University of California--Irvine | Student Reviews | Best College

Student Profile

Kareem

Class: Junior
Major: Biology
Gender: M

High School: Junipero Serra High School
Transfer Student: N

Big Picture

The best thing about UCI to me is that the administration does an excellent job in making the students feel comfortable. Moving in my first year I felt like my RA truly cared about me and wanted to make sure I was happy. There are so many organizations on campus for the students needs and everyone of them shows full support for the students to strive for their goals and prepare them for their future. One thing I would change aboue the school is I would try and find a way to reach out to the students to have more pride in their school. The school has approximately 20,000 undergraduate students which is a lot of people. But I feel the more people on campus, the more people one can meet and network with. When I tell my friends I go to UCI, not too many of them know much about the school, they ask me what its like and if its known as a good university. I spend most my time on campus during the days whether it be going to class, studying, or part of an organization. One experience I will always remember at UCI is the first year living in the residence halls. The friends I made are some of my closest friends till this day. I learned a lot from my RA and am thankful for having an amazing group of people to live with. The most frequent student complaints I would say is that the social life is not that great.

Academic Life

Most of the professors know my name. I like to introduce myself at the beginning of each quarter and I meet them in office hours. My favorite class at Irvine is physiology. It is all about how the body works and that is what i am mostly interested in. Students vary in how much they study. You have some that study all day long and you have others that will wait till the day before an exam to open a book. Class participation is common depending on the class size. If its a lecture of 300 students then its not too common. But if its a class of 30 then students are actively involved in the lecture. Students do have intellectual conversations outside of class. Whether it be about politics or evolutionary biology. Depending on what major students are they have more interest in talking about their own school subjects. The biological sciences major is the most competitive major at campus. It has the largest amount of students (3100) and graduates 50% of each freshman class. The counselors do a great job in helping the students in what classes to take and what careers to get into. The academic requirements at UCI are to me what every college should require. They have the standard requirement for what I think wil prepare you for the future.

Student Body

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% 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% of the population exactly. They come from all around california and the ohter 8% 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.