"***OMG. You're going to UC Merced?!?"

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Merced
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<p>Hello All,</p>

<p>As a senior at UC Merced, I have a pretty good perspective on many of things you guys are grappling with. Its obvious there are a lot of opinions out there about Merced being bad. But looking at things from the inside out, I can provide you guys with a perspective few can, unless some other graduate corroborates. </p>

<p>Lets examine exactly what they’re saying. Its a small school, being that is opened in 2005, is there any reason to expect it not to be? It doesn’t have a reputation, again opened in 2005, there is no reason to expect otherwise. I know in applying to a good graduate school, reputation matters, but only to a degree. If you have great grades, lots of extra curriculum, and fabulous recommendation letters from your professors, you can get in any good graduate school you want. For example, our 2009 class commencement speaker got in UCSF med school, its no harvard, but he was granted admission to Stanford pre-med program and turned it down to come to UC Merced. Now, many naysayers out there will say, yea if you get into a Columbia, NYU, or Stanford Natural Science program, your chances of getting into a Harvard/Yale grad program is greater. Of course it is, we’re talking about NYU and Columbia. Who is comparing UC Merced to those schools? If they are, they are out of touch with reality. </p>

<p>A reasonable comparison is to compare UC Merced to other recently opened UC’s. Again, comparing UCM to Cal or UCLA is like comparing Michael Jordan’s son to Michael Jordan, he’s obviously less capable cause he’s younger. UC Merced compared to Santa Cruz or Riverside would be a fairer comparison. They were opened the most recent in UC history and they’re solidly ranked. Opportunities at UC Merced though are in much more abundance. Being that our university is so new, there are many clubs, research programs, internship programs and professor assistantships and individual research programs you can be a part of. Usually, only select students have the luck, grades, capability to get into comparable programs at other UC’s, being that they’re so few and competition is greater. </p>

<p>I and over 100+ undergrads received the privilege of leading independent research projects under the stewardship of professors and have published research in NSF journals, how many undergrads at other UC’s get to do that? </p>

<p>Getting to the topic of Accreditation, a hot topic I am seeing. Its a valid concern for students interested in going to graduate school. I wholeheartedly concur. But, our school is going through WASP to be accredited in the American Association of Research Universities and will be fully accredited by 2011. Most, not all Graduate programs will accept this answer and not disqualify you as a potential candidate. In the event that they threaten to, our provost and Executive Vice Chancellor will be on the phone with the head of that graduate program and settle any questions, concerns they may have about accreditation. Now, I know to some students and graduate programs, being in the process of getting accredited won’t be good enough, and for them then I say Merced’s probably not for you. Some programs and individuals stake so much on reputation alone that there really isn’t anything you can do to change that. UC Merced’s new, its a baby in the UC system, what can you do? You can’t rush whats already occurring naturally. But just to give you a taste of whats already happening on this baby campus should give you a taste of the potential the students and this campus for the future.</p>

<p>For 2009, the only college campus chosen by the First lady of the United States, Michelle Obama to speak at was at UC Merced. If you guys didn’t know this, look it up, its all over the news. UCM was voted the most green campus in the entire UC system, receiving Gold LEED certification. </p>

<p>Our engineering teams won 1st place in a UC wide and national competitions in robotics. We have the 2nd most prolific in terms of getting patents for Solar research at our University, Dr.Roland Winston. We also have 2 Nobel laureates, one in physics and another in biology at our campus. The physics Nobel laureate is researching Gravity Wave transmission that could render fiber optics obsolete in trans-oceanic communication. We have Kobe Jones, former LA Galaxy midfielder, US Olympian developing our first NCAA caliber soccer team. Obviously I am tooting my school’s horn a little bit, but the fact is, these things are all true and they’re happening right now. We have a Management school under construction and have enough space to fit UCSD in. There are a lot of negative facts out there, some have some truth in it but many fail to capture the real opportunities at campus. We have the most opportunities for individual research under a professor out of any UC campus. Most of our faculty are from other UC’s, Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Cambridge, so you can decide the caliber of education that gives. We have the best Professor to student ratio of any UC campus in the system, meaning more access to professors at office hours, more professors teaching classes and not TA’s. These things do not get publicized, which is really too bad, b/c I think most students when they find out these hidden gems and realize their fellow students at other UC’s don’t have them feel pretty damn good about their decision. </p>

<p>Now, we don’t have a huge selection of majors and prolific sports teams and completed facilities or a super developed graduate program, but who would expect those things when your out only 4 years? If anyone expects differently and then judges harshly on UC Merced not meeting those unrealistic goals is simply out of touch. Its my belief, the real reason you go to school is for the education and access to resources that will help you reach that goal. If you’re going to a school so you can get out and brag about going there, I think there may be more complex issues then just wanting to get a good education there. Sure, UCSD and UCLA are more reputable schools, but most of their classes are taught by TAs until you reach upper division. Do you really think the “quality” of education in a reputable 500 person class taught by a TA to be better than the same class taught by a professor to a class of 50 at a less reputable school? Anybody in a smaller class will get a better feel for the material, the professor then in a auditorium with hundreds of other people. I think more than anything, most freshmen at campus could use more 1 on 1 interaction with their professor then to fend for themselves in a sea of other students. Again, its just my opinion. If you went to a big, reputable school and loved it, great. My point is, quality is highly subjective and I believe the qualities that UC Merced provides enhances the education quality of college much more then other, big schools, even if they are more “reputable”. </p>

<p>I hope this gives you guys a new perspective on UC Merced, feel free to pm me with questions. </p>

<p>YL</p>

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<p>I currently a first year at UC Berkeley and I think UC Merced is a totally legit school to attend. </p>

<p>1) It’s new, so you can show off you’re leadership abilities by starting new traditions for the university.
2) It’s not as rigorous as other UC’s, so it wont totally rape your gpa like Cal does, so you’ll have a better chance of getting into medical school or grad school. </p>

<p>I actually wouldnt mind attending Merced for graduate school. The University doesn’t make the student, it’s always the other way around.</p>

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<p>UCMGRAD- Turning down better schools just so you can get an easier GPA seems totally ■■■■■■■■. Also if you ever talk to an graduate school admissions officer, they will tell you that college gpa’s are graded with regards to the institution. A Chico State “A” is probably similar to a UC Berkeley “C.”</p>

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<p>You do have a point about that, but graduate admissions officer also take into account the Major you’re in and not just the school you attend. I can attest that a social science degree at CAL will not be more difficult then a social science degree from UC Merced. Why? I have a friend who goes to CAL and have given me sample tests and books, many of which were similar if not the exact same to the ones I use. For engineers, I can say, we have faculty who have graduated from CAL and are teaching here, as well as from MIT, Peking University in China and Stanford to just name a few, so the caliber of teaching and faculty is not the matter in question, but the institution, and honestly if a admissions officer chooses a student solely based on their school and the difficulty rating that can have on your GPA, I highly doubt that’s great grad program. Reputable programs always assess a student based on a multitude of factors including student participation in work study programs and pursuing independent research, because grad school is basically all about research. And UC Merced has PLENTY of opportunities for undergraduate research, many more I can assure you then other UCs.</p>

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<p>Turning down better schools to achieve a higher GPA is actually more common then you think. Many friends of mine were accepted to UCLA and UCB, but declined to boost their GPAs for graduate school. </p>

<p>Additionally, there has been a trend toward judging the applicant more so on his or her personal achievements, such as the pursuit of independent research, volunteer experience, and leadership positions, than on the reputation of the school. </p>

<p>UCMGRAD is correct. Undergraduate research may be unheard of at other campuses, but is fairly common at UCM. Lack of competition and open labs make this possible.</p>

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<p>I don’t think that’s any longer the case. While there are still seniors and juniors taking lab positions, it’s becoming increasingly rare for sophomores and freshmen to. I was extremely lucky to be able to secure one myself. What I was told was that with the economic recession, many more people went back into school. With an influx of graduate students, many seniors and juniors became displaced. They in turn went to the labs at UCM, and professors give them priority because simply, they need it more than freshmen and sophomores.</p>

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<p>I wonder if any of you know, but this year’s high school graduates are facing, by far, the toughest time getting into college. I go to a Wilcox High School in Santa Clara (prestigious in my opinion), and the people I thought would have more of a problem choosing which university to go are rather having the problem of trying to get into a university!</p>

<p>I applied to few places, thinking it would be easy for me to get in, and ended up getting rejected from absolutely everywhere. All I can do right now is cry…hahaha…or I could look at the bright side…</p>

<p>But, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, UCM sent me a “You’re pathetic for not getting accepted anywhere but you’re accepted here” letter and I’m wondering if any of you can erase the negatives I have in my mind over UCM. I’m the gregarious type, somewhat smart, involved, blah blah…</p>

<p>I guess my biggest fear is spending money on a school that won’t fit my persona. I’m looking for an ASB program, a lot of clubs, people who DO NOT lack tons and tons of school spirit…and idk what else.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help if you reply =D</p>

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<p>quemsabeofuturo: I’m on the exact boat as you. Waitlisted at USF and LMU. Rejected everywhere else. UCSB,… although not crazy about it since I’m from SB, but wanted to transfer to UCB or UCLA.</p>

<p>GPA is 3.98 u/w but bombed the SATs. 1560. I think it’s because I have unusually low blood pressure and after an hour I felt like passing out (both times). Didn’t use it as an excuse to appeal or tell anyone because I’m supposed to be on medication but I refuse to take them since the side effects are horrible. </p>

<p>Anyway, I’m going to visit Merced to see if I like it. Also, I’m curious to know if I can transfer to another UC (LA or B) if I don’t like it…</p>

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<p>Hi,
Have you by any chance been to the campus and if so what did you think of it?</p>

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<p>sfederoni:
The UC Merced campus is small. Probably as big as my high school and half of my middle school combined. But it is very lovely. Its like an oasis in the middle of a desert. Small and personal, and the student number will be growing this school year. Lots of trees, beautiful dorms, and new buildings. Sparkling clean and new and green! I think you’ll like it. I love it :)</p>

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<p>Adding on, as a current UCM student I have this to say:</p>

<p>The “small campus” can be a mixed bag. Some people like a large campus, but I personally love being able to walk from one end of the school to the other without the need of a bus or other means of transportation simply to get myself to class in time.</p>

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<p>When I told my mom that UC Merced is … she said that they used to say the same about CalPoly and that they called it cow pie… I guess Merced will prove itself…</p>

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<p>@SBGIRL: In all fairness, they also called Davis that when it first opened up. Honestly speaking, UCM will become a prestigious university; it just won’t happen during our undergrad years unfortunately.</p>

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<p>do you guys think i should go there for grad schooL? its one of the few schools that offer applied math degrees</p>

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<p>If it has your major, why not?</p>

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<p>Suppose you were a high school student and you have just gotten admitted to every university that has your major, which school would you go to?</p>

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<p>I’m not saying go to the university that has your major without doing any research on the school.</p>

<p>I’m just saying consider it a viable option and one well above the rest because its one of the few that has your major.</p>

<p>Then next I’d consider the school that fits me the best, personally.</p>

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<p>Last I checked UCM was actually more selective than UCR for the first time this year. Trust me I dated someone at UCR for a bit, so ive spent a fair amount of time there, even gone to classes, UCM is a way way better deal than UCR. UCM has top notch faculty, several of my professors are former professors from Stanford and Berkley, heck one of them teaches at Berkley and UCM. You dont get faculty like that at a jc or a CSU very often. Non of my classes have ever been taught by a TA or some newly minted PHD that only wants to talk about his disertation topic. </p>

<p>I think alot of people underestimate the importance of small class size. Getting letters or recommendation, really good ones from really top notch professors is relatively easy at UCM, and extremely difficult at every other UC. For those not looking at med school, its honestly all about knowing your professors. You want to get into a science grad program, having a professor you know talk to a professor they know in that program is what gets you in. I have a friend that graduated from Dartmouth that couldnt get into a single PHD program in chemistry, why? Cause non of her professors would go to bat for her. You get that at UCM like no other school in the country. You want to got to med school or law school it might not be the best school for you, but you want to do anything else, its damn hard to beat.</p>

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<p>Wow @ drcowboy86. I came to this thread to see how bad it is but the academics you talked about really is persuading me to reconsider applying. But I really am concerned about UCM social life. I really want to meet a lot of new people. Also is there much to do on campus or in the city of Merced?</p>

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<p>I used to live in the central valley (Turlock), and the guys at UCM were begging locals to apply. I honestly wouldn’t shell out the same for UCM as for Berkeley or UCLA. Heck, I know people who chose Cal State Stanislaus over UCM. It’s just not worth the price.</p>

<p>Bear in mind that the Central Calley was disproportionally hit by the home bubble burst. Unemployment in Merced is over 22% and crime is rampant.</p>

<p>[Merced’s</a> unemployment rate hits 22.1 percent - Local - MercedSun-Star.com](<a href=“http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/03/26/1363947/merceds-unemployment-rate-hits.html]Merced’s”>http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/03/26/1363947/merceds-unemployment-rate-hits.html)</p>

<p>Let’s put it this way, in our lifetime we won’t see the city of Merced expanding out to where UC Merced is currently located. There.</p>