UC Irvine vs. Michigan

[danubecities]

I'm currently in my first year of a PhD program at UC Irvine and I'm thinking of transferring to UM Ann Arbor (just got accepted). I finished my coursework requirements in Irvine, so transferring means starting over and losing a year, but then again Michigan is a good school. I haven't been thrilled about living in Irvine, in the heart of Orange County, but would Ann Arbor be any better? Any recommendations about transferring? Stay or go?

[GenderMediaGrad]

If I were in your shoes, I would probably transfer. Michigan is a more highly ranked school, which would mean better job prospects in the future. Furthermore, I personally really like Ann Arbor, MI. If you prefer a more liberal environment (or simply a more friendly one), Ann Arbor will be a better fit for you than Orange County. If you're not happy at Irvine, you shouldn't stay there for however many more years of your PhD you have left. It's going to be a long ride! I know the prospect of re-doing coursework is daunting but, in the long run, I think you will be happy that you did it.

[crofty]

danubecities, I can't really help in comparing the two cities - sorry! But, I was wondering if you feel comfortable sharing what you don't particularly like about UC Irvine? It is a school I am considering, and I don't know too much about it. I'd love to have some honest, frank opinions to help fill out my picture. Thank you!

[danubecities]

I came to UCI because the graduate program I enrolled in is particularly strong in my field and there's lots of interesting research going on in my department. The faculty have been wonderful and I have no complaints about the quality of courses and research. UCI gave me a generous fellowship and that helped draw me here too. Now, I thought I could engage myself only with academics and cruise through school, but social factors are important too and I'm coming to realize that. UCI doesn't really have much of a campus spirit and students don't seem to like to move outside of their comfort zones and interact with different people. Exacerbating this behavior, much of the campus was built in the 60s at the height of architectural brutalism and the counter culture movement when students across the nation were protesting, so the campus itself doesn't really have a central place for students to congregate and socialize casually.

Many students who are seeking more diversity (economic, racial, social) seem to live in Long Beach, which is about a 20 minute drive away. I didn't want to commute so I stayed on-campus, but I've found the experience of living sequestered away in suburbia with few people to interact with a bit depressing. If you come here, I highly recommend buying a car so you can get away from the campus bubble and do daily activities. The campus is highly car centric and most students own a car. I'm on-campus with a bike, and even buying groceries can be a bit of a hassle without a car.

As for Irvine and the surrounding area as a community, it's mainly upper income, republican people who care a lot about image. Go to any of the malls and you'll see expensive cars and upscale stores. You're poor as a grad student, and when you see people being so conspicuous you're even more aware of your income. Even when I went to my grad health plan recommended dentist at "California Smile Design" the staff pushed fixing my smile with cosmetic enhancements, whitening, etc. rather than conventional dental maintenance. It's particularly odd going from campus, with mainly Asian students of moderate means, to the malls with these polished white people. I'm Asian-Indian, I grew up in a town Midwest where everyone was white and middle-class, so moving to Orange County has made me more aware of how racial and economic stratification can manifest itself.

So I have nothing bad to say about UCI academically, but there are lots of social and cultural factors that make the place a bit weird. Then again, I'm sure this is true of many other campuses too.

[crofty]

I really appreciate your honesty - thank you. It sounds like we have somewhat similar backgrounds, so I think some of your observations will be especially relevant to me. When I go to visit Irvine, I'll definitely keep an eye open to (and ask questions about) some of the things you've pointed out. Thank you again! I hope, too, that by elaborating on your experience at UCI, you will be able to receive more informed responses to your original question. Best of luck with your difficult decision ahead . . .

[hip2btriangle]

Oy. I'm also really seriously considering Irvine as well. Particularly because I applied to grad schools on a whim this year (my chances of admission weren't really that great, but next year I will be a substantially better applicant), and Irvine whipped out some major funding. I have yet to go to the open house for Irvine, but I'm already very concerned about diversity/class issues and dealing with that for 5-6 years. I went to an undergrad where for gay students and other minorities it was practically social suicide, and I've nearly forgotten that social environment is a big deal.

Honestly, I could deal with an environment like that for a year if I knew that, should things suck, transferring was an option. I've just heard that transferring mid-PhD program is very difficult. Do the top 20 (sociology) departments accept many transfers? Going to crosspost this to the Soc forums too...