<p>I see a lot of bashing of UCR here. I'd like to know why. I'm considering it over other UCs just because I will transfer my rate of pay wherever I transfer my job to, so the lower cost of living is appealing as we might get by a little easier as opposed to Santa Barbara or LA. The downsides I see are that my bf would have fewer job opportunities, and I would be lacking local intern opportunities in chem e. Please give me your perspectives on this. </p>
<p>It’s definitely cheaper to live in Riverside. If you can’t afford to live in LA or SB, then riverside is a more affordable option. Jobs in riverdide are way more scarce. People who live in Riverside often work in LA, Orange County, and San Diego. </p>
<p>IMO, the UCR campus is nice enough, and the academics are ok. The biggest problem for me with UCR, is that is in the middle of nothing! Riverside isn’t exactly a metropolitan hot spot, but I was still surprised by how isolated it felt. </p>
<p>I’m also not a fan of the super hot Riverside summers.</p>
<p>The city of Riverside and the areas around it (San Bernardino in general) suck. I’ve got an older friend who graduated from UCR and he is always vocal about the city. </p>
<p>UCR is alright though. Now that they have a medical school I feel like they will be more well known. </p>
<p>The bashing of UC Riverside is usually due to its lower admission requirements and location. In high school, it was seen as kind of a last resort. And I know many still saw it that way in CC. </p>
<p>Location. Riverside is in the middle of nowhere and there isn’t much to do. The main entertainment areas are University village, Galleria at tyler and the plaza (its near central and Arlington I believe), but compared to la, sd etc… its nothing remarkable, and as a result you can get bored quite easily, if you aren’t a homebody. The only good thing about Riverside is that, most hubs are close ish. You can get to LA, SD, Venice, OC, etc… at max 2 hrs. </p>
<p>Admissions: UCR, has a reputation of UCRejects because its significantly more easier to get in other UCs. So kids who don’t get in the other UCs go to UCR with a negative view on it. This is compounded by the fact UCR has more diversity than other schools. It seems that a school isn’t good, unless it has an uncanny amount of Asian population… </p>
<p>However, if you’re an instate student, UCR has very good academics. Great business dept and, strong stem depts and the engineering school is one of their best departments. </p>
<p>Since you’re a Chem E major, UCR could be a good fit. BCOE is on par with other schools. One of the top 100 engineering departments in U.S. and I think its top 10 for its size. As for internships, yeah its more scarce compared to SB, LA or Cal, but there are a lot of research opportunities in the school. Not the best, I know, but better than nothing. At UCR, its easier to standout, which is the point at the college level anyway.</p>
<p>Overall, it could be a good choice. Not an ideal local, but at your would be able to live. Besides as a Chem E major, most of your time will probably be spent studying at home or the library anyway. </p>
<p>The nightlife / entertainment is not an issue for me. I’m not single, I’ll be 28-30 while attending so wouldn’t be looking for the party scene, and have a lot of home hobbies with bf. We’ve spent the last 6 yrs in San Diego and while I’m in school we don’t manage to do much of anything. At other UCs I would have all these opportunities, but would likely miss out on them due to my schedule anyway. </p>
<p>Please, anthing else to share? </p>
<p>I’ve spoken to ppl who like it, plus someone I know worked at UCR and liked it. In terms of surrounding area, I’ve heard that it is sketchy, as in dangerous. But that is true of a lot of campuses (USC, I suppose parts of UCB, and some Ivy Leagues). It’s a UC, so you can’t really go wrong.</p>
<p>For that part of Riverside, it does have some crime; however, the same could be said about every city with large population. Crime is preventable though. Walk in groups at night, don’t take shortcuts in areas with low visibility, be aware of your surroundings, carry mace etc, essentially be diligent about your safety. </p>
<p>Another thing about Riverside is, its hot and hot at random times (the autumn seasons can have summer temperatures) and smog. The mountains trap the la smog, so Riversiders get to indulge on the poor air quality. If you have sensitive lungs, be cautious. </p>
<p>In terms of finances, you could UCR is close enough to Moreno Valley, Colton and San Bernadino, Rialto etc… so for a slight commute you might be able to find less expensive areas to live. </p>
<p>Fairly close to Disneyland too. Don’t forget that! :)</p>
<p>UCR as a school does get undeserved hate. Yes, it’s a fact that it does not have a very selective admissions process. But there has to be some schools are available to the “average” student. UCR is not a bad school, but the students aren’t that great as a whole nor are the professors. Because of this status, having UCR on your resume will not help you. It won’t hinder you though 
A degree is a degree. Also, UCR’s surrounding area is very boring. </p>
<p>I know ppl who are very happy at UCR. It’s all about perspective</p>
<p>This make go off topic, but it sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself to attend UCR. Besides cost of living, how will UCR, instead of “other UCs”, benefit your career (since you’re a non-traditional student)?</p>
<p>It’s really just the cost of living factor. I don’t feel it will necessarily benefit me over other UCs in other ways, but rather that it won’t disadvantage me as some people seem to think. Cost is the biggest factor for me in all of this because of my age and relationship. I have fewer working years to pay off my school debt and allow my education to become profitable. I’ll be a about a decade behind the norm at graduation time. Additionally, if we have a much lower cost of living I won’t need to supplement our income with as many loans, making our overall debt lower and more manageable. </p>
<p>I’m not trying to convince myself to go
To UCR, I’m seriously considering attending and want to know why people speak so poorly of the school, to see if there’s anything else I’m not factoring in. </p>
<p>I know this is going to sound weird but I think Merced will eventually overtake Riverside. Right now it’s a small Davis. Davis used to be cow town. Keep it in mind.</p>
<p>Merced doesn’t offer my major. Davis does. I’m on the fence about applying there. I don’t know the area at all, and have similar misgivings about job opportunity in such a small area.</p>
<p>@lindyk8 </p>
<p>UCR was established (in 1954) before UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz. UCR’s reputation is pretty low compared to those four other UC’s so I don’t think it will get any stronger these upcoming years. I do agree that UC Merced will overtake Riverside. It’s even been more selective for transfer admissions the past year, with a 43% acceptance rate. </p>
<p>Although this year they had that program that any competitive student who didn’t get offered enrollment anywhere else was automatically offered Merced. I think they’re doing everything right, though. It still keeps their acceptance of actual applicants at 43%</p>
<p>UCR was not established before Davis.
OP please don’t go to Merced. You need access to people and life. With Riverside, you can visit San Diego and OC beaches, with Merced, you can take a full day to find a beach.</p>
<p>Yosemite is two hours away, but in theory, you are right in terms of not much happening.</p>
<p>As said before, UCR is a good school for engineers. It’s top ranked (if you care about that stuff), ABET accredited (the real winner) and there are ways to make yourself stand out more than other UC’s. </p>
<p>A degree at UCR won’t necessarily benefit, but neither will a degree for UCB or UCLA. It depends how you use your resources to your advantage. </p>
<p>In terms of finances, Riverside is a cheaper place to live. Next cheapest is likely Merced or Davis. </p>
<p>@Bear87</p>
<p>I was an older student when I enrolled, 10 years older than my Frosh peers. Cost of living and cost of attendance were factors in deciding where to attend, but I chose to attend a private institution, and took on A LOT of student loans, over a UC, where I would have graduated debt free. I chose the private route since that location had the most internship opportunities in my field, and the best job market for my profession. Moreover, my school loans will be payed off on time.</p>
<p>It’s great you’re looking at this decision from a cost-benefit position, but do you plan to stay in the San Bernandino area after graduation? Where do you think your education will be most profitable?</p>