Ask an Orientation Leader :)

<p>

</p>

<p>It really depends what you’re looking for. Cuarto is suite style, so I know it can sometimes be hard to meet people. It’s also off campus, so biking to classes will take a few extra minutes. You only share your bathroom with your suite, which could be nice. You also have your own suite, which means more personal space than someone who just has a dorm. It’s close to Trader Joe’s, AMPM, Riteaid, etc.</p>

<p>Tercero is right by the cows and can sometimes have a cow smell. However, I was able to see cows from my dorm room which was pretty cool. It’s closest to the arboretum, the silo, and most science/engineering buildings (but you’ll have classes all over the place your first year.) The building and floors are HUGE, which I really liked. My floor had over 70 people, and my building had around 300. It gives you the opportunity to meet a ton of people, especially if you hang out in the lounge. They’ve been mostly triples the past couple years, but the rooms are definitely big enough. I’d say the dorms are pretty nice; there are nicer ones in Segundo, but there are also older ones. Also, Tercero will (still) be undergoing construction in 2014, which could be a bit annoying. It’s pretty much right in the middle of campus so going shopping can be difficult.</p>

<p>Segundo, like Cuarto, is close to shopping. The dorms in Segundo are much more diverse than in Cuarto/Tercero. This can be a pro or a con, depending on if you get the nice new dorms or the older ones. Segundo is closest to Memorial Union and classes on the northern end of campus. I personally put Segundo first but was put in Tercero. I’d say Segundo/Tercero are pretty interchangeable. </p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Brewing and Beer; Winemaking; Mushrooms; Sexualities (we got a Drag Show in class!); Human Sexuality (yes, different); Nutrition; We also have a ton of random lower division courses in every department that are really cool.</p>

<p>Some of those aren’t necessarily unique but ones I’ve heard great things about. There’s way too many cool UC Davis courses to list.</p>

<p>JeSuis and sopranokitty thanks so much, great answers! Alright, so I have a few more if you want to answer them!</p>

<p>I can’t go to decision day, but I think I’ll try going to Picnic Day. It seems like there’s a lot going on, so what do you suggest trying to see to get a good sense of Davis or what are the must-sees of Picnic Day?</p>

<p>Is housing on a first come-first serve based on when you turn your application in or do they wait until they get all of them to assign housing?</p>

<p>Is the Davis Honors Challenge a good/worthwhile program? Or, I guess to word it differently, would you suggest applying to it?</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>There are literally hundreds of things going on during Picnic Day; I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve heard great things about the chemistry magic show, biomedical house of horrors, and the lazer maze. However, these events tend to be really popular so you’ll want to get there early (I know the chemistry magic show usually hands out tickets for the show–not sure if the other two events do that.) You should also try milking a cow and stopping by the Doxie Derby. There’s a list of the 2012 events [URL=<a href=“http://issuu.com/picnicday/docs/picnicday2012/1]here[/URL”>Picnic Day 2012 by Creative Medi - Issuu]here[/URL</a>] if you want an idea of what goes on.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I’m pretty sure it’s just randomized.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I don’t know much about the program, but I think you should definitely apply. It will help you get involved in research and give you more personalized attention your first year. Also, you get priority registration and, at least this year, second year DHC students get housing at The Colleges (really nice on-campus apartments that are really hard to get into.)</p>

<p>When freshmen first arrive at orientation, will we get the chance to leave our luggage in our dorm rooms? Or do we not have our rooms until the end of the first day of activities? Sorry if that’s a dumb question, I just want to be sure.</p>

<p>Yes, you’ll have a chance to leave your luggage in the dorm rooms that you’ll be staying in.</p>

<p>I’m a transfer student so my decision hasn’t come out yet. However, I’d like to stay on top of stuff so I’m just gonna throw this question out there:</p>

<p>What happens if you can’t attend orientation? I’m leaving for the East Coast a few days before orientation starts so there’s no way that I can attend. Will I have a chance to sign up for classes on my own over the summer, or will I have to wait until Fall (god forbid, lol). Will it be harder for me to get the classes I want because I’m not attending orientation?</p>

<p>Thanks! :)</p>

<p>@cinnabon1234: Go [URL=&lt;a href=“http://orientation.ucdavis.edu/transfer/index.html]here[/URL”&gt;http://orientation.ucdavis.edu/transfer/index.html]here[/URL</a>] and scroll down to where it says “Unable to Attend?” I’m not sure exactly how the process works, unfortunately.</p>

<p>@ cinnabon: my roommates and I were transfer students, so I can help you out. One of my roommates didn’t attend orientation because she was on vacation in Europe at the time, but basically, they emailed her the info she needed (that is, when she could register for classes, which is during pass 2–to find out when your pass 2 is, check your appointment time on sisweb periodically during summer. Pass 2 for fall quarter typically starts in late August, though) and then when school started, she went to a makeup orientation that’s held either during welcome week or during the first week when classes officially start.</p>

<p>JeSuis and sopranokitty,</p>

<p>Where will the on campus transfer housing be for next year? Are we confined to the Student Housing Apartments or are there still Transfer Dorms? If it’s the SHA, is it any of the apartments or just certain ones? Will there be a section of designated transfer apartments so we will be grouped together, giving us the feel of having the “college experience” we didn’t get at our community college?</p>

<p>UCSC has several on campus transfer housing options, dorms and apartments (both on and off campus). I have heard the dorms make it very easy to meet people as you are living on a floor with a bunch of transfers, giving us the college experience normally only available to freshman.</p>

<p>I have a friend who is living at The Colleges at La Rue; how do the SHA compare to The Colleges? Are they as nice/nearly as nice? Are they closer/further to classes? I know the SHA come furnished, are they furnished with nice furniture or is it pretty junky beat up crap?</p>

<p>There will be no on-campus transfer housing for next year. SHA only covers certain apartments, all of which are listed here: [UC</a> Davis Student Housing: Transfer Students - Student Housing Apartment Option](<a href=“http://housing.ucdavis.edu/prospective/transfers_SHA.asp]UC”>Transfer Apartments | UC Davis Student Housing and Dining Services) </p>

<p>I had the fortunate chance to live in the dorms when I transferred (I lived in Webster Hall in Cuarto, which is going to be used for freshmen next year), so I don’t know much about the apartments used as student housing apartments. Previously, before it closed in spring or summer 2011, transfer students had lived in Castilian Hall in Cuarto. What I do know is that the Drake has the most positive reviews out of all the apartments used as SHA, and since a lot of college students live in those apartments, you’ll still get the “college experience”–I think the page on SHA says there’ll even be an RA there, just like in the dorms.</p>

<p>I got rejected from UC Davis and it was my top school. I applied as political science and was really hoping I could get in. The appeal committee gives you their decision on april 30th i think. Does anyone know what the appeal chances are for this school?</p>

<p>My son has signed up for his freshman orientation on July 25-July 26. We will be attending the family orientation with him. Since we are coming from Los Angeles, he will be staying in the dorms the night of Wed July 24. When and where does he check-in for the first night??</p>

<p>My daughter is a TAG transfer in psychology. She has decided that she really wants to major in animal science. We know that she can’t switch majors until after she’s attend for one quarter, but can she register for classes in animal science during orientation if it is neither her major or even the same “school” - A&E rather than L&S, I mean?</p>

<p>@ clangirl: A LOT of students take courses that aren’t even geared towards their major, so yes, she can.</p>

<p>Thanks for the answer Sopranokitty - I read somewhere that during orientation it’s “pass one” which means they can only sign up for classes in their major - is this true? That they can’t sign up for classes outside their major until “pass two”?</p>

<p>That’s only true for certain classes, like Psychology classes and some NPB courses (like NPB 101L). With animal science classes, there are no “pass 1 restricted to majors” notice on the course description. Animal science courses are open to all majors.</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply!^</p>

<p>In my major, CS, I have the option to take the Chem series but I will probably opt out for Physics. What if I change my mind during the year or sophomore year? Should I still take the Chem placement exam?</p>

<p>Is it ok if we’re a little late to orientation? The start time on the website says 9:00 am but due to flight and bus schedules, I probably won’t be able to make it until around 9:30. Also, do you know if the Yolobus route from the Sacramento to Davis usually runs on time?</p>

<p>@Jazz: I would recommend taking the chemistry placement exam just to get it out of the way. It doesn’t take too long, and if you ever need to take Chemistry you won’t have to stress about it later. You’ll also have chemistry more fresh in your mind (assuming you took it in high school) and you’ll be more likely to place into Chemistry 2a.</p>