UC Davis or UC Irvine?

Colleges and Universities A-Z California State University - GENERAL
1

So I was accepted into both schools for engineering (biomed but I plan on switching to chemical), and I’m having trouble deciding which one to go to. I’m not able to visit either one at the moment due to family circumstances but after reading around both schools seem to have things that are really appealing to me (though each school has a different combination of those things). UC Irvine seems like it’d be a bit more close-knit since the area is smaller but I also heard that UC Davis also has a really friendly college town.

How is each school in engineering (chem specifically) and is one stronger than the other in terms of academics/research/jobs, if at all? What is the atmosphere/culture at each school like (I’ve heard they’re both really different environments) and which one is better and why?

2

@chrysalaea you may want to post this in one of the UC forums to get an answer. This forum is for the cal states.

3

@FarWestCoast Oops, thought I was in the UC forum when I posted. Thank you!

4

Can’t say as to the engineering question, but UC Irvine is right in the middle of Orange County = big city feel but coastal (nice). UC Davis is actually a large school with a “small town” feel. The community supports the school and vice versa. It reminds me of a larger Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (except the town residents actually want the college students there).