<p>To a certain extent. Many UCs have some areas that they excell in, but each UC still has plenty of good programs outside of those areas.</p>
<p>z7xfla has that right. UCSD is THE place to go for Bio Engineering, while UCD has stronger Biology programs, LA is great for Engineering, and Berkeley is good at engineering, but their BioE program isn't good yet, as it's very new.</p>
<p>"UCSD's own website refers to UCSD being at the top of the 2nd tier of UCs."</p>
<p>Where is this on the website?</p>
<p>"I heard UC's are created for "SPECIALIZATION" is that true?"</p>
<p>Not really. You're going to learn the same material everywhere. It's just that some UC's have more well-known professors and research projects in some fields. Designating a field that a UC specializes in undermines the other academic programs that the school offers. For example, UCSD is known for bioengineering, but its economics program is strong as well. Similarly, Berkeley is most known for its engineering programs, but it also fares well in business, chemistry, and molecular biology.</p>
<p>You shouldn't go to a school because it is best known for some majors, because, truthfully, there's a high chance that you will want to switch majors.</p>
<p>tastybeef is correct.. I originally started off as a CE major, then found out how much math was involved. Now I'm leaning towards a double major in International Relations and Japanese. Compared to what I originally started off as (Computer Engineering), it's like night and day! I'm still a first year and may even switch again.</p>
<p>"You shouldn't go to a school because it is best known for some majors, because, truthfully, there's a high chance that you will want to switch majors."</p>
<p>Truer words were never spoken, especially to pre-meds.</p>
<p>UCSD > UCD regardless of tiers....</p>
<p>You forgot the in your opinion part. :p</p>
<p>mrxalleycat: how so?</p>
<p>hey you went to picnic day at davis you have to go to sun god next week at ucsd.</p>
<p>In terms of UCSD vs UCD, location-wise I pick UCSD over UCD no brainer. This is a question of whether YOU want to stay in Nor-Cal or So-Cal but regardless UCSD beats UCD location wise. </p>
<p>Okay, Davis is in the middle of a cowtown with the population of 65,000 people. If you drive down the highway, look to your left, look to your right.....all farm fields! Davis reminds me of Merced. It is in a rural setting and basically a collegetown.
<a href="http://www.whitcombeandco.com/images/davis_california.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.whitcombeandco.com/images/davis_california.jpg</a>
<a href="http://www.daviscalifornia.com/site-images/davis02.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.daviscalifornia.com/site-images/davis02.jpg</a></p>
<p>UCSD is in La Jolla and in sunny San Diego county. The weather is beautiful and it is near the beach. The homes surrounding UCSD are nice and tropical and there are palm trees to the left and palm trees to the right. </p>
<p>See for yourself. Here is a aerial picture of our UCSD campus
<a href="http://infrared.ucsd.edu/images/ucsd_aerial2.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://infrared.ucsd.edu/images/ucsd_aerial2.jpg</a>
<a href="http://www-it.desy.de/common/conferences/CHEP2003/chep03.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www-it.desy.de/common/conferences/CHEP2003/chep03.jpg</a></p>
<p>UCSD wins hands down. It beats UCD in terms of academics and location. It basically comes down to whether you like the farm or the beach.</p>
<p>P.S. - You can always take a trip to downtown San Diego if you don't want to be on campus all the time.
<a href="https://www.memberize.net/clubportal/images/clubimages/203/skyline.jpg%5B/url%5D">https://www.memberize.net/clubportal/images/clubimages/203/skyline.jpg</a>
<a href="http://www.goodapartment.com/photos/a5d9f4c5d28ff56ba8bc18e45c9838df.jpeg%5B/url%5D">http://www.goodapartment.com/photos/a5d9f4c5d28ff56ba8bc18e45c9838df.jpeg</a>
<a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/images%202/041011-186..jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.wildnatureimages.com/images%202/041011-186..jpg</a>
<a href="http://www.adventurist.net/trips/san_diego_04-2002/gaslamp/photos/pacific-theaters.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.adventurist.net/trips/san_diego_04-2002/gaslamp/photos/pacific-theaters.jpg</a></p>
<p>If you're going to make such generalizations about UCD, allow me to make some about UCSD.</p>
<p>UCSD is an out-dated campus with ugly architecture, has no athletics, no school pride, is a commuter campus. For all that, the weather is the exact same, and their academics are only 2-3 rankings better, if at all. UCD on the other hand, isn't at all what you made it sound like. I recommend visiting. :)</p>
<p>Just a minor point on the weather, Davis' campus is quite possibly the worst place to spend your summer. I spent a week visiting friends there last summer and it was horribly hot and dry. It's to the point of suffocation. Compounded with the fact that some parts of the campus has the undeniable smell of manure and the smell proliferates even more in the heat, Davis is unbearable in the summer. If you don't plan on taking summer classes there, then it's not an issue at all. But if you do, be warned.</p>
<p>in the winter it is right next to tahoe though. Snowboarding every weekend baby!</p>
<p>Those living in campus dorms at UC's are mostly freshman. UCSD has high percentages of freshman who live at home and drive to the campus. Many students living on campus go home on the weekends. Add in the six college system which separates students away from each other and you get a very quiet campus. The commuter issue involves all the rest of the students. UCSD is not located in a college town (the city of La Jolla). There is no centralized area around the campus where the majority of students both live and congregate. Large numbers of students drive in to school and park each day, thus the often lamented parking problems. After freshman year many students live in diverse areas away from the campus and are unable to walk or bike. At UCSD most students (not freshman) end up living about 20 minutes away (though there are shuttles). At UCB, UCLA, UCD, UCSC, and UCSB the vast majority of students all live in the immediate area surrounding their campus and there is plenty of walking/biking distance entertainment and housing (the costs vary dramatically from campus to campus). It would greatly improve your social life to have a car (or a friend who has a car) if you plan to attend UCSD. </p>
<p>UCD in contrast is a college town. Everything (and there is a ton of stuff to do) can be reached by biking, walking or the excellent public transit system. Driving by the freeway doesn't give you a clue. Not enough to do in Davis? Sure it has a friendly, laid-back atmosphere, but I challenge anyone to find any other university, UC or otherwise that offers what UCD offers in the way of recreation or entertainment. </p>
<p>The Mondavi Center, is a new state of the art venue, with hundreds of world-class events per year. Check out the big names - from Yo-yo Ma to Bill Clinton (check out the mondavi center -<a href="http://www.mondaviarts.org/">http://www.mondaviarts.org/</a>) </p>
<p>The ARC (activities and recreation center) is a 140,000 sq. ft. new fitness and recreation building and is THE best facility of its kind on a college campus. see <a href="http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/n....lasso?id=6979%5B/url%5D">http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/n....lasso?id=6979</a> </p>
<p>UCD is home to the Schaal Aquatics center, an Olympic size venue for world-class swimming & diving meets. Again, developed to be the best facility around. <a href="http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/recpool/schaal.html%5B/url%5D">http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/recpool/schaal.html</a> </p>
<p>Division 1 UCD is home to a brand-new football stadium. All home games are free for UCD students.
<a href="http://www.ucdavis.edu/spotlight/0807/stadium.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.ucdavis.edu/spotlight/0807/stadium.htm</a></p>
<p>UCD is home to the Aggie Pack one of the largest school spirit organizations in the country.
The</a> Aggie Pack</p>
<p>Both an exceptional Baseball stadium, and dedicated soccer stadium were built a few years ago. UCD has the largest NCAA sports program of any UC featuring 26 mens and womens teams.
UC</a> DAVIS, The Official Athletic Site</p>
<p>Want to participate in sport for the fun of it? UCD has one of the largest intramural programs in the United States. Every year more than 14,000 students play on over 2000 teams, in 26 different men's, women's, and coed activities. <a href="http://imsports.ucdavis.edu/intramurals/im-home.htm%5B/url%5D">http://imsports.ucdavis.edu/intramurals/im-home.htm</a> </p>
<p>There are 450 student groups and organizations in support of just about anything one can think of
Student</a> Programs & Activities Center, UC Davis </p>
<p>Want to get an internship? UCD has one of the largest internship programs in the country.
<a href="https://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/%5B/url%5D">https://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/</a></p>
<p>Not sure what you want to major in? UCD offers 104 undergraduate majors.
Majors</a> By Alphabetical Order</p>
<p>Want to join a sorority or fraternity? Want to have a frat row in walking distance to where you live?
Russell Blvd Fraternities.
Theta Chi
Sigma Alpha Epsilon ("SAE") 521 Russell Blvd.
Pi Kappa Alpha ("Pike") 101 Russell Blvd.
Chi Phi: 217 Russell Blvd.
Sigma Phi Epsilon ("Sig Ep") Oxford Circle
Russell Blvd Sororities
Alpha Phi
Chi Omega ("Chi O"): 5th and A
Delta Gamma ("DG")
Kappa Kappa Gamma ("Kappa")
Pi Beta Phi ("Pi Phi")
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi ("Sigma AEPi")
Non - Russell Fraternities
Alpha Gamma Omega ("AGO"): Parkway Circle
Alpha Epsilon Pi ("AE Pi"): C st, across from Farmers Market
Theta Xi: 1st and E
Delta Sigma Phi (Delta Sig): House next to Kappa Alpha Theta
Sigma Chi: House next to Delta Sig and Kappa Alpha Theta
Non - Russell Sororities
Alpha Chi Omega ("A Chi O"): 2nd and C
Kappa Alpha Theta ("Theta"): Parkway Circle, next door to Sigma Chi
Delta Delta Delta ("Tri-Delt"): 1st, between A and B </p>
<p>Davis is a quaint college town, however, Sacramento ( a fifteen minute drive away) has all the nightlife of a metropolitan area. </p>
<p>Sac nightlife not enough? San Francisco is only an hour drive away (just don't hit the traffic). </p>
<p>Two big malls are within a 12 minute drive and you can also take public transit.
Arden</a> Fair | Home
Westfield</a> Help Yourself</p>
<p>Davis is one of, if not the only, California campuses with an Equestrian center.
UC</a> Davis :: Department of Campus Recreation :: Equestrian Programs </p>
<p>Like the outdoors? This is the closest UC to great skiing at Tahoe. Hiking, fishing, etc can be done on campus even (it is the largest UC in area), or just head to the outskirts of town. </p>
<p>Outdoor Adventures is one of the largest outdoor activity programs in the country. It is an incredibly well established, mostly student run organization, sponsoring outdoor activities of all kinds, from white-water rafting, to kayaking in Baja over break, to cross-country skiing, you name it. <a href="http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/oa/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/oa/index.html</a> </p>
<p>Like Crafts? The Craft center offers more than 100 classes per quarter - jewelry making, ceramics, you name it. State of the art facilities in just about any craft <a href="http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/...ter/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/...ter/index.html</a> </p>
<p>Bowling, billiards and game center <a href="http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/mugames/%5B/url%5D">http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/mugames/</a> </p>
<p>Want to go paintballing?
Davis</a> Paintball Center - Davis Wiki</p>
<p>Skydiving anyone?
Skydance</a> Skydiving - Davis Wiki</p>
<p>Want to just swim and hang out? 2 pools are available - and the weather is great! There is nothing better than summer evenings outdoors in Davis! <a href="http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/...l/recpool.html%5B/url%5D">http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/...l/recpool.html</a> </p>
<p>Like to eat out and want a big variety? The best part is you don't need a car.
Restaurants</a> - Davis Wiki</p>
<p>Like the unusual stuff? How about the salsa, merengue ? from yoga to tai chi, drumming to bike repair., body massage? Experimental college probably has something for you. <a href="http://asucd.ucdavis.edu/experimenta...=969&sort=name%5B/url%5D">http://asucd.ucdavis.edu/experimenta...=969&sort=name</a> </p>
<p>Interested in contemporary music? Music</a> Scene - Davis Wiki
or the student-run radio station where anyone can DJ KDVS.org</a> / Freeform Radio / Davis, CA </p>
<p>A better question is what ISN'T available at Davis?</p>
<p>UC Davis offers something that is special, look how many of the students look happy, try to live in Davis after they graduate, or who turnout to support numerous campus activities especially their teams. 91% of UCD alumni would recommend their school.</p>
<p>86% of UC Davis students get into their first choice grad. school also. ;)</p>
<p>I almost forgot the library, it contains more than 3 million volumes and is ranked among the top research libraries in North America. What a great place to conduct research and study.</p>
<p>Come on people, a UC is a UC! It's not like we're comparing UCSD to a CSU. Really, acadameically, you're set. UCSD is of course top-tier but, in my opinion UCD is the top of the mid-tier so there's not much of a jump between the 2. UCSD is really medically focused, i think,and davis has the largest UC undergrad engineering program. having been an SD resident all my life I personally don't find the sd campus appealing at all. The architechture is weird, and itz all very gray. UCD to me was much more of a vibrant campus, and much prettier as far as grassy areas and architechture are concerned. So really it comes down to SD vs Davis location-wise (I can't wait to leave my parents, actually :). Sure Davis may seem out in the middle of nowhere but, I think it's nicer because you're mostly closer to nature and fun activities like rafting and such, and I really prefer the more laid-back area which allows you to have more time with youre studies, which you are THERE for. </p>
<p>Just my opinion :)</p>
<p>It is always interesting to see comments from people from San Diego. They seem really unaware of the reputation of UC Davis as a premedical and medical school. Not only does UCD excell in both, they have a history of graduating more students in the biological sciences than any UC. UC Davis also is the only UC with a school of veterinary medicine. </p>
<p>Super in science
UC Davis leads the nation in graduate and undergraduate education in the biological sciences. year after year, UC Davis tops the charts in numbers of doctoral and bachelor degrees conferred in biological sciences.
UC</a> Davis News & Information :: UC Davis Facts: UC Davis distinctions</p>
<p>kahit ano pang sabihin ninyo pinaka magaling na institution yung UCSD cumpara sa UCD ;)</p>
<p>Overview shot of UCSD campus
<a href="http://www-it.desy.de/common/conferences/CHEP2003/chep03.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www-it.desy.de/common/conferences/CHEP2003/chep03.jpg</a></p>
<p>Look at the picture.... enuff said...</p>
<p>P.S.- UCSD's ranked the #1 surfing school in the country and has the only surf shop out of all the UC campuses... =]</p>