<p>I was accepted into UC Berkeley (Political Science major) and UC Davis (International Relations major). UC Davis offered me a Regents Scholarship, which means a full ride. UC Berkeley didn't offer me Regents, and would cost me about $3k a year -- not that big of a deal, but still somewhat of a consideration.</p>
<p>I know that there are quite a few Berkeley vs. Davis threads here, but the difference is that they were all about science majors. On the other hand, I'm expecting to complete law school. But would undergraduate research in the social sciences/humanities also be more available at Davis than at Berkeley, as seems to be the case with the hard sciences?</p>
<p>I've been to both campuses, and I must say that I like Davis better than Berkeley, though the latter's okay.</p>
<p>I'm a pretty high academically-achieving student, but I'm not sure whether I would enjoy the (alleged) intense competition at Berkeley.</p>
<p>I would prefer the International Relations major -- it seems more well-rounded than just Political Science. If I went to Berkeley, I would most likely major in Political Science with a sub-concentration of International Relations, and try to pick up a second major in Economics. But again, with the competition and my need to maintain a high GPA, I'm not sure how well I would perform. Law school admissions (I'm hoping something of Top 14 caliber) is probably the overriding factor, though I don't want to drown in academics either.</p>
<p>Advice, opinion, debate? :D</p>
<p>Edit: The Environmental Toxicology major at Davis seems pretty interesting. I don't really know if I can handle all the hard science though, but if I could, given that I have enough time (I have several prerequesities fulfilled at a community college), I think a double major in International Relations and Environmental Toxicology would be interesting (and perhaps appealing to law schools). Thoughts?</p>
<p>Regents is more than just the $$, especially at Davis, which offers the best Regents package in the entire UC system. In addition to the full ride, you also get priority registration for all four years (can’t overestimate the value of that, especially in this time of budget cuts and increasing class sizes), helping to ensure that you will be able to get the classes you need to actually graduate on time. You also get an invitation to the honors Integrated Studies program, with 15 professors for the 120 students in IS (class sizes are limited to 25). You will have personal access to professors from day one of your freshman year. You also get to live in Miller Hall, the best dorm on campus, and get 250 free printing pages per quarter. Plus, they have a financial interest in your success and will go out of their way to help you do well. And Davis has a great intern program for both law (access to the Capitol) and med school (access to UC Davis Medical Center). Of course, Cal is Cal, and it’s really hard to pass up the opportunity to go there. On the other hand, if you are going to grad school, that name ultimately matters more and it’s nice to start without any undergrad debt to add to all that you’ll borrow to finish law school! But, honestly, they are both great schools - where do you think you would be happiest? Go with the best personal fit for YOU and ignore what others say (including me).</p>
<p>As much as I love Berkeley, go for Davis. You like it and you’re Regents. Work hard and enjoy. Davis was originally Berkeley’s agricultural school and has great environmental/ecology programs. Your interests definitely sound current for today’s job market.</p>
<p>Note: Davis and Berkeley are playing each other on the gridiron this fall. Hopefully the Bears will not be too hard on our Aggie brothers. ;)</p>
<p>kc brought up a good point of difference…Davis is on the quarter system, Berkeley is on the semester system. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I prefer semesters (start in late August, end in mid-May; buy books twice versus 3 times; more time to get settled and absorb the material; profs have more time to go in depth). </p>
<p>^ Of course. Good to see you’re learning. Davis, Berkeley and SF campuses were all the original UC…long before that imposter southern branch was founded.</p>