Class: UCI 100

(Because 101 would have been too much for you to take in)


So you’re thinking about going to UCI? Or maybe you’ve already been accepted and you’re still weighing your options. Well, don’t fret -- we can help you out with your decision.

Over the past few months and years, the 5 of us have come to call the University of California, Irvine, our home. Part of the notorious UC system, UC Irvine, or simply UCI, is a UC campus located in Orange County. Because it’s on the border of Irvine and Newport Beach, many of the students like to call it UC Newport.

Campus
The UCI campus is fairly easy to follow because all the buildings form a ring around the center, Aldrich Park. If you ever get lost, just find the 2 main roads, conveniently named "inner Ring Road" and "outer Ring Road." Theres also the "Zot finder" app which can help you get around, but once you walk (or scooter or skate or bike) through campus a couple times you'll know your way around. Since students sometimes have 10 minute gaps between classes, if definitely helps that you can get from one side of campus to the other in 10 minutes - not sure if the campus was planned for this, but it's nice to keep in mind when you're rushing from Biological Sciences to Social Sciences.

Living
All in all, UCI is a commuter school, which means the campus is pretty empty during weekends. However, if students choose to live on campus, they have several options. Starting with first years. 

First year students are guaranteed housing, which causes a liiittle bit of an issue when housing applications come out for the rest of the student body. First years have a choice between dorming in Mesa Court, Mesa Towers, or Middle Earth (yes, like Lord of the Rings) OR living in an apartment in ACC housing or Arroyo Vista. Basically, everyone else (i.e. second, third, and fourth years) are limited to ACC housing and Arroyo Vista - that is, if they want to lease through the school.

There are of course other housing options that are open to all students such as the University Town Center (UTC) apartments just across the street from campus or beachfront houses in Newport. "UC Newport" definitely came from the UCI students who claim it's tradition for fourth years to live out by the beach. Regardless of the housing you choose, make sure you take into account the cost of parking on campus too!

Transportation
Speaking of parking, there are other modes of getting to and from UCI when you don’t want to deal with the congested parking lots. The school has a very convenient shuttle system called the Anteater Express, which takes several different loops around campus and is free for all students to use. But be wary if you’re using the shuttles during Week 1 or Finals week because they will definitely be packed - so plan accordingly. The OCTA bus also stops at the UCI campus for those who are a little further away. Worse comes to worse, you call an Uber (like that really sounds so bad).

Places to Eat
The UCI campus has multiple dining facilities including several food courts and our own campus pub. Our favorite spots include:

• Anthill Pub and Grille Definitely order some beers (only if you’re of age!) and try out the campus favorite “stoner fries.”
• Panda Express  Quick and easy and who doesn’t love orange chicken and chow mein.
• Au Bon Pain  This is where we spend most of our time. Not only is the food pretty high quality, but the large space filled with many tables makes it our ideal studying area. 

Across campus at UTC (University Town Center) also has a variety of other options if you’re not feeling dining halls. Here you can find dessert shops, fast food, and sit down restaurants. Our top go-to’s include:

• Chick-fil-a so many sauces to choose from and those waffle fries, yum
• GOGI Make sure to order the stacked bowl, which gives you 2 choices of meats and an array of sides (get 2 scoops of kimchi).
• Cha for Tea because you can’t talk about UTC without mentioning Cha and its boba

Nearby Attractions

• Fashion Island A nearby shopping center overlooking beautiful Corona Del Mar and Newport Beach along the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)
• Irvine Spectrum Featuring 184 shops, an Edwards Movie Theater, various restaurants, and fun activities like its own ferris wheel (it has some cool views). The Anteater Express makes round trips to the Spectrum for only $2 on Saturdays!
• UTC Theater If you want convenience and a neck ache (there is no stadium seating)
• Crystal Cove State Beach Hike its rocky trail and roast some hot dogs at its fire pits

Finally, there’s almost always something happening on campus, so check the weekly newsletter in your inbox (instead of instantly deleting it) and ask around. There are over 100 on-campus organizations that you can get involved in even if you’re not a member (and they almost always serve free food at events). The 5 of us are only involved in a handful of organizations including Marketing Association, Boxing club, Women in Leadership, Gamma Phi Beta, and Sigma Omicron Pi.

We’re almost certain you can find a organization for whatever you’re into (if not, make one). Hopefully this brief overview helped you out in deciding what to do and where to go!