Anteater Advice

Welcome to Anteater Advice, a blog created by UCI students to share their knowledge with current or prospective anteaters. Our ask box is OPEN! Members: Jennifer Hall Katie Kass Kirna Arora Reed McConnell Ruby Miu Michael Best Shawn Ray If you have questions for specific students, be sure to address them when submitting. Click here to ask! Master Tag List

[anteater-advice]

Do you have the stats for how many people applied/got accepted into the Ayala School of Biological Sciences this year?

Unfortunately, we don’t have the statistics for the 2015-2016 academic year. Most of the new application/enrollment facts aren’t compiled and released until later on in the year. If you are interested in the stats for the 2014-2015 class, they can be found here! 

- Jennifer

[anteater-advice]

Work Wednesday: Welcome to your 1st day of work!

Congratulations! You got the job! You’d think that after the interview you would stop feeling nervous, but it is normal to be anxious on your first day of work.

Prove Yourself. Remember to bring the documents needed to prove your identity and eligibility to work (Social Security number, ID card, passport, etc.). Your HR department should send you an email in advance to you let you know what you need to bring on your first day. I have seen people come in without the proper paper work or unofficial copies of their documents. Unfortunately, they were sent home and could not attend the orientation.

What to Wear. Yes, once again you have to think about what would be the appropriate attire to wear to work. This really depends on you job position, so remember to ask if your employer forgets to tell you!

Prepared to Be Overwhelmed. Halfway through your day you may feel overwhelmed trying to remember everyone’s names, what they do, what you need to do, etc.. To avoid asking too many questions, first try to do things on your own. You may be surprised by what you can learn by yourself. However, don’t be afraid to ask if you are unsure! It is better to ask when you are just starting rather than 2 months later when you should already know.

Breathe. Do some power poses. Be excited!

- Ruby

[anteater-advice]

What's the difference between Middle Earth and Mesa? I know that Mesa is bigger but is Middle Earth really that much smaller? And is it possible to have a loft style bed in the dorms upon request?

As a freshman I had the opportunity to live in Mesa and I absolutely loved it! Whether it was the great food at Commons cafeteria or the convenience that  living on campus entails, I would have to choose Mesa. Although my post may be biased let me give my reasons…One, I believe that Mesa dorms are much less crowded and give students more room. The couple times that I ventured over to Middle Earth, I thought the rooms were cramped! Second, as an athlete, the dorms were located in close proximity to both my classes and athletic facilities. It even was right across the street from the Student Center. Talk about convenient! Thirdly, Mesa Halls do a great job of including all students living in the dorms to meet and socialize in different events. I remember multiple times my freshman year competing in hall competitions. Each hall share a close bond that really makes everyone feel special and included. Lastly, the food at the cafeteria is always good! There’s a broad variety of options as well as different events each month that host a different themed food. For example, close to Thanksgiving, the cafeteria would serve turkey and stuffing. Another night it might be a Mexican theme so all the main entrees would be Mexican food. 

In conclusion, both housing courts are amazing but I’ll always be a Mesa Fan!

-Reed McConnell

But in addition, a good friend of mine lives in Middle Earth and her room is not much smaller than mine was in Mesa. She also is constantly hanging out with her hall mates and really loves the dorm environment. Pippins dining hall also gets a lot of good feedback from students – many prefer it over the Mesa dining hall because there are more food options.

Also, I have not personally seen any rooms with a loft style bed but I bet your RA can help you find the right people to ask about that!

We hope this helps!!

-Katie 

[anteater-advice]

Is it really that hard to get into the nursing program? What are my chances?

The nursing program at UCI is competitive and difficult to get into. From the 2015 Freshmen applications only the top 4% were admitted into the program.

If you are looking to transfer/change your major into the nursing program you can find more information here: Transfer and 2nd Baccalaureate Applicant Information & Change of Major and UCI 2nd Baccalaureate Applicant Information. I have talked to those who are working to transfer soon and they recommend you to see a counselor for guidance.

Good luck!

- Ruby

[anteater-advice]

Hi, I was wondering if you could give any input on which housing situation is cheaper. This year freshmen will be eligible to apply for housing at Arroyo Vista Freshmen Theme houses, Campus Village, and Camino del Sol apartments in addition to residence halls in Mesa Court and Middle Earth. What do you think would be better for someone on a budget since meal plans are not included in the rest? How would you rank them based on top 3?

For a freshmen I would recommend Arroyo Vista, because you are still getting the dorming experience without having to pay the meal plan. I lived in AV my 2nd year and really enjoyed it. Campus Village is slightly cheaper, but you will get fewer opportunities to connect with other freshmen. In CV you are living in an apartment with only 3 other people! I currently live in CV and love how it is on campus - but I am a 3rd year and have already found roommates who I am comfortable living with! I would not consider Camino if you are on a budget, because they only offer single rooms and they are really expensive.

- Ruby

[anteater-advice]

Do you have a specific meal plan to recommend? I just want to see how each one would work (:

Hey! I believe your meal plan options have changed since the time I was a Freshmen, so I had to look up what they’re offering now. Hopefully the following information is correct! 

5 Weekday All-Access Meal Plan + 75 FlexDine Dollars per quarter(This plan is ONLY valid MONDAY–FRIDAY)

7 Day All-Access Meal Plan + 50 FlexDine Dollars per quarter

100 Block Meals + 75 FlexDine Dollars per quarter(Approx. 9 meals per week)

If you’re a commuter and go home a lot over weekends (or for some reason or another don’t think you’ll be eating at the commons a lot on Saturday on Sunday), then the 5 Weekday All-Access will work best for you! 

If you have a HUGE appetite and think you’ll be eating 3+ meals a day all the time (with random snack breaks in between), then the 7 Day All-Access will net you the most value for your money. 

If you think you’ll probably only eat at the commons 2 times per day and will eat out the rest of the time, then the 100 Block would most likely be good for you. This is what I got during my first year and I never ran out of swipes! 

Let me know if there are any other further questions and I’d be happy to answer them. :) 

- Jennifer

[boxufc]

Too much hype, for a fight that wasn’t even that exciting!

Follow boxingfanatics for more

[anteater-advice]

Who did you guys want to win??

[anteater-advice]

Can transgender students request single rooms in residence halls?

Yes, I believe you can request single rooms in residence halls as there are quite a few available for students who wish to have them! You are able to request one in your online housing application, but if for some reason they do not offer you a single, you can contact the Hall that you are going to be staying in next year and they should be able to accommodate for your situation! 

- Mike

(As a side note, check out our post here about living in a single!) 

[anteater-advice]

What kind of laptop do you recommend? My major is pharmaceutical sciences and I don't know whether to get a Mac or PC.

Since your major will probably use a lot of advanced programs I would recommend getting a Mac as it would assist you better than a PC. Despite the higher price, I would recommend a Mac over a PC in most cases as the quality is better as there are much better aspects and uses that a Mac provides.

- Mike

[anteater-advice]

Is international studies a competitive major at Irvine?

Hi!

I do not personally know anyone who is an International Studies Major, but my Major is in the School of Social Science. From my personal experience being in the School of Social Science, it is not as intensive or competitive as some other schools at UCI. I hope this helps!

-Mike

[anteater-advice]

hey! I'm a vegan and I feel like the only vegan options at the dining halls would be the salad bar. Is there a way that I could tell the chefs or something that I'm vegan so I could have a more variety of food? thanks!

Hey! I actually have a very close vegan friend here at UCI who helped me with this question. 

In the dining commons, there should be a board every day at every meal time depicting what is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. There is also an online menu here that displays this information as well. That being said, there is a pretty limited amount of vegan-friendly items. I know of the Garden burger and french fries, as well as a few soups and sides (e.g. beans and rice) that may also be vegan. 

If you are looking for some alternatives to the dining commons, there are a few places within walking distance that you might be interested in! In UTC across the street, there’s a Veggie Grill, and at Blaze Pizza you can create your own pizza with vegan cheese! A few blocks down there is a make-your-own-sandwich place called Which Wich, which also has a few vegan options. 

Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any other questions! 

- Jennifer 

[anteater-advice]

for my financial aid, it says my student contribution is WAY over my family contribution even though i only have $100 to my name. Is there some mistake?

Sometimes the student contribution amounts listed can be rough estimates, and in your situation, it does sound like some sort of mistake could have been made. I would contact the Financial Aid office at [email protected] or give them a call at [phone] to confirm. Hopefully they’ll be able to respond to you fairly quickly! 

- Jennifer 

[anteater-advice]

Hi! Ok I went in as undeclared/undecided but my school says it's the Department of Undergraduate Education so im not sure what this means.

The Undecided/Undeclared program is under the Department of Undergraduate Education, so no need to worry! Whatever is listed there is correct. :) 

For more info on the U/U program, check out the DUE website here. 

- Jennifer

[anteater-advice]

UCI BUCKET LIST

50 things to do before you graduate from UCI

1. Give Peter the Anteater a hug

2. Visit the study abroad center and fill out an application

3. Climb the rock wall, play intramural sports or do the ropes course at the ARC

4. Meditate in the Zen garden

5. Watch a performing arts show

6. Speak to a crowd of 400-plus people

7. Come to school in pajamas

8. Break a world record

9. Take a Sticki Picki photo with a friend

10. Write an article for the New University

11. Apply for a leadership position on campus

12. Attend a religious/cultural function or festival

13. Ask someone about UCI's underground tunnels

14. Visit the "real” Peter the Anteater at the Santa Ana Zoo

15. Have a bonfire at Corona del Mar State Beach (or at least "beach")

16. Ask an international student to coffee

17. Visit The Gypsy Den

18. Find UCI's talking fountains

19. Give free hugs on campus

20. Take a nap in Aldrich Park

21. Go to a party in Newport Beach

22. Walk, run or bike the mountain-to-sea trail

23. Listen to KUCI

24. Start or join a campus organization

25. Take a class with an award-winning professor

26. Go ice-blocking in Aldrich Park

27. Buy Korean BBQ, Spam Musubi or Boba on Ring Mall

28. Talk over the drain and act like Darth Vader in front of McGaugh Hall

29. Count the number of trees in Aldrich Park

30. Get your resume critiqued at the Career Center

31. Attend the following events at least once:

   Welcome Week

   Shocktoberfest

   ASUCI movie nights

   Homecoming

   Care-a-thon

   Wayzgoose

   Songfest

32. Take a picture on one of the Anteater benches

33. Introduce yourself to the chancellor 34. Watch the Disneyland fireworks from VDC 35. Invite your family to campus 36. Get a free drink at the Anthill Pub on your 21st birthday 37. Do a midnight run to Cha for tea 38. See how many things you can buy for $10 at the ASUCI Vendor Fair 39. Pull an all-nighter at Starbucks or the Student Center during finals week 40. Paint your face or body for a UCI Athletics game 41. Go to the farmers market at University Center on Saturday 42. Try out for a dance crew 43. Eat at a 24-hour pho place at 3 a.m. 44. Look at UCI from the top of Turtle Rock 45. Give a campus tour ... walking backwards! 46. Get some laughs at the ASUCI comedy night at the Anthill Pub 47. Find the campus building that looks like a womb and sperm 48. Find the mitosis planters 49. Participate in a research experiment 50. Try not to get a parking ticket

(Source: ZotZine)

[anteater-advice]

If I want to have a package sent to UCI, will I have a mailbox of some sort? If so, when are these assigned?

If you are living in any of the on-campus housing communities (such as dorms, Arroyo Vista, VDC, Camino, Norte, Puerte, and more) then you will have a designated mailbox assigned to you! That info will most likely come in an email with the rest of your housing confirmation information such as roommates, move in dates, etc. You will probably receive that email sometime by the beginning-middle of summer if I remember correctly. 

- Katie

[anteater-advice]

How is the ESS major at UCI?

Unfortunately, none of us have much familiarity with the ESS major at UCI. However, here is a link to their website: http://www.ess.uci.edu/. 

Also, click here for the ESS departments official Facebook page! I am also part of an Intro to ESS (ESS1) class group where the professor is very active in interacting with students! If you’re interested, check it out here. 

Sorry we couldn’t be of much help. ): 

- Jennifer

[anteater-advice]

When do you accept your financial aid? After your SIR and housing app?

If my memory serves me correctly, you will accept your financial aid offer after submitting your SIR and housing application. 

However, make sure you check your “My Aid” file at https://www.ofas.uci.edu/content/ to verify the status of your application.  In addition, read any messages the school might send to you via e-mail to ensure you meet all deadlines. Click here for a calendar of all important dates. 

- Jennifer