I am currently a high school senior and will be starting college this coming fall. I have been accepted to a couple of school but am stuck on two school. I can’t decide whether or not I should go to UCSB or Cal Poly. For reference I plan on going into vet school once I complete undergraduate studies. I have head really good things about Cal Poly’s program and how many kids get accepted into UC Davis Vet School. UCSB doesn’t have those same resources to get you into vet school, but it is a whole lot cheaper because of my situation—25,000 over 4 years cheaper. At the same time I have thinking about going to community college and transferring to UC Davis where I would get the best of both worlds. A highly respected UC for veterinary studies right next to the vet school I want. Any opinions on what I should do? Thank you for any responses.
Financially community college is the cheapest followed by UCSB followed by SLO.
Academically, I think SLO would be better than CC/transferring. Animal Science at UCD is a very competitive major and transferring into UCD undergrad is not a guaranteed acceptance into the vet school.
Socially, have you visited all three schools and, if so, what did you think?
I was in your situation a couple years ago. I decided to go to CC. I am now transferring to Cal Poly for Biology next semester (I also want to be a Vet). I think CC is a great choice just because I got my first two years of college for free, and I will still end up with a degree from from Cal Poly. I chose to transfer to Cal Poly because they have a great program, from what I hear, and my family has a house for me to stay in over there. So I will basically graduate debt free (parents are covering tuition). Another thing you should consider is your volunteer/shadowing opportunities. Personally, there was much more opportunity for me to get my hours of experience while living at home, attending CC. Best of luck
A CC is probably a lot cheaper and isn’t a bad option but, it is a LOT different experience than living away at the dorms. Most CC students aren’t as motivated and don’t have the academic foundation as those at CPSLO or UCSB. Many are parents and part time students or work full time so have no room in their schedule to hang out. In my experience, many people find it tough to get the classes and the grades required to transfer into a school like these.
All that said, many moons ago, I went to a CC and transferred in 2 years, earned a BS 2 years later. Nobody I work with cares about where I got my degree - let alone where i spent my first year of college. My kids (one a recent Chico grad and the other a sophomore at Ft Lewis, have peers that went and had mixed results - some were focused and and made quick progress at our CC, others didn’t… It can be done but, you are swimming up stream.
I don’ know jack about the vet programs but, I think it depends on your ability to pay for the away experience. If you can do it without debt, pick either of them. If not, go to your local CC and make the most of it.
Cal Poly imo, its a great school with a great program and an awesome environment