Hello, I was just accepted admission into UCI on Thursday as a biological sciences major. I was rejected from UCD and UCLA. Still waiting on Cal, but I am expecting a rejection, so I will most likely be attending UCI. I’ve never been on campus, so I was wondering what it’s like and how the atmosphere is like. I will be staying on campus, so how are their dorms and housing? :o
Hello.
I’m in my freshmen year at UCI for nursing science. I love the school. The campus is lovely, easy to navigate, and I do feel like I’m getting a great education here. Academically, you will not go wrong at UCI.
Social Atmosphere? Well, that’s another story. There are a lot…A LOT…of Asians here. The student body is around 60% Asian and the does causes problems for non-Asian students. If you’re Asian, you will fit in with the masses. If you’re not, you will feel like an outsider more than not. This goes triple if you end up with only Asian roommates.
(Side note: If you saw the movie Pitch Perfect, Anna Kendrick’s roommate situation was spot on.)
Lots out here will take offense to what I am saying, but I’m giving you my perspective, and I wish I had heard this before I went, as I would have made better choices for me as far as roommates are concerned. Here’s what you can do to help: when you have your SPOP (orientation) use that time to bond with other freshmen you think you’d be comfortable living with, then choose each other when times comes to pick roommates. Don’t let yourself be a random placement, or you will very likely end up with the situation I just described.
A large part of the student body is Christian. So if you are Christian, there are a lot of options for church services and bible study.
Other social activities? There are some, but it’s small when compared to other campuses. You’ll have to go off campus to find a decent party. Most students that live less than 2 hours away (raises hand) usually go home for the weekend.
Food Options? If you chose to live in the dorms, you will be forced into a meal plan, and they’re expensive! The food is OK. If you choose to live in campus village, you won’t have to buy a meal plan, but you will have to buy your own food, which can be a challenge if you don’t have a car to get to a grocery store. There’s a Trader Joe’s w/ in walking distance, but the Albertson’s and Ralph’s are a car ride away. Public transportation in Irvine is sorely lacking, so bring a bicycle if you don’t have a car. There’s a food court on campus: It has a Subway, Starbucks, Panda Express and others.
It’s HOT down here, and there’s no AC, so bring a fan. Also there’s no wireless in student housing. You’ll have to bring a router if you want wireless. I have an airport express, and I’ve never had any trouble setting up my wireless network.