<p>bubbles, we know UCR overall is the lowest ranked UC's. but maybe ranking isnt everything... </p>
<p>in real life, not everyone makes their decision based solely on how highly ranked their the school is, especially for undergrad.</p>
<p>Seriously, I wonder how many people think that college confidential is real life. That's what's scary.</p>
<p>whats better UCR or UCSC? and where does irvine fit?</p>
<p>UCSC is much more respected than UCR. It is growing in reputation and many think surpasses Irvine. UCI is down there as far as UCs go, like R, almost no one's first choice.</p>
<p>sorry, zagat, but I couldn't disagree more. Irvine is is massive growth mode, and had excellent kids, since many just missed getting into UCB and UCLA. The bottom three UC undergrad programs in order: UCSC, UCR, and Merced. Up until a couple of years ago, SC and R accepted every minimally eligible student, i.e., 2.8 gpa and show-up-and-sign-in for SAT's. But, their selectivity is still way low.</p>
<p>I'm a CA native and am familiar with most of the schools.</p>
<p>UCI is already excellent and has great positive momentum. It is the first choice of many.</p>
<p>UCR suffers mostly because it is in hot, smoggy Riverside, probably the worst location of all the UCs, which tend to be in beautiful locations close to or directly on the coast.</p>
<p>The status of UC Santa Cruz is undercut by a reputation for drug use, alternative lifestyles, and a non-traditional grading system.</p>
<p>yea seriously I wonder what the hell UC people were thinking when they picked Riverside...I would like one to be in San Luis Obispo....just imagine...UC SLO....HEAVEN!</p>
<p>non traditional grading system?</p>
<p>theregicider: UCSC was once known for giving evaluations only, i.e. no letter grade, but they have changed it and they give letter grades now.</p>
<p>oh ok, so why is ucr rep so low? Just pass admission policy?</p>
<p>well in UCR almost everybody gets in (well if you have above 3.0, so its still harder to get in than some CSUs), but I think with Merced opening, UCR will become more selective in the future...it's still a good school though, don't just go by reputation. it's better than many state colleges in other states.</p>
<p>Not that this contributes to the endless prestige debate, but I go to UCI and like it :)</p>
<p>i think many of you are missing the point still. </p>
<p>selectivity AND caliber of students do not necessarily correlate with the academic quality of undergrad education (how well professors teach and care about students) nor the opportunities presented for top students (esp. with the honors program) at a school like UCR. </p>
<p>Please do some research, otherwise you all are judging UCR like basing on the cover of the book.</p>
<p>A friend's daughter is having a fine experience in the UCR honors program. Certainly gets a lot more attention than most UC students. My boyfriend's son is at UCI, not in honors, and really does not enjoy it. He feels there are a lot of slackers, he feels culturally out of place in the Asian majority and would happily go to UCR honors if he could transfer.</p>
<p>fei what school do you go to</p>
<p>Well, based on the air currents, UCR does get all the pollution and crap from LA. It's not aestically appealing, and that further degrades the quality of the students.
Every other UC is located in a very nice area. Especially SC and SD. And that's one reason they are growing faster than the other UC's.
And also, most of the students at UCR smoke, making it even more clear that the school isnt good. If UCR's enrollment grows by the amount it is projected to increase, it's truly gonna be game over.</p>
<p>theregicider: I go to CC...got into UCSD and UCR but couldn't afford so waiting for transfer.</p>
<p>Bubbles: We know the student population and location leave something to be desired.</p>
<p>However, the quality of the education is excellent and the Honors Program will go a long way to creating a better peer group for the top students.</p>
<p>fei: i cant understand how your bashing riverside, if your currently attending a CC, surely two years of UCR education is better than your two years at a junior college</p>
<p>I'm with fei, it's a better strategy given how the system in Cali works to go to a cc and than transfer to a top UC.</p>