<p>So I am trying to decide between Davis and Santa Barbara. I am just curious what other opinions are on which is considered a better school, academically speaking? I am a Biopsychology major planning to apply to get my masters in physician assistanting after my undergrad. I want to get medical research experience while completing my under grad. All comments are appreciated! !</p>
<p>If you were comparing any other 2 UCs, the answer would be much clearer. </p>
<p>UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara are tied on the national level, they’re both the 39th best ranked university in the country. </p>
<p>[National</a> University Rankings | Top National Universities | US News Best Colleges](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/spp+50]National”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/spp+50)</p>
<p>Do you prefer Norcal or Socal?</p>
<p>I say choose based on which feels more comfortable…both have great social scenes!</p>
<p>Beach, sun, high energy</p>
<p>vs.</p>
<p>Colder, chill, trees, cows</p>
<p>SMCguy, that’s not a fair comparison lol… Davis is a great college town. The off-campus apartments are surprisingly affordable and nice (1br,2br, whatever you want). It’s close to the capital and UCD really takes care of it’s students. They have the best Regents package that I’ve seen.</p>
<p>Hey I said they both have great social scenes. I was jk about the cows. I agree that UCD has a great college town!</p>
<p>DAVIS!!! if you want fake people always hunting for the next party, i suggest sb. hahahahaha thats just what I experienced when i was there.
my sibling goes to Davis and everytime i visit i get nothing but friendliness and super fun parties. such a chill place.</p>
<p>i think they are academically comparable though, with Davis being a bit more competitive.</p>
<p>Visit! I visited both two summers ago, and personally, I really didn’t like UC Davis and loved UCSB. I do have a friend who totally adores Davis, and a friend who loved SB so much she picked it over Berkeley. It’s so, so, so about how you feel at each campus. They’re ranked basically the same.</p>
<p>
Average high temperature for Davis in the hottest month of the year (July) is 93 degrees; average high temperature for Santa Barbara in the hottest month of the year (August) is 79 degrees.</p>
<p>i would go Davis. i have an adversion to beach towns.</p>
<p>UCSB is the way to go.</p>
<p>Davis has a med school, while UCSB does not. Only hospital in SB is Cottage, filled with aging rich people. Davis may offer you more opportunities and expose you to more career possibilities. Just curious, how did you come up with such a specific major as an entering freshman?</p>
<p>Teenmom^^ this is a transfer forum.</p>
<p>I would pick UCSB 'cause it’s closer to LA.</p>
<p>Choose UC DAVIS</p>
<p>For bio, Davis is the better option. Like someone else said, you can get an internship at their medical school. They also have at least two special research programs for bio students: [UC</a> Davis Health System Department of Pathology: Education - Hugh Edmondson Research Internship](<a href=“http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/pathology/education/edmondson_research_fellowship/]UC”>Hugh Edmondson Research Internship | Department of Pathology | UC Davis Health) and [UC</a> Davis: BUSP Home Page](<a href=“http://www.busp.ucdavis.edu/]UC”>http://www.busp.ucdavis.edu/) . Since you were accepted to Davis, I’m sure you got the same email I did about the undergraduate research conference, but just in case, they have that as well. 
I looked through list of students who were presenting their research at the conference, and it seems like the majority of them were doing something bio related or chemistry related: [Undergraduate</a> Research](<a href=“Undergraduate Research Center”>Undergraduate Research Center)</p>
<p>SB, on the other hand, has phenomenal physics and engineering departments. I’m pretty sure those departments are their call to fame and the reason why they have climbed through the ranks. A few of their physics professors are nobel laureates. I know this doesn’t directly relate to you, but I don’t know much about their bio or psych programs…</p>
<p>hey what were your scores when you got in?? just curious lol</p>
<p>Bio related stuff - Davis</p>
<p>Econ / accounting - Definitely SB</p>
<p>In terms of location SB wins by a landslide. Academics pretty similar. All about your personal choice. Mine would be SB (hence why I tagged as a econ/accounting major)</p>