<p>My niece turned down Cal Lutheran, Northern Arizona, Chapman, Point Loma Nazarene, Azusa-Pacific, University of Pacific and UC Riverside. The only school she applied to besides those and UC Davis was UC Santa Barbara. She’s extremely happy–and is not only attending the school, but is also on the cheerleading/dance team. (Life has been good to her–she not only gets to attend her #1 choice, but was also named homecoming queen at her high school and received some scholarships she didn’t think she would be able to win.)</p>
<p>Wow, I can’t believe that someone turned down Johns Hopkins, Carnegie-Mellon, NOTRE DAME to go to Davis. Davis is a really good school, don’t get me wrong, but turning down prestigious universities for Davis like that IMO is insane unless they were getting a full ride to Davis. Even those who turned down scholarships and regents from UCLA, and UCB, WOW.</p>
<p>Well, then we are the ones who are going to improve Davis’ rankings. I love the campus and can see my health and quality of life improving just by attending classes. It’s large and friendly and I can see myself doing well there since I can just relax. I’m a mellow person and I hate high tension areas like LA and the East Bay with heavy traffic, masses of people milling about, high crime, etc. (I lived almost all of my life in the East Bay and can attest to the tension in many areas). I’d rather be surrounded by parks, trees, and serenity. A place where I can kick back and have drinks with my friends while studying. Guess which uni had that to offer? The only thing I can’t stand is the parking in town! Seriously, many have time limits and they are so small and narrow. And I am used to wider streets. . . </p>
<p>And I am a girl biased by NorCal so those are the only schools I considered (I did consider Irvine but realized I wanted to stay up north). I love Cali too much to want to leave out of state :/</p>
<p>“but turning down prestigious universities for Davis like that IMO is insane”</p>
<p>??</p>
<p>I think you have been spending too much time on this forum. There is nothing insane about turning down three Universities that cost twice as much as Davis and, in my opinion, are only marginally more prestigious.</p>
<p>UCSB
UCSC
Cal Poly
Sonoma State
SF state
and Humboldt</p>
<p>UCSB
UCI
Cal Poly SLO and Pomona (and other calstates…)
UIUC
MSU
WSU
UO
UGA</p>
<p>I applied for either animal science, pre-vet program, or environmental science for all.</p>
<p>CSU LB
SDSU
SFSU
UCSD
UCSB
UCI
UCSC
UCR
Santa Clara University
University of San Francisco
University of San Diego</p>
<p>Major –> Environmental science.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Believe it or not, there are some of us, despite having grown up right in the Bay Area, who DO NOT like a densely populated, urban “hip” environment. I’d rather cruise a country road with the smell of cows in the air than step over homeless folks with the smell of urine soaked pavement in the air. Please…give me wide open spaces!</p>
<p>nicely said Andrew. I live in SoCal which means I have the luxurious beach and warm temperatures yearly, but everyone in So Cal wants to go up and experience “The City” but truthfully, I feel like SF, NYC, Downtown areas are so chaotic and everyone seems to be in a rush. I actually loved Davis’ environment and reminded me of home back in Korea. It’s nicely paced and nothing feels rushed. </p>
<p>People complain too much about how boring Davis is and it’s usually the kids not socializing and getting the most out of college. Or people complain and they never been to Davis only read and heard from others. I think Davis is a great school and the environment may appeal to some, but I think it’s worth turning down Cal and LA for. It’s really personal preference. Oh and “not that great of an area” that’s Merced.</p>
<p>I have to decide between Berkeley and Davis. The problem is, for me, no campus gives me the feeling of “yes this is the right place.” I’ve visited other campuses besides Berkeley and Davis too and it all feels the same; just another campus.</p>
<p>Also, what I would really like to know opinions of Environmental Science & Management students in Davis and Environmental Science/College of Natural Resources students at Berkeley.</p>
<p>Can anyone help me?</p>
<p>you have wonderful choice xreerain. But people will tell you to go to Cal because it’s Cal and it happens to be strong in everything. From the people who posted on this thread, lot of people turned out Cal for Davis in environmental field. </p>
<p>Cal has one of the best environmental engineering programs but I think it’s cause it’s strong in engineering… but their environmental science program I really don’t know. Davis is really strong in environmental field and it’s been around the longest out of all the UC’s. Davis was Cal’s agricultural department back in 1908 when Cal opened. So it’s very reputable. I would ask around and get different point of views and not just “Go to Cal because it’s Cal.”</p>
<p>I liked the welcoming feel of Davis more so than SB and Irvine, but certainly I didn’t “fall for it” Davis does give more of a college town feel and less rushed than Cal… but overall it’s really your choice. You’ll get great education in both colleges.</p>
<p>I chose Davis over SB and Irvine because of its environment! Having been living in cities for twelve years, I want to go to a college that’s not in the city and that is somewhat isolated so that i can stay focus on my studies. But I never visited the campuses since I live overseas (and weirdly when I do return to USA, I never thought of visiting either).</p>
<p>@xreerain: I agree with what helpmepleasee said. People will tell you to go to Cal because of its name and ranking. But from what I have heard Cal is really competitive compare to the other UCs. I know UC Davis is strong in environmental science related fields but I’m not too sure about Cal. I guess maybe take in the factor of competitiveness.</p>
<p>my son is turning down davis, sb, and sd for Minnesota. He wants to get away from Cal. and see another culture with d-1 football.His sister is at ucsd and he wanted his own experience.</p>
<p>Nice to hear so many good things about Davis. My son and I visited last year and loved the campus. Felt low key, and love that everyone bikes. My niece is graduating UCD now with DVM and loved it there.</p>
<p>My son is trying to make final decision now. Accepted to: </p>
<p>Cal: Way too crowded. Too high pressure. Grungy. Living off grad sch rep. State $ cuts?
UCD: Great campus. Nice people. Strong Bio prog. No aid $ 
UCI: Campus life? Forget it. Great Bio profs. Very well known in bio.
USD: Expensive. Too close to home?<br>
Oxy: Great profs. Eagle Rock?? Hmmm…
Carleton: Great profs. Very smart kids. Famous for kids getting PhD’s after. Big $ aid.
Bowdoin: Great profs. Too many jocks and Boston preppy types. Big $ aid.
Williams: Awesome campus but remote. $1.5B endowment! Big $ aid.
Brandeis: heard campus life is terrible. Smart kids. Great research ops. dorms r dumps.
Fordham: Nice campus surrounded by the Bronx? Isn’t that where Ft Apache was?
Georgetown: way too expensive. DC rocks. Weak science prog. Everyone nice.</p>
<p>Anyone have any thoughts on respected LACs vs Davis? Can you get face time with profs, research, internships? </p>
<p>Think my son is down to: UCD, Carleton, Williams, Bowdoin.</p>
<p>I turned down Cal and UCLA for Davis.</p>
<p>^^^Davis will likely be way cheaper than the LAC, there will be a more diverse student body, LAC tend to be filled with the people who can afford such schools…Davis is a research institution, you’ll have a lot of opportunity to get involved in cutting edge research in your chosen field, and most of all, I’m going there!</p>
<p>Hmm. Actually, Williams, Bowdoin and Carleton were all quite a bit lower cost that Davis or Cal! Georgetown is about the same! Hard to understand. Think it’s because I’m upper middle class. Probably make too much for help at Davis or Cal, but compared with wealthy parents sending kids to Williams, Bowdoin or Carleton I’m on the lower end of income…</p>
<p>Research opportunities are actually much much better at LACs as they don’t have grad students to give priority to. Also, they have money. Williams has $1.5B endowment while Cal is a bit over $2B with way more students and Davis is $500M with more students. Not that you can’t do research as an undergrad at Davis, but you’ll have to fight much harder to get the opportunity…</p>
<p>Have fun at Davis. I love the campus, town, friendly students, biking, student spirit, pretty much everything else there. Having grown up in LA, you made the right choice of Davis over UCLA IMHO.</p>
<p>I am transfer student…I got into UCSB, UCSD, UCI, and UCSC and was denied by UCLA and Cal (my #1 choice…since high school). I turned down those other UC’s because of proximity to home (I’m from the Bay Area) and the environment of UCD. I wanted to the “city life”/urban environment of Berkeley or LA, but having visited UCD I like how calm and relaxed it feels over here. And the drive home is not bad at all. Also, I am an English/communication major and I’ve heard great things about both programs at UCD. Plus, I love how transfer friendly and accomodating they are…I mean, I was denied as a freshmen and the SUMMER after I graduated HS they email me about transfer opportunities. The outreach is definitely something I appreciate. </p>
<p>I always had a feeling I’d transfer to UCD. And well, now its come true!
See y’all fall quarter.</p>