<p>I’m not gonna be able to visit far away colleges and I feel like research has only gotten me so far. Can any UC Davis students tell me about
- the general atmosphere (academic + social life, and whether the pendulum sways more toward one or the other)
- surrounding life + whether the school feels really isolated or integrated
- research opportunities–are they hard to get or can anyone start researching right away if they seek out opportunities?
- what are the students like? Is the college diverse or is there a “typical” student?
- history, anthropology, other social science majors–generally, are they amazing, good, okay, or subpar?
- the quality of the premed program or advising/whether it has much success or not</p>
<p>Atmosphere: I enjoy it here because to me it’s a calm campus with very nice people. You definitely have the option to go all out in with your social life if you choose to but you also have the choice to avoid it if you so choose that. There isn’t a cut throat atmosphere but many people are serious about their studies and strive to achieve their best. Not much more to say, it’s kind of dependent on what you make of it and how you like a more calm campus.</p>
<p>Research: This is a large research university, therefore many professors doing research but also many students wanting to do research. Opportunities are definitely available but it’s on you to get them. Get to know/talk to professors, go to office hours every week, find out about their research interests, and eventually ask them if they are willing to take you in. </p>
<p>Students: There are all kinds students. No typical, just ones who stick out less (in my opinion)</p>
<p>Social science: Not my major but they’re definitely not as big as the natural sciences.</p>
<p>Pre-med: Each of the biology majors fulfills pre med requirements. A lot of premeds. There really isn’t a program (I don’t think many schools do), it’s kind of just do your thing and if you get in you get in. Those who eventually go onto med school is a tiny portion to the rest, it’s simply not in any school’s best interest to devote a ton of resources to pre meds.</p>
<p>There is pre med advising/major advising but frankly and unfortunately (this is based off of my experience and the experiences of some others) they don’t take you seriously when you’re a freshman wanting to be pre med. Why? Because there are tons of others who do but the majority give up, so it’s a natural response to assume the freshie in front of them isn’t gonna make it no matter how much advising. I feel like the advising is for those who are at the later stages of the “road to med school”. Advisors for your major are paid to have you get out in 4-5 years, not help you attempt to go to med school, so many will suggest you the best option for that, which may not be the best option for med school. </p>
<p>I’m not bashing on the pre med “program” (I honestly think the same thing is going on at most schools with huge populations). I’m just simply trying to say that there isn’t someone who is hired by the school to guide you through every step of the way. You have to get through the weeding-out processes by your own means before you can get QUALITY help from the school. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>