What It’s REALLY Like to Attend a Large Public University
Going to a school with over 30,000 students can be daunting. I’m sure you’ve heard comment such as, “if you go to a large public university, all the classes will fill up,” or, “if you need guidance, it will be months until an appointment opens up,” or, “it’s just so easy to get lost in such a large school.” I heard many different variations of those comments when I committed to UCI, but being a student at a large public university has been both fun and engaging as I learn to navigate diverse spaces and make use of the wide opportunities that UCI offers.
Large public universities can have a stereotype of not providing the adequate support for students because of the thousands of students they serve. Although that may be true for other colleges, I’ve found UCI to have many hidden gems that make our school of such a large caliber feel small and personal.
Being part of a large university means that our school offers a lot! That is one of my favorite things about attending UCI, that there is always something new to try and options for any type of Anteater! From over 600 student-led clubs, various office specializations (like Student Success Initiatives, the career center, and Student Health and Wellness), 17 dining sites and over 1,000 acres of beautiful land, UCI is a beautiful place to be.
Academic Guidance:
From the start, all students attend SPOP, our orientation program. At SPOP, every single incoming student gets a chance to meet one on one with an academic counselor to pick out classes for your first quarter and beyond. My counselor was kind and patient and answered all my questions. To this day, she continues to guide me on my academic goals and ways to achieve them here. SPOP staffers, which are UCI students, are also great resources who assist you in your SPOP journey and give advice regarding classes and professors.
Besides SPOP or booking an appointment with an academic counselor, UCI also offers, “Zot Chat,” which is similar to texting, but you’re communicating with academic advisors. This tool is beyond helpful! It is quick, efficient and rarely a wait time before talking to someone.
Mentorship:
There are numerous mentorship programs that can help make our large campus feel small. Last year, I was a mentee in the Anteater Mentorship Program (AMP). AMP is a mentorship program for first-generation, low-income students where each first-year mentee is paired with a mentor (another UCI student) to help you along your first year. AMP is an inclusive and welcoming space that attracts the most kind and supportive people ever! AMP meets once a week for workshops on topics ranging from professional interview tips, to intersectionality and microaggressions, to study abroad and financial aid guidance. Being paired with my mentor last year was one of the greatest gifts I’ve gotten from UCI. My mentor gave me support & friendship and I’m so grateful for her helping me survive first year. Shoutout dragon fam!
Involvements:
AMP 2019-2020
At the beginning of fall and winter quarter, the Anteater Involvement Fair is held. Clubs and organizations gather around Aldrich Park, Ring Road and near Langston Library to welcome new and current Anteaters to their spaces. With over 600 clubs, there truly is something for everyone’s interest. From cultural organizations, academic clubs, and volunteer-based groups, attending either of the involvement fairs give students a chance to find a community within such a large school. And the great thing is, if one club doesn’t work out, there are hundreds of others to try.
Being part of a large public university is one of my favorite aspects of attending UCI. We are a campus with diverse students and interests and UCI caters to the various needs of our campus climate. There are always new people to meet, a different club to go to, or a new counselor to chat with. The resources are here to make your experience feel personal, just got to check them out!
