D22 is choosing between UC Davis and University of Washington for undeclared L&S. Anyone chosen between these schools and have insight? We plan to visit both but we would love any insight about either school. Thanks! (Editing to add: She is not a CS major)
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My son got into both Davis and UW and he is planning on majoring in Data Science. He is currently leaning towards UW mainly because UW has a #5 ranked Data science program, whereas Davis is only starting a new Data Science major in fall, so its not even ranked. He would have preferred Berkely for Data Science as its ranked #1, but he did not get in.
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Find out how difficult it is to declare the student’s possible majors. For example, an undeclared student at University of Washington who wants to declare the computer science major will find it very difficult and competitive.
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I was going to comment along the same lines. She is undeclared now but do you have any inkling of where her interests lie?
I believe the only way into CS at UW is by direct admission — you cannot go in undeclared and select CS as a major.
If you are interested in a capacity constrained major at UW, you must do very well in intro classes (often “weed-out” classes, graded on a curve). In many cycles, for many capacity-constrained majors, only 25-50% of applicants get into the major.
This can add stress because students are simultaneously trying to compete for the best possible grades in intro classes and also take prerequisite classes in multiple majors, in case they don’t get into their first choice.
If you plan to major in a non-capacity-constrained major like sociology or political science, I don’t think it would be an issue. (At that point, I think it comes down to big city/small city preference and weather.)
I am not as familiar with Davis and if there is difficulty getting into any majors there.
If accepted undeclared L&S at Davis, there is not much of a problem getting into L&S majors. It can be done but it is difficult to transfer into College of Engineering and College of Bio Sci. Some majors in College of Ag are relatively easy to get into while others (ie. Animal Science) are more difficult.
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She is most definitely not a CS kid. She would be majoring in something in the humanities like environmental studies or English.
Just so you know, the UW English department has a great reputation and English is one of the capacity-constrained majors there.
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Appreciate that info. Thank you!