UC Davis or San Jose State University?

Student Lounge College Life
1

I’ve been admitted to 6 schools, but I narrowed down my choices to UCD and SJSU. I feel like I want to go to UCD, but here are some pros and cons of both UCD and SJSU that I’m concerned about.
UCD
-Pros: It is UC and probably a much better school than CSU. The school is bike friendly and peaceful small-town atmosphere. They invite me to join STEP and University Honors Program (I don’t really know much about these two programs). My friends go there.
-Cons: The quarter system scares me. It takes me 2 hours to get there (My parents are too worried about me driving on freeway for 2 hours). The cost of attendance and living is more expensive.
SJSU
-Pros: I can stay home and not being worried about housing. I got accepted to EOP. It’s easier for me to handle semester system. I can find many part-time jobs in San Jose.
-Cons: I wasted my time and effort applying to UCD, but end up going to a CSU. I also have a bad impression about SJSU.
My major is math, so which school has a better math major? There’s only half a month left until May 1st, but I can’t pick one. Please give me some advices.

2

Is the cost between the 2 schools significant that you will have to take out loans or are your parents willing to pay for UCD?

  1. If you go to Davis, you do not need a car. You can take the Amtrak Capitol Corridor home from Davis, so your parents will not worry about you driving. UCD also discourages Freshman from bringing a car the first year since parking is an issue. My older son is 2nd year and has no plans to bring a car to UCD until after graduation. The Unitrans buses and a bicycle will be all you need to get around.
  2. What do you plan to do with your Math major? Grad school then pick UCD.
  3. A good “fit” for a school is important since you will be there 4 years, so if you feel SJSU is not for you, then pick UCD.
  4. Quarter system is fast paced, so start off with only 3 classes until you settle in and get an idea of how much workload you can handle.
    Both are good schools so I do think academically you can go wrong. I am an Aggie Mom, so I would pick UCD.
    Good Luck with your decision.
3

UCD is a great school but for math there won’t be much of a difference in graduating from either. I just want to clarify- you are not planning to commute to Davis are you? You will live there? If so, 2 hours is really a short drive. However, it sounds like you might be concerned about money. If so, go to SJ. if money is not an issue, you would have a wonderful college experience at UCD.