Right now UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara are my top two (i’m a cc transfer). I have visited Davis a few times and will be checking out SB at their open house next weekend to get a feel for the campus. I am a political science major and have friends at both places who all love their respective school.
Thought I would check here to see if anyone has transferred from Davis to SB or SB to Davis and would be able to share the reason why and also give a direct comparison of their experience at each campus.
Although, any insight really would be welcomed and appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
The two schools are totally different. You should look at the course offerings for both schools to see which one appeals more to you academically. This is in addition to visiting both campuses, naturally. Good luck!
That’s a great idea, @goldencub
Thanks!
Also check out the different available opportunities for undergrads in your major at each school: internships, etc.
I would think being so near the Capitol might mean there are more political science-related internships and such available. I’m in your situation as well, except as a math major…they both seem so attractive! I’m swayed a bit more personally by the cheaper living expenses and overall culture of Davis, quiet life, etc which appeals more to me than SB, but I’m ecstatic to go to either. In my case, both math programs are comparable.
@ananguiano I have heard wonderful things about the internship and career center at Davis, but I can’t say the same about sb, (but that might have to do with lack of effort on my friends’ part, haha, so i’m not trying to knock the school). You’re right, the location offers some awesome internship opportunities.
Same here! I like to have a good time but I’m not a party person and I don’t drink or smoke. I really dig the traditional college town vibe of Davis and I like knowing for sure that I will be able to live comfortably while i’m there. I think i’m letting rankings (although I believe the Poli Sci department is better at Davis than SB) and the idea of living so close to a beach influence my decision. Many of my friends are into the party scene so they think i’m crazy for not being 100% sold on ucsb, but at the end of the day, that’s why this is my decision and not theirs.
Some days I favor Santa Barbara and on others i’m convinced Davis is where I belong. It’s just such a huge decision I want to make sure I pick the right school for me, and like you, I would be psyched to go to either and am very grateful to have the opportunity to choose between the two.
Two months from now, we’ll have SIR’d, which seems absolutely insane. I’m excited to see how things unfold though. Maybe we’ll end up at the same school!
I feel like I sometimes get caught up with rankings, too. Visiting campuses really weights a lot with me, though. I’ve visited Davis 3 of 4 times now and that has really swayed my decision. The more time I spend there, and get a vibe first hand of what it’s like there, the more I can really picture myself there. I love that Davis has a small town feel to it. Every time i’ve visited the campus, everyone has been very nice and really friendly. I feel like the school is accomidating, and that’s important to me. But that’s me, and some people don’t want a small town when they go off to college. I’m older, and looking to get away from dense urban cities that are busy and full of people. I’ve had enough of that. I want suburbia, spread out areas, sidewalks, bicycles, tree lined streets, and not have to worry about crime and constant noise. Davis is perfect for me, for those reasons. It may not be for everyone else, though and I totally get that and respect it. This is why i’m leaning more towards Davis, I can picture myself there. I’ve lived in Berkeley off and on for so many years and I grew up in the bay area and in San Francisco, and I can’t picture myself here any longer. I really dislike the immediate Bay Area and everything I dislike about living in this area is at Berkeley. I doubt i’ll get in, but if I do for some miracle reason, I think I would actually choose Davis over Berkeley because I can’t stand the bay area and I can’t stand Berkeley as a city. I can’t picture myself dealing with the crap in Berkeley just to have the prestige of going to UC Berkeley and all it has to offer. Davis is so friendly and different, and the campus is great. The party scene is not for everyone, and i’m sure there’s partying at Davis but it does not seem like the central focus of the college lifestyle there. Every time anyone mentions UCSB to me, it’s always about how it’s the new party school/Chico State.
Came to Santa Barbara last night and overslept so I missed most things…oops. Had a good time walking around campus and the surrounding area though! It was not exactly what I expected but it was enough to make me question whether or not I know I’m going to commit to Davis for sure (granted my TAG hasn’t been voided). It’s nice to hear that those who attended Open House on the UCSB transfer thread had a good experience! Like many have said, visiting truly makes all the difference. Davis feels more like home but it was very helpful to stay overnight with friends. I like the casual beach town vibe but at the same time I don’t know if it’s very “me”. It’s definitely a fun place to visit but I’m not sure if I would want to live here. If I’m still confused after I visit Davis overnight I might have to make the trip back down here for one of the Gaucho Transfer Fridays. Thanks again to everyone who offered their advice!! 