<p>If so, what was your take on the speakers? The Dean, the astronaut and the other gentleman? My daughter loved Davis until that presentation and am just curious how others felt about it. </p>
<p>I was there on Saturday, but I did not attend the speaker presentation though. What did I miss though that would have turned me (or my son off)?</p>
<p>The speakers were uninspiring and seemed to be catering to “average” students, rather than pumping up the students and making them feel proud that they may choose Davis. I don’t really know how to describe it. There was no energy, the female speaker talked in a sing song tone as though to elementary students, the astronaut, while he had a good story (he was an alumni and is now a professor), really was too old to relate to the kids (he was probably 50’s or so, and the choice of having cheerleaders there was so “high schoolish”. My daughter’s high school puts on a better show than Davis did. There was a kid on the panel who was on or had been on probation for his bad grades, no honors students on the panel, nothing to really make the admitted students proud that Davis is their choice. Its really unfortunate, because we loved the school prior to that, loved the town, felt safe, etc. I really wanted her to like it due to the proximity to our home (6 hours away), the cost, and the safety of the school.
Others may not feel the same way we did, so hoping I’ll get some responses.</p>
<p>I wish I could have attended to give some perspective. I forgot to ask my son if his cohort attending the Aggie Weekend went to this presentation on Saturday.</p>
<p>I really enjoyed my time in Davis. The band, the facilities, the people seemed really great. I went to one of the cultural presentations and their presentation was so uplifting and inclusive. My son came home and SIR’d. He met so many great freshmen and potential freshmen during his weekend hosted by UCD. </p>
<p>You and daughter should go with your gut, usually they are right on target.</p>
<p>We were there and we were not very impressed by this presentation and the setting, but we felt that comparing it to previous UCLA presentations in much more impressive settings was not really fair to Davis. I thought that Professor Robinson actually tried to inspire the students by telling them that they could make Davis better and so - certainly unintendedly - might have left the impression Davis isn’t that great. I however also got the impression from his presentation that Davis is very flexible in allowing students to change majors , allowing them to figure out what they really like and even putting together their own plans, which in my mind is a plus. As far as the student panel , I would have liked to have seen some nonlocal students. All students there were from the Bay Area or fairly close to there. Since we attended the honors Open House we got to see and hear many honors students share, and they were very impressive! Overall, I liked Davis very much and hope my son will pick Davis, but he is also considering Berkeley and UCLA, which I expect to have more impressive presentations, but those are ultimately not that important. It is important that the student likes the environment, has access to help when needed and that the teachers are good, so he/she can succeed. </p>
<p>Hi. My son’s final 2 choices are UC Davis and UC San Diego. Both are great schools (that we’ve toured) and he’s still thinking about both (he has not SIR’d yet). </p>
<p>As a parent, I agree with @aldtmom "I however also got the impression from his presentation that Davis is very flexible in allowing students to change majors , allowing them to figure out what they really like and even putting together their own plans, which in my mind is a plus. " and “It is important that the student likes the environment, has access to help when needed and that the teachers are good, so he/she can succeed.”</p>
<p>As my son is basically “undecided” in his major - and this sounds like a HUGE plus for him, to me.</p>
<p>I think that one of the reasons that my son is heavily considering UCSD is due to “prestige” of the school, being rated slightly higher than UCD. But between the two . . UCD sounds more “supportive” of someone basically undecided, like my son. Your comment "There was a kid on the panel who was on or had been on probation for his bad grades, no honors students on the panel, nothing to really make the admitted students proud that Davis is their choice. " made a good point . . that UCD was not showing off “prestige” so much. But I liked that it showed “reality” of college life – and that they are supportive. </p>
<p>But I definitely can see how “prestige” is a pull for the kids (like my son and/or your daughter) and that maybe UCD’s presentation lacked showing it off. But - stats show - they are a great school - and in the most recent survey, UCD is tied for 9th with UCSD for national public universities. <a href=“Best Public Schools: U.S. News & World Report Releases 2014 Ranking | HuffPost College”>Best Public Schools: U.S. News & World Report Releases 2014 Ranking | HuffPost College;
<p>So maybe UCD didn’t show it off at this one presentation. . and maybe could benefit by doing that a bit more . . but overall - I feel very positively about UCD (and as a Mom) really liked that they focused on showing their “supportive” side. “Prestige” PLUS being supportive . . a win-win in my book!</p>
<p>@cris1234 I think your son has two great choices!</p>
<p>I sat through a student panel presentation with my son at one of the cultural events on April 5. One thing I found interesting (and maybe it is common?) but most of the 6 students on the panel were double and triple majors, i.e. international business with minor in psychology and a minor in Asian studies. I like that the students at Davis have a lot of different majors/minors to explore, as well as the opportunity to take a class riding tractors or coffee science, in addition to majoring in engineering or political science. My son wanted a school with a football team (did not say it had to be a winning team!) and more of a college town vs. urban city. His top choices were SLO, UCSB and Davis. He only got into Davis. He really enjoyed Aggie weekend and being hosted by current UCD freshmen and sophomores and came home thinking Davis was a good fit for his college years. </p>
<p>Hi @liveonboca! </p>
<p>Thanks! Me too (think he has great choices) and we are sooooo happy for him!! Touring both colleges was so fun and exciting . . . imagining him there. So happy for him.</p>
<p>I agree with the double-major and/or double-minor possibilities that you mention - I think it’s SO awesome that the kids (and potentially my son) can “create” something of their own interest! (I heard this on my 3/31 tour as well). My son likes music, got accepted as computer science, but likes chemistry. He may be able to combine these somehow. CS major, music minor? CS major, chemistry minor? Chemistry major, CS minor? Or something else entirely? Who knows what he’ll decide . . but to know he’ll have that flexibility is just AWESOME!!! He is definitely leaning towards Davis (over UCSD) at this time. </p>
<p>I couldn’t attend UCD on 4/5 because we were at UCSD “Triton Day” on 4/5. But luckily - last night I found a link to the “Welcome” presentation UCD made on 4/5. Watching it last night confirmed to me - that Davis will be a great fit for my son. </p>
<p>Welcome: UC Davis Decision 2014 (4/5/2014)
<a href=“University of California, Davis”>http://webcast.ucdavis.edu/llnd/3f291bc5</a></p>
<p>It sounds like your son may choose Davis too? Congrats on his acceptance!</p>
<p>Cris1234 and liveonbocca, Did your sons end up choosing Davis? My son SIR’ed for Davis yesterday, after finally deciding that overall Davis felt better than UCLA and Berkeley. Yeah! While I would have supported any of his decisions I believe Davis is the best fit for him.</p>
<p>@aldtmom My son did SIR to Davis. He has been communicating with students he met while at Davis and has filled out roommate applications. So it is a go! Very excited and I feel he has chosen well. </p>
<p>Congrats to your son!</p>
<p>@aldtmom Yes - my son SIR’d to Davis. Today. Finally. His continued “pondering” was making me nervous - getting so close to the cut off date. Whew! = ) I am both relieved (he made his decision) and very excited for him! Next up . . for him to look into housing. Congrats @aldtmom and @liveonboca to your sons! </p>
<p>@Cris1234 yes I know exactly how you felt. We finally gave my son an ultimatum: “either you decide by Saturday, or we will decide for you.” Fortunately, he decided on Saturday (I would have hated to make the decision for him), and we had enough time.
Congratulations to your sons @Cris1234 and @liveonboca.</p>
<p>@Cris1234 @liveonboca Well, one of my two sons has just sent his SIR to Davis - he and his brother have been going back and forth and switching schools between themselves, but he finally did it! I was starting to get concerned it would be so late a computer glitch could occur or something. His brother is still giving me heartburn, but he is pretty deadline oriented, and I’m sure he’ll have his answer ready tomorrow.</p>
<p>Yay! Glad one of them is coming to Davis! One down, one to go! </p>