University of California-Irvine Top Questions

I never felt out of place at UCI and have never heard of too many people feeling this way. There are a ton of different ways to get involved. Of course, it is a highly Asian student body but there isn't too much tension on the campus. If there has been any tension lately, it would be religious tension between Jews and Muslims.

All experiences are to be had! Casual clothes work for school and everywhere else there. All students are willing to interact, it's up to them. Really diverse student body, something for everyone. All different financial backgrounds.

There are so many clubs here that I'm sure everyone can find one that they fit in with. Of course there are cliques, so if youre at a dining hall, you see those tables with the athletes or the fraternity or sororities, but if youre alone and want to join a table, most people won't mind. There are more wealthy students than unwealthy and I think most students are politically aware but people are spread out on the spectrum. There are a lot that are very liberal as there are a lot that are conservative. Most UCI students are from southern CA. There are also a lot from northern CA but I would say if youre in a group of 6 people, maybe 1 or 2 are from northern CA.

I always thought the student body was quite diverse. The student body as a whole resembled what you would think of as a typical modern college crowd in the way they dressed and talked. Everyone seemed to come from either middle or upper middle class backgrounds.

I don´t think there is any student out of place, there is definitely a mixed culture, and more then just the stereotype of Asians. Not just cultural/race differences, but sexual differences as well and a variety of clubs for different interests. Four tables of students at dining hall would be, Asians, Middle Easterns, Greeks, Others. I think that the students for the most part are politically active, there are always events, guest speakers and political movement issues and demonstrations happening on ring road. I love it that finally we can all speak our mind, we were so censured and limited in High School but we are older, wiser, learning and growing and no better way to do all of those things then with a huge mix of people with different stories. I don´t know what everyone´s financial backgrounds are, that is a useless question. Oh and back to the political atmosphere, I would say the campus is more liberal then the actual city of Irvine (Orange County...most republic in the state) but remember we´re still in Orange County...

This is a really hard question because I feel like there are so many types of students at UCI that I can't make any assumptions about any one of them. You definitely have the really wealthy kids who are from affluent areas of Orange County and dress in designer everything when they go to class. And then you have the students who have to pay for everything themselves and work like 5 jobs just to pay for college. There are days when I see people walking around campus in sweats and ugg boots and then there are times when I see people all decked out and ready to go out to a club or business interview. I think it all depends on the person actually.

I'm Lebanese, so I feel mostly associated with the Lebanese community on campus, but other than that, all my friends are of different religions, ethnic backgrounds and from different racial groups. There are so many different types of people here, i think everyone would find someone they could relate to. Some students wear sweats and dont care what they look like in class, others dress really nice to school. Of course different types of students interact. The sorority girls, the frat boys, the nerdy kids, and the chill people that dont really care for greek life. Most UCi students are either from Norcal or SoCAL. Mostly kids from the middle class, there are super rich kids, but they'd probably go to USC so i dont know. Some are politically aware, others are really ignorant. the campus is pretty split, but we have a republican club and a democrat club. yes, students talk about it.

I personally don't see any racism on campus but being so diverse im sure it goes down.

Very accepting! LGBT, Cousling, etc resources are free and avaliable. People are very rich here though, you may feel out of place/have a hard time meeting people who don't have a lot of money, but they are out there. This is a liberal school.

UCI was pretty conservative. There was a community of LGBT on campus, and of course of different ethnic groups. but people usually hung out with their own ethnic group. It seems like most of the students came from upper-middle class and upper-class backgrounds. There were groups of politically aware and active students, especially, the muslim and jewish groups. Students assumed that they would make at least $60k when they graduated.

I felt that there was a strong Asian and Pacific Rim presence on campus, while African Americans were largely underrepresented. I thought that homosexuality/bisexuality was well-received, as were all political affiliations. I think that there was a wide-range of socio-economic statuses as well. UCI is a casual campus - the proximity to the beach and warm weather make flip flops a wardrobe staple. People skateboard to class, ride bikes and play frisbee on the lawn. It's a very laid-back atmosphere. The only social competitiveness that I observed was centered around sororities and fraternities.

Experience: I was apart of REACH and was a devoted member and a mentee of Anna Gonzalez. I stood up for what I believed in and took part in several activities that pertained to me and other groups of individuals. Feel out of Place: the minority students (Latinos, African American, White, LGBTQ community) Students that can't or don't take the initiative of joining different organizations that they could feel apart of Clothing: school sweatshirts, greek clothing, Interaction: Yes! Students from: California Financial: middle class to upper class Political: yes we are not dumb - Left Talk: We all talk and have dreams that we want to make 100k a year, its common.

In my opinion the school was very diverse. If you wanted to wear sweats to your class, you can and no one will think bad of you. If you want to walk into class wearing expensive designer clothing, you will surely find someone with a similar ensemble. Most students are middle to upper class, with many "flashy" students with expensive cars, but for the most part people are always accepting of one another. Generally the campus is not highly politcal. Although there are a few groups that are very passionate about their causes, I did not find it to be a politically volitile setting.

I think UCI is getting more diverse. My year felt like the first year where UCI realized it didn't have to just be an Asian campus. They do have a LGBT combined with a Center for Women and Men. However, as a former roommate once pointed out, the facility often seems like a center for women... and... then... men. Of course, when I graduated they were changing some things so this might have changed as well. As far as politically, I get the impression that the campus is more to the left. However, Orange County, and especially Irvine, is very right sided. I never get the impression that UCI students brag about how much they'll earn or whatever. I think most UCI students are relatively humble. UCI is a great school, but it doesn't have a lot of the presige of UCLA or USC. Most students that go to UCI didn't get into those other schools, so they don't usually have large egos.

I hated the New University (student newspaper). Alienating and right-leaning. I don't really know of any incidences in which a student was made to feel out of place. Students were generally politically apathetic. The UC Regents made it nearly impossible for CalPIRG to exist on campus and I had a large problem with that.

I am Brazilian/Caucasion but I attended some Thai Club stuff a couple times and nobody seemed to care. I was a part of some political groups but looking back I don't think they prepared me for anything in the real world. If UCI is your back up school and you decide to treat it as such, the school is not the place for you. When you choose a school you should really love it. Students role out of bed in pajamas or dress causally for class. Nobody is uptight and wears blazers or whatever. I interacted with a lot of different types of students just because I was a part of a lot of different groups and clubs. Table one: Sigma Pi tools, Table two: Art geeks from Prado in Mesa Court, Table three: the water polo team, Table four: Campuswide Honors Program students. Most students are from California. Students are politically aware and active--but the campus is known for having some radical muslim speakers come to campus. I'd say the campus is predominantly just left of center--like most college students aren't stridently dedicated either way. Nevertheless, Orange County is definately a conservative area. Nobody I was friends with talked about how much they earned.

there were a lot of groups at UCI i abhorred - all the race riots were so ridiculous to me

Poor students would feel out of place. Rich Asian is the most prevalent. Students are politically active and aware if it is important to them. Most is just not important. I can't recall ever hearing someone talk about how much they'll earn one day. Their parents give them all the money they want, they haven't thought about making it for themselves yet.

I was in various organizations that stressed diversity so for me personally I felt that UCI as a whole was very good about being open to people's differences no matter what kind. Racially, its a diverse campus, and for me I was able to meet a lot of people from different backgrounds than in my own hometown. However, it can be a little daunting at first if you find yourself a minority racially (Caucasian or African-American) but most students are able to get over that initial shock and find their own niche. Four groups at the dining hall: Greek table, Housing Staff table, ASUCI table, freshman dorm table. I think most students at UCI tend to be in the middle-class.

Honestly, and this may sound a little utopian, but it seemed as though every student, no matter where they came from or what their beliefs were, that they could all find a niche at UCI. That was my impression, something for everyone.

Most students just wear anything to class. Some people are stylish. Most UCI students are from California. Mostly middle class students.

My UCI LGBT experience has been pretty positive, mainly because student groups of various backgrounds would stop by the LGBTRC for network opportunities and sharing knowledge. Additionally, the different groups really came together when the Center for Women and Men dissolved, which was nice to see. What do students wear to class: pajamas. sweats. sweat-shorts. sweat-shorts with sorority sweatshirts strategically folded to reveal its Greek name and then carefully wrapped around the hips to proudly display their letters on their overly-sweated tooshies. Ugg boots optional. It's either uggs or flip-flops, really. Love the variety. Students are normally not politically aware nor active. I would consider most students conservative, but that's from my possibly extreme perspective.

My racial experience at Irvine has been a big change from what I was use to. Coming from living in an area populated with over 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} caucasians, to a school where caucasians are no longer the majority was a big change. I have learned about many cultures and am much more knowledgable about different parts of the world. Students should not feel out of place here ever because there is something for everyone here. You just have to go out and find it or even start up your own organization. Students wear all types of clothing to school. Everyone has their own style. THere is no one type of style that is accepted. Students are open to interacting to one another, however there are groups of people who feel more comfortable with their own race and are more exclusive. The four tables of students are fraternities and sororities, the athletes, the students that live together, and the students of the same race. People tend to surround themselves with people of their same interests or lifestyle. Most UCI students are from california. 92{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the population exactly. They come from all around california and the ohter 8{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} is a mix of international students and out of state students. UCI is very helpful in financial aid and makes sure that any student who needs financial aid will get some help. Students are politicall aware and active. you see organizations on campus speaking their mind every day on campus. Whether its a religious belief or support for democrats. There are always people out their excerising their freedom of speech.

The different groups of campus are very good at holding events together and students are very good at keeping open-minded and listening to what other groups have to say. The typical UCI student is at the school to excel in academics but is also looking for at least one other niche to get involved in. Students looking for a lot of political action would feel out of place but will find a group to be active in. Students aren’t particularly fashionable at UCI but they don’t come to class looking like slobs either. The typical things you hear around campus are either around the next big event happening at school or something academically-related. Most of the students come from Southern California so they’re pretty much comfortable around each other and can relate about various things happening in the neighboring cities – cool bands to see or sporting events to go to, etc. I’d say most of the students are from moderate incomes. Southern California tends to be conservative. UCI is moderate with a leaning towards the left. I think I’m pretty much the same person after being at UCI though much smarter with a greater social network.

i have extensive on-campus org experience, and though its a bit lacking in the professionalism element, they're still great organizations and the departments on campus are great resources for support and help in development.

UCI is really casual and laid back. Most students wear jeans and rainbow sandals (or other flip flops). There are people from all walks of life, and everyone is friendly and nice. Most UCI students are from California, but you wouldn't feel out of place if you didn't grow up in Socal.

Most students will wear casual clothes, such as jeans, t shirts and flip flops. Different types of students do interact, but I still see segregation between most religions. For example, mostly asians will hang out other asians, caucasions with other caucasians, and blacks with blacks. Most of UCI students are from southern california, but I've met a lot of people from northern california as well. I would say UCI has a lot of wealthy students that come from successful backgrounds

As I mentioned before, UCI is very diverse. Not everyone is used to that but it seems like it always turns out to be a positive experience. There are a ton of ethnic clubs on campus and they tend to share the largest stake of Ring Road (the common student pathway)with the fraternities and sororities handing out fliers for events during the week. Although UCI may be ethnically diverse, it is definitely not geographically diverse. A huge majority of students come from Southern California, many from within Orange County, so sometimes it can feel like a bubble. It's not hard being from the far away and coming here, although I can see how it can make some people homesick to feel further away from home than you really are when your friends go home for the weekend. UCI is known as the most conservative UC in the state but it feels like any normal college campus to me. There are more protests here than you'd think, with Animal Cruelty, Worker Rights, and Minority Rights being the most prominent.

Most UCI students are very friendly and mellow that I think alot of people would enjoy coming to UCI. Also it is a good size school that there is a good amount of diversity at UCI in the areas of finance, interests, academics, and lifestyles.

There are some tensions with Middle Eastern religions that serve as mirror of the greater picture. UCI is part of Southern California's elite of the OC. Students that wont fit in are those who rather be in a small town. Small town people are more than welcomed but do experience a bigger shock than others. As stated before, the UCI population is very diverse. Students are not politically involved to great extent. Like most college campuses, the majority of students are mainly left or center politically oriented.