Davis vs Rochester

College Search & Selection
1

So I submitted my SIR to UC Davis, but I KEEP having second thoughts about Rochester, and idk what to do!! I did talk to Rochester to see if I could change my decision, and they said they’ll get back to me and I want to decide before then.
To begin with, I am not averse to Davis- I just feel that Rochester is a better fit for me. But money is tight, and I have some very complicated family problems. (I’m an int’l student, us citizen, grew up in california) My parents feel Davis is better.

  1. Both are, financially the same. Exactly the same- I got a scholarship at rohester. Except at Davis, I have the flexibility of taking classes at a CC. I also have the option of renting a house instead of staying in a dorm from freshman year. At rochester, it’s compulsory to stay in a dorm for the first 2 years. There is also a slight chance I may get in-state at Davis (pls don’t ask, family problems)
    2)** Is the difference in rankings going to make much difference? In opportunities and jobs, and quality of education? I’m interested in med school/grad school.**
  2. The open curriculum, research and Eastman were a BIG draw for me at rochester. And there’s a great musical scene at Rochester too. Is it worth going there for that? Is there any way I can explore different courses, and get into research work at Davis? What I’m as.king is, will it be difficult to get the same opportunities at Davis? I would’ve loved Eastman, but I cannot simply choose a college for that, when music doesn’t really feature in my future goals. I love it, and I’ve been learning for a loong time, but its just a hobby. How is the orchestra at Davis?
  3. The student body is very imp for me.Are the student bodies very different? How do they compare to top-notch schools?**
  4. What turns me off from Davis is its rep as an agro/environmental/vet school…I’m not saying thats bad, just that its not my thing, and I would feel weird going there. Rochester on the other hand, has a good premed and med school rep.
  5. I wanted to go to college in California,mostly cos’ its where I grew up but also because I wanted to stay near family and friends there- and given my family’s situation, its prob best I stay near family and friends. and frankly I would HATE the snow in Rochester. Rochester is out of the way, with nobody familiar- I don’t know how I’d like that. I like the size of UC Davis too, while Rochester’s size might stifle me. I have a good friend who’s already going to Davis.
  6. On the other hand, if I really don’t like UCD, I have the option to transfer to another UC (obv taking into acct my grades etc) But then again, I really don;t want to go thru the business of transferring.
    I feel like Rochester is a place that’s exactly suited to my needs and wants, but perhaps Davis is where I will have room to grow, and change. ANY help, any suggestions would be welcome.
    Oh, and the programs at both (bme) are nearly the same, but I may change my major and Davis has a much wider selection of programs.
2

Other than the huge differences in weather and size, the primary academic differences are that Rochester does not have the same ‘General Ed’ requirements that any of the UC’s have.

At a UC, you will need to take a number of pre-req classes for your major, in addition to ‘core’ classes for graduation eligibility.

Rochester, has a more ‘flexible’ or open curriculum.

Both would be just fine for med school.
Davis has a med school attached, so the opportunities for shadowing or internships is pretty good. However, the UC system as a whole produces a rather large number of pre-med candidates, making it statistically more difficult for California students to get a seat at a California med school.

At either school, be sure to take advantage of any pre-med advising that they have.
It’s never too early to meet with an advisor to be sure that you’re starting on the right track, or remaining on track.

In your post you mentioned transferring to another UC.
This can be very difficult and know that for any UC (or CSU) they only accept upper-division transfers, meaning that you’d apply for transfer in the Fall of your Sophomore year for admission in Fall of your junior year.
The other thing to keep in mind for transfer is that you’d be transferring directly into your major, meaning that the specific courses you take (not just the grades) in the first two years are very important and missing a single class within their prescribed requirements, is enough to keep you out. Additionally, transfer priority goes first to in-state Community College applicants.

My personal feeling is that if you are paying out-of-state fees for Davis, and the total costs are close to equal,
then switching your selection over to Rochester could be a really good idea. Your classes would be smaller and you’d get much better advising – both for your academics as well as for any pre-med advising that you’d need. Keep in mind, however, that I am a stranger on the internet and don’t know you or your family circumstances. YMMV.

If you’re eligible for in-state tuition at Davis, then take advantage and save money for med or grad school.
With few exceptions, a med school-bound student should always go for the most economical undergrad choice, as the reputation of your undergrad matters less than you think.

Trust that either school will give you what you need.
Best of luck with your decision.

3

I suspect you’d really enjoy Rochester. They also have a med school right there, so that isn’t an “advantage” Davis. The weather is definitely different, but my guy has found he doesn’t mind that compared to the advantages.

4

Since the cost is the same, picking a state school where budgets are starting to feel pain over an elite private school because of the winter seems sort of silly. If you want some tips on Winter wear, just ask.

5

Have you ever experienced winter? Especially winter in Rochester which lasts longer than winter in New York City? The reason I ask is if you have never experienced winter you may love it, hate it or it may not matter but it is an unknown. My kids do not care about winter one way or the other but they grew up with it.

Did you visit Rochester?

I really do not know either school, look at both schools stats for med school admissions. Find out if either one only lets prescreened students or those meeting certain requirements apply.

How realistic is it that you will get California residency, if it is possible then Davis.

6

URochester is difficult to distinguish in many ways from some of the US’ most selective universities (but UR is distinguished by world class programs in optics and music).

UR itself is highly selective and ranks 60th in the US by the standardized scoring of its students. For comparison, UC-Davis places 189th. (“610 Smartest Colleges,” Business Insider.)

UR appears on an online list, “The Experts’ Choice: Colleges with Great Pre-med Programs.”

UR’s city-in-the-country location and four-season climate is appropriate for academic pursuits.

7

In the Rochester area they’re well known for their world-class Strong Hospital-- which is blocks from the university (which also has an amazing med school)

8

You should note that, as a private school, the University of Rochester has a student body with significant national and international representation.

9

Just to clarify, technically I am eligible for in-state at Davis, since one of my parents is a resident. Unfortunately, he will not help (tho this MAY or may not change) So whether I get instate or not, depends completely on my parent who is not very reliable.
I’ve researched a lot about transferring and its potential problems. I’m prepared to stay at Davis if I have to (as I said, I don’t mind it)
I can’t visit either school unfortunately due to financial problems.
Soemthing I feel I haven’t explained properly yet, is that I do want to stay in California for my studies at some point of time. I want to spend med school in California if I go out for undergrad. If I go to Cali for undergrad, I would prefer going somewhere else for med (tho I guess I wouldn’t mind Cal then too) I’d like to work in Cali after graduation.
@merc81: This is something that has been bothering me a bit: if this was any other college, yes- I would’ve definitely picked Rochester for its diversity. However, I grew up in Norcal, so I somehow feel like I would not feel out of place at Davis, and I would be happy there, I’d be going home. Besides, Davis is a big school, and I know that it is diverse and inclusive enough that I will find my niche. Also to be considered, I feel, is the socioeconomic diversity- as you all describe it, Rochester seems to be a “rich” school, in which case, Davis would again, fit me better. So in this way, I feel that for me, Davis is not disadvantaged in any way.
My mother feels that she would feel more relaxed with me at Davis.
But the open curriculum keeps beckoning and I end up being unable to make a decision again!
No, I have never experienced SNOWY winter. Where I live, the winter is nothing like anywhere in the US, and I still hate it. I’m also a very outdoorsy person, and would HATE being cooped inside for most of the school year. But no, I would never choose a school based on the weather.

10

Since money is tight however, I do want to choose a school where I can save in any way possible.

11

I heard back from Rochester today, and they will still allow me to change-I need to decide by 23rd May

12

What I would really love to know is how students at both colleges rank in levels of intelligence/motivation/dedication- I did see the rankings, but any personal experience would be helpful, because I like being in a challenging environment. Davis does rank 9th in public colleges, after all. For my major, BME, which one is better, and will provide me with a better environemnt for research, job opportunities, internships, etc?

13

Look at professors in your major and see what research projects they have going on. That might help you decide which place appeals.

I can’t speak at all of Davis as I don’t know anyone who has gone there (we’re in the east - few head to CA - and none have headed to Davis from the school I work at). I can say URochester is challenging and pretty much everyone who goes there will be into research, even non-STEM students. It’s very much a research loving culture. Profs are very used to working with undergrads, and at graduation last week, it was very uplifting hearing about what was going on and how much students were doing (or had done). We were not at the Engineering graduation, but I doubt it was much different.

14

This is what one of the college guides reports with respect to the University of Rochester in terms of your areas of interest: “Partly because the school is in a city long known for technology . . . UR has a highly regraded engineering school. Students and faculty also praise the school’s programs in biomedical engineering, economics, psychology, English, history, business, and music.”

(Choising the Right College.)

15

Now that you have confirmation from Rochester than you can still get in, now it’s time to get confirmation from Davis
about your in-state vs. out-of-state residency tuition status to help you make your final decision.
Technically eligible is not the same as eligible. You need to find that out as soon as possible.
As others have stated, if you have to pay OOS fees for Davis, then attending Rochester will probably have a lot more to offer for a comparable price.

let us know what you decide.

16

sp (#13): regarded.

17

I don’t see how you’d get instate rates based on your dad. You don’t live with him, he’s not your primary parent.

When will you be 18?

18

State by state varies on parents who live in different states. Nephew was able to get in-state in Iowa (for Iowa State) as his dad resided in Iowa, while he went to HS in WI. Also sometimes a state school near a state line may consider some kids in neighboring counties in another state for in-state tuition.

One needs to be very clear about the school and the state regulations on these situations with parents living in different states, and state residency requirements for the affected student.

19

Actually, my dad is a Cal resident, and I am definitely eligible for in-state. The only reason I will not get it, is because my dad will not show the necessary documents (even though he has all of them)- this situation is unlikely to change, but it COULD. As I said before, I am def eligible, so as soon as I am able to showcase the documents, I will get in-state. I’ve talked to the university people at length about this, so I’m quite sure.