Name: Nicole A. Bastos
School: Humanities
Major(s): History and Political Science
Minor(s):
Year: Senior
Extracurricular activities: Salsa dancing and traveling
Why you love UCI: UCI offers you endless opportunities to explore your talents, dreams, and aspirations. It’s a place where you can develop your skills, meet amazing people, and learn about who you are. UCI gives you that extra edge as a student because you are exposed to some amazing professors, mentors, and classmates that will definitely make a lasting impression.
What you recommend doing the most: Studying abroad

Name: Eli Heller
School: Humanities
Major(s): Literary Journalism/ Art History
Minor(s):
Year: 3rd
Extracurricular activities: Executive Board Member of UCI Hillel (Jewish Student Union), Incite Magazine, New University Newspaper, Blogging, Creative Writing, going to art museums, going to the beach, watching movies and eating!
Why you love UCI: I love UCI because of its one-of-a-kind academic programs, extremely high number of clubs and organizations, friendly students and professors, comfortable surrounding areas, and beautiful and conveniently planned campus. I continue to be amazed at UCI’s extensive amount and variety of resources, including two incredible libraries, an excellent career center, health center, Counseling Center and LGBT Resource Center. I have always been grateful for the easy accessibility of these resources.
What you recommend doing the most: Remember to study what you love and love what you study. You will get the most out of college if you pick a major that suits your interests and talents. I also recommend getting involved on campus! UCI has just about every club and organization imaginable and successfully creates niches for every student.

Name: Alexandra Lossada
Academic Unit: School of Humanities
Major: English
Year: 4th
Extracurricular activities: UTeach instructor, Humanities Honors thesis research in conjuction with UROP, University Studies 1 Discussion Leader, Humanities Out There tutor.
Why you love UCI: My reasons are inevitably personal: here, I have continued to grow as an intellectually curious student and strived to meet
my academic challenges with integrity and determination. I constantly push myself as a member of the UCI community because the professors and
students who believe in me in turn inspire me to do my best. My feelings were not always positive about UCI, but once I decided to pursue what interested me, the university blossomed with opportunities, friends, and
excitement. I'm living proof that even though you may initially feel lost and confused at UCI, you can grow to love this place for all it's worth (and more).

What you recommend doing the most: Plan out your college years, but be flexible enough to accommodate changes or make new plans altogether. If you don't know where to begin, make a list, talk to professors and students, and take a few steps out of your comfort zone. Retreat when you must and confidently charge forward when you find the subject or activity
you truly feel passionate about.