<p>Ok, so i’ve gotten back all my college choices and i want to know your guys’s opinions.</p>
<p>Out of the colleges i’ve gotten into, I’m seriously considering:
-Occidental College
-UC Davis</p>
<p>Other ones that i got into, but am not really enthusiastic about:
-UC Irvine (too close to home)
-George Washington (too expensive)
-Cal Poly SLO (why go to SLO when i have Davis or Oxy to go to?)
-UCSC (i would consider it since i got chancellor’s and money from them, but it’s UCSC, i feel like it wouldn’t be nearly as great of a college experience than the other schools i got in.)</p>
<p>BTW, i’m a poli sci major, and i plan on going to law school. If i go to Oxy, i would try to do there 3/2 BA/JD program with Columbia so i save some money and time. </p>
<p>I know they’re two VERY different schools in almost every way and i think thats why i’m getting so confused in my decision.</p>
<p>I'm not getting anything from Davis, and about $4,000 per semester from Oxy. Oxy will still be more expensive, but cost isn't a huge concern, only another factor to look at.</p>
<p>Collegemom16 - I'm not sure. I go to a relatively large high school, about 2,000 kids, and i like it. I really don't know what it would be like at a UC Davis size school. I've visited both and love both campuses, but i don't know what to expect in terms of classes at Davis. At Oxy, i think i can reasonably assume that classes will be nearly like the ones at my school (size and structure wise) b/c they are comparably the same size.</p>
<p>There are pros and cons to both. At a big UC there are many majors, internships, research opportunities and tutoring services. There are lots of activities and sports and you can meet new people every day. At a small school your professors will know you by name and may even invite you over for dinner sometime. You will have fewer opportunities but the ones you have may be deeper and more impactful. You need to figure out what kind of person you are. Do you like to have someone really guide and direct you or are you more of a self starter who likes to make your own opportunities. Do you need lots of stimulation and activity or are you more content when things are the same and stable?</p>
<p>My daughter chose Oxy over Davis- I got to meet her Oxy friends over spring break who were all very happy, still ecstatic- dreamer 27 was one of the kids I met. My d says her friends who chose Davis or Berkeley are not nearly as happy.</p>
<p>Occidental has a great reputation in poli sci and great programs like the one with Columbia. Also a lot of internships and research possibilities Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>The following is Dreamer 27's post:
"When I was applying to colleges, I was focused only on small liberal arts places. They kind of all seemed the same. They were all in different places with different specialties, but they all shared the same general idea. Oxy seemed different to me, though. It was so dedicated to creating a fully functional multi-cultural environment--it really struck me. Not only that but the people are so FRIENDLY! The students are bright and friendly, and never hesitated to start up a conversation with a lost little prospective student. Sure, it was really small, but that meant the professors were always on hand and ready to help students out with a paper or question in general. </p>
<p>I made my choice to go to OXY and I haven't regretted it yet. It is a great community with the huge LA right nearby--an awesome combination. If anyone is really into really interesting taboo classes, amazing diverse people, and a place that feels intimate and familiar within a big city, this is definitely a place to consider" Dreamer 27</p>
<p>Hi momcalling, thanks for the interesting perspective. :)
My daughter actually looked very seriously at a smaller east coast LAC. It was such a hard decision for her. She kept weighing the pros and cons and eventually chose the bigger UC environment. She is thriving in Davis. She has an amazing internship that would never have been available within the smaller LAC. Though some of the undergrad classes are large, she has not been deterred from meeting her professors. She goes to office hours and has received intense personal attention that way. Joining a sorority has provided her with an incredible group of sisters. The difference between the two environments is that at the larger UC my daughter has to seek out her fortunes. I think for kids like her who are self starters and posses strong leadership skills the UC environment is like a candy store filled with so much to try. I can certainly see where it would not be the right environment for everyone though. College is really such an individual choice. I think it's wonderful when students have the opportunity to think about themselves and begin to decide what suits them individually best. Choosing a college is clearly not a one size fits all situation.</p>