University of California-Riverside Top Questions

The school-related student activities scene at UCR is great. There are plenty of student groups that make an impact on campus. Most of the ones I'm familiar with are involved in community service and student wellness. I'm the president of a mental health club called Active Minds, and our chapter caters to UCR college students. We put on programs that aim to de-stigmatize mental illness and spread awareness about the importance of prioritizing mental health. Past programs have included bringing mental health speakers like Jordan Burnham on campus, hosting therapy dogs for students to interact with during finals week, and setting up a student panel around topics such as suicide, depression, and body image. The turnout for student-led campus activities depends how well they are advertised, but campus-wide events that bring in musicians - such as HEAT or Spring Splash - tend to have massive student participation. Athletic events don't usually get very much attendance. UCR couldn't be classified a "party school," but it does have a party scene - especially if you're involved in a fraternity or sorority. Since I'm not involved in a sorority, I met most of my friends through the honors program, while I was in the dormitories as a freshman, and through the various clubs I'm involved with. There are several nightclubs near UCR, and they often host "college nights" that allow students to enter at waived or discounted rates. The dating scene at UCR is moderate - if you're looking for romance there are many ways (frats, clubs, gym, class) to meet others. It's possible to have a long-term relationship at UCR, just as it's possible to have multiple flings or stay single. Thursday nights are usually the most social nights of the college week, because a significant portion of the student body will go home during the weekend. If you have the munchies during the week, there's a place called University Avenue with restaurants like Fatburger, Pho Vinam, Denny's, and Del Taco. University Ave also has a movie theatre. Because of the large Asian population at UCR, shops like Ten Ren's Cafe and Boba Tea House can also be found near campus. If you and your friends want something to eat outside of campus, those spots are generally where you will go.

There are a number of groups and activities on campus. I played for UCR's club soccer team for all four years. I met some of my closest friends on this team. It is something I wouldn't trade for the world. The greek system is quite large at UCR, always providing a place to go on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. This doesn't mean that every weekend has to involve alcohol, drugs, or sex. Obviously, it is college and if that is what someone chooses to do, then that is their choice, but there are a multitude of things to do within and near the campus. The rec center provides great entertainment and is only getting better. There are clubs and groups hosting activities almost everyday of the week. Cycling is huge at UCR and you will often see large groups of students biking through and around campus. Unfortunately, UCR's athletics are not on the same level as some of the other UC's, but they are getting better. Our men's soccer team recently beat UCSB (2007 National Champions) both home and away. They were knocked out in the first round of the NCAA playoffs by UCI. This goes back to school pride, but once the athletics get better, the pride will as well

There are so many student organizations on campus. The frats and sororities are the more well known, but if that's not your thing there's plenty of other groups like 909 Hip Hop, Circle K, or Ski and Snowboard Club. I joined the Acts2Fellowship Christian club my freshman year and since made more friends than I have anywhere else. The dorms are also a great way to make friends and future roommates, and there are both quiet ones and more social ones. The school isn't part of a college town so it is a little bit more work finding things to do, but there's still lots to enjoy. Concerts, hiking, parties/kickbacks, dinners, and if you get bored you can always study abroad!

I'm not going to lie: If I could major in Socializing and Meeting New People, I would be golden. Like any girl heading off to college, I was nervous about "fitting in" and finding friends at a large school. But at UCR, there are tons of ways to meet exciting people without even stepping outside your dorm. I live in East Lothian, and any given day at least half of my floor's doors are wide open. The first week, also known as "Zero Week", I was in other people's rooms getting to know them whenever I wasn't sleeping. My best advice for incoming freshman? Live in the dorms, preferably EastLo or Aberdeen/Inverness (A+I). You won't regret it. My second piece of advice? Go Greek! I went through formal sorority recruitment at the beginning of this year, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Not only did I meet hundreds of friendly women, I am also getting the chance to improve myself as a leader, scholar, and philanthropist. Greek Life offers so many ways to get involved, but if it isn't your deal there are tons of other clubs to join. Surf Club, Political Ideals Club, dance crews: we really do have something for everyone, and if not, why not start your own club? That'll sure impress your future boss during a job interview. Sporting events don't dominate the social scene, but I've been to a few soccer and basketball games. People paint their faces and wear their tartan, and it's a great stress reliever to scream for the Highlanders in the stands for a few hours. These events also tend to attract tons of freshmen, so they're an awesome way to meet new friends. Last weekend, I went out for tacos at a delish local restaurant, saw a movie with some sorority sisters, and went to a friend's birthday party. You can also take a trip to LA and check out the nightlife there, as well as the other college campuses near by like Cal Poly Pomona or Northridge.

I feel like there isn't just one predominant group or activity at UCR. I am in a lot of activities and the ones I am in have a lot of students participating and enjoying the activity. I am currently on the intramural volleyball and softball team, in the Aikido club, Karate club, and have tried out for a Taiko club. Many students show up to volleyball practice to the point where we feel like we deserve to have more than one court. There's always people at Aikido and Karate with old students staying in the club and with many new students joining. My favorite group was my dorm hall my first year. I lived in Aberdeen-Inverness, which had about 46 female and male students living in one hall. I grew up living in a house with five other family members and shared a room with my sister so I was used to living with others and having a roommate. I thought everyone was friendly and social, making the dorm experience a memorable one. I will have to say, my first year at UCR has been my favorite school year.

Groups are very diverse at this campus. Of course you have fraternities and sororities, but you also have dance groups, church groups, and groups that are dominated by one race or another. I would consider the fraternities to be the most popular of the groups because they seem to party a lot and hey, who doesn't wanna party right? When I dormed in my freshmen year, I heard a lot of people mention the group KASA, its a korean dance group that many people enjoy hanging out with or going to their events. I'm always in the rec center playing basketball so that is where I met most of the people that I know at school. The rec center is also a place that many people go because you're already paying for it so why not put it to use.

Groups are very diverse at this campus. Of course you have fraternities and sororities, but you also have dance groups, church groups, and groups that are dominated by one race or another. I would consider the fraternities to be the most popular of the groups because they seem to party a lot and hey, who doesn't wanna party right? When I dormed in my freshmen year, I heard a lot of people mention the group KASA, its a korean dance group that many people enjoy hanging out with or going to their events.

UCR's Greek system is huge. Maybe not as prevalent as Arizona State, but every corner you turn, a student is donning some sort of apparel stitched with Greek letters. Most parties on campus are thrown by the Fraternities. Our Athletics program works hard to promote throughout the season, but most students on campus don't even show up to the basketball games. I am part of the Highlander girls dance team, so I feel the ramifications of this huge lack of student pride. Unfortunately, many of our athletic events are left awkwardly empty. There are also many special-focus interest groups, for example: business orgs, writing clubs, Philippino societies. In their spare time, people usually are just glued to their own computers are hiding out in their own rooms. There are 3 major dorming facilities here, occupied mainly by freshmen, but certainly AI is the most social (doors open, communal living rooms) and Pentland is the most anti-social (you need to unlock 3 different doors just to reach your room). People are open-minded about drinking, sex, and substance usage. Because Riverside is so small and boring, the best thing we can do within a 15-minute driving range is go to the mall, movies, or a Korean BBQ place. Other than that, I know many people who frequently drive to LA or San Diego to get away on weekends. UCR is largely a commuter school. The one parking lot that they allow commuters to park in is always bustling and completely full, making students late to class. On weekends the campus is completely empty, bookstore closed, restaurants barren.

Walking around UCR it seems like every tenth person is in a fraternity or sorority and they are wearing sweaters with their greek letters on them. They provide a lot of networking opportunities, alumni and other groups do meet with them and obviously other community involvement opportunities come up with these groups.

I would say a huge popular group would be the fraternities and sororities. Theya re always recruiting new members around the belltower. We also have a great Honors Program and tons of societies for you get involved in groups that share your same interests for a career. We always have groups around the belltower and everyone is open to having new members here. It is definitely worth it to hang out at the belltower and get to know people and where they come from. Just talking to people you meet the first day you will have a plethora of groups you can join and activities to look in to. Most people are involved in groups on campus.