<p>Just wondering which one would be a better choice UC Riverside or merced</p>
<p>I'd go to Merced. At least it would be an interesting experience, being a new UC and all. Riverside is established and pretty much known all around California as high school part 2, now with even worse air.</p>
<p>Agree with the above... Both schools are pretty much ranked the same (at the bottom of the UC system). At least with Merced, your dorms and facilities will be brand spanking new and in a slightly better location?</p>
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At least with Merced, your dorms and facilities will be brand spanking new and in a slightly better location?
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Merced is in the middle of nowhere - how is that a better location than Riverside? I'm not a big fan of Riverside's location because of all the smog. Still, Riverside is a solid, established college. Merced has yet to develop any kind of reputation. I'd go to UCR.</p>
<p>^^ agreed. Then again, how will Merced develop unless there are students demanding that they do so (i.e. by going there and getting classes, etc. developed)?</p>
<p>I feel really bad for whoever has to make this decision. I mean, either way, both options are terrible. </p>
<p>Go to a JC and then transfer.</p>
<p>^^ not really. Although in comparison to other top 100 schools, Riverside isn't the best, it's still ranked within the top 100 (of over 4,000 colleges). It has the programs, the faculty, and the facilities. It's really a very good college in comparison to most.</p>
<p>Merced is just a baby. I wouldn't be surprised if it became a top 100 (or top 50, even) school within the next fifty years (most of the other UCs have).</p>
<p>I'm not talking about academics. Only a dumb ass would pay to live in Merced or Riverside. Both cities are terrible, boring, and ghetto.</p>
<p>Now you're starting to offend. There are some who like rural towns like Merced, and there are those who like cities like Riverside. Don't start calling them dumbasses on a forum that prohibits such.</p>
<p>"I feel really bad for whoever has to make this decision. I mean, either way, both options are terrible."</p>
<p>In addition, do you have sympathy for those who have to choose between two schools that aren't top 50, or top 80 even? That's pretty damned arrogant, since that's the majority of students applying to colleges. (Those accepted to the top ones are very small in comparison to the overall number.)</p>
<p>^^I am not a prestige whore like the rest of the people on here. I'm applying to 3rd and 4th tier schools, and I would love to attend one of them.</p>
<p>I just said it sucks for the person, because Merced and Riverside suck. That's my opinion. If you don't agree....well that's not my problem.</p>
<p>Isnt Riverside a second tier school?</p>
<p>By US News's yardstick, Riverside is a tier-1 school. And they're right in thinking that: in comparison to the thousands of colleges in America, it's pretty damned good.</p>
<p>and visa versa.</p>
<p>Too bad all the UCs aren't on the coast.</p>
<p>How are they in comparasion by department, especially engineering?</p>
<p>Keevin: I've noticed that the better UCs tend to be on the coast, which is why I think that eventually, UCM will get to UCD-status.</p>
<p>It's hard to compare a school that just opened with one that is more established.</p>
<p>Personally I would go to UCM because it has a chance to be a good school despite its location. Who knows what will happen to it in the future? Riverside is already established as a second-rate UC school. UCM only has that rep. because it's new.</p>
<p>Intresting topic. I'd like to hear more about it from you elitists - especially on the engineering/computer science departments.</p>
<p>Campus | Apps | Accpt | % | HSGPA |ACT| SAT R| SAT M | SAT W|<br>
UC Merced 7,996 6,197 77.5% 3.58 23 543 587 547
UC Riverside 19,906 15,650 78.6% 3.59 23 543 586 552</p>
<p>It appears UC Riverside has a slight lead numerically.
Sorry about bumping this, kind of old, I know.</p>
<p>According to collegeboard.com:</p>
<p>UCR enrollment: 14,792 undergrad / 2,034 grad students
UCM enrollment: 1,210 undergrad / 76 grad students</p>
<p>If you want to get personal attention from professors as an undergraduate, and participate in research as an undergraduate, then UCM is likely the best opportunity in the UC system. For now, it's more like a liberal arts college than a research university. This won't last. </p>
<p>Note that the small size of UCM does limit the options for engineering study. They only have a limited number of engineering degree programs, and even within those programs, the course offerings are probably limited as well. You should check the catalog to make sure that the options you want are available.</p>
<p>Merced is attempting to become an engineering magnet. It is one of the first schools they have established. It is also smaller than Riverside so you will get more individual attention. I think the education at Merced will be far superior to the education at Riverside. How great to get a UC education without classes of 800 students. The off campus housing will be safer and cheaper. The downside of Merced is the lack of nightlife. If you like hiking and skiing and rock climbing it's the perfect location. If not, you might prefer the social life of LA.</p>