<p>I am writing this post to try to enlighten some incoming and/or students of UCR that might have some concerns and or judgements about the school. I am going to try to be unbiased and I hope you guys can benefit from this.</p>
<p>First of all, I am a second year Poli Sci/ Administrative Studies major so I do not have the experience of a third/fourth year that has been exposed to Riverside for a while. But, I can say that I have gained a lot of info and knowledge about the University from, many can argue, the most important year of any college student's life- their first year. </p>
<p>Going to UCR I was filled with doubt, doubt in myself and doubt in the University. I graduated High School with a 3.8 GPA and a pretty average SAT score. I really wanted to go to UCSD or UCLA but sadly I was rejected from both. So I found myself with the choice of either UCR or USD. I chose UCR because I didn't care what other people thought of the school and for financial aid. Oh! not to mention its a UC! Even though I didn't care what others thought about UCR I still had a lot of resentment towards myself and the whole college process because I had friends that got into Cal and UCLA with lower GPAs and lower SAT scores than me. I was like "What the F***." So I guess you can say that I went to college with a pretty negative mindset. </p>
<p>I dormed at the Aberdeen-Inverness Residence hall and I can honestly say it was a blast living there. Sure it wasn't the nicest dorms but the people I met were awesome and will forever be my close friends. I joined a fraternity and I love every second of it! I love the people and all the social networking. I liked all of my classes and I found them to be a good work load, but I don't know if I can say the same thing about any of you Engineering/Science majors lol. Since I lived on campus I spent a great deal of my time exploring and I got to say UCR has some pretty amazing spots such as the Botanical Gardens. The campus itself is new and updated and I like how the university looks kinda like its own little town with restaurants and chill areas. Not to mention, the University Village is a walk away and the Getaway Cafe gives UCR a hint of that "old college" feel. </p>
<p>Now that I cleared up my thoughts and views I'd like to give my input on concerns and the certain reputations people give UCR:</p>
<p>-"There is nothing to do in Riverside"
Yes I do agree that it is awesome to be at a campus where you can walk out and find something to do every time. I've visited to UCLA and UCSB and I love how everything is right there and it has a college town feel. Riverside does have stuff to do also! Downtown is pretty cool and there are clubs where you can go to. Sure, I wish everything was walking distance but if you have a car then you're golden. Besides, most of the time you're gonna have the most fun trying to figure out stuff to do with your friends anyways lol.</p>
<p>-"The party scene is dead"
First of all I'd like to say that if you base your college decision solely on party life then you shouldn't even go to school in the first place. But anyways, the party scene in Riverside for the average freshmen can be pretty dry. And any parties you do go to that is hosted by a non-org or non-frat are usually crowded. But I will say this, if you join a frat or a sorority then there will be an abundance of parties; I am talking from personal experience. Besides, you don't have to be in the frat to party with them in the beginning of the year. The orgs are trying to put themselves out there and are trying to recruit so you can pretty much choose from a variety of orgs there. The school itself also hosts 3 music concerts every year and they are always a great turnout! I hear all the time that people that don't go to UCR are jealous because we have such great concerts. </p>
<p>-"UCR= UC Rejects"
Nothing ****es me off more than when people put down UCR because they go to a "better" school. College is what you make of it, if you are serious about your academics and you work hard in life you WILL become successful. I have talked to a UCR Grad Student that did his Undergrad at Cal (he majored in mechanical engineering by the way) and told me that they teach the same things and the professors are really good both here and at Cal. I trust him because he is a TA so he has had a first hand look at both classes at UCR and at UCB. UCR has a somewhat large acceptance rate because, well, they need students. They are approaching more than 22,000 students as of 2013 and so acceptance rates will go down and it will become more competitive. If you have a concern that you will be surrounded by idiots at UCR then do not fear. People that goof off at UCR WILL get kicked out. People that maybe have gotten by in High School and got lucky to be accepted to UCR will have a hard time and if they do not get their act together they will get.... KICKED OUT. </p>
<p>-"School Spirit sucks and there is no Football team"
I will say this, I wish we had a football team. Such a big sport such as College Football does have an impact in school spirit. But I cannot stress this enough, you shouldn't hate a school because they lack a sport. But I can't argue too much; if Riverside was more integrated with UCR and UCR had more school sports then I feel like people will be much more satisfied.</p>
<p>I hope I helped some of you and maybe changed your opinion on UCR. To conclude I will say this, UCR is a great university with great people. I love going here. UCR is getting better and I see only improvement from here. There is more construction and additions to the campus every year and there is more legislation being passed in the city of Riverside that help give the college population more of what they need and want.</p>