College Decision: Any Advice?

College Search & Selection
1

Hi everyone,
I am incredibly lucky to have multiple acceptances at schools I could see myself being happy at. While I’m excited, now is the time where I have to start making a decision and it’s so tough! While I know it ultimately comes down to a bunch of personal factors, I’d love it if anyone has any advice or tips for the decision process. The two major contenders that I have narrowed down to are UC Davis and Iowa State, and also had acceptances for Cal Poly SLO, University of Tenn., Montana State, and University of Alabama. While both of my top schools are incredibly different both have major positives so I’m very conflicted. I am from Southern California and hoping to study nutrition, with potentially a double major or minor in international agriculture.

So here’s the rundown of pros/cons:

Iowa State
-Just visited on their department open house, and LOVED the campus, the small town, people, and department; I got to sit in on classes and the professors were very kind people who extremely down to earth as opposed to other schools I’ve visited
-Major food companies located nearby, so excellent options for internship opportunities, as well as a more agricultural area as located in Iowa
-I’d enjoy living somewhere different, I enjoy travel and am over the SoCal hustle :wink:
-The school is super spirited and I think I would enjoy the huge sense of community and fun big sporting events!
-Receiving a general merit scholarship as well as departmental scholarship, so tuition similar to Davis, but will be cheaper due to cheaper cost of living
-The departmental scholarship placed me at one of the top 10 agriculture students coming into the department, which allowed me to get in contact with someone high up in the department who actively knows my interests + has selected me to be in a leadership seminar with the Dean, which is a super big honor and it is incredibly exciting to know that people at the school really want me to attend and I know that I will have lots of research/study abroad/etc opportunities early on

UC Davis
-Closer to home so an easier visit, potentially could have car later on and drive home, way cheaper flight
-Have some extended family living in the area + a cousin in same department at the school
-Technically my dream school, but I had planned on going to Iowa because the cost, but I got the regents scholarship which puts tuition at around Iowa!
-I like the idea of being in a small town but also being able to take weekend trips to Sacramento or San Fran
-I have not visited yet so that might totally transform me one way or another, I’m visiting on my spring break
-I’m interested in riding on an equestrian team in college and Davis has more opinions in terms of this and it is located on campus (as well as I have the potential to have an on campus job as a riding instructor)
-The school overall is more prestigious in terms of acceptance which might be a good thing as I plan on going to grad school
-I’ve heard the quarter system and overall coursework are very difficult, so I can see myself being stressed to maintain the regent’s (which I need to afford the school)

That was a lot of info. so if you read it I really appreciate it. I feel as if I’m leaning towards Davis but also a little disappointed to lose the connections and recognition I have begun to build at Iowa State. I think I’ll be less of a number in a crowd at Iowa, but then again just attending Davis would be a great honor. Please let me know what you think!

2

You are a Cal resident and were accepted into 2 top schools with instate tuition (Davis and SLO). Most kids heading out of state are not in this situation, and all your out of state choices are much easier admits?? So, unless they are giving you fantastic financial aid I would stay in California. I spent half my life within a day’s drive of Iowa state, have you contemplated the “forever long” winter–do not get caught up in the idea that the grass is always greener somewhere else!

3

Try pin pointing decisive factors for your schools, as in, what must they absolutely have, in order for you to accept?
Definitely go by your gut, though. I’ve heard from friends that visiting schools can really make or break them for you.

4

My DD is a California girl as well. Your post is very thorough! My DD is waitlisted at both UCD and Cal Poly; accepted to Purdue and Iowa State. I have felt that Iowa really does a great PR job and makes you feel wanted! I mean, I got a parent letter from the mayor of Ames lol. Plus they give merit aid which makes it very comparable to UCD/SLO. I am trying to find time to go visit with DD so she can get a feel for it. She is a little put off by the weather there. While hands down, if money was not an issue, she would be going to Purdue, but there was no merit money to be had from them.

I agree that you need to visit UCD. I was there a couple of weeks ago, and it is a very big campus. Everyone I met there was very nice, and it has a great reputation. You definitely need to weigh the opportunities within your specific major. The Midwest schools have a huge agricultural benefit with some big companies that hire from them. If I recall correctly, Iowa State has very large job fairs on campus for recruiting.

5

I have been to ISU several times. Never found the campus to be attractive. But I’ll do an internet tour as you have made me curious.

Two great choices for your purposes. If I had the same choice, it would be Davis due to Sacramento & San Francisco as well as the Pacific Ocean.

6

Viewed ISU on the internet. Campus looks nicer than I remember it to be.

Tough choice. Should base your choice on which school offers better future employment opportunities.