<p>Daughter has tough choice and any words of wisdom appreciated. We plan to attend honors weekend in NOLA. She spent last summer at UCD in Young Scholars Program and really enjoyed it. She wants the opportunity to do research as an undergrad. She's interested in Biochem/Molecular Biology/stuff like that. Does anyone have info on Tulane and research opps at Cancer Center.My daughter mentioned stem cell research as well. Berkeley is Berkeley but she did not get any merit aid.
UC Regents merit scholar at UCD is $7.5K/yr and she must maintain 3.2 GPA. Pres scholar at Tulane is $25K/yr and she must maintain 2.7 GPA. Both, UCD and Tulane offer honors program.
FYI - No she did not apply to USC - despite my pleas - but she promises to always root on the Trojans in Football wherever she goes.... even if it's CAL ... LOL</p>
<p>I am going to start this discussion by eliminating Berkeley from the list. Sounds strange I know, Berkeley is Berkeley. But if she wants to get involved in that level of research her chances are much better at UCD or Tulane. Berkeley is so grad student oriented, not to mention being very large compared to the other two. I also worry about the budget situation in California. Although this applies to UCD also, it appears it could affect Berkeley more.</p>
<p>As far as the other two, of course one really cannot compare the $7.5K to the $25K from Tulane. Can you tell us what the cost of attending is after the scholarships at each school? Is money even an issue?</p>
<p>After money, there are some major differences between the two schools. One is location. I have been to UCD twice so I know it is pretty rural. I think the Tulane campus is nicer also, more of a classic college campus. UCD is much larger, with 4x the number of undergrads. Tulane will have more classes that are smaller in general, although I am unfamiliar with how the honors program works at UCD. Tulane is going to have a more geographically diverse student body, while UCD is 96% Californians. I do know undergrads can get involved in research at the med school at Tulane, but I don’t know anything specific about the cancer center. Food and wine are excellent in both areas, although at Tulane they don’t analyze the wine at the molecular level like they do at UCD!</p>
<p>You will obviously know a lot more when you get back from NOLA Honors weekend. It will be interesting to hear how you and your D feel about things after that.</p>
<p>PS: I know what you mean about USC. As a Tulane alum, my D was initially reluctant to seriously consider Tulane also. But when she saw it in spring of her junior year she starting opening her mind to it, and then when she got the full tuition scholarship and attended Honors Weekend, the decision was made. She is very happy at Tulane and is definitely feeling it is her own unique experience, not somehow an echo of mine.</p>
<p>S2 was accepted at USC with a scholarship and at Berkeley. He chose Tulane for its access to professors, research opportunities, class size, community feel, and location. He just felt Tulane would provide an LAC like personal education in the context of a major research university, much like the University of Chicago (where he took an intensive summer course he loved, where his brother attends, where I did my graduate training, and like your D, where I could not get him to apply, so I know how you feel).</p>
<p>You should seriously consider the budget crisis in California and the effects it has had and will continue to have on the public schools. Davis is currently looking at eliminating men’s and women’s swimming, diving and water polo. Even if these aren’t areas of interest, you must ask “what next…?”</p>
<p>I completely agree with eliminating UCB for undergrad research. Much better as a graduate school in that area.</p>
<p>It is a sad, scary time for the UC and CSU system and it will only get worse. This is not a doom and gloom message, just something to think about.</p>
<p>I do like Davis, but fear the system.</p>
<p>bus52: I agree with you re: effects of budget deficits on public higher education in CA. Our DD decided not to apply to any UC or CSU campuses, as a result. (She had guaranteed admission at several UCs, based on her class rank.) Almost all of the UCs are using waiting lists for the first time this year. The reason is a little different than what you might think. They are waiting to see the outcome of next year’s budget (2010-11 fiscal year) before committing to a full class size. Of the UCs that have starting waiting lists this year, UC Davis has carried things a little further. In order to actually get on the waiting list, the student has to submit a 200 word essay. (Just when they thought they had written their last college admissions essay…)</p>
<p>uscgrad: Although the long term picture at the UCs is cloudy, UCDavis might still work out for your daughter. If she had a lot of science APs, she would be able to skip the very large introductory courses and go directly to smaller courses with less TA involvement. Also, if she were willing to expand her research areas of interest a little, UCDavis has some distinctive programs, not found elsewhere. For example, their Department of Entomology is probably #1 in the country. But she’d have to like to work with critters.</p>
<p>fc: Davis has grown. Its population is now approaching 65,000. It’s still distinct from Sacramento and probably always will be, because of the causeway/floodplain that separates them. But it’s more of a small city than a rural town now.</p>
<p>capandgown - good to know that Davis isn’t as rural as it used to be. Still, I think we can agree it’s no New Orleans! With all the plusses for New Orleans (mostly) and negatives that entails.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. We are looking forward to visting in person. One good thing about the UC Regent at Davis is that she gets priority registration. </p>
<p>Yes the two campuses are very different. I do know she likes Davis but she is really excited to see Tulane.</p>
<p>I think she would go to Davis over Berkeley. At least, it is now down to the two schools.</p>
<p>Davis is a bit cheaper but that isn’t the factor. Her main desire is to have undergrad research opportunities. We will be asking questions about this at the weekend. Was this discussed at the prior honors weekend or destination Tulane events?</p>
<p>Davis she definitely has the opportunity with the professor and grad students she worked with last summer.</p>
<p>Thanks for any inputs</p>
<p>She can register for classes at Honors Weekend at Tulane also. Not sure about after that, but my D has had no trouble getting the classes she wants.</p>
<p>I am not sure if they specifically have research opportunities as a topic at the talks, but you should have a chance to speak with professors in the areas she is interesting in. I could recommend a biochem professor for her to speak with, but I am sure she will see various professors during the weekend. However, I would be proactive in having her sit in on a class with a professor she might like to do research with. She should look at their web pages, find something that sounds interesting, and e-mail them to see if they would have a class for her to sit in on or would have time to discuss the research possibilities.</p>
<p>Well, D went to honors weekend in April. She stayed overnight in the dorms with her host. It was French Quarter Festival weekend so she was able to see and listen to some music. She took a week to think things over and she has decided to go to Tulane. She is a So Cal Girl going to NOLA and she is so excited for the experience. She is saying no to CAL schools - CAL, UCD and UCSB. I guess I better get Tulane garb to go along with my USC stuff. I am excited for her.</p>
<p>There is just something magical about NOLA some kids seem to resonate with. Congrats on the decision. I now where a Tulane cap with my U of C t-shirt. Feels kind of good. :)</p>
<p>uscgrad - Wonderful! Congrats to you both. At least you know there is no chance Tulane will ever play USC in football, and not too likely in basketball either. Baseball there is a chance, though. Hope that won’t cause too much angst.</p>
<p>Tulane is very lucky to have her. Have a great summer getting ready.</p>
<p>This has been a very good day for Tulane. Lots of the best students posting they have chosen Tulane. It will be interesting to see the final tallies.</p>