<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>I have been accepted to UC Irvine and Riverside, and I really think both are great universities.
First off, a similar thread ( <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-irvine/40766-uc-riverside-vs-uc-irvine.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-irvine/40766-uc-riverside-vs-uc-irvine.html</a> ) has been already created, still I think this was 8 years ago in which many things can change. Additionally, my situation is <strong>slightly</strong> different. Many pieces of information can be found online, and most of them remain contradicting what all the others say (it feels).
I'm a freshman from Germany and pursue a degree in Computer Science. I am absolutely sure about this major. :)
What matters most to me is the quality and the overall support and equipment of the CS department. The options for free time activities (sports, go to a bar,...) come right next.</p>
<p>Which of these do you think would be a better match for me?</p>
<p>UCI is better for CS IMO. A lot of prestigious tech. companies recruit at UCI (but if you plan to return to Germany after your degree then that’s not important). In California, UCI is generally viewed as the better school; in (most) rankings, UCI is the 6th best UC school. In recent years, it’s become obvious that UCI is well on its way to becoming a top university while UCR, which is the older school, fails to advance as quickly. The Bren school at UCI has very nice facilities, at least from what I’ve observed. Although I must say, the computers at UCI are ancient. Seriously, like Windows 2000 is still running on some of those dinos. Not sure if this is true in the Bren school. UCI is also the only UC that has a separate school dedicated to computer science. So, I suppose they’re very serious about what they do in the CS department.</p>
<p>If you don’t bring (or know someone with) a car, your activities at UCI will be quite limited. There’s not much around campus. There’s a shuttle but I’m not sure you can get much distance out of that. You could join some clubs. Eating out is pricy in Irvine. It’s one of the more expensive places to live. Since you are an international student and will get no financial aid I assume, this might be something to consider. I know Riverside is a less costly place to live but I’m not sure by how much. UCI isn’t big on sports either. Sometimes you hear about them in volleyball or something like that. Also in America you can’t drink until you are 21 but there is a pub on campus (which is unique). UCI is an example of what we refer to as a commuter school; on weekends, the campus empties out because everyone drives home. I don’t know if it’s the same at UCR. </p>
<p>UCI has a beautiful campus (well, as beautiful as cement-y, uninspired architecture can get) with lots of greenery. The park is wonderful…you can go there to clear you head or just enjoy all that landscaping your tuition pays for. Weather is pretty much perfect, but it gets very hot at times. Bring a fan. I’ve only been to UCR once and the location is kind of a turn off. The neighborhood isn’t as nice (Irvine consistently ranks as one of the safest/nicest cities in the US) and it’s pretty dry/hot/sandy/rocky/dusty for a place called “River-side.” Unless you have a thing for the desert weather or succulents, I’d spend my 4 years in Irvine if I were you. </p>
<p>Also, UCI’s mascot is an Anteater. I think UCR’s is a bear in skirt or something.</p>
<p>Thanks for the thorough+detailed explanation oceanpartier. You helped me a lot! :)</p>
<p>It’s a called a kilt, not a skirt. </p>
<p>And I’m gonna be honest, I live in Irvine and it is tremendously boring. There is literally ZERO nightlife. So I wouldn’t really recommend it if that’s important to you. Also, Proficient, if you wanted some real answers, shouldn’t you of posted this in the General UC forum? Posting here is only gonna give you biased answers, just as posting it in the Riverside section would…</p>
<p>is irvine really like that boring comparing to riverside though?</p>
<p>Both places DO have things to do - you just have to go find fun. I would say UCI has an advantage location-wise, though - you can drive to many places closer by while at Riverside, you’re gonna have to commute some time to get to more poppin areas. Heck, in Irvine you are close to Newport Beach, South Coast Plaza, Fashion Island - nice places.</p>
<p>There are definitely more things to do in Irvine. People take it for granted very easily. It’s true that you’ll need at least a car in Irvine, but Irvine has a bicycle route that leads you directly to fashion island which is amazing!</p>
<p>I’m actually a current UC Riverside student here transferring to UC Irvine. UCI is the only school I think in the UC system that has a dedicated CS department by itself while others are labeled under the school of engineering. </p>
<p>Riverside is very…lets say not bike or walking friendly… The closest supermarket to UC Riverside is about 1-2 miles away. Houses are cheaper here. Students can actually rent out entire houses in Riverside or Moreno Valley. something people would dream of in Irvine. However, the crime rate is pretty high here. You’ll get occasional emails of mysterious figures robbing students. No one walks outside past 9pm over here that I’ve observed over the past year.</p>
<p>School spirit is definitely more spirited in Irvine than in Riverside. It’s all up to you haha. I personally like both. They both have pros and cons. But Irvine is more urban/suburban status.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about the CS departments, but I can tell you about the general feel of UCR, and bit of UCI. UCR is my home UC, and I have many friends who go to that college. The campus is decent, and it’s fairly quiet. There’s restaurants and a movie theater nearby, and a few small malls maybe ten or fifteen minutes away (if you’re driving), but for anything else fun, you’ll have to drive on the freeway to get to. At night, the area does get suspicious, and it’s probably wise not to venture outside your dorm/apartment unless you’re driving somewhere. Riverside is basically a half hour or a full hour car drive from anything really fun (amusement park, beaches, snowboarding). I also have friends who go to UCI, and they seem fairly happy, as long as you have access to a car/bike to go to fun, off campus places on the weekend.</p>