University of California - Irvine Reviews

"I went to college thinking it would be as easy as high school. I ended up failing two classes my first quarter. That's when I realized I would be pushed to be better and I had to work hard. The next four years were the most stressful, most rewarding years of my life. I was learning multiple new things everyday! I got to work with dangerous chemicals using top of the line instruments. I got to use the nuclear reactor that sits in the basement of the science building multiple times. I felt prepared and confident at the end of my time there and go hired for my first job within two months of searching. It's HARD to get through college, but that's where you push yourself and grow into the person you always saw yourself being."

"The campus is beautiful and has a growing engineering department."

"A forum for learning what you want to learn; I took the opportunity to not focus on which degree would help my career path most, rather which degree/classes provided me the opportunity to learn what I wanted"

"Like all UCs and research focused institutes this is a top notch place perfect for individuals who are interested in research and/or learning what is the edge of our understanding. I say that because if you just want to be give information to regurgitate or pass courses so that you can move on to medicine, social work, etc then I suggest you save money and go to a cal state or community college. If you are truly interested in your course material UC Irvine is a great place because your professors are experts in the field...I've had many discussions about very advanced topics with professors s.d they are always so happy to disperse knowledge."

"UCIrvine program is a good one but definitely not among the top 15 school in the country."

"This is an extremely collaborative and friendly university, and there is a great rapport between students and faculty. The Irvine area is really expensive, but surrounding cities are affordable."

"I love my program! It is a great professional training program where the faculty really cares for your work and well being. I wish that there more diversity. I also wish we had more gender equality, the program takes 4 women 4 men each year, and the undergraduate program is heavily women and yet the shows selected each year tend to lend themselves more to men. Lastly I wish we were associated with professional theatre like South Coast Rep. that way we have one more leg up in the professional world with us having already worked for our Equity cards."

"The School of Social Sciences administration care a lot about prestige and image but care very little for their graduate students. They are all about the numbers. Funding package is lackluster (given cost of living) and BEWARE of any "verbal agreements/guarantees"... School Admin (Dean Maurer) abruptly cut 6th year of funding for ABDs in good standing despite the fact there was a well-known and long-standing practice of funding these students in their 6th year."

"Excellent professors & education, but the surrounding area is expensive, suburban, and while low in crime, high in boredom. The department supports its students every way it can, but it is helpful to double check on professors' style to ensure they match what you are searching for."

"As a public institution, there are not the same resources that you might get at a large private research school, but otherwise this is a wonderful school and program for graduate work."

"The faculty are inter-disciplinary and collaborative. I have grown as a researcher and writer tremendously in two years."

"There is a need for more discussion on how to get jobs post-graduate school."

"Good school with great professors. School is still young and the area has a high cost of living"

"Pros: Supportive faculty, incredible professional connections, great production work, relatively light academic courseload, great student peer community. Cons: The Irvine area is extremely boring, the course registration program is nonsensical, the library's website is extremely difficult to navigate, and financial aid takes the initiative to presume how I want to spend my student loan money. Rather than give me the amount I requested for the year, they randomly distribute money to my student account which pays for rent or course fees without letting me know when or what it will be used towards."

"My program takes care of its students very well in terms of support, guidance, and experiences. There aren't any cons in my program at the moment."

"The support from the Chemistry faculty is awesome! Public transportation in Irvine is not superb, if I didn't have a car I would be even more displeased with the location."

"Fantastic program and incredible quality of life. I chose UCI over other programs that were higher ranked and offered better stipends -- I do not regret my decision! Irvine is a great place to live and study, the program is never overwhelming and isolating, and the faculty are easily accessible and interested in working with students. Really a top notch program made possible by top notch people."

"I am completing my MS in chemistry because my advisor failed me out of the phd program. I think there are good people to work for here but be careful here and anywhere you go to pursue a phd program! Cost of living is expensive in Irvine so don't plan to be able to contribute to your savings or retirement while you're here."

"This program is rigorous but I feel like I have learned a lot. It will equip me with the skills I need to be a good educational researcher."

"Great school for graduate students! Irvine itself leaves something to be desired."