<p>My older D goes to UCI and we had started the app process looking at "real college experience" schools.</p>
<p>For a number of reasons, UCI ended up being the choice, though initially it was the "you must choose one UC" as a safety app. We had not expected her to end up there at all, when the apps were submitted in the fall.</p>
<p>UCI only guarantees housing the first year, so most people live off campus thereafter. Defintely live in the dorm the first year and get to know lots of people. It can be a real blast to live on Newport Beach, the winter rates are not too bad (for California) There are tons of fellow students, so your neighborhood can be fun. Parking can also be an adventure! You have to go early to get a space, even if your classes are later. Once you are off campus, a car is a requirement in most cases.</p>
<p>There is a greek scene, though it does not dominate the campus. It is a good way to make some friends.</p>
<p>There are tons of Asians (45-50%) and there is some segration- when the Asian kids are culturally Asian, speaking Asian languages to each other it is tough to mix. When the Asian kids are "Americanized" there is more mixing.</p>
<p>UCI is a good school in terms of academic education. The curve is just as killer there as at UCLA or Cal ( I have kids at both), but UCI will not give you the same "cultural" experience as UCLA or Cal. Can your kid still make it a great experience? Yes. I think most of the UCs, other than UCLA & UCB, do not have that elusive LAC/Ivy intellectual community. In some ways, I think my D would have been better served at an LAC, but she would not apply to any!</p>
<p>In summary, you can learn great things, including about yourself. You can have a wonderful time, join a sorority, get involved in club sports, school sports, etc., and make of your experience what you want, but YOU have to make it happen. There is not an LAC style buffett of goodies, you have to find the opportunities and partake of them.</p>
<p>One thing about developing as a person into a responsible adult. The whole idea of the intellectual community is great, but I must say, paying rent, utilities, getting your security deposit back, paying gas & insurance, etc., is a real "growing up" experience if the student has to do all that themselves. Some kids just seem to have daddy's cc and are learning nothing. My D is learning tons- she & her roommates have decided TV is too expensive, not worth it! When she graduates and is on her own, she will have a pretty clear understanding of what it costs to live and how easy it is to run out of money at the end of the term!</p>