<p>I’ve been accepted to both schools as an animal science major. My goal is to become a vet, so both colleges would be excellent preparation for vet school. However, I’m having a hard time deciding because I was awarded the Regents scholarship at Davis ($7500 and priority class registration, among other perks), but I’ve fallen in love with Cal Poly. I love the learn-by-doing approach, the gorgeous campus, and San Luis Obispo itself. However, Davis is one of the top animal science schools in the country, and the Regents benefits are hard to ignore. Can someone provide insight on these colleges?</p>
<p>I have never been to UCD, but I do know someone who’s sister graduated from there and is now a vet. I also know quite a few people at Cal Poly who came in as animal science majors with the intention of becoming vets, but realized they wanted to do something else and changed their majors. Try and think about where you would be happier and where you can see yourself going to school. I turned down some good scholarships and schools with more reputable programs for my major for Cal Poly. I don’t know much about the animal science program at cal poly, except that it is quite hands on and there are a lot of opportunities to get more involved with working with the animals, as well as with the college of ag, in your free time. Obviously you should also factor in if scholarships could help you a lot, and priority registration does sound nice. However, while getting classes at Cal Poly can be frustrating, it’s usually not impossible if you are persistent.</p>
<p>Like UCD, Cal Poly also has one of the top ag school in the US. I don’t know which one is better though. CP says we are one of the top 4 programs in the US.</p>
<p>Not sure if you have already seen this :</p>
<p>[Prospective</a> Students - Animal Science Department - Cal Poly](<a href=“http://www.animalscience.calpoly.edu/ProspectiveStudents/why_cal_poly]Prospective”>http://www.animalscience.calpoly.edu/ProspectiveStudents/why_cal_poly)</p>
<p>I think either school will be great choice. Given how expensive college is nowadays, it is wise to keep the tuition debt to a minimal. So UCD’s money offer might be wiser choice.</p>
<p>However, I do want to tell you that I LOVE SLO. I love the university’s environment, the teaching quality, and the sense of a strong student community and pride within the campus. And they really do teach everything to you through learn by doing. </p>
<p>As an example, CP has one of the largest campus in the US, something like 10k acres. And yet most of the land is devoted to farming for the purpose of training of Ag students. So we have animals grazing on the hills around the campus.</p>
<p>I have some experience here, but it is limited. The major difference will be if you want more theory or more hands on vocational practical experience.</p>
<p>Both are awesome schools for your major – there is no doubt that you will succeed in either program. It now comes down to what type of learning environment and teaching methodology you prefer.</p>
<p>Priority registration is really important. It can be the difference b/w graduating in four years, four and a quarter, or four and two quarters.</p>
<p>You mention the $7,000 Regents. Wouldn’t that effectively make Cal Poly and UCD the same out of pocket cost, since total cost of Attendance is about $7k more at a UC than at Cal Poly?</p>