<p>I just got into Natural resource&forestry in Berkeley
and Environmental science& management in Davis.
I am gonna transfer and need to choose><.....could someone please give me some advice.????
any input is helpful.</p>
<p>The easy answer would be UC Berk simply because it’s like way more prestigious. I’m not sure regarding the major, but you can’t really go wrong with going to UCB with any major, it’s probably better for most majors than Davis.</p>
<p>Your future employer would definitely recognize UC Berk and help you net a job.</p>
<p>I applied to the environmental science major at both of these schools so heres my input. I visited both campuses and have talked to students in the environmental science major at both schools. Personally for me the undergraduate class sizes at both schools are way too large but at Berkeley even more so. Berkeley was a real crappy city imo no offense to anyone who goes to Cal it has a great reputation etc. etc. but if your down for paying astronomical rent prices and looking over your shoulder for homeless people when your walking home at night then UCB is for you. The junior status student in the Environmental Science major at UCB that I spoke to had told me that he had yet to have a lab that entailed any outdoor field work and imo hands on experience in this major is critical so that was a real turn off for me. A plus for Berkeley would definitely be that the college of natural resources is kind of isolated from the rest of the campus so its way less busy and you’ll have more access to resources such as advisors than you would in another college. The library was also pretty serious! I also noticed that the faculty at Berkeley is quite unfriendly and they all seem to have this attitude that enbodies something like “Were UC Berkeley, we know you want to come here and we dont care if you do”. The atmosphere at UCB is also highly politcally charged, most people are into freedom of speech but when I visited it seemed a little to intense and arrogant for me and I know that has a lot to do with UCB’s past. UCD I loved from the beginning and I know they have plenty of resources and opportunities, enough for any student looking to get involved in their education (especially for research). The people are super friendly and the faculty make you feel welcomed and that they want you to attend. I prefer Davis a lot more than Berkeley location wise and even though their a crowded school their not quite as bad as UCB.</p>
<p>So in the end it really comes down to a question of prestige and a higher chance of learning from a nobel laureate because imo that would have been the only reason I attended Berkeley since I felt every other school I visited was superior for the criteria I set in my college search. IMO, Berkeley really shines in its graduate schools as opposed to fighting for every breath as an undergraduate. Its a tough decision. Have you visited either campus and what is the situation looking like financially? </p>
<p>Btw, I am hearing more and more that employers aren’t critical of where you attended college but that you obtained a degree. And UCD is a highly reputable school as well, as is the majority of the UC’s.</p>
<p>PM me if you have any questions and I’d be happy to help.</p>
<p>Choose Cal, it is a top 5 research university in the word.</p>
<p>I’m a fan of both schools and know professors in those two departments. Both will be fine choices. For what it’s worth (not much, I’m not a professional in the field), I think that Davis outshines Cal for this particular type of program/major. However, since the environment for both schools is quite different, your comfort with the surrounding area is very important.</p>
<p>Is there any possibility of you changing majors? Keep that option in mind as well.</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>Its nice to see someone give honest informed advice that takes specifics into consideration such as major, rather than the usual “Go here because of (insert ranking) and (insert prestigious comment)”</p>
<p>Paul26,</p>
<p>Sometimes there is an overwhelming difference in prestige between two schools. The difference is extremely large in this case.</p>
<p>I understand when the difference is large but in this instance I have to disagree. UCD and UCBerkeley are both top 50 schools nationwide and UCD only ranks 10 schools behind UC Berkeley in public school rankings (according to USNWR). I understand their ranking system may not mean much to some people, but using them as a basis for my opinion I dont believe that is a large difference whatsoever. They are both great schools and great research institutions.</p>
<p>Did you meet with anyone at Cal’s Enviro Sci program? It’s really small college in a big Uni. Thus, you would have a ready-made group of friends.</p>
<p>thanks folks, a lot of great opinions here^^i ll take them all considered
the presitige of the school certainly is one of my concern BUT not the main one,
i care about more what i would learn from it and where it will lead me to. </p>
<p>i am planning to go directly to grad school after undergrad, do u think grad school regconize the major itself or the school more?</p>
<p>after all,as paul26 says berkeley does not offer a good hand-on experience for undergrad, on the contary davis has a great oppotunity for undergrad research, is here anyone who have done undergrad reseach in davis? how is it?</p>
<p>after i got the admission, i really want a chance to go to both by myself, but i am get overload units this semester, don’t even have half day free, even my social life is getting very dump since the beginning of the sem, thus i am here to seek some advice.:)</p>
<p>There is an equal amount if not more opportunities for undergrad research at UC Berkeley. What I was speaking of was the actual curriculum at UCB lacking hands on labs. </p>
<p>I’ve spoken to many UC Davis students who have done undergrad research and have all raved about their experience. If you go to Davis and put in the effort to find these opportunities you will without a doubt be partaking in research. </p>
<p>Another thing I think you should consider about UC Davis is that they are on a quarter system which is quite different and more fast paced than the traditional semester system. This has been a huge turnoff for me when considering to attend UC Davis but definitely not a deal breaker. </p>
<p>So have you visited both schools? And what is it looking like financially?</p>
<p>as you have mentioned the academic canlenda, frankly, i am more comfortable with quater system since i was brought up in a high school with quarter system, thus i am exhuasted when i come to my current cc with semester system.</p>
<p>i know it’s better to go to the school by myself, but no, i haven’t been neither yet.
financially, davis cost me a little bit more, but not a deal breaker.</p>
<p>so are you in davis?</p>
<p>I live in Chico currently but I’ve been to Davis and Berkeley and applied to both universities. How is Davis more expensive for you? That would only be possible if Berkeley has offered you a scholarship. And if that is somehow the cost remember that you will pay two to three times as much for living expenses in Berkeley for some seriously beat down housing. If you choose Berkeley I’d get that on campus housing guarantee at Berkeley its not much more expensive than living off campus as opposed to Davis.</p>
<p>ah…sorry, typo, it’s the other way,
and yea, i agree w/ you that the expentitude in bekeley would cost more than in davis</p>
<p>thanks a lot, folks, I SIR davis already~!!!</p>
<p>If you intend on going to grad school, I recommended considering personal fit. In my limited experience, I’ve found that it’s easier to do better academically if I’m happy. You’ll need those grades for grad school! I live in CA, and more than half of the graduates of my hs go to a UC, and I haven’t heard many good things about Berkeley regarding the quality of life (interpret this how you will). I’d recommend visiting and staying overnight, if possible. They’re very different schools in very different settings.</p>
<p>Congrats on your decision! Personally I would’ve chose Berkeley because the academics outweighs the social life negatives but it’s all about personal fit and if UC-Davis is where you want to go, then congrats!!</p>