I am late to the UCI conversation here but I have to give my 2 cents. I have to defend my alma mater.
First off UCI is not the worst UC out there... how about UCR, UCSC, UCD?
I got into USC and chose to go to UCI. Looking back at it I am absolutely thrilled that I went to UCI over USC. (My sister moved back home and commuted because she was actually afraid for her life while she went to USC)
Yes UCI is in boring Irvine, but I had soooo much fun there. It is all about what you make of where you end up, any other UC could be boring.
UCI is mainly a commuter school because MOST OF THEIR STUDENTS LIVE IN THE OC and go home every weekend (by choice or not) to be with their parents.