I was recently accepted to UCSC (for feminist studies) and UCR (sociology), and am on the wait list for UC Davis. While I’m leaning towards UCSC for their program-- the research opportunities, the opportunity to do a senior thesis in feminist studies, the course selection and great faculty in my major-- I much prefer UCR’s setting, people and weather. I visited UCSC about a month ago, and while I wasn’t entirely sold on the woods/beach surroundings, I could still see myself there. I haven’t visited UCR since the 8th or 9th grade-- and I’m not sure that visiting is an option at this point. Any advice on choosing?
Isn’t Riverside considered to kind of be in a dangerous area? That’s what I always hear, although I have never been there.
UCSC has a lot of Silicon valley recruiting, although I’m not sure in feminist studies!!! (The subject would surely benefit them, however.)
There are some sketchy parts of riverside county, but UCR isn’t in one. The good part is you’re somewhat close to the 626 and 909 which have tons of stuff to do.
If you like the weather of the IE, you must be crazy. 
(I’m from about 10 min east of UCR).
^Agree. The Inland Empire (IE) can get absurdly hot in the summer. And, like most cities, there are some nice and not so nice areas. UCR is in a nice part of the town, but there are some shady/scary areas. Good rule of thumb is don’t walk around at night alone
I visited UCR a year ago during Spring Break - it was the coolest day of the week, and that was over 90 degrees.