history class. A couple years ago I would of recommend people going to CC then transfer, but with the economy doing bad everyone is going to CC. Two years at CC may be longer with classes being fill up and not being available.</p>
<p>I loved my CC, and i love UCM. I would recomend them both!</p>
<p>I would recomend both, I had excelent lower division profs. at my CC. I am whole heartedly serious, best calc 1&2 lectures I have ever witnesed. Best Physics 1 teacher I have ever witnessed…I never took these classes at UCM, so I can’t speak for them.</p>
Maybe I’ll see you in the fall!</p>