[claudmyster]

I got accepted into UCMerced and UCRiverside. My situation is that there are WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE GOING TO RIVERSIDE THAT too the point where it'll be high school all over again. On the other hand...i wont have to be lonely half the time at least. But my concern is if i chose Merced, then will i have a better lifestyle there? Please, inform me as much as possible.

[jinnyblue]

I'm surprised they allow you to enroll this late. I'm not sure what you mean by way too many people enrolling at Riverside considering how even more people enroll at other UCs like Cal or Irvine. And how would that be like high school? Perhaps you mean too many of your high school acquaintances are going there? But I'm not sure how that would be bad though unless you made a lot of enemies in hs.

I actually did want to go to Merced instead of Riverside, but I eventually decided the latter because it offered more. I'm sure one of the biggest complaints for Merced is the lack of social life since way fewer people attend the school compared to other UCs. When I was researching the school, I checked their "CatCams" and hardly saw anyone even during the school day. Its almost like Where's Waldo except you're trying to find a single living soul on a vast plot of concrete and grass. There are also even fewer hangout places than Riverside unless you have a car. Maybe it's because I'm going to UCR, but I really do think you'll have a more active social life at Riverside since there are comparatively more things to do (student organizations, greek life, school events) and you're not isolated from the nearest town like Merced is.

And I by no means intended to insult people who are attending Merced but this is what I heard from current students and from just word of mouth. But I do have to compliment Merced on how pretty the campus and its buildings are. It almost looks like a small, deserted suburban town. The dorms are also very nice since they're new and if you do seek a social life, I would assume your dormmates would be the best bet.

[claudmyster]

well uh, i decided to go to merced. my sister and family thinks its a good idea. I can focus on my grades and not too much of an influence on partying, even though there is a lot of partying every campus there is. anywho, i found this apartment dorm and everything is included! the only problem i have is that i hope the school has a lot of activities like UCSD and their bonfires. I know that UCmerced has like lakes and ponds, but like...yeah.....i dont think they have bonfires really. But looking on the brighter side of things...i didn't hate anybody from hs really, its just....i want to know more people by starting fresh. Oh, another thing is that merced is farther than riverside is from my home. Im hoping that maybe i can finally get the freedom i've been dying to get. anyways, yeah.lol. thanks for the comments.