University of California--Irvine User Reviews and Ratings
Only the BEST
By Marcel, Class of 2012, From Los Angeles, CA
UC Irvine is an internationally-renowned institution offering a world class education at a reasonable cost, unlike its private-school competition, in-state and out. It offers something for everyone and is not only an outstanding research university, it is recognized for producing more first-generation college graduates than virtually any of its competitors. It has an inclusive and diverse student body and excels in all fields of study, faculty, facilities, or whether in the arts or athletics programs. The program for my major was so well-recognized that the State of California didn't require me to take and pass the exam in my subject matter (Spanish) to receive my teacher's credential (and California is notoriously the most stringent)! I was so inspired by my professors that I studied several languages beyond those required. At Alumni Day 2019 I was thrilled to see how many alumni participated and really impressed by the entire program celebrating our institution. There's a strong sorority and fraternity system, a center which welcomes veterans and an atmosphere which encourages community involvement and strengthens alumni connections. In addition, there's no finer location anywhere in the country than Irvine. Simply put, there is no better education to be had, regardless of cost. Here, you'll get far more than you paid for!
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Awesome Experience
By KI 2007, From CALIFORNIA (CA)
Loved every bit of it. Zot Zot!
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Just ok.
By Ben, From CA
To me this school is more focused on how it appears rather than how it runs. It seems like money issues are more important than education as well. A lot of the teachers are barely ok. A handful of nice and sincere ones, but even then there's not enough time to even acknowledge them, because of how fast paced the quarter system is.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：1
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：3
Top Notch Education!
By Mir M. 2022, From CA
I am a current First year in the Campuswide Honors Program at UCI and I truly feel like I made the right decision. Even though it is a large University, the counselors make you feel like they really care about you, and your overall success. If you get into the Honors Program, take it!! The priority enrollment itself is worth it. At a UC, the hardest part, in the beginning, is being able to get the classes you need, so the honors program alleviates this issue. The people are incredible as well, the diversity on campus really cultivates this feeling of belonging and creates an understanding.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Fantastic Academics, Strong Dance & Gaming Culture, Safe
By C. H, Class of 2019, From Irvine, CA
This school is a fantastic institution. The University has grown extremely fast in the short time it has been a University of California institution. As one of the youngest UC schools, UC Irvine has an incredibly diverse faculty with a very strong culture and community. If you love to play video games and want to find like minded individuals. The school was the first university across the country to create a collegiate eSports arena on campus and to my graduation day, has some of the best collegiate pro-gaming teams in the country. We also are internationally recognized for our dance culture and are lucky to have some of the best dancers at UC Irvine. Kaba Modern was a member of MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, and ever since our debut on the world stage, we have had a strong community oriented dance community with groups and project teams for people of all skill levels, including beginners wanting to start dancing for the first time in their lives. I was lucky to be a member of both communities, and come to the school at a time when eSports was taking off. We are proud to represent video games and dance. The academics is also extremely diverse. The faculty come from all kinds of backgrounds and fields who have very different opinions on the subjects we learn, making my learning experience extremely dynamic, rich, and exciting. I actually walk into class feeling excited to hear what my professors teach. The School of Social Sciences and School of Humanities is world recognized for our faculty that do interdisciplinary research in areas like my own, Anthropology. UC Irvine is one of the top schools in critical theory and had some of the greatest philosophers, teach on our campus. The campus is beautiful and there are lots of things to do on campus. If you want to be a member of the campus social life, you need to join clubs. College is what you make it so make the most of your time! I had a blast and am proud to be an anteater. Zot! Zot! Zot!
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Amazing academics even better school
By Albert, Class of 2017, From Los Angeles, CA
UCI is an amazing school!
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great state school education in a beautiful setting
By Alicia L., Class of 2001, From Washington, DC
UC Irvine is really one of the more underrated UC schools. All the pitfalls of a state school system are there (large classes, feeling like you're just another minnow in the sea), but I think UCI does a better job than some of the other UCs of providing a good balance of programs (CHP/Campuswide Honors Program) and attention that might be a bit more challenging to elbow a spot for as compared to UCLA and Cal. The setting is perfect for undergrads looking for a more quiet, suburban environment, but not too out in the styx. I'm more and more appreciative of my UCI degree in chem year over year, and am grateful for the fact that I was able to pay off the tuition within 5 years of graduation.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：3
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：4
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Life changing, eye-opening, best experience at UC Irvine
By Jon, Class of 2012, From Seattle, WA
The four years at UC Irvine have been the best of my life. Located in one of America's safest city, one of the best geographical locations - weather wise, world renowned beaches, nobel prize winners, a stellar international University of California reputation, world renowned professors, state of the art housing and the campus gym, to working out with Kobe Bryant in the same gym, witnessing the one of nation's renowned dance scene (including the Claire Trevor School of the arts). I have had the opportunity to meet diverse, passionate, spirited, and inspiring students, to take classes with amazing professors that have challenged me and changed my views, to study abroad not once but twice, to watch our Men's Volleyball team win multiple NCAA div I national championships, to eat the best dining hall food in the country, to become friends with people from all over the world (there are many international students here from across the world), to volunteer through a variety of campus orgs, our campus has been ranked #1 as the greenest campus in America for many years.... etc etc. The list goes on and on. Choosing UC Irvine over other top ranked schools was the best decision of my life.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
