<p>This thread is for all who are considering UCI. I want to use this thread for you (the prospective students) to post a question for me or any UCI student to answer. I have one big request though; try to keep all questions as specific as possible. Abstract, general questions like "How is the social life at UCI?" kill me. </p>
<p>Lastly, I know people are itching to compare UCI to other UCs. As a student at only ONE university, it's hard to answer the questions thoroughly, but I have friends at every UC (except UCM) so I have a little bit of knowledge.</p>
<p>Here's a bit about myself: I'm an electrical engineering major that lives in Mesa Court, Barranca. I'm from norcal so all of you who live far away from UCI can ask me about my life here.</p>
<p>Just going to copy & paste from my thread...</p>
<p>I just have some questions concerning Irvine...</p>
<p>-Is it possible to Double Major w/o killing yourself with work? x) I want to, but I wanted to get some more input.</p>
<ul>
<li>Are there any choral groups on campus? I tried searching the UCI websit, but I didn't find anything.</li>
</ul>
<p>-(Public) transportation in Irvine. Is it good and convenient? Since if I choose to go there, I doubt that I'll be getting anything more than a bike.</p>
<p>-Irvine is a very nice high class city. It's located in the OC and is right next to Newport Beach. It's only 30 years old. I think it's a nice high class place. All the plazas are huge and Irvine Spectrum looks so high class...there are billboards telling you if a floor of a parking lot is full or not! </p>
<p>-I have a car so I go off campus normally on weekends only since I study a lot (I'm an engineer taking 17-18 units a quarter). Students like to go home on the weekend since they miss it. If they do go out, they like to just go out and eat - maybe visit a mall nearby. I miss Asian food a lot so I head to Westminster on the weekend sometimes to grab some quality Viet food with a few friends =]. </p>
<p>-Because the difference among undergraduate programs are not significant (you'll learn what others learn at other schools), being strong in biology would be dependent on the resources available on campus. There are a huge number of bio students so there are a lot of professors in that field. Bio is heavily emphasized at UCI and I think there are plenty of more research opportunities to take a part in at UCI. Also, with our location, there are plenty of locations around where people can volunteer or go off campus to research.</p>
<p>-The new student center should be finished by the time the new class of freshman come.</p>
<p>Alright, I have some of those comparison questions for you :)</p>
<p>I'm eligible for both the Honors program at UCI and at UCLA (priority enrollment!). My question is: is it really that much better to go to UCI for their honors program, which gives a lot more "perks" than UCLA's? From what was impressed upon me at Honors Day, being in CHP at UCI is comparable to being at UCLA or Berkeley or something. Is this true?</p>
<p>Also, I'm doing pre-med. Would you say that Pre-med at UCI is less competitive when compared to other UCs? Or just the same all around?</p>
<p>also, can i bring and park my car on campus from a dorm? because i heard from someone that if i live within 3mile radius from campus, i can't park it on campus...</p>
<p>-As usual, UCI wasn?t my first choice. I had some difficulties during the first quarter since all my friends went together to the university I wanted to go to also. After one quarter, I?ve been enjoying UCI a lot. I?ve grown to really love UCI. I?m actually anxious to drive back this Sunday to start school again since I had such a good run last quarter. Other students around me have been participating in many activities that keep them so busy they lose time to study, especially the frat/sorority pledges. Those who go home every weekend keep telling me it?s a bit boring at UCI, but it?s seriously their fault. I honestly don?t participate in many activities, but I?ve managed to really enjoy myself. The population in dorms may also vary. My dorm particularly sucks but that doesn?t phase me.</p>
<p>-First off, being a UCI student entitles you to any resources the UC system provides you. I?m not really sure what the best part of being a UCI student is since I?d probably feel the same if I were to go to UCSD, UCLA, etc. But the not so hot thing is sometimes I feel like there?s not enough people for me to talk to about research, education, and my dream to grab a doctorates. This is going to apply to most places except the big names like Yale, Harvard, and Stanford. Also, if the students who get homesick so easily would not go home, my life might be a bit more interesting.</p>
<p>-Here?s a tip: bring a car. Bringing a car can help you and your friends have a better social experience here at UCI. For those who don?t go home on weekends, it?s good to know you can drive to Albertson?s and pick up some food at your dorm instead of asking others for a ride.</p>
<p>-The load of double majoring is subjective. You basically don?t want to double major with engineering as one major, and you want to double major if you have an easy major like mathematics.</p>
<p>-I have no clue about choral groups, but we have strengths in the arts. I?m sure you can find one around. If not you can join one outside of UCI since we are in the OC. </p>
<p>-Public transportation works. You can get around but it?s sorta time consuming since everything is far apart in this suburb. I like riding my bike to class, I beat walkers =].</p>
<p>-If you are living in the dorm you will only be able to purchase a parking permit to park at your dorm only. That rumor of yours is not true. </p>
<p>-I say public health is just another major at UCI. UCD really stresses majors in the environmental and health sectors so check that school out! They have a lot of labs and professors interested in it there - a useful tool to fulfil your academic curiosities.</p>
<p>-The dorm question is too general, but I ended up picking Mesa Court.</p>
<p>I recommend a car. Since you may go home on weekends, don?t bring one. Get your parents to pick you up and save money. </p>
<p>Weekends are the days for students to go out since the weekdays are used for studying/working. If you go home you may ruin your experience at UCI! Think about that</p>
<p>what happens if you end up going to uci knowing no one (aka how hard is it to make friends and whats the best way)?
my sister goes to ucla and i got rejected from la so it is possible to commute from la to irvine over the weekends maybe?</p>
<p>I don't think it'll be too hard to make friends especially if you're in the dorms too. A drive to LA from Irvine is about 45minutes without traffic.....but it can be a lot longer with traffic.</p>
<p>-I came to UCI knowing no one. I have a really close friendship with my friends at different universities so it's really hard for new people to come and establish a relationship with me at the same level. Other than that making friends is as easy as pie in a university. The best way to find the most social people is to join clubs or maybe a frat/sor. Other than that, open yourself and you'll find people. </p>
<p>-People allover socal commute home on the weekends. Once again your experience may be degraded if you consistently go home.</p>
<p>I came to UCI without knowing anyone also(only 2 people from my school went to UCI), but if you dorm, it's really easy to meet and friend people, given that you open yourself and socialize. </p>
<p>Just prop your door open and people will come in and introduce themselves. The residence halls also have events like beach bonfire, disneyland/six flags trip where you get a chance to bond with the people in your hall.</p>