<p>I'm actually in my 4th year at UCR, and I have to say it is a great school.So I was looking at a few comments and did not understand why so many people write bad things about this school. For those of you guys thinking of attending UCR, I would definitely recommend it. I do have to let you know that its not easy, you guys will struggle with classes just like any other UC school. I say this because I took summer classes at other UC Schools and the work load is exactly the same at all UC Schools. UCR is also a highly respected university if you ever plan on attending graduate school. I was recently admitted to graduate school at UCLA, CAL STANFORD, and COLUMBIA. As you can see going to UCR has its advantages, I was actually told this by the admissions counselor at Columbia. This is why I dont understand all of the negative comments. I bet many who make these comments have never set foot on campus or probably got dismissed by the university for low grades. It is true that UCR has a higher admission rate than other school, but the truth is that many who decide to attend do not make it through. A good amount of incoming freshman will not return for their second year because they will get dismissed for having a low gpa. On a last note, UCR is such a diverse campus, something that you cannot get at UCSD or UCI.</p>
<p>thanks for clearing things up. anything else you'd like future freshman/anyone who might attend to know?</p>
<p>PS. Agent009, can I know what your stats in HS and college were/are? </p>
<p>and Why are you going to grad school? Is it for a masters, md, law, etc. etc. :)</p>
<p>I had a 3.7 in high school. I took various honors and AP courses. I was also accepted to other UC schools. Right now at UCR I have a 3.5</p>
<p>--Regarding your first reply, I would just advise you guys to go check out the campus. You have to feel comfortable. I like it here, but you may not. I have to agree with some people, the location is not the best, It can get a bit hot during the summer. The good thing is that you always have LA about 45 min. away, so you are not totally isolated. The departments have excellent faculty, some of the best in the world. Most are well known and have received their degrees from top Ivy Universities...</p>
<p>M.A. in History</p>
<p>This makes me feel better about the school.I'm heading down to Riverside sometime this week.</p>
<p>Do you have any tips on how to be a "good" student.People outside the UC system have said that professors won't help you because of their own research and/or the student/teacher ratio.</p>
<p>Take advantage of the reseorces. Theres a Learning Center on campus. They offer tutoring in most subjects. You can also take your essays so they can check them (grammar not content) before you turn them in. I did that my first year and it really worked, it improved my grade a bit.
In regards to professors, well it is true that they are researchers unlike cal state professors whose main priority is teaching. You might get a few foreign professors with a really heavy accent. I found them primarily in math/science classes. The professors also hold office hours every week. Most students dont take advantage of it. Its a good idea to go and talk to them for a bit, although I would recommend going in with your T.A. if you are taking lower division classes. The T.A's do the grades for the lower division classes. If you are going to take upper division courses, its impossible for you not to go to office hours. Some upper division professors make it part of the class requirement to go and see them during office hours. For the most part they are very nice. One in a while you might get one with a really big ego, just make the best of it.
Ahhh also, if you have an essay, some professors might make the suggestion that you can turn it in earlier for corrections (Optional). Make sure you DO IT. They will correct it and turn in back to you, this will only make your grade soooooooo much better....</p>
<p>hope it helps...</p>
<p>Though I am a first-year at UCR, I really agree with what Agent009 says.</p>
<p>It is true about professors - they teach but are also very involved with their research. For the most part they are nice and just be sure to make the best of it if you meet with one who is a little unfriendly. I've met with a few of my professors, and three of them actually made it a class requirement to go and visit with them during office hours. I actually found myself visiting more than once because their feedback was so valuable. I had a major research paper due for one of my classes and the professor for that class gave me a lot of very valuable feedback. She suggested that I enter the paper in a few school contests (that I never knew existed) like UCR's Undergraduate Research Journal (Yes, we have one, with very impressive research - ugrj.ucr.edu) and a department's essay contest, and agreed to be my faculty mentor and editor for both; all while doing her own research. I am hoping to be published in the journal (deadline's tomorrow - eek! wish me luck!). I can honestly tell you that I would have NEVER found these opportunities if it wasn't for that class (which was lower-division, ~60 students and part of the CHASS Connect course sequence program (take the program if you are in CHASS!)) and the professor.</p>
<p>While I gathered sources for the research paper, I visited another of my former professors who - while unable to help me find any direct sources - pointed me in the right direction and named a few scholars who might be helpful to my research. She was willing to lend me her personal books/documentaries if I couldn't find them in the library (but I ended up finding them in the library anyway). I had her in a lower-division class that had ~400 kids, so I admit that I never met with her when I had her class. But since she researches in the same geographic area/interest (sort of) of my research topic, she was able to contribute.</p>