Hey guys, looks like most of the UC decisions are out and I was wondering if anyone here is having trouble deciding between commuting or dorming like me. I live in OC and was accepted to UCI, which is an easy 20 minute commute for me, but i also have the option to go to UC Davis. The pros and cons are pretty obvious like saving money vs getting a traditional college experience and for me, I think they are both equal in terms of prestige. I have visited both campuses and I like them both so I’m stuck and was wondering if anyone here has already decided or are deciding and what your reasons are. Thanks
Commuting will save you so much money.
If you aren’t dying to get out of the house, I’d do it.
@Doisys yeah coming out of high school, I was dead set on getting out, but after 2 years of CC, I’m not so sure. Are you currently commuting? If you are, what has your experience been like, and was it hard to “fit in” with students who may be living on campus?
Commuting may save money, but it’s a pain in the ass. I only commute 20-30 minutes (most of it’s city driving / parking) and it’s a serious pain in the ass, I don’t recommend it at all. It’s sort of a burdening force that takes away from the freedom people regularly have in college.
It might be because my school doesn’t have any parking and finding any free parking in Berkeley is pretty awful in general, but still. I was planning on staying at home if I got into Cal because I live really close (really the parking + walking is a major part of the commute) but after only two semesters I’m ready to live on/near campus. It might cost significantly more money, but I think it’ll be worth it.
@goldencub agreed. You do save money, so if that is a serious concern, then yes. But I was shocked when a couple ppl told a poster that commuting from USC was so doable! At a minimum 30 min one way on a good day, with a likely one hour at least for the other way (and maybe an hour both ways, depending), all I can say is yikes! You would always have to leave campus by 3pm.
Commuting, in general, you also really lose the whole college experience, which is so part of your college years and memories. I just don’t recommend it unless you’re older and don’t care about the social aspects, or it really boils down to a major financial hurdle.
It just wears you down really fast. If a person can swing it, and has the option, they should live near campus with other students.
Commuting = not a great college experience. You’ll enjoy the classes and such, but college is so much more than that.
@lindyk8
Doable and desirable are not the same thing. People often do what they need to do, regardless of whether it’s what they want to do or not.
@ItsSoSunny
If money is the primary factor for you, then you should probably commute and go to Irvine. But if financially you’re able to, and you want to go away and have a more traditional college experience, then you should definitely go to Davis.
Thanks for the advice guys, I think UCI doesn’t have as big a problem with parking as some of the other UCs but maybe that’s just me. Although I would be losing the traditional college experience, I think I’m still leaning towards UCI as it would save me a ton of money that I could use elsewhere. Maybe heavily involving myself in clubs will help alleviate the separation that commuters face lol
I only commute from one city over, and I seriously wish I didn’t have to. Even if there were decent parking, it would still be a hassle. It’s so much more difficult to stay late at school to study and things when you have to walk to your car and drive 20 or so minutes to get home.
I am also decently involved in clubs (2 different clubs for a total of 3 days per week), and while I do have friends in these clubs and things, it’s still more of a removed experience. I recommend splurging to live on/near campus - you already saved a ton of money from going to a CC.
Bottom line, commuting is a nice idea until you’re faced with the nuances that come with it. As @lindyk8 said, if you can swing it, it’s best to stay near the school.
I transfer in the fall but I live in Irvine and have several friends who go to UCI (some of which who dorm) so it’s easy to make plans to hang out and stuff. I don’t think anyone will judge you for commuting (that sounds childish to me) so it comes down to how available you are.
Also, for what it’s worth, is the traffic that bad in Irvine? (Maybe it is… I don’t know.)
This is California, traffic will hit you in pretty much every big area, but in Irvine it’s not so bad. I live at about a midpoint between UCSD and UCI, and it takes me about 30 minutes to get to UCSD, but around 40-45 to get to UCI, even though I’m 28 miles from UCSD and 54 miles from UCI. I have a cousin who commuted to UCLA from his home in Pasadena (didn’t get into his dream school, CalTech), and would schedule classes around the traffic, usually staying on campus until past 11 pm to get home in around 30 minutes. OP, if you’re okay with the idea of spending lots of time in the library/on campus, you don’t necessarily have to leave the campus around 5/6 where there’s traffic, you could just hang around, study, do student org stuff until it dies down.
Traffic can be horribly, awfully nasty in Irvine. Depends on where you’re coming from and at what time. Chances are you’ll be on the 405 at some point and believe me, it can get very ugly. That being said, UCI is definitely a commuter school and I know a lot of people that do it. I know people that commute from Long Beach and say that it can get ugly, but it’s doable. It’s really up to you, but if you’re more of a homebody definitely consider saving the money and commuting. Also don’t rule out Davis because of that! I suggest visiting both and figuring out which one is a better fit first.
Also, there are no dorms for transfers. Only freshmen live in dorms. You’ll probably be living in an apartment community, which is a lot different from dorm life.