<p>Major: Molecular, Cell Biology for UMich, Biochem&Molecular Biology for Davis, intending to be premed. </p>
<p>I can't decide really. They're both really good for those majors and I like both schools. </p>
<p>Pros for UMich
+Name recognition
+Great community and campus
+Great education</p>
<p>Pros for Davis
+Close to home
+Cheaper
+Approx. same rank as Mich with respect to Bio majors. </p>
<p>Cons for UMich
-fracking cold
-Expensive. Hella expensive
-far away from home</p>
<p>Cons for Davis
-I don't like the campus. It felt...underdeveloped is the only word I can think of. I like green, but it felt like a campus in the middle of a jungle.
-Not as "recognized" as UMich. </p>
<p>Right now I'm leaning towards Michigan; Davis just feels "iffy." My dad thinks that I should go to Davis for a year and then transfer to SD, but he's totally ok if I choose Michigan. I would do that but I have no idea what my chances would be as a transfer and based on this year's UC admissions, it doesn't look that good. Either way they're good schools and I'm happy I got accepted to them. So-advice?</p>
<p>Something to keep in mind–it is incredibly difficult for someone to transfer from one UC to another, since you’d be the absolute last priority. </p>
<p>From my completely uninformed perspective I’d say UMich, but that’s just me.</p>
<p>I am tempted to agree with the post above, but UMichigan is an amazing school. The campus environment, community, and overall atmosphere is undeniably impressive and appealing, at least in my opinion.</p>
<p>There are many factors to include in this decision, though, and given costs it is a bit of a toss-up. I think it ultimately comes down to how heavily cost will be weighed in your decision. If it is an important factor, then UCDavis. If not, UMichigan. Good luck deciding, you have two excellent options.</p>
<p>If the cold bothers you, do take some time to imagine six months of cold, snow,and grey skies (Nov.-April). Yet, September, October and May will be lovely. </p>
<p>However, the natives are warm and friendly, and there are amazing resources and events to keep you busy.</p>
<p>Happymom gives solid advice–remember the cost of med-school.</p>
<p>UMich is probably one of the best publics for the full collegiate experience. And going away from home is a good thing, IMO. But unfortunately, Ann Arbor would cost two times that of Davis. And if you are really considering UC San Diego, then D1 sports and Saturday afternoon football are probably of little interest. If so, Davis is probably the better value instate.</p>
If the plan is to go to SD then your dads advice is a lousy plan. With the budget cuts there’s been talk of not allowing any transfers into UC schools except from CC’s. CC students always have first priority, even today, so if you want a better chance to get into SD you’d go to a CC first. And apparently dad isn’t aware that SD will only consider transfer students that are coming in for their junior year, which means his suggestion is completely impossible in any case.</p>
<p>If you want a better setting than Davis, find a CC you like and go there for 2 years. Sign up for the TAG program and you are guaranteed admission to UCSD. That of course has some downsides since the lower division classes will likely not be as rigorous as you’d get at a UC school, putting you a bit behind the curve when you transfer. And you’d miss out on some of the college experience.</p>
<p>UC Davis is not at all a commuter school. In fact among all the UCs it’s the one that most provides the true college town experience - a small town dominated by a large university. There may be a handful of students who commute in from Sacramento, but the vast majority of students live either on campus, in a Greek house, or in nearby off-campus apartments and houses. That said, even though I’m a UC Davis alum, I’d pick Michigan if I were in the OP’s shoes (assuming the money can be made to work without going into big debt). It’s a great school and it’s more famous that UCD. </p>
<p>Plus being farther away from home and with cold weather is a plus in my book. College is the perfect time to spread your wings and go live for four years in another part of the country. Experience new weather, meet new people, and eat new food. If you don’t like it you can simply move back to CA when you graduate.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I talked it over with my dad and he agrees that transferring is a bad idea. Going to a CC is also out of the question (Asian parents…don’t even think about it). We’re now both just researching Michigan. I don’t mind the cold weather; but I know it’ll be a huge shock compared to the Bay Area (it’s gorgeous outside right now), and I’ve come to terms with going away and coming back for winter break or spring break. </p>
<p>Cost is a factor in the way that my brother will be graduating from HS in two years and we have no clue how UC admissions will be at that time, so family might end up paying for two OOS schools (my bro hasn’t said what schools he’s interested in yet). Well I’ll just keep reading. Thanks!</p>