“Riverside and Merced are situated in inland locations that are considered less attractive. Riverside is growing tremendously–but that has a lot to do with the coastal areas becoming so crazy expensive again and people moving there because housing costs so much less. That’s not to say you can’t get a great education at Riverside or Merced–and there’s tremendous value to graduating with a UC degree, regardless of the campus. But the stats of kids who attend there are lower than at the so-called top tier UCs and the campuses get many fewer applications. I don’t know why some seem to think it makes students entitled for being disappointed at admission results at some of the other UCs that were never quite this competitive before-we understand there are a wealth of good colleges in California–but I do think it shows a lack of familiarity of the state.”
Very true about “less attractive” inland locations. And yes, housing costs much less compared to the coast. Growing up in South Orange County as a lifelong surfer and competitive tennis player, I’m completely familiar with the state. While the average stats of UC Riverside may not be as high as “top tier UC’s” (definitely go to Berkeley/UCLA if you can!) they are rapidly increasing in parity to “mid tier UC’s”. Average student stats at UCR…3.7GPA, 27 ACT, 1190 SAT, with about a 50% student acceptance rate. No walk in the park and getting tougher every year! In terms of UCR getting “many fewer applications”, this is incorrect. Actually (for Fall 2018) UCR had a 12.4 percent increase in applicants…the LARGEST OF ANY UC CAMPUS for a reason!
I only said “entitled” because back in my day you could only apply to ONE UC (should still be that way…would really simplify things). If you didn’t make it there, you “manned up” and chose one of the few other options without complaining and realized that ANY UC was a blessing! You could not apply to “every UC” like today…so tired of people complaining they didn’t make Berkeley/UCLA even though they can apply to EVERY UC if they wanted to (although many still won’t choose Riverside, Merced, Santa Cruz, or Davis due to inland locations or “lower tier”). Have NO SYMPATHY for them!
Why is that? Well I wasn’t sure what ONE UC I wanted…was considering Biology and Business Administration. UCI was boring back then and 15 minutes from my house…didn’t want to be a commuter (wanted that freshman dorm experience) so that was out. UCLA was not my “dream school” but decided to apply there in Biology last minute more due to “peer pressure” and “name”. Didn’t make it…got redirected to Santa Cruz and Riverside. Santa Cruz was really far away and didn’t have Bio-Med or Business Administration, or even grades back then but only “written evaluations”. Probably good I didn’t go there as I would have ditched classes so much when the surf was up that I probably would have dropped out!
Riverside was closer, had Bio-Med (now Thomas Haider Program), and my major of Business Administration (Berkeley only other location to have it back then) so I chose it. I also was a competitive tennis player…had the chance to play at UCR (wasn’t on scholarship though like my freshman roommate) which I only did briefly due to academic pressure/priority. The Thomas Haider Program was EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE…really a bloodbath! Switched to Business Administration second year (not sure you can still do that now?) and never looked back! Received a top notch education and college experience and wouldn’t have it any other way from this HIGHLANDER FOR LIFE!!