University of California-Riverside Top Questions

UCR students are very diverse. On campus you see all kinds of students from blacks to whites to asians to mexicans; just basically everything. UCR is also a very open campus, there aren't people who judge you because of your race or sexual orientation. Of course like any other university you have the occasional frat guys and sorority girls, but you also have the jocks and any other kinds that you can think of. Its very diverse so it would be pretty hard to feel out of place.

Students at UCR are racially, culturally, sexually, financially, and socially diverse. There is virtually no way to feel out of place at this school, unless you put effort into isolating yourself and shy away from the friendly atmosphere of numerous clubs, organizations, and resources. Students are comfortable wearing anything to class, whether it be jeans and a t-shirt, slacks or a suit for their business organization, uniforms for their athletic team, letters for their Greek system, dresses, wigs, fishnets, shorts, leopard-skin fur jackets etc. It is such an honor and relief to attend a campus where every race interacts with each other, sitting at the same tables, holding hands, studying together, or playing sports together. The financial background that is most prevalent is definitely a lower one. Most students are on some sort of financial aid. No one ever boasts about the expensive item they just bought or the wholesome, pricy meal they just ate. Everyone just kind of accepts that they have to eat fast food most of the time, or save up their money instead of spending it on anything they don't exactly need.

The students here are so diverse. There are so many of every kind of person imaginable and there are tons of clubs to get in contact with people who have the same interests as you. I would say for the most part, all ethnicities and religions are mixed here. No one is left out. It is a very well-rounded school in that respect. You will find so many people whering crazy clothing to school and everyone engages in fun activities. We are very family-oriented I would say because we do a lot of things with eachother and we come together for support for our fellow students.

I've never witnessed any kind of discrimination or unacceptable behavior geared towards another student or a group of students because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other reason. UCR provides all students a strong sense of tolerance. I believe the only student that would feel out of place at UCR would be the student that refuses to interact with other students. Most students dress casually when going to class; depending on what time the class is, some students attend class in their pajamas. Many people are open and willing to interact with others; it's not like high school where one stick's to their click and avoids contact with anyone outside of their group. The students come from all over, as close as Riverside and as far as Hawaii. They come from all walks of life as well. UCR students are not as politically aware or active as other campuses but I feel that is slowly changing because of the protesting that has been going on at other UC's. There have been protests at UCR, unfortunately not as large as one would like but supporters are growing. As a whole, I'd like to believe UCR students are leftist, however, recently I have come across a significant amount of students with right-wing political beliefs. Personally, I haven't seen money as a large driving factor for may students.

There are so many relgious groups on this campus. Matter of fact, the Korean Christian Club was trying to encourage me to join their club. I was flattered but I chose not to because I am not a Christian. I honestly don't think any student would feel out of place here, there's room for everyone. It really depends on the weather, but if it's hot most students will wear shorts or dresses. Nobody ever wears anything too revealing on this campus. Yes, different types of students interact. Whenever I'm walking around campus I always see tables with study groups made up of students who come from different religious or racial backgrounds. In the dining hall, I'd see a table of girls from the volleyball or basketball team. I'd also see a table with a group of Asian boys laughing. I'd see a table with a group of students who live in the same hall eating together. I'd also see a table with a boy laughing with his girlfriend. It's always different each day. Most of my friends just happened to be from Northern California like me, but there are students from everywhere. Most of the students I've met are from California, but I have met a couple of students from Spain, France, and China. Most students come from unwealthy backgrounds, like myself. We're all heavily supported with financial aid, which is a beautiful thing. Yes, students are definitely politically aware and active. There are many departments that have open discussions about today's politics. I have a few friends who talk about how much they'll earn someday, which is great because I encourage everyone to dream big. We all deserve the best in life.

The students at UCR are very diverse, and come from various cultures, and economic backgrounds. There are also many international students within the UCR community. I don't believe that any student feels, or would feel out of place at this school because of the vast diversity. This school applauds diversity, and provides a campus life suitable, and enjoyable for students from all backgrounds and walks of life. There are many groups in the UCR community catering to, and empowering such diversities. Groups for every culture, style, preference, political view or association, religion, multi-cultural, academics, major, etc. Students at UCR proudly show their uniqueness.

A common stereotype is that students at UC Riverside are less academic than most UC students. There is a well-known saying that "UC Riverside accepts just about anybody." The accurate count of students UCR accepts a year is 76{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of applicants, which is more than most UCs but that doesn't necessarily mean that just anybody will be accepted. All applicants are held to the same standards. Another common stereotype is that UC Riverside is the most diverse college in California, and the 5th most diverse college in the nation. This is true. I work on campus and have seen a variety of diverse students enter UCR every year. A diverse campus is an important aspect at UC RIverside and they do a pretty well job of maintaining the diversity.

Let me define UCR in one word- diverse. The students that attend UC Riverside come from different racial backgrounds, socio-economic backgrounds, religious backgrounds and family backgrounds. On the first day of class, I have heard stories from my classmates about how they're the first in their families to attend college, and everyone in the classroom smiles (and some even applaud) because that's the interesting fact that the student chose to share when we were all getting to know each other. Different students representing different religions have joined my team during practice and have asked if they could lead a prayer with my team so that we can do well this season. It seems like every week, we as a school are celebrating or remembering an event that is sponsored by different student groups like the LGBT group, the African-American students group, the Chicano Students group or any group on campus that wants to share something with the campus. Not only do I see these groups sharing but I also see the students participating by partaking in these groups' activities or wearing a shirt or accessory that the group is selling in honor of the event they're hosting. Everyone is open with everyone else. The Greeks set up couches and tents in the quad near the Belltower and they talk with normal students who pass by. I see people of different races mingling in the Highlander Union Building as they eat their lunches. There is no exclusivity- everyone mixes with everyone else. Let's picture this- there are four tables of students in the dining hall. One table has an entire hall of freshmen that haven't gone off in their own separate group of friends. This table is usually loud with students who are excited about their freedom away from home as well as a little jittery being around others that they don't know too well. Eventually, the students at this table will break into smaller groups, but for now they're all just loud and enjoying freedom. The second table is the study table. Now this is a rare sight, but it isn't impossible to find. These are the ones that are cramming for that big exam. They didn't want to lose a minute of studying so they brought their books with them to dinner. These are the ones that have acknowledged their freedom from home but still realize why they're in college. See, not all college students are party goers because you definitely have the smart kids who prioritize and know what's important. The third table consists of the athletes. They probably only have the roasted chicken and salads on their plates because they're afraid to gain weight and bring shame to their teams. This table is probably the sweatiest and smelliest table, so even though they welcome others to join their table, other students can't stand their stench. From personal experience, the athletes are UCR arefriendly and grasp onto other non-athletes for friends because let's face it, being around people who are obsessed with sports and practices and workouts 24/7 can be tiring to the mind and body. Plus, we need someone to anchor us to reality that we are STUDENT-athletes, and not just athletes. We tend to forget that school is why we're really here, so please, talk to us. The fourth table is the mix. Let's face it- everyone goes in groups to the dining table and there's only so many table to choose from. Some groups co-mingle with other groups and that's how friends are made (in fact, that's how I made a lot of my friends at UCR). No one really cares what race you are, how much money your parents make, or what major you're in. What it all boils down to is that in a college dining hall, people are there to eat and relax (minus table two). This isn't high school where there are strict boundaries of where you can and can't eat. The people you eat with in the dining hall are the people you'll be eating with for the next year or so, so whether you have had a good day or bad day, they'll still be there when those dining room doors open.

The diversity at UCR is really what makes student life stand-out. The student community is really defined by all the different races, cultures, and lifestyles represented. Students wear whichever clothes they choose however a fashion such as a head wrap for example from culture's that are known for them are not unheard of and are commonplace in plenty of classrooms. Most students are from around the southern California area but there are a few from up north in the state as well. Students all get along regardless of what culture, obviously just as in life there are simply certain individuals who don't get along but most students are at the understanding that "Hey, we're here, we're gonna be in the same class, why in the world would we have a problem?"

The students at UCR are diverse, tolerant and understanding of one another. My experiences with the various races, religions and groups were generally positive. Again, UCR is the most diverse university out of the 10 esteemed campuses in the UC system, and is also the fifth most diverse university in the nation, so there are ethnic, religious, and social groups of all types at UCR. As a Muslim, and a part of the Middle Eastern groups on campus, I was able to interconnect with all of the various groups on campus, such as interfaith meetings, collective fundraising with the support of other groups on campus, and simply the organizing of the groups coming together. The majority of the groups on campus support each other and their various causes. There are a small number of certain groups that are intolerant of other different groups, however, the positivity of the collective and combined support of the majority of the groups supersedes the minor intolerances of some organizations on campus. This is why no individual would feel out of place at this campus. Students of different races, religions, and social groups interact with each other all of the time on campus. I had many LGBT friends, many Christian and Jewish friends, and the many friends from the African Student Union. Often times we supported each other’s causes and organized events together. I would say the students at UCR can be quite politically active, and events and protests are often scheduled on campus. There are groups from various financial backgrounds, and various political views, and there is no majority of any one group, which is what’s so unique about UCR. Anyone could fit right in.