Hello, everybody…I’ve been accepted at UCD for BME, and I’m interested to know more about the academic programs there- I may change my major.
I wanna know about chemE, materials engg and biochemistry at UCD- I’m also seriously thinking of premed. My main concern is, that UCD is excellent at vet-related and agriculture/environment related stuff- which is really, really not my area of interest. In fact, I would be bored. Does this dominate the programs at UCD (say, like medicine dominates most things at JHU) or is it not that big of a deal? I am mostly interested in pharma/biotech/medicine- that side of biology instead of the vet/agriculture stuff at UCD.
How is Davis as a college town? I do like the academic atmosphere at Davis.
I’ve also been accepted at UCI, and U of Rochester, and waitlisted at Cal.
I initially decided on Rochester, but I’ve been going back and forth quite a bit- the main advantages that UCD offers me is closer to home, location in California (more internships) and I MAY get in-state tuition, though not for all 4 years (really complicated issue regarding separated parents, pls don’t ask). So finances are otherwise similar b/w the 2 schools, but at UCD there is a chance that my tuition will be reduced. I feel like I would be really happy at Rochester, but Davis wouldn’t be too bad either.
Another option is community college in California (due to financial issues- again, really complicated) What would be the bes option for me?
Any suggestions? I feel like I’m going crazy!
The agricultural stuff is only in certain areas of campus. Honestly a lot of times I forget that that aspect of the university is even there unless I’m in those areas for other reasons or someone specifically brings it up. I also don’t really know anyone in the agricultural college, besides meeting some animal science majors freshman year.
As far as bio, chances are you’ll run into a lot of biosci people, at least in your GE and general science classes. But other than that it doesn’t take over campus culture or anything, and again if it weren’t for my biosci friends I’d probably forget that aspect existed unless specifically reminded of it.
One thing that I’ve started to take for granted is the proximity of other students, even when you live off-campus. Most of my friends live either at the same complex as me or one that’s close by, so we can literally walk for a couple minutes and wander into each other’s apartments if we feel like it (and we do sometimes). Even for people who live in different parts of town, the most effort you’ll exert getting to them is maybe 20-30ish minutes by bike if you live on complete opposite ends of town.
Plus the entire town is easily accessible by bike, and the bus system is free for students, consistent, and gets you anywhere you need to go. It’s perfect for broke college students who can’t afford a car and/or the cost of parking permits.
Thank you! A few more questions:
If I satisfy at least a part of the GE requirements at a community college, is it possible to take any classes I want at UC Davis (other than my major)?
Are research opportunities for undergrads hard to come by?
It depends on what your remaining GEs are at that point. If you have any remaining, you’ll have to go by that for at least a few classes. Other than that and any major/minor classes though, you’d pretty much be free to take whatever you meet the prereqs for.
No, it’s actually pretty easy to find something. Just do some research about what professors in a department of interest do, and get in contact with them. I’d encourage you to ask about your professors’ and TAs’ research in office hours to get an idea of what’s out there, even if you don’t ultimately do research with them. Plus they might know someone with openings whose interests fit yours and can direct you to them.