Absolutely awesome!
University of California, Riverside is one of the most diverse Universities in the nation. We have every race you can think of socializing in one melting pot. This is a school where white people are actually the minority. Unbelievable right? Best of all, there are support groups; clubs and organizations for them to celebrate their culture and unite. For instance, African Student Programs, Chicano Student Programs, LGBT Resource Center, Asian Pacific Student Programs, and much more. These support groups provide locations on campus for students to hang out and bond with people like them as a safe house. In addition, their are cultural dorm rooms for heritages to bond and create a family. For example the dorm rooms provide a living community for African Americans known as the PAN African Theme Hall, for Hispanic students known as Mundo Hall, and Stonewall Hall for students of the LGBT community.
My overall opinion about this school is that it is very dull. It is not as upbeat as I thought it would be. Professors seem to be careless and the only help comes from TA's (if they are good TA's). It is so boring out here that people turn to drugs as recreation. There is no school pride whatsoever...I see several people wearing other UC campus clothes. Whoever I'm calling, I feel like I'm always put on hold. My academic advisors are hardly any help to me
The orange juice is the best thing about this school. UC Riverside is known for having the best Orange juice ever known. One thing I would change about UC Riverside, the location... it feels quite lonely on weekends due to students commuting back home. My school is quite small. Needs a bit more "spirit" when it comes to throwing on campus events. People usually do not know where my school is, therefore I explain about an hour away from Los Angeles. It puts things in perspective that way. I spend most of time near The famous "HUB", a landmark in the campus of UCR. The school's administration has a bit of flaws, but then again what school is perfect anyways. The biggest Controversy so far has to be "The UC Regents Visit", students' calmly protested which ended up a bit out-of-control, Law reinforcement arrested a couple of "bad-mouth" protesters. Tuition is the most controversial complaint known to a college student. Loans are sensitive option for many families to request. Tuition crushes big dreams at times. It's a toll we have to go through no matter what.
The faculty and staff really care about you. If there was one thing I would change it would be better safety of students around campus. The size is just right. People think it is just an okay school, but I think it is really great. I spend a lot of my time in the Orbach Science Library. People go to Downtown Riverside but mostly you have to be over 21.
The best thing about my school is the student-teacher ratio. I very seldom have problems with seeing a teacher or ta for office hours unless it is the week of a test or a paper. I would change the parking situation because it is confusing and they give out a lot of parking tickets because of the lack of parking spaces. I believe the school is a perfect size because it is still a research university but it is not so big that you will easily get lost within the system. Most students from the UC system are not impressed when I tell them that I go to UCR but others are impressed because we are a part of the UC system as well as we are a college on the rise with the building of our new medical school facilities. I spend most of my time in either libraries which are reasonably quiet or the HUB which is in the center of campus but it is also a place to get some studying or homework done. The side of riverside where the campus is on is catered to students but I would not consider Riverside a college town. The biggest controversy on campus is the occupy movements which is big around all the UC's and CSU's. The school is split down the middle almost between the social science and the natural sciences. My most memorable experience was sitting in and disrupting the UC Regents meeting which made the LA news. The most frequent complaints on the campus is the parking situation.
As I quickly approach my last quarter here at UCR, there are many things that I loved about the school as well as many things that could have been better. One thing that I'll always cherish about this school is the friends and faculty that I've met here. Being a school of such diversity, its really difficult to find people only hanging out in cliques of their own ethnicity. You'll never hear people say that our school is dominated by one certain ethnicity. Personally, I've become acquainted with all sorts of people here on campus. Students here are generally very open and friendly and the variety of friends that I've made during my times in the dorm are actually some of my closest friends even now. The professors here also share that friendly characteristic, well most at least. They are always open to talking to student about anything whether it be class material or life decisions; you name it, they'll talk to you about it. During your time at our campus, you'll find that most outings will be centered around you and some friends getting some awesome food at one of the many awesome restaurants here in Riverside. We have a phenomenal all you can eat sushi place and an all you can korean bbq place about 15 miles away from here. Not only is the food super awesome, but the price is super cheap for what you're getting. Its definitely the best place to go after a hard midterm in the afternoon. Just make sure you get to know someone with a car considering that most of the fun in Riverside is located somewhere off campus. My biggest complaint about our campus is the lack in sports teams. We do have a decent basketball team as well as a volleyball team, however I really wish we had some sort of football team going. I honestly feel school spirit will increase drastically if we could get a football team going on campus. However, this isn't a humongous concern because we do get some awesome performers for our various school events. During my time here, I've seen big bands such as N*E*R*D, Common, Kid Cudi, J.Cole, Taking Back Sunday, Shiny Toy Guns, Crystal Method, Wale, and much more ALL FOR FREE. Another humongous complaint I have for our school is parking. There is one major lot for our campus as well as some other smaller lots that you can park your car. But during rush hours from around 11am - 1pm, parking can become a nightmare. It definitely requires you to leave your house or apartment a bit earlier than you would have actually liked. This could be an easy fix though if the school just allowed students to park in some of the restricted lots on campus.
I love the buildings. One building specifically would be the Art Building. It is a very oddly shaped structure which can be seen in many perspectives through its interaction with the sun and other buildings. The school provides many opportunities to study in many of the study lounges in the buildings. I like that I can study in any of these places even in between classes. The campus is moderately big- not too big or small. The centerpiece of the school is the Bell Tower. One of my favorite things about it is that everyday at noon they play the Nutcracker and other songs with the chimes of the bells. As to the area surrounding the school- many complain that there are limited things that we can do. It is true- that is if you don't have a car. There are malls a couple blocks away and one big mall in Moreno Valley. However, there is the University Village- it has a couple restaurants and a movie theatre. So I don't think its that bad.
This in the perspective of a computer science major so take this in mind if you are a humanities major. If there is one word that describes this school, it would be "under-rated". What this school lacks in prestige, it makes up in heart and opportunity. If you find yourself being "rejected" from the other UCs and ending up here, don't think it is the end of the world. You learn the same things as the other UCs and have basically the same opportunities. Remember, it doesn't matter where you start out. It matters where you finish. I absolutely adore this school. At first, I thought I would not like it, but UCR grows on you. I credit UCR for building me as a person when the other UCs told me "no". The professors are accessible and the class sizes tend to be smaller than other UCs. However, in only three years, our reputation as the "reject" UCR is quickly disappearing. The campus is quickly growing, despite budget cuts, and people now say to me, "UCR, good school." If this has changed in only three years, I can't wait to see how UCR improves in a decade. I am going to be a proud alumni. The best thing about this school is the friendly down-to-earth atmosphere. Everyone here is so non-judgemental. We are exposed to so much diversity that one learns what really connects human beings together. The school has a nice size. It isn't too big or too small. There is a sense of community among the engineering school. Faculty and professors often have BBQs with students. If you apply yourself, you can go far. It is easy for science and engineering majors especially to get into research. There isn't a college town feeling to this university. The night life is virtually non-existent if you don't have a car. If you do have a car, you can go down-town to do some nice activities. There are museums, restaurants, and a night club. Drugs and alcohol can be found but one needs to actually look for them. If I could change one thing about this university, it would be to have more people live closer to and on campus. We are a "commuter" school where 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of people commute. Mostly, they do it to save money on living expenses. Also, I would make our humanities program stronger. Our best strengths have to be in the STEM subjects. The humanities buildings and classrooms are in disarray. It is depressing to be a humanities major here. I also heard our physics program isn't the best. Little known facts about UCR is that we have the best place to study insects. If you take the hill upward and go in one of the buildings, there are lots of insects to look at in display. The UCR Rivera library is home to the largest science fiction section in the world; the Eaton collection. The physics building has a pendulum that sways back and forth. They also have a globe you can play with.
I think the diversity of students at UCR is great and students really benefit from interacting with people from different bacgrounds. Also the size of the campus itself isn't too large or too small. It's definitley one of the smaller UCs. I wish the surrounding area of Riverside was a little safer. Also the city doesn't have many attractions or interesting places to hang out.
While UC Riverside generally has an unfavorable reputation, it is like most universities in that you are rewarded based on how much effort you put forth into the university. It is not a very large campus but by no means is it small. There are ample opportunities provided by UCR to students to find jobs, clubs, and organizations. Despite common complaints that there is nothing to do in Riverside, all one has to do is actually open up and look for students with common interests to realize that, surprisingly, there is a lot going on at UCR. For example, my first year I found myself with too much spare time getting bored. I enjoyed playing soccer but knew I was not good enough to play for the university. Luckily the school had a club team as well as pick up games three times a week. For others there are always business, community service, and social fraternities and sororities to invest their time. As far as the administration goes, the quality varies greatly. Some professors seem thoroughly interested in helping students; however, others spend most of their time doing research where they gain the majority of their money and only lecture because they are required to do so. These professors usually only have a powerpoint for every lecture and rarely interact with students. While there are professors like this at UCR, it should be noted that this is not, in fact, the norm.
Honestly, when I first moved to Riverside for UCR, I did not like the school mainly for its location. It is located in the dessert with not that much entertainment around, and the weather can be very unpredictable sometimes. However, after getting used to the campus and people, I grew to gladly accept it as my second home. As a 4th year, I can say that going back to my hometown feels odd because it doesn't even feel like my real home anymore! Houses in Riverside are very affordable compared to other schools. While you may be paying over $800-$900 in LA, UCR students pay an average of $400-$500 a month, $600+ for a master bedroom. Some people split the master bedroom with another friend and pay even less. Keep in mind that houses here are mainly two stories and very spacious. Prices are even cheaper in Moreno Valley, which is right next to Riverside. People at UCR are very friendly compared to other campuses as well. For example, many of my friends have complained to me about their schools' general atmosphere being very tense because every student only looks out for himself. UCR is very different in that sense. Students tend to help other students out with homework and such, and many classes I've taken are actually quite heavy on group projects, which further encourages team work and a harmonious working environment. The campus is not too big once you get a general sense of the map. Everything basically revolves around the bell tower, which is in the center of the school and is the most recognizable building. One thing I really like about UCR is its diversity. Matter of fact, US News ranked UCR 6th most diverse university in the nation. Walking on campus, you see every ethnicity and race possible, all sitting around the bell tower relaxing or chatting away at Coffee Bean. Greek letters are set on grass where members can catch up with each other or do their homework.
The University of California, Riverside is a very unique university for many reasons. The most beautiful thing about UCR is the diverse student population. Our campus prides itself in being the most diverse UC campus and more importantly, the sixth most diverse campus in the country! As a result of such a diversified student body, our campus shines with symbols of different cultures and backgrounds. With over 350 student organizations, the center of campus is always alive with student activity as well as cultural, political, and social statements. It is undeniable however, that with such diversity comes tensions and misunderstandings. There have been a few displays of political differences and dissatisfaction between student organizations; yet somehow, they have always remained peaceful. Passion, anger, love, hatred, and misunderstanding can result in many violent outbursts and campus wide threats; however, students at UCR have always remained respectful to the campus and the students. It's event like these that exhibit the beauty of freedom of speech. As we have learned to celebrate our similarities as a student body, we have also learned to embrace our differences. In terms of UCR's academic ranking and social standing, the stereotype that UCR is one of the easiest UC's to get into is very discouraging. The stereotype of UCR as "UC Rejects" has directly affected the students; as a result, UCR students do not show as much pride in the university as they should. When comparing UCR with a university like, UCLA, they overpower us with their immense amounts of pride. I still have hope that with our increasing academic ranking and the opening of our very own Medical School, UCR students will develop large amounts of school pride.
I had prior misconceptions coming into UCR. I came for the creative writing department because UCR is the only school within the UC system that offers creative writing as an undergraduate degree. After four beautiful years, I can honestly say that I have throughly enjoyed my time. It's a diamond in the rough so to speak. Riverside isn't exactly a college town, but college is what you make of it. If students are willing to open up and try new experiences, they will soon realize that Riverside can be just as much of an experience as living in any of the famed college towns of America. School pride is not where it needs to be at UCR, but it is certainly on its way. Students often complain Riverside is boring or they would rather be somewhere else, but those student just simply haven't put in the effort. I have loved my time at UCR and wouldn't trade it for anything. I have met so many beautiful people that I would have not met anywhere else. The diversity at UCR is something that is extremely hard to come by. UCR is completely unique and I would recommend my school to any high school senior looking for a great college experience.
UCR is what you make of it. UCR students have a lot of agency, and that's what I like best about the college. There are many leadership, research, social, and personal development opportunities at UCR - to access them, you have to be proactive. If you really want to grow - professionally or personally - there are many resources at UCR for you. There are also many ways to fail your classes, abuse substances, and get kicked out. It can be easy to get lost amongst the masses (it's a pretty big school - I think about 18,500 students), but that also means that you can connect with so much more. The hugeness of UCR means that a lot of students have trouble finding their 'niche' on campus - but the opportunity will always be there. There isn't much school spirit at UCR, probably because we don't have a football team anymore. The administration is trying to increase school spirit with a "Tartan Soul" campaign that advocates Integrity, Accountability, Respect, and Discipline, but it hasn't had much effect. UCR doesn't have a "college town" feel, but it's located an hour away from the beach and the mountains. It's possible to get by with just public transportation, but its comfortable to have access to car. The budget cuts affect UCR enormously. Many services (like free trolleys that take students around Riverside) have been cut, building the medical school has been delayed, and class sizes are swelling to the point where students find it difficult to get classes. There are ways to ensure priority registration - enrolling in the Honors program, or playing for a school athletic team are a couple methods that give your first pick at classes. Incentives and disadvantages, UCR has both. Unfortunately, there will always be people who focus on the school's negative stereotypes. I remember hearing about an encounter my roommate had with an acquaintance she'd met at a party. She had told him she attended UCR, and he'd given her a surprised look, then said "Wow. Really? I never would have guessed - you sound so intelligent." It's irritating, but that reaction can also be motivating. It's up to the student to make their experience memorable.
The best thing about UCR is that it has many, and i mean many opportunities for those who go looking. Despite the amount of opportunities at the university it is also something that must be looked for if you are not a very involved student or aware of the universities event and programs on campus. The school is a decent size for the current population size, and continues to grow every year with the addition of the new medical school. Generally, UCR is not considered a prestigious school with a historical history in sports, academia, or wealth- even seen as a last resort university for some. However, that has been changing over the past 10 years. The University harbors a brand new student hub which caters to every students need. Ranging from snacks, video games, coffee and doughnuts, to sunshine to hangout. With administrative offices surrounding the perimeter of the hub, every student has access to grab a snack and get things done with grades, billing, or financial aid within minutes on end. UCR is not a school to create much controversy, but the biggest talk of Riverside has been the opening of the medical school here in the Inland Empire. Although many may not know, UCR graduates compose a large amount of UCLA medical students through its joint program- one which is set to change with the opening of this new school.This is what we secretly pride on, beside one of the leading entomology programs and freakish oranges of the California state where testing on fruit continues. Although the school is still a quit school under the radar, we always pride on the "HEAT" concert which is alway my best memories in the hot entertainment by artists such as Lupe Fiasco and Ludacris for FREE!
I feel that UCR is reaching an important stepping stone in its development. Unlike other schools in the UC system, like UC San Diego or UCLA, UCR has room to expand. We may not reach the exact same academics in overall numbers, or the nationwide renown--at least, not yet.But the amount of expansion being done at the school, especially in this down economy, creates feeling of forward movement that few others can attest to. New buildings--included a revamped rec center, and California's first public med school in over 40 years--are always being built. Out of all of the college in the UC system, UCR has the most land. For me, I know that ten years after graduation, UCR is going to be bigger then ever, and that's what's going to be on my diploma.
The best thing about UC Riverside are the people here. I come from a suburban city and the people are generally very cold and haughty. I always knew this but I thought that this held true for every city-until I came to UCR. The people I have met here have really changed my world views significantly. The friends that I have made have helped me to develop and challenge myself and my viewpoints. The staff here is amazing and I have really enjoyed every single class here! I love that the professors are so open and easily accessible so that I am not afraid of approaching them for questions and help in class. The difference here is that people are so open and amiable. It was the first thing I noticed and the most impacting impression on me. By seeing the openness of hearts here, it has helped me to open myself up to others. When we all open up ourselves to eachother, we become very comfortable with eachother. I guess, that's what I love about UCR. I am quite simply at comfort and rest.
UC Riverside was not my first choice during the application process, in fact it was my back up, but my experience studying at UCR has been better than I expected. The best thing about UCR is the diversity of students, you get to break out of the high school stereotypes and meet so many different people. The campus is pretty decent sized and despite the budget cuts is still expanding. But I wish the school were situated in a college town though; the surrounding area can be shady and there's not much student life off campus. One thing the budget cuts have affected, however, is registration for classes. Classes fill up fast and there aren't enough seats, it's difficult to get classes even for your major.
Reflecting on my first quarter as a real-live-college-student, I realized that UCR has become somewhere that feels like home, except 25 degrees hotter. I genuinely love my college and those who attend it alongside me. The 20,000 students at UCR are passionate, friendly, and more welcoming than I could have imagined. This was made clear to me my very first day to college, when I managed to get hopelessly lost on the medium-sized campus a grand total of five times. Each time, a smiling face walked me to my class, and two of them even became close friends. Alright, down to the nitty gritty specifics. Riverside is most definitely NOT a college town. Safety is an issue, though most people blow it out of proportion and as long as you use your common sense, you should be fine. However, Riverside is only an hour away from whatever activity your heart desires- Disneyland, Huntington Beach, Redlands, Big Bear, you name it. There's always something to do at UCR, and anyone who tells you otherwise simply isn't looking in the right places. Fraternities and sororities are always having socials and events, as well as the more than 200 on-campus clubs. In addition, there's an awesome Outdoor Excursions program that offers discounted group trips skiing, surfing, and more. My favorite UCR events are the weekly Wednesday concerts, or "Nooners", where local bands serenade us midday. It's a great way to see all your friends, grab some food, and unwind. I already have so many unforgettable memories here. From Block Party, the huge kickoff concert and all-campus party, to the epic USC basketball showdown, UCR kids love coming out and partying alongside their classmates. Speaking of class (notice I saved this for last, true procrastination), academics at UCR have so far been pretty rigorous, but definitely manageable. My TA's were approachable and knew their info, so it wasn't intimidating to ask for help in my crazy upper-div Poli Sci class. Registration has become a bit of a circus due to budget cuts, but that's expected at any public school in CA nowadays. Overall, I'd say a solid 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of kids in my classes are there to learn and get a degree, an impressive chunk when I had three 8 a.m lectures.
I overall like UC Riverside because of the people, what activities/clubs are offered and the overall vibe of the school. The first thing I noticed during my first week of school was that everyone was extremely friendly. I felt like I could talk to anyone and they would be just as enthusiastic to talk to me as I to them. The second thing I noticed about the students was how diverse everyone was. I came from a school where it was predominantly Asian and White. It was nice to see a large population of African-Americans, Hispanics, and other races. There were even a lot of foreign exchange students who were just as social as anyone else on campus. Second is the large amount of activities and clubs that are offered. I was very excited to find out that they had intramural sports like softball, volleyball, basketball, etc. I ended up joining a volleyball team and so far I have been very pleased with the organization of the games and the competitiveness. There are also a lot of classes offered at the recreation center like martial arts, dance, and work out classes. There is even a wide variety of clubs from science to art and even cultural clubs. The general vibe of the school is open, social, and laid back. There isn’t this high academic atmosphere like my high school. My friends from UCLA have told me that in the dorms, it is usually quiet because students spend an incredible amount of time studying. My dorm experience was very social and fun but at the same time there were still some students who did care about academics. There is a lot of diversity at UC Riverside. Not just race, but personality, work ethics, and wealth. Some things I wish there was more of and the most frequent student complaints I have heard of is there is not much to do off campus and not a lot of school spirit. There are a few food places near campus and a movie theatre. But to get to the mall you have to take a bus or have a car. Many students feel bored on campus, especially on weekends because there is nothing to do. There aren’t many events, clubs, or malls that are fairly close and there isn’t a wide selection of things to do. Most of the weekends are spent going to parties. Lastly, UCR doesn’t have a lot school pride. A lot of people do not attend sporting events or wear or buy UCR sweatshirts and products compared to other colleges like USC or UCLA. This has more to do with people’s attitude towards the school. A lot of students that attend UCR are those who were rejected from the other UC’s. This definitely has an affect of the school’s spirit.
At first I did not enjoy being at UCR. In fact I dreaded going to UCR. The only reason that I choose UCR over other schools that I got into was because it was a UC instead of a CSU, which of course, I regretted. But after being at UCR for close to 3 years now, it actually grows on you. There isn't much to do around the campus besides eat or watch movies at the UV, but as you are around the area more, you start to find other little things to do like hike to the C or go eat at Asahi (a local sushi joint), or even just going long boarding or for a bike ride around campus. If you are looking for a college town, Riverside is by far not it. It can be however one of the more livelier places at night with the Mission Inn down the street (a nice romantic place to take a date), or the Tyler mall just down the freeway. UCR however is one of the schools that I have been around with the most school pride. During my freshmen year, we were required to wear blue and gold on every Wednesday because it was "blue and gold" day. You may dread being at UCR at first, but trust me it will grown on you.
The best thing about this school is definitely the diversity. I came from a school that was pretty much 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} Asian and 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} White, and before I came to UCR I had never so much as even had a conversation with anyone who was Black. Aside from a few inevitable clashes in culture, I have generally come across very open-minded and friendly people here. One thing I'd change is the lack of school spirit. I'm on the UCR Highlander Girls Dance Team here and not only is it my job to inspire a sense of school pride and unity, but it is also what I personally and sincerely believe to be healthy for the students here. People usually react in a sympathetic, sorry way when I tell them that I am a UCR student. It used to bother me, but now I have come to terms with the fact that UCR just has a lower reputation in comparison to fellow UC campuses, but as long as I work hard and am proud of everything I have accomplished during my time here, then I've done my job. If people would stop holding on to the stereotype and learn to see past it, they would also be able to see, as I do, that this school is a wonderful, academically challenging, fun, and loving place. Riverside may be a poor area with not much to do, but if students would stop complaining and just take advantage of the time to focus on their studies or to participate in extra-curriculars on campus, then they might just start to love their on campus, and even break some stereotypes along the way.
I personally love UC Riverside. It is mostly known for its Science courses and that is originally how I decided to come here, but it is more than just Academics. I love the diversity of this school and how open it is to everyone, making you feel at home no matter what major or ethnicity or religion you are. I found it very welcoming to me and it offered me the perfect balance between work and play which is essential to having a memorable experience in college.
Overall, I am extremely satisfied with my college experience here at UCR. I've never dreaded a course nor have I encountered an unpleasant professor or TA. I feel UCR is a perfect size for me; I didn't want a small school because I didn't want to feel like I was in high school or at a JC and I didn't want a school so large that I'd have extreme difficulty getting around or run the chance of getting lost. People are pleasantly surprised when they find out I am attending UCR. On campus I spend most of my time wherever it is that my friends are; recently we've been at the library a lot preparing for finals. I feel that there is a reasonable amount of school pride. On any given day, many students can be seen wearing UCR clothing on and off campus; furthermore, a lot of cars can be seen sporting UCR stickers and plate covers. Like I said, I am very content with my choice of UCR; the only thing I, along with many other students, don't like and would change about UCR is the hot weather.
One of the best things about this school that I truly adore is the diversity. There are so many cultures and ethinicities within this campus that it makes me feel like I've been all around the world just from looking at different types of students. If I had to change one thing, it wouldn't be the school itself, it'd be the hot, humid weather. Since I'm from Northern California, I really had to adjust to the climate here. In my opinion, my school is the perfect size. It's not too small, and not too big. The dorms and apartments aren't too far from campus. They're a decent distance. Everything is just right. When I first told people that I was attending UCR, I got different responses. Some people were accepting of it because they were familiar with the school and others weren't. They'd compare it to the other UCs, as if it's really worth comparing. I spend most of my time at my resident hall. The school administration is very helpful and sincere when it comes to the interaction with students. They truly want to see students here succeed and go on to graduate school, or whatever else students decide to do. There is a tremendous amount of school pride, especially at sporting events. At a recent basketball game students painted their bodies blue with yellow laters spelling, "UCR." There's nothing unusual about this school, as far as I know. I will always remember my orientation experience. Everybody was so enthusiastic about this school, and the energy on campus was so refreshing. It made me feel like I made the perfect decision when I decided to enroll here, and I have. One of the most frequent student complaints would have to be some of the items offered in the dining halls. Sometimes the food is delicious, and sometimes it's bland. It honestly just depends on the day, and who cooks the food.
The University of California, Riverside is an excellent mid-sized college. It is not a very large university, and so it allows for many of the students to actually interact with each other forming close relationships, and small groups within the community. Students that are near, or on campus are able to take better advantage of the benefits the UCR community provides, such as participation within groups and activities on campus, as well as having close access to school resources such as the library. With that said, that is not to say that living off campus, and commuting is a bad choice. Many commuters are very successful, and some still become involved within the UCR community.
My first thought when I heard about UC Riverside (which happens to be a relatively common thought to others out of the Southern California area as well) is, "Where is UCR?" Well, let me tell you where UC Riverside is. UCR is an hour drive away from LA, Disneyland, Big Bear, the beaches and the snowy slopes. It's located in an ideal location for the student who likes to explore their surroundings plus the campus environment itself is the perfect level of urban living where it's not so crowded that you're shoulder to shoulder with everyone but it's not rural where you think you're the last human on earth. The campus is a perfect size for the amount of students present. The campus is large and roomy with enough space to put in huge lawns to kick back and take in the Southern California sun but small enough that going from class to class isn't an epic journey. Personally, I spend time in the Athletic Fitness Center where student-athletes at UCR go to study or relax and socialize with other student-athletes. However, when I feel like getting away from the athlete population, I hang out in the Highlander Union Building (Also known as the HUB) where I can get lunch at Panda Express on one floor, chill on a couch on another floor, or kick back on the top floor in a comfy chair watching other students walk around on campus. The "college town" feel has a bit to be desired but that comes with time. All you really need to do is take a short ten minute walk from campus to the University Village where the students of UCR eat, go to the movie theater, or just hang out with friends in between classes. It's the perfect spot to go on a date, go out with friends, or just kill time. The one experience that I'll always remember is my first Block Party. Block Party is the opening event at the start of fall quarter where UCR students go on campus to eat at food tents, meet the Greeks, hang out with the athletes, rock climb, go through obstacle courses, play games, go to the Beer Garden (if you're of age of course), and watch a pretty awesome concert. It's a great way to meet new people and just have fun.
What is most advantageous for the students at UCR is the intelligible and distinguished faculty within the various academic departments, like Reza Aslan, Chris Abani, and Laila Lalami from the Creative Writing Department. They are incredibly supportive and easily accessible. What I will value most when I finish the MFA program is their knowledge and advice. Although UCR is not known for having the grandest campus within the UC system, it is quite a beautiful campus nonetheless. There are citrus trees dispersed all throughout the campus, so, if oranges are your favorite citrus fruit, than UC Riverside is just the campus for you. Orange blossoms can be smelled from any point within the campus in the springtime; one of my favorite things to do as a student at UCR is to walk to class in the midst of that aroma. The citrus trees on campus are incomparable to elsewhere, since faculty researchers have invented numerous new types of fruits, including the Melogold grapefruit and the Golden Nugget orange. The university began as the humble and official UC Citrus Experiment Station in 1954, and part of its prestige is for that reason. What is most memorable about the campus, however, is the bell tower. Anytime students are in need of direction, they can look to the bell-tower as their guide. It is the highest building on campus, a tall and slender white tower that houses a nostalgic clock at the very top. It can be seen from almost any point within the campus. The HUB (highlander union building) is brand new, modern and attractive. The food is alright, slightly expensive, but is definitely an enjoyable environment to hang out with friends in (there is a coffee bean on campus as well). The university village is always a fun place to hang out, and is within walking distance of the campus (just down the street). There is a Starbucks, a theater, and just about every type of restaurant there is to eat at (oriental, New York style pizza, sandwiches, sushi, you name it). However, there is nothing more exciting about UCR than the fact that it is only about a half an hour from Disneyland! One disappointment about the university is that regrettably, some of the clerical and administrative faculty on campus can be discouraging and inhospitable at times. Students might have to do the extra research to resolve their concerns. Overall, however, most are supportive and welcoming. Above all, If I were to sum up my experience at UCR, I would call it an experience to remember.
When I first stepped on to the campus for orientation in July, it immediately became clear that UC Riverside was a school unlike any other. With the rolling hills of the Inland Empire behind me and a line of eager, bright minds in front of me, the university introduced an entirely new world for me. As one of the most diverse colleges in the entire nation, UCR is a melting pot of different races & religions. I traveled ten hours from an uber-conservative cow town with less than a 1,000 people in it, and UCR was clearly a step above the rest. I met dozens of people in the first hour alone, each with their own unique story to tell. At the University of California, Riverside, you can pursue everything from body-pushing ab workouts to free lessons in Hebrew. On Tuesday I can attend a film festival at the University Theater, and on Wednesday I can lounge around the HUB and jam to the hottest local bands! When I enthusiastically talk about UCR to family & friends, they often scratch their heads in curiosity. Once they hear about the outstanding opportunities that the campus offers, they're always eager to hear more.
I absolutely love my school because it is the perfect fit for me. The campus is not to big or small, everyone is friendly and you can easily find something to do. My professors my first quarter were amazing and I always wanted to be in class. But in the end i do think it depends on the person. What i do love is that my school is right in between L.A. and San Diego so you can never get bored
When I tell people that I go to UCR, they seem perplexed. There is this unspoken mantra that UCR stands for the UC “Rejects”, or the students who weren’t chosen for the other top UC schools in the system. There are the rumors that UCR is the “ghetto” school, and such a derogatory term doesn’t even touch what UCR can do and has done. UCR is one of the top research institutions in the world. It’s one of the few schools in America that offers Creative Writing and Dance as viable majors, and not just minors that get tacked on like other schools. The professors are phenomenal and the campus is conveniently close together, although with the addition of the research orange fields, it is one of the largest campuses in the state. UCR may not be the most historic school, or have the best reputation, but as students we can laugh about it. We joke about the trees that sometimes smell funny or tell each other stories about professors struggling with old equipment. But we get along fine. We are not the most privileged school, it’s true. But we have made due. It’s a lot like a home, really: it may not always hold the best memories or be the nicest place to live, but you always come back because it’s where you want to be.
And when I say the location, I don't mean that it's just in the middle of nowhere [which is kind of true] but that the area gets extreme temperatures and pollution. Being that it is basically in the desert, Riverside can get to the 120s during summer - one of the biggest reasons why I have never taken summer school here. Also, unfortunately, we get a lot of LA's pollution - which tends to sit in the Inland Empire. However, I have to say that the weather and air are my biggest pet peeves. Our campus is very accepting of minorities - ranked at number 7 in the country with a diversity index of 0.71 by US News' college rankings. We also have a very active LGBT center who puts on annual events such as the Drag Show, which fundraises money for LGBT scholarships. I am happy to say that UCR was the first college in the entire nation to offer gender neutral housing in 2005. Stonewall Hall, as it is named, is located in Pentland Hills, which has private bathrooms and showers. Compared to other campuses I have been to, UCR does seem a bit small - although I have heard that once you go to those schools, it doesn't seem as big. When I actually started going to UCR and having to walk across campus between classes, I realized how big the actual campus is. In retrospect, the school feels just about the right size. Going back to the location of the school, despite that people say it's in "the middle of nowhere," it's actually in the middle of everywhere. It is about an hour to an hour and a half drive to San Diego and LA. Vegas is also a popular destination during weekends at about a 3 hour drive away. The weekdays and nights are filled with parties and kickbacks to ensure that there is always something to do. And if partying isn't your thing, downtown Riverside is quite a gem. There are plenty of little artsy coffee shops around for you to pick something up, flop into a couch and do some work in the middle of great pieces of artwork. We even have the California Museum of Photography, which features a different exhibit along with permanent ones each month. Up until relatively recently, I hadn't had much of opinion of the school's administration and to be honest, I didn't really care. A year ago, I acquired a job as the Vice Chancellor of Student Affair's student assistant and still love it to this day. Although the Vice Chancellor and Assistant Vice Chancellor are extremely busy, they are great people to get to know. And with the recent Occupy movements, I got to see how well our school handles such situations. The administration was able to work something out with those who attended our Occupy movement and the event was peaceful and successful. It will be awhile before I forget how our Chancellor was on the show "Undercover Boss" and was able to fool staff, faculty and students into thinking that he was just another new employee. His attitude and general personality captured many students' attentions and I honestly think that they felt more content with the campus in some way. Perhaps it was the an idea that the Chancellor is just another person like us that we began to embrace.
A common stereotype is that students at UC Riverside are less academic than most UC students. There is a well-known saying that "UC Riverside accepts just about anybody." The accurate count of students UCR accepts a year is 76{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of applicants, which is more than most UCs but that doesn't necessarily mean that just anybody will be accepted. All applicants are held to the same standards. Another common stereotype is that UC Riverside is the most diverse college in California, and the 5th most diverse college in the nation. This is true. I work on campus and have seen a variety of diverse students enter UCR every year. A diverse campus is an important aspect at UC RIverside and they do a pretty well job of maintaining the diversity.
UCR has a unique quality to create a safe haven for students of different races, gender, or sexuality. This campus is a very accepting place of diversity. Overall that is one of the best things about this school. However, if you are looking for school pride, you would have an easier time finding a four leaf clover. UCR does not have a football team (many years ago it did) so if you are looking for football pride, you are out of luck. The basketball teams and baseball teams play the Big West Conference which is not well known when compared to the Pac 10 or Big East. However, theses teams do play some big name schools like UCLA and just recently USC. Other sports like soccer and softball fall into the same category as baseball and basketball. One of the biggest problems at UCR is classes. Some classes are difficult to get and some are offered only one quarter through out the year. This is not really the fault of the school, but more of the fault of the whole UC system. Despite the lack of pride, UCR offers great teachers and staff and is an accepting place for everyone no matter who you are.
Overall, UCR is a great campus; very student-friendly and quite spacious. The various departments of teaching are quite professional, and the learning experience as a whole is unrivaled. Also, the fact that UCR contains a vast environment of ethnically diverse students offers a learning of new cultures and traditions one might not otherwise receive elsewhere. UCR is a very fun environment both in the classroom and outside of it.
With a chancellor that passes out cookies during finals weeks, highly involved professors and a friendly student body UCR exceeds expectations for a success promoting environment. Scotty the Highlander, the schools mascot, can be seen at several sporting events and always gains mass cheers from students and faculty, as well as visitors. Just ask one student at UCR, and you will find them swelling with Highlander pride. Also, the on campus resources seem limitless. From the ARC where one can get free tutoring, to the HUB where one can eat from various cultures and hang out or study on the upper levels, to the botanical gardens where one can bask in the glory of nature the entire campus is full of activities to relax or have fun and quite study spots.
Primarily due to its location (in the middle of the desert), Riverside does not get a lot of attention or appeal from professionals/employers or from students in general. I think our school suffers from that because it makes it harder for students to build connections with professionals in preparation for jobs after graduation. UCR also carries a lower reputation in terms of academia in comparison to the other UC's, and I can see that. I think the school should be more selective of who is accepted (seeing as how the current acceptance rate is in the 80's{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}) in order to uphold a higher standard of academics. I know every school has students who may fall behind, but when I see the amount of students who enter academic probation, it is disappointing because they should be at UC standards. However, UCR can be very prideful of its diversity and school pride. It is one of the most diverse schools out there, and it's great to see so many people of different backgrounds on the same campus. It gives people a chance to see just how successful people from different cultures can be. The school also puts a lot of effort into getting school pride out -- especially from student orientation leaders and student orgs.
The school is great, there are numerous opportunities everywhere and of course you just have to get off your butt and find it. What I think should change is the criteria in which they accept incoming students. UCR has a bad reputation for being known as a reject school as it accepts almost everyone even though they have no potential. I see students getting grants and financial aid and all they end up doing is failing their classes and cannot even get their GPA past 3.0. I think it's a complete waste of money. The area where UCR is isn't the best place. There are crimes such as robbery and assault that been occurring more often recently. They really should place cameras everywhere with the funding they receive instead of beautifying the campus more for no apparent reason.
Coming to UCR was perhaps one of the greatest decisions of my life. The school prides itself on its diversity, and it is that very diversity that makes the campus hold a special and unique position in my life. I have gotten to interact with so many different people at UCR, from different backgrounds, states, and even countries. The campus is so accepting of one another, despite our differences, and it creates a chill, relaxing environment for us students. What I love most about UCR however, is the amount of access students have to outside opportunities. As a research university, students get to work hand in hand with professors embarking on different areas of research. Students gain much needed experience in their fields which can greatly assist them in their future careers.
I LOVE UCR! Its a great place to get involved in anything you want to do. There are nearly 300 different organizations on campus, and if you don't like any of them, you can create your own. I feel like this is one of the university's biggest strengths. It is important because we are a commuter school so most people leave on the weekends. If you involve yourself in an organization or group though you have an easy way to make friends and motivation to stay around campus. As for things to do around campus...there isn't a whole lot. But we aren't too far from big cities and oceans either. You can find almost any setting you want within an hours drive of campus.
Students at UCR are thought to be near the bottom of the UC's. This may be true wh aen it comes to sports, but as education, UCR is just as good as UC Berkeley or UCLA. UCR is known to be diverse so the "groups" are more complex than just jocks, stoners, geeks. Most of the students and stuff are easy to approach.
Best thing about this school is the campus facilities. One thing I'd change is the high cost of tuition. I don't think my school is too large or too small, I think it is just the right size. People react good when I tell them I attend UCR. Most of the time I spend it on campus or hanging out with friends. I think the school administration is really good, especially our chancellor. He even appeared in Undercover Boss! The biggest recent controversy was that the cash registers at the school were hacked and some people got their credit card numbers stolen.
The best thing about this school are the professors who have such awesome personalities and care about your education and learning. If I had to change one thing, it would be amount of professors with bad english this school lets in. My school's fairly big and I'm okay with that. Size of school depends on the individual's preference. I dislike the weather here. I think a lot of UCR students agree. Occasionally to sometimes, there's awesome weather.
After attending this university for three years, I’ve really grown to like Riverside a lot. I think that the people of Riverside really make college a memorable experience. If you ask any transfer student that transferred out of Riverside, “What is one thing you miss about UCR?” They will answer with “the people.” The students at our campus are very laid-back and open-minded. The school’s staff carries that same vibe and it creates a strong communal relationship between the students and administration. I’ve met some great friends, mentors, and leaders from attending this university. It really provided me with opportunities that I would never have expected to achieve coming into college.
The best thing about this school is that the engineering department is fairly small so you get to know your peers and faculty well. There is a smaller faculty to student ratio for Bourns College of Engineering than other engineering schools. There are many impacted majors, such as psychology and biology because of the large acceptance rate of students. This generally makes it difficult for many students to graduation within 4 years, but there is a way to get priority registration and that is by joining University Honors Program, which requires a maintenance of a certain GPA and research/internship to make one become more well-rounded. Many people complain about not getting the classes they want because of the overfilled classes. I would probably want to decrease the acceptance rate because there are far too many students for the school's capacity. People usually ask me, "Where's Riverside? I've never heard of it?" and what I often tell them is that it is near LA. Riverside is not know for its prestige, but it does have a decent Business Administration department as well as a top ranking Entomology department. The university is basically the epicenter of everything and has food shops within walking distance of the university to attract students, so there is quite a variety to choose from. There usually is not much school pride as it seems like a stigma to belong to a school without a lot of recognition as compared with other UC's. If you like concerts, the school puts out a big one every quarter (3 times a year) where they bring some of the most well-known artists to campus, such as Common, Pharell from N.E.R.D., Travie McCoy, Trey Songz, One Republic, etc. just to name a few.
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