UCR pros and cons + why I chose to attend ucr...my honest opinion | uc riverside

lauren pak
26 Apr 202016:13
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video, the creator shares their personal journey and insights about attending the University of California, Riverside (UCR). Despite it not being their first choice, they highlight the pros of UCR, such as less competitive academic environment, abundant free resources like tutoring and counseling, a diverse student body, numerous on-campus organizations, and various free programs including concerts and guest speakers. However, they also discuss the cons, including the lack of school spirit due to the absence of a sports team, the less-than-ideal city location of Riverside, overpopulation leading to large class sizes and limited resources, and basic major offerings. The creator encourages those considering UCR to give it a fair chance, emphasizing their positive experiences and the great memories they made, while also acknowledging the various factors to consider.

Takeaways
  • πŸŽ“ The speaker chose UCR over other options due to wanting a college experience and financial considerations.
  • πŸ“š UCR is less competitive than other colleges, which can be beneficial for managing GPA and academic success.
  • πŸ†“ UCR provides numerous free resources and support systems for students, including tutoring and on-campus services.
  • πŸͺ The campus has a pantry offering free groceries to help with the financial burden of students.
  • πŸ› UCR has a diverse student body, fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
  • 🀝 There are many opportunities for involvement through on-campus organizations and clubs.
  • 🎟 UCR offers free programs and events, such as concerts and celebrity guest speakers, enhancing the college experience.
  • 🏈 The lack of a strong sports team at UCR results in a less vibrant school spirit compared to other campuses.
  • 🚨 The city of Riverside, where UCR is located, is considered less than ideal with safety concerns and limited activities.
  • πŸŒ† UCR's large student population leads to overpopulation issues, including difficulty with parking and large class sizes.
  • πŸ“ˆ While UCR offers a broad range of majors, they may lack specialized or niche programs compared to other institutions.
Q & A
  • Why did the speaker choose UCR over other colleges?

    -The speaker chose UCR because it was more affordable than Fordham, which was too expensive, and they felt UC Santa Cruz wasn't a good fit due to the vibe and weather. They also wanted a college experience, including dorm life and potentially joining a sorority.

  • What does the speaker consider as a major pro of attending UCR?

    -One major pro is that UCR is less competitive than other colleges, which allows for a better GPA and a less stressful academic environment, without compromising the quality of education.

  • What kind of free resources does UCR offer to its students?

    -UCR offers free resources such as the ARC for personal essay writing and tutoring in various subjects, free student-run tutoring, learning communities for first-year students, and a pantry for free groceries.

  • How does UCR support students from different backgrounds and demographics?

    -UCR has Costo Hall, which houses different offices and centers for various student demographics, offering support, counseling, and a safe space for students to voice their opinions and find assistance.

  • What is the level of campus involvement and organization opportunities like at UCR?

    -UCR offers a wide range of on-campus organizations for students to get involved in, including clubs, student government, sororities and fraternities, multicultural Greek life, and professional fraternities.

  • What are some of the free programs and events that UCR provides for its students?

    -UCR provides free programs such as on-campus concerts featuring popular artists, celebrity guest speakers, free merchandise, and movie premiere tickets.

  • What is the speaker's main concern regarding UCR's sports culture?

    -The speaker is concerned that UCR lacks a strong sports culture and school spirit because it doesn't have a football team or other prominent sports teams that rally the student body.

  • How does the city of Riverside impact the UCR student experience?

    -The city of Riverside is less than ideal for a college town, with limited activities outside of downtown and safety concerns due to homelessness and crime, which may affect the student's weekend life.

  • What challenges does the speaker identify with UCR's campus population?

    -The speaker identifies overpopulation as a challenge at UCR, with difficulties in finding parking, long lines on campus, limited resources, and classes being held off-campus at a movie theater.

  • What is the speaker's opinion on class sizes at UCR?

    -The speaker was surprised by the large class sizes at UCR, including a lecture hall that seats 600 people, which they found overwhelming and potentially detrimental to learning.

  • How does the speaker describe the range of majors offered at UCR?

    -The speaker describes the majors offered at UCR as generic and basic, with a focus on more common areas of study and less specialization or niche options.

  • What advice does the speaker give to someone who is considering attending UCR?

    -The speaker advises prospective students to give UCR a fair shot despite any negative opinions they may have heard. They encourage students to consider all the pros and cons and make their own decision based on their personal preferences and goals.

Outlines
00:00
πŸŽ“ College Decision Process and UCR Experience

The speaker shares their college selection journey, highlighting why they chose UCR over other options despite it not being their first choice. They discuss their initial application to 14 schools and being accepted into three, including Fordham, which they couldn't afford. The speaker also compares UCR to UC Santa Cruz and mentions their desire for a traditional college experience, including dorm life and sorority involvement. They also list five pros and five cons of attending UCR based on their personal experience.

05:01
🏫 UCR's Campus Resources and Diversity

The speaker outlines the various free resources available at UCR, such as the ARC for essay help, tutoring services, and learning communities for first-year students. They also mention the 'Pantry', a resource for free groceries, and Costo Hall, which houses offices for different student demographics. The paragraph emphasizes UCR's diversity and the pride the speaker feels in this aspect. Additionally, the speaker talks about the numerous on-campus organizations and the opportunities they provide for student involvement.

10:03
πŸŽ‰ Free Programs and Campus Life at UCR

The speaker discusses the free programs offered by UCR, including concerts with popular artists and celebrity guest speakers. They also mention free merchandise and movie tickets as part of the benefits of attending UCR. However, they point out the lack of a strong sports culture and school spirit at UCR due to the absence of a football team and other sports teams that typically rally students. The speaker also touches on the less-than-ideal city location of UCR and the safety concerns associated with the surrounding area.

15:03
🚫 Overpopulation and Academic Concerns at UCR

The speaker addresses the issue of overpopulation at UCR, describing the difficulties of finding parking and the large class sizes, which can seat up to 600 people. They express concerns about the quality of education in such crowded settings. Additionally, the speaker criticizes the generic and basic nature of the major courses offered at UCR, suggesting that students seeking more specialized or niche fields may need to consider other institutions. Despite these cons, the speaker encourages those considering UCR to give it a fair shot and not be swayed by negative opinions.

πŸ€” Final Thoughts on UCR

The speaker concludes by reiterating their positive experience at UCR despite it not being their top choice. They encourage prospective students to weigh the pros and cons and to make an informed decision. The speaker also invites viewers to explore more UCR-oriented videos and wishes them luck in their college journey, emphasizing that their opinions are subjective and should be considered alongside other perspectives.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘College Decision
The process of choosing which college or university to attend after high school. In the video, the speaker discusses their personal journey and factors that influenced their decision to attend UCR, highlighting the importance of this process for prospective students.
πŸ’‘UCR (University of California, Riverside)
A public research university and one of the ten campuses of the University of California system. The video's creator chose UCR over other options due to factors such as cost, location, and the desire for a traditional college experience. UCR serves as the central theme for the discussion of the pros and cons of attending the university.
πŸ’‘Competitiveness
The level of rivalry or competition in an academic setting. The speaker mentions that UCR is less competitive than other colleges, which can be a relief for students looking for a less stressful academic environment. This concept is important as it contrasts with the common perception of college environments.
πŸ’‘Resources
The various support systems and services provided by a university to its students. The video emphasizes the availability of free resources at UCR, such as tutoring, writing assistance, and academic support programs, which contribute to the overall student experience and success.
πŸ’‘Diversity
The range of differences among students in terms of race, ethnicity, culture, etc. The speaker takes pride in UCR's diversity, which is a key aspect of the campus culture and reflects the university's commitment to inclusion and representation of various demographic groups.
πŸ’‘On-Campus Organizations
Groups and clubs that operate within a university, providing students with opportunities for extracurricular involvement. The video discusses the wide range of organizations at UCR, from cultural and religious groups to professional fraternities and sororities, which allow students to engage with the campus community.
πŸ’‘Free Programs
Services or events offered by the university to students at no cost. The speaker highlights UCR's provision of free programs such as concerts, celebrity guest speakers, and merchandise as a way for students to benefit from their tuition and enjoy campus life.
πŸ’‘School Spirit
The enthusiasm and support shown by students for their university, often associated with sports teams. The video points out the lack of a strong school spirit culture at UCR due to the absence of a football team and other sports teams that typically rally students.
πŸ’‘Location
The geographical setting of the university and its surrounding city. The speaker describes Riverside, the city where UCR is located, as less than ideal with limited activities and safety concerns, which can impact a student's overall college experience.
πŸ’‘Overpopulation
The condition where a university has admitted more students than it can adequately accommodate or provide resources for. The video discusses the challenges of overpopulation at UCR, including difficulties with parking, large class sizes, and limited availability of services.
πŸ’‘Class Sizes
The number of students in a given class. Large class sizes at UCR are mentioned as a con, with the speaker recalling their experience in a lecture hall seating 600 students, which can affect the personal attention and quality of education a student receives.
πŸ’‘Major Offerings
The range of academic majors or programs available for students to study. The video critiques UCR for having basic and generic major offerings, lacking in specialized or niche areas of study, which may not cater to students with specific academic interests.
Highlights

The speaker chose UCR (University of California, Riverside) over other options like Fordham and UC Santa Cruz due to financial considerations and personal fit.

UCR is not as competitive as other colleges, which can be a pro for students looking for a less intense academic environment.

UCR offers a variety of free resources on campus, including academic support and tutoring services.

The campus has a pantry program providing free groceries to students, addressing financial challenges.

Costo Hall is a hub for student support, offering services for different demographics and counseling.

UCR is known for its diversity, providing a safe space for students of various backgrounds.

There are numerous on-campus organizations and clubs for students to get involved, fostering a sense of community.

UCR organizes free concerts and celebrity guest speaker events, enhancing the student experience.

Lack of a strong sports team at UCR results in a less vibrant school spirit culture.

The city of Riverside, where UCR is located, is not an ideal college town and has safety concerns.

UCR is overpopulated, leading to difficulties with parking and large class sizes.

Classes are held off-campus in a movie theater, indicating the extent of UCR's overpopulation.

Major courses at UCR are described as basic, with limited options for niche or specialized fields.

The speaker encourages prospective students to give UCR a fair shot despite any negative perceptions.

UCR may not be the first choice for some, but it can offer a great college experience as it was for the speaker.

The video provides a balanced view of UCR with both pros and cons to help viewers make an informed decision.

The speaker suggests that the free programs and resources at UCR can give students good value for their tuition fees.

Involvement in student government, sororities, and fraternities at UCR can provide professional and social benefits.

Transcripts
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