<p>I'm looking for some insight here. I'm currently torn between which college I should transfer to. I currently am accepted to Humboldt State and UC Davis. I am majoring in environmental science and I've visited both Davis and Humboldt and I loved them both, with the edge going to Humboldt because I love the redwoods. I was wondering what the general consensus is about how these schools stack up? I'm definitely not interested in hearing heavily opinionated responses without a substantial basis for your opinions, so please no "Humboldts a stoner school" or "Theres nothing to do in Davis" unless you've been there and put an effort into your college experience and education. To give you a general idea of what I'm interested in here's a few things about the type of student I am. I have a 3.8 GPA and I'm a hardworking student and I often get involved in extra curricular activities and I am definitely looking to get involved in internships and research. I'm also looking to go to a school that has a reputation for having students with a lot of school pride and a tight knit community. The opportunity to get to know my professors and approach them with questions during office hours is also important to me. Additionally, the opportunity to party here and there wouldn't hurt either, although I'm not huge on the party scene. I know that college is what you make of it, but I'd like to hear about some personal experiences and well informed suggestions to maybe help my decision process along. I appreciate any advice you can give! Thanks!</p>
<p>Boy…given your interest in environmental science, that is a tough question. Vociferous has a point that I am sure you already have in your pros/cons matrix. The wooded environ at Humboldt is truly special. Could the specific focus within env.sci fit one school over the other?</p>
<p>Davis being more prestigious is definitely on the list. I guess that is my biggest fear about going to Humboldt is that it is a tier 3 college and unknown to most outside of California. But the truth is that they are very well respected for their biology/natural resource degrees, most of their science degrees for that matter are well respected (especially oceanography), because they stress hands on experiences which are made possible with smaller class sizes and their given location. Their curriculum is geared toward preparing you for a career in your chosen field and I have had a botanist at my CC rave about their program and that he would specifically hire Humboldt graduates over UC candidates (when he owned his own firm) because they had more field skills and were career ready. I plan on attending graduate school right after I get my bachelors, so is it really important where I do my undergrad if I go to a prestigious grad school? Btw to top it off, Humboldt State is almost half the price to attend compared to Davis. Eh, I’m at a loss. More advice please!</p>
<p>Well if money is an issue then go to Humboldt. How much loan debt would you incur going to Davis? As for your grad school question, frankly - yes Davis would put you in a better position for grad school.</p>
<p>Money is and isn’t an issue. It would be nice to incur less debt but that’s not what is most important to me overall unless were talking about a hefty sum for an education that doesn’t match the price tag. Both schools are reasonably priced but there is an added dimension to this whole situation. I’ve been living in California since August of 09 and the UC System is very particular about classifying residents. Although I have done everything required to establish my residency, it is possible they could turn around and screw me over in the end by not classifying me as a resident which would leave me with an astronomical bill that I would most definitely not pay for. Humboldt on the other hand has already classified me as a resident. With residency and dependent status for financial aid, I’d most likely incur 20k in loan debt for my first year at UC Davis (the second year I will be independent w/o question and receive state grants). That number depends on my financial aid package though which is incomplete since I am applying to be considered independent for my first year due to an exception and that will reduce the cost, but the problem is getting it approved. How much it will cost is still very much in the air. In comparison, humboldt state will cost me 11-15k debt max for my first year.</p>
<p>I do like both schools but I love Humboldt, its just hard to make the decision to go there over Davis because UCD is much more prestigious. Like I said money isn’t an issue unless Davis tries to classify me as out of state but that shouldn’t be part of this conversation since its something that has yet to be decided and I will deal with it if the time comes. Btw acceptance deadline for Humboldt was may 1st but they have no deposit so I was told I can accept and rescind my offer later if need be since Davis gives me until June 1st to decide (and I also applied to Duke whom I won’t hear back from for a week still but chances are slim). Will it really hurt me that much in the end if I go to Humboldt over Davis? Are employers really going to look down on that especially if I go to a great grad school? Anyone out there involved in the hiring process who can lend some advice?</p>
<p>“Don’t go to Humboldt. Challenge yourself academically.”</p>
<p>Kvilledeac why do you say that though? I’ve heard the science courses at Humboldt are quite challenging from many people and I have also heard your statement as well but which to believe? Is your opinion based on the typical stereotype of Humboldt, which is that every student is a stoner and the curriculum is watered down? Because I’m not worried about that portion of the student population, I will seek out the opportunities and excel there. I personally don’t fit that stereotype. If your statement is based on personal experience or that of a friends please do share. I definitely want to be challenged and if there is truth to the curriculum being too easy then I don’t want to attend there, I just haven’t found evidence of this.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your input, I definitely appreciate it.</p>
<p>I know exactly where you’re coming from. I’m a biology/psychology double major and will get my PhD in neurology one day. I’m transferring to HSU instead of the more prestigious universities I was accepted to after months of agonizing over the decision and hours upon hours of research. </p>
<p>So yeah, HSU is looked down on by most other undergrad students. I get asked why I chose HSU all the time. But it’s important to remember that the average person doesn’t know much (or anything) about the HSU natural science departments, which I understand to be challenging and quite competitive with other universities. </p>
<p>It sound like you already know HSU has an amazing environmental science program so I won’t go into that but I would imagine that you would get more hands on experience at HSU than at most other colleges. The classes will be smaller and cultivating relationships with professors will be easier. I know for a fact that HSU allows and encourages students to get involved with research and projects as they do not have grad students to fill the role of assisting professors. This will be important when it’s time to apply for grad school.</p>
<p>Letters of rec and hands on experience (as well as your statement of purpose) will play a very big part in whether you’re admitted to a grad program or not. Big name undergrad schools will buy you some leeway when it comes to GPA but it is, in most cases, not a deciding factor in whether or not you’re accepted into the grad program. Go to a school where you will thrive and do well. </p>
<p>All that being said I know nothing about UC Davis as I didn’t apply there. Also, do plenty of your own research. I’m basically at the same place as you are =). Hope this didn’t come too late and that it helped.</p>
<p>P.S. I would highly recommend reading this thread on admittance to grad schools. It helped make up my mind.</p>
<p>Davisj, the advice was a tiny bit late but it’s much appreciated. I chose to go to Humboldt State in the end, so I will see you there! Thanks for the advice.</p>