<p>So I'm up late writing this because I was dead set on attending UCSC...until now.
My TAG for UCD was recently approved and I got real stoked.
UCD is a top school with greater rank/prestige. As UCD has it's own nationally acclaimed hospital, opportunities abound for premed students such as myself to gain experience.
One program in particular that UCD offers, the Pre-Medical Surgical Intern program, is too good to pass up; once in a lifetime kind of experience. I have also heard that getting a degree from UCD makes you very employable.</p>
<p>UCD a sure choice, right?
Well, I fell in love with the UCSC campus. The environment, the people, and the overall feel to the place is awesome. In addition, they have a premed major called Human Biology. According to their info packet, the premed majors from UCSC tend to score higher than the national average on MCATs pretty consistently. In addition, a part of the degree requirement for that premed major is an internship at hospitals/doctors offices which offers great opportunities for clinical experience (perhaps not as in depth or challenging as the UCD Premed Surgical Internship, but awesome nonetheless). Research opportunities are abundant as well, especially in neuroscience related topics. This really interests me because I would like to specialize in neurology. </p>
<p>I was once so sure about UCSC. Now, indecision crept slowly back in my being.
Any facts, figures, or opinions are welcome.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Hello fellow Modesto area person~
You should go to the school you really want to go to. YOU are going to be the one who has to live and go to school there and nobody else. Facts and figures are nice but they mean nothing if you absolutely hate where you are going to school. You will do MUCH, MUCH better going to the school you want to attend. I attend UCD and one of my friends attends UCSC and we both love our schools. I know, as a fellow (former) Modesto area person, that one of the biggest goals is to get as far away from the valley as possible. While Davis is part of the northern valley there is a completely different culture here (surprisingly there are lots of things to do in Davis unlike in Modesto where practically everything is a store). If you want to go to to UCSC then go there. There is no point to going to UCD if you are constantly thinking about UCSC. You could also go to Davis on one of their tours and get a feel for the campus. If you still want UCSC then, well, I think the choice is obvious :)</p>
<p>Exactly what flwrgrl said. Why go to a school if you won’t enjoy it? Ignore what some list says. The criteria for those changes year to year and often what appears to be huge differences in rank is really just a handful (or sometimes only one) of points difference. Only you can decide which school is right for you.</p>
<p>I chose UCSC myself because on my first visit I had this absolute sense of “fit” and being in a place where I was meant to be. It was the first campus visit where I forgot to take any pictures.</p>
<p>UCD is a wonderful school. All of the UCs are as well as the CSUs. We are very privileged here in California to have so many choices in so many different locales to pursue higher education. If you feel UCD will better serve you and you like the campus, then go for it. But make sure you do like the campus itself and will not regret not going to UCSC. Find your fit and run with it. The only mistake you can make in your choice is if you relinquish your choice to someone else.</p>
<p>@flwrgrl,
hello fellow Modestan!
Great to meet someone who comes from this…place…lol
Yes, getting far from here is one of my goals, it really brings people down being here for too long.
I took a tour of UCD back in 09, and I loved it. Before I took a tour of UCSC this year, I had actually believed that I would go there. But as Kender had said, I had one of those “I was meant to be here” moments at UCSC. Truth is, I love both schools dearly and one of the main factors in my decision will be what kind of clinical/research experience I can gain from each.
I am still leaning more UCSC, but UCD is making a strong case. I can picture myself living and learning well at either.
Flwrgrl, Kender, you gave awesome advice. Thank you very much, I appreciate it :)</p>
<p>If this was just about which school had a better biology program, I’d say choose Davis in a heartbeat. Since there is so much more involved than just which has a better department, I’d say go to revisit each school and the cities they are in. I’m not sure if this is possible, but if you can – sit in on some classes on your visit. Talk to the faculty and see if it is likely for you to do undergraduate research. Also, check out the DavisWiki! It should give you a good sense of the Davis community. </p>
<p>With that said, I am having the same dilemma! My TAG was approved for both UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz. For a month before my TAGs were approved, I was certain I wanted to go to UC Santa Cruz…now…well…now I can’t get past the prestige of UC Davis I keep thinking that a degree from Davis will get so much more respect, inspire so much more awe in people.</p>
<p>Amsstory,
I definitely feel you.
Both schools are amazing. I felt the same way, the Davis degree does sound awesome, that school being one of the very best in the state. However, I’m going with Santa Cruz.
Once I visited UCSC, I had this incredible feeling of awe. It felt like I belong there, as if I had already been there before. Even though it’s prestige isn’t quite the same caliber of Davis, there are plenty of opportunities to make your self shine there. Research and internships galore.
I spoke with my uncle (who already went through his college experience and is now a lawyer) about this issue. His advice really gave me perspective.
Amsstory, just think about it for a minute. Picture yourself at Davis, will you really be happy living there? You will not be spending all your time in the classroom or in a lab.
You will have to consider the area since it’s where you will be staying, all the good and bad, and whether or not it fits with you. If you feel like you would be happier at UC Davis, then don’t let the opportunity pass you up. But if you feel UC Santa Cruz is where you want to be, then pursue!
I hoped this helped, I know it helped me :)</p>
