University of California—Irvine (UCI)

With its “abundance of opportunities,” the University of California—Irvine delivers “a quality education” and the “critical thinking skills needed for life.” In addition to career-building fairs and visiting speakers, the school also has “lots of resources if you are struggling,” and students note that because the Orange County location is “becoming a hotspot for companies,” there are an increasing number of options for “research, volunteer opportunities, and internships on and off-campus.” All of this means that students “are encouraged to explore different paths” while also being supported with “the counseling and information resources necessary so that informed decisions are the only kind of decisions we ever make.” While teachers can be “hit or miss,” most are described as “great professors that make the class fun and enjoyable.” These standout professors are “very informed and knowledgeable about what they’re teaching,” and try to draw from their “experience outside the classroom researching and practicing their profession.” There’s no one teaching style, so it really comes down to finding what works for you: “each lesson plan is specific to the professor’s personal strengths and beliefs, as well [as] what the class needs.” Regardless of the approach or the topic, professors are said to try and make the content “appealing and are available outside of class during office hours or open to making appointments.” Taken together, the combination of knowledgeable professors and “wide range of resources” is “making our lives very rich and colorful.”

UC Irvine “is very ethnically, religiously, and culturally diverse, and there is a large LGBTQ+ community,” although students also say that it’s a very local school, where “many students are from Orange County and knew each other prior to university.” Either way, the “many different backgrounds and perspectives come together on one campus, which makes conversations and group work more interesting.” Students emphasize that though there’s a “mix of both extroverted and introverted” personalities, they’re overall “kind and respectful people.” While some students put in more time than others, most are “able to keep up with their assignments and take on a wide variety of activities,” and some “even take it upon themselves to create groups to share reminders and helpful tips, [and] host study sessions.” As one student describes the academic focus, “it feels like more of a ‘we want to succeed and we want you to succeed’ kind of way.” That balance makes for a group of peers who are “overall laid-back and able to balance school with fun.”

“A diverse selection of clubs and inclusive campus-wide activities cater to individual interests” at Irvine, including Greek life and “a vast dance community.” On busy weekdays, students “spend time at the library or other spots on campus and hang out and/or study between classes or other obligations.” At the same time, students highlight strong involvement in professional clubs, noting that “many have participation from a variety of… majors.” Other popular spots include the Esports lounge, the Anteater Recreation Center (ARC), “outdoors/hiking clubs and social events such as dog therapy,” as well as the campus’s Aldrich Park, where “the landscaping and greenery are very beautiful” and many “have picnics, read, spend time with others, play instruments, or do sports.” The university has a sizable commuter population, and “there isn’t much to do around UC Irvine if you don’t have a car” so it can be “rather quiet on the weekends.” However, others point out that there are “nice shuttle options” and “a lot of options for beaches to go to,” as well as the University Town Center (UTC), “a great place near campus for clubs, organizations, or friends to spend quality time together.” Students “all do various things,” making the most of the vibrant and inclusive campus life that UC Irvine offers.

The UC Irvine Career Center offers a number of resources for students exploring their options for life after graduation. One-onone academic advising and career counseling are available; the school hosts many on-campus recruiting events and career fairs; and the Center's online database, known as Zotlink, lists jobs and internship opportunities and provides abundant information about professional development workshops and other career events happening on campus. It's easy to gain leadership experience through programs like Passport to Leadership, the Leadership Train, or the newly launched Student Leadership Portfolio, which helps students consider how their roles will relate to their futures (and resumes). Students widely report that a UC Irvine education does a great job of preparing them for what's to come.