<p>I got accepted to one of the first tier UC schools with a 4.15 gpa and 1800 SAT, very few EC's and leadership, and a very decent essay. I was extremely shocked when I got my acceptance letter because most of my peers with higher gpa's and sat scores didn't even get in. I'm pretty sure I got in because I'm first gen, parents didn't go to college, low income, and with a not so competitive major. </p>
<p>At first, I was ecstatic to attend such a prestigious university, but now that school actually started I'm kind of getting the feeling that I should never have gotten accepted into the school in the first place. It feels like everyone here is so much smarter and actually deserved to get accepted, and I just basically got lucky. After a few days at this school, I'm beginning to wonder if I would be better off going to UCI or UCR even. There would probably be more people on my intelligence level and I would probably "fit in" better. </p>
<p>As of now, I have absolutely no friends.. my roommates aren't really the type of people I hang out with either. Come to think of it, I never really hung out with such studious and goal-driven people in high school. I usually hung out with the laid back and dgaf kids. I'm beginning to think that maybe I don't belong at this school. I'm not saying that I'm not as studious or goal-driven.. I actually do portray these qualities, but I've always grown up and been more comfortable around kids who are more laidback with their education. </p>
<p>I also have to add that I'm a pretty shy and reserved person in general usually with people I don't really know, but with people I know or get to know, I can be very outgoing and talkative. I don't know if this is what's keeping me from feeling like I don't belong at this school or if I actually am better off going to a school with more students who are "my type" I guess. The reason why I'm writing this post is this loneliness and thoughts of not belonging here are getting to me.. almost giving me some minor depression.</p>
<p>So what do you guys think? Would it be better for me to learn to adapt and cope with such different people and environment, or would I be better off to transfer to a school where I feel like I belong? I don't want to make a stupid, rash mistake without giving anything a try.</p>
<p>Also, I wanted to know.. is it possible to transfer from a UC to another lower tier UC? like Irvine or Riverside?</p>
<p>Please give yourself more time to get acclimated to your school. I promise that for every group of studious students, there will be laid back students with similar interests to yours. I would suggest getting involved in a club or group and you will meet people who enjoy the same things you do. Your friendships and relationships are sure to flourish.<br>
As far as feeling like you didn’t deserve to get in…don’t continue to ponder the past. You have been given an enviable opportunity. Savor and enjoy!</p>
<p>You probably would have felt the same, had you been in UCI or UCR. Give it some time, if you are still not feeling after a while, just transfer.</p>
<p>I’m not sure which UC you are referring to but top tier must be either UC Berkeley, UCLA or UCDavis.
I attend one of these 3 listed above and have close friends in all these 3 UCs. Let me tell you each school can be pretty laid back and even party like crazy. </p>
<p>For example, I live in Berkeley area for awhile. I met some super focus students but some who are like party animals while others find a balance between the 2.</p>
<p>It’s your first quarter/semester so be patient ! You will soon find your niche. Plus don’t underestimate yourself ! UC sees that you have the capacities to thrive at their institution ! :)</p>
<p>I think you’ll make a huge mistake if you end up transferring down. I don’t think there will be a relative difference academically from say a UCLA to a UCI. And if you’re having issues with the social aspects and meeting people because of the shyness, it wouldn’t be easier at a new school as you’ll end up finding yourself in the same spot. I don’t know what UC you attend, but if it is UCLA, they have some counseling resources like group meetings for people who are shy/timid. I’m sure if you’re not at UCLA, your UC is bound to have similar resources.</p>
<p>Also do give it time. Usually the first semester/quarter for college students tends to be a transitioning period academically. No one really knows what to expect since most probably have never taken a class at X school, and it might just be that others are putting a front of how smart/intelligent they are since it is their first college experience and are probably behaving in a manner that they think is ideal for the environment. The only thing you should worry about is if you end up receiving d’s and f’s after your second semester/quarter.</p>
<p>I have a couple friends at UCI and UCR, so it’d probably be a lot easier with the social aspect. I just heard from my friends there, and it seems like they’re having so much fun… it just makes me want to transfer over there. It’s not that my friends are more socially skilled or anything… they’re rooming with friends from high school, have connections there from other people they know, and it seems like the school’s just a better fit for them. I believe that they’d have similar problems as me if they had gone to my school since they really don’t hang out with these kind of people either.</p>
<p>I guess I’ll just wait and see how this year goes… life goes on.</p>
<p>Your initial experience is probably perpetuating your feelings of not belonging. While It is true that many of the students may be more academically qualified, it’s also true that there are a significant portion (around 20% is what I would say) that are not. There would be plenty of laid-back people that you would run into.</p>
<p>However, given your current outlook and apparent reluctance to seek friendships – you say your roommates aren’t the types of people you hang out (that they’re too studious), yet how do you know just yet this to be true? and furthermore what makes you think this would make a friendship impossible? – it may be worth considering to transfer. I’m not exactly sure what role your shyness is playing in all this, but if you think there’s a chance you may not make friends at all, then switching to a University where you know you will have friends, or maybe more importantly feel comfortable in, might be a good idea.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what to advise, but I would say to give things a little while longer. Though you run the risk of lessening those friendships you do have the longer you wait (and making integration more difficult if you do transfer), I think it’s your best bet. Because you certainly do have the potential to find people you like where you currently are and make friends. From your post you don’t come across any less intelligent then the typical student you’d find at a first tier UC, and in fact you seem quite nice and contemplative and thoughtful. I think you can/will succeed in all aspects at this college, but if transferring is feasible then that will probably work out great too. What’s a priority over academics or anything else is that you do regain friends.</p>
<p>maybe you should transfer to a less elite school which you will probably find easy. 1800 sat and 4.115 gpa is pretty impressive though so maybe put more time into your studies?</p>
<p>You are feeling like a freshman. That’s normal, and you would feel the same way at any UC.
Here’s what you do now: stay on top of your work, get to office hours, join groups, get enough sleep and take care of yourself. You will be successful and you will make friends, but it does take time.</p>