<p>I applied to a few of the UC's and got a full ride to UC Merced as a biological sciences major with an emphasis on microbiology and immunology. So I decided to go there next fall. At first I was pretty excited, but then I started telling people about it, and oddly enough, the responses I've gotten so far have been "Ouch", an "Ohhhhhh" that reeked of disappointment, and "You can always transfer out!" Not a single "Congratulations!" ...someone even asked me "Have people started making fun of you yet?" -- I didn't even know how to respond to that one. </p>
<p>But you see, I was never under the impression that it was a bad school. In fact, I always figured that it is among the UC's for a reason, because it upholds UC standards, however new it might be. I've read that it's got brand new facilities and is full of excellent professors and classes that can really keep you busy, but for some reason, people are still making fun of me for going there? Saying that it's a joke and that it's boring and in the middle of nowhere (seemingly forgetting that Yosemite is basically every UC Merced student's backyard? Being someone that thoroughly enjoys nature and whose favorite place in the world is, in fact, Yosemite National Park, I didn't think that would really be a problem). I haven't been to the campus yet, and at first I was excited and happy with my decision, but now I'm starting to wonder if I made the right one -- I'm starting to wonder if I'll be able to grow as a student, a scientist, and a person, and whether I'll have the chance to have a fulfilling college experience at UC Merced.</p>
<p>So... to all you UCM students, alumni, staff, and anyone else that has been to or knows anything about the school, I want to know what you think of it. What's the campus like and do you like it? Is the countryside scenic or boring? How are the professors? Is there a lot of competition for classes? Is it academically challenging? Does it have a good administration?</p>
<p>And, most importantly... can UC Merced offer me, and others like me, the opportunities we seek to achieve great things? </p>
<p>I have also had some negative comments when I tell my classmates I plan to go to UCM. Some examples include:
-“It’s a garbage UC”
-“Why don’t you go to a community college instead?”
-laughter
-“At least they have cows”
-“Why?”
It has gotten to the point where it has influenced my opinion of the school.
I am trying my best to stay positive and remind myself that all of my friends and family are so supportive and proud that I am going there. When I went to Bobcat Day, I thought the campus and dorms were nice, peaceful, and isolated. I could get tired of the scenery, but there is always Yosemite! </p>
<p>Don’t listen to all of your loser friends! They are completely wrong.</p>
<p>Have any of them every visited UC Merced? Are any of them students at UCM? If not, then it’s not their place to judge an academic institution which they have never even visited. People love to make fun of UC Merced because it’s new and doesn’t have an established reputation, but there truly is nothing to make fun of.</p>
<p>To be honest, most people are insecure about their college decisions and choose to make fun of smaller and less prestigious schools because it makes them feel better about themselves. I bet you that if your friends visited UC Merced and took a look at what a beautiful campus it is, they would change their minds. I wouldn’t stay friends with people who are unsupportive of my decisions.</p>
<p>It’s up to us, as the class of 2018, to determine what we want UC Merced’s reputation to be. UCM is only 9 years old, and the decisions we make will have a long lasting impact on UCM.</p>
<p>Do not regret your decision! You picked UC Merced over other schools because you knew that it was right for you. Trust your gut; you wouldn’t have picked UCM if it wasn’t the best place for you. Furthermore, you are getting a FULL RIDE to UCM!! You are saving over $120,000 over the course of 4 years! You’ll be graduating in 2018 with no student loans, while your friends have thousands of dollars of debt, or have depleted their parent’s savings.</p>
<p>I’m in the same situation as you. I go to a prestigious high school with friends going to top tier schools, and I’ve felt that I have had to defend my decision to go to UCM multiple times. But just remember that you’re being given the chance to attend a fantastic college, with brand new facilities, dorms, and classrooms, that also happens to be right next to one of the most beautiful parks in the world, Yosemite.</p>
<p>Also, UC Merced’s college confidential forum isn’t very active, so I recommend joining UCM’s class of 2018 Facebook page to ask any questions you might have: (I can’t post the link on here, so just search for “UC Merced Class of 2018 Incoming Students” on facebook to find it.)</p>
<p>IMO, you are joining an exciting venture, in a new school with a great overall reputation and geographic location. You have a cool mascot too. Congratulations on the scholarship. Take full advantage of the surrounding areas and consider yourself very fortunate to be one of the charter members of this school. Best wishes. </p>
@moonliteyes how did you get full ride? I would love to know!
It’s true when I told people I got accepted to UC Merced some girl said that I shouldn’t be happy and that I will regret it if I attend there. It’s sad though because that is pretty much my only choice. I was denied by UCI and waitlisted to UCD, UCR, and CSULB, but I did get into CSUEB, CSUS, CSUSB, and a private school in Montana.
@DeathRadec09 “but I did get into CSUEB, CSUS, CSUSB, and a private school in Montana.” How is it your only choice? To me it seems like you have a bigger list than other people.
@OnlyBeingHonest I was kind of referring to my only choice in a UC.
Have you ever been to the campus? It’s sick. So cool and modern, and refreshing. The girl who told you that will probably attend a Top UC am I right? Anyways, where did you end up SIRing to? @DarthRadec09
No, she is going to UCR. I SIR’d to UC Merced but I came to realize that the school isn’t so bad after all.
@DarthRadec09 I think it depends on what you are looking for in a school. Plus it’s what you make of it. I like small schools with a friendly and diverse environment where I have better opportunities to make friends with my professors. This school is perfect for that and it’s a uc! I did a lot of research before and find that people grow to love it a lot.
@val916 Yeah those are some benefits from UCM and thanks for reassuring my decision.
I spent a couple of semesters at UC Merced and I found myself to be the luckiest students to be able to…transfer out of it the following year. Now, looking back, transferring out of UC Merced was the best decision I made. If I had to do it over again, I would prefer a community college near my home over UC Merced. At least at the community college, I wouldn’t have to deal with a bunch of incompetent people who care more about themselves than the students.
The flip side to this is, since they desperately need to keep the enrollment up (for political and funding reasons), the would bend over backward to kiss the student’s behind. So, basically, you can get anything you want, including high grades (whether you deserve them or not). So, it’s a good place to be pampered but you wouldn’t learn much.