UCM is NEW!

<p>To all of you criticizing UCM (as if it has nothing to offer), keep in mind that EVERY UC school started off just like UCM...with no reputation, little students, and no accreditation.</p>

<p>How is UCM going to be able to grow and prosper if negativity is demonstrated as the norm?</p>

<p>For those current students posting on this thread: stop discouraging future UCM students!!!
Yes, you may hate it here...but it doesn't mean they will too.</p>

<p>As a second year UCM student, I would agree with the typical UCM problems:</p>

<p>1) Nothing to do / little social life
2) Terrible food
3) No reputation
etc.</p>

<p>But, personally, I view less social life as a plus. Less distraction = more time to study. Terrible food = an excuse to eat off campus / give yourself a study break. No reputation = an opportunity to build one.</p>

<p>More specifically, in regards to #3, give Merced a break, not to mention time to prove itself as worthy as any other UC school.</p>

<p>I mean, think about it...
UCB had to start somewhere. UCLA had to start somewhere...
It just so happens that UCM is starting in the middle of a corn field (which will eventually be covered by buildings BTW).</p>

<p>The bottom line is that UCM is NEW!</p>

<p>In addition to this, UCM is growing fast. 900 kids already submitted their intent to register for Fall of 08.</p>

<p>So UCMrcdstdnt11 do you plan on staying at merced for four years or are you looking to transfer?</p>

<p>Hay! Another optimist! Once UCM is accredited I'll be fine at UCM. I totally agree with UCMrcdStdnt11. I can't wait to start UCM this fall but, I also don't want to leave my friends. lol Oh well UCM is going to be great! I just have a feeling it is. =D</p>

<p>Well, I just finished my freshman year with a 3.5 for fall semester and again in spring semester.</p>

<p>Honestly, I have considered transferring, but I am overall happy with UCM and the experience UCM offers. I am part of the cheer team, working to begin Alpha Chi Omega sorority on campus (which is coming along quite nicely), and enjoy the small atmosphere UCM offers.</p>

<p>UCM was the only UC that accepted me, out of those that I applied to, and I wanted a UC education. However, it doesn't really offer my main interests. Right now, I am a political science major, which is going pretty good so far.
Therefore, the only reason I would transfer in the end would be to major in Communications / Journalism.</p>

<p>You say you've finished your freshman year at merced, I was wondering if you could tell me about the difficulty of the courses. On this board I heard the classes are extremely difficult, is this true?</p>

<p>Everyone heading off to college hears those stories about staying up four nights in a row to get all of your work done.</p>

<p>Personally, I would say that that is a tad bit of an exaggeration, unless you are going to a very prestigious college....of course.</p>

<p>During my freshman year at UCM, I cannot say I didn't have any sleepless nights. In fact, I would say I had about 10 sleepless nights along with a few nights with maybe 3 to 4 hours of sleep. </p>

<p>My best advice would be to STAY ON TOP OF THINGS. Do not allow procrastination to take control. Unlike high school, you cannot get away with doing papers the night before it is due. You will fail that way. </p>

<p>Also, GO TO CLASS. Professors at UCM will say that they do not care whether or not you come to lecture. However, they do try to help you if you do take initiative and come to class. For example, they might hint at an essay question for the midterm / final. They may hand out a study guide that you would have otherwise never heard of. </p>

<p>By doing these two easy things, college becomes a lot easier.</p>

<p>Professors I HIGHLY recommend:</p>

<p>** Malloy- history teacher, very cool, plays music at the beginning of every lecture, easy A if you pay attention and go to discussion</p>

<p>Wedel- bio teacher, laid back, only gets upset if it seems as though you aren't participating, very willing to help</p>

<p>Stanley- writing teacher, difficult assignments, but very cool guy</p>

<p>Bianchi- math teacher, very approachable, if math isn't your subject...then she is really easy to understand, great teacher</p>

<p>Vidensek- chem teacher, many students prefer is method of grading, which is quite unique, and his lectures are not boring</p>

<p>Carlson- poli sci teacher, his midterms / finals are straight from his notes (which he makes sure to post online), however, attendance is vital for both lectures and discussions</p>

<p>Barlow- genetics teacher, good style of teaching, and lectures are interesting, she really thought about how the students would react to new concepts and would then base her explanations on how the students would best learn it</p>

<p>Professors to AVOID AT ALL COSTS:</p>

<p>Ghose- psychology teacher, hard to understand, very rude, a typical college professor, doesn't seem to care about students</p>

<p>Gilbert- biology teacher, (overall, she is nice and gives an easy A), bad at spelling, grade is based primarily on quizzes, which sucks, and crosswords are not always the best homework idea for a professor that can't spell!!</p>

<p>In general, many people bash UCM as being much easier than other UC schools. I, personally, wouldn't say that this is the case. I worked VERY hard for my 3.5 GPA for fall and spring semester. </p>

<p>UCM classes may be a tad easier, but it is ONLY because we have smaller class sizes and the teachers have more one on one time with each individual student. </p>

<p>All of my professors have known me by my name!! For instance, I was shocked when in Carlson's poli sci 10 class, I walked in late to a lecture (one of the ten he takes roll at for class credit), and when I went up to him after class to let him know please check me off as attending, he said "Yep, Ms. ______, I got you down. No worries."</p>

<p>UCM is difficult, yes. But not to the point where it is impossible to get a 3.0 or better.</p>