University of California-Davis Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Jennifer

When choosing a college, your primary concern should always be finding a place where you feel comfortable. I knew my college was right for me because wherever I went, older students and faculty would open doors for me or offer me directions when I looked particularly lost. Your college experience is supposed to help you find out who you are, but if you don't feel comfortable at your school you will be less likely to take risks and flex your intellectual muscles. Most importantly, do not choose a school for its reputation. Many prestigious universities may not be right for you, but if you are so focused on the name recognition of that school, you may never explore other options that may be a perfect fit for you. Do not be afraid to wander off the beaten path-- it is the best way to get to know yourself and find your academic and personal passions that will guide you for the rest of your lives.

Judy

Classes, tuition, location, student life...these are many of the focuses that parents and students have when trying to decide which college or university would be the best fit. And I can tell you, they are all critical pieces of information. But when making this very important decision, I think the most significant thing to do is to make a campus visit. There is a feel and a connection that is made when you visit an area and see its community and people living their everyday lives. You are going to learn an incredible amount at almost every insititution you go to, and granted if a college is not very recognized in your specific field, it should be crossed off the list. However, I think it's even more important to feel like it could become your home away from home. The way to make the most of your college experience is to totally immerse yourself in that community. Don't go home every weekend, step outside of your comfort zone and most importantly realize that everyone there is in the same position that you are in. A new and exciting chapter of their lives. Make sure to enjoy it.

Milana

One important piece of advice that I would urge for students and parents to think about is what exactly you are looking to get out of the college you attend. I was looking for a school that was a large University and was also a well known research institution that offered a number of programs and majors. UC Davis is one of the nation's top public research universities characterized by a distinguished faculty and students of great potential and accomplishment. Davis offers a great number of majors and opportunities?, which ultimately made it stand out from other schools I applied to, as I was unsure at the time what major I wanted to pursue. In addition to being able to offer a variety of majors, the classroom sizes should also be small enough so you don?t "feel lost" in the crowd. Small class rooms encourage personal interaction and teachers are more apt to know their students as individuals. This promotes among students a sense of belonging, of pride in their community, their school, and themselves. As a result, students are likely to have better attitudes towards their school and make the most out of their college experience.

Harold

First and foremost, the future student must visit the campus to begin to have an understanding of it and the community surrounding it. I think from there a student can decipher if they will fit in or not fit in. You should be comfortable with your environment when you are in college, for if you are not, it's hard to really focus on your studies. Also, don't forget that college is about the experience as well as the knowledge. Make friends, become involved in extra-curricular activites, and enjoy yourself. All work and no play is no fun.

Ryan

Choosing the right college has long reaching effects in not only the quality of education and preparation for students? future professions, but on the relationships and friendships they will forge while in college. What I?ve found after applying to both college and graduate school is that the faculty makes the biggest difference in choosing a college. More than a college?s prestige, location, or size is the faculty. The range of knowledge and skills that I gained from the men and women who taught my classes at UC Davis are what proved to me I made the right choice in going to UC Davis for college. Their passion and extensive knowledge of their fields make me proud to have been their student. The best way for students to benefit from their years in college is to find a unique balance between academics and their social lives. Living in the dorms my freshman year helped me forge circles of friends that still exist, despite the years and distance between us since we met. Students need to be self reliant and proactive in making time for both their coursework and developing lasting friendships with the variety of people they meet.

Fallon

The college you chose is essential for your future happiness and success. College can be such an exciting and invigorating experience. It is a place to meet lifelong friends and/or partners, and the education you receive will open up many opportunities for the rest of your life. To future college students, I suggest that you find a way to be connected to the school early and often. If possible, live in the dorms your freshman year. You will meet so many diverse people and learn a lot about yourself (especially if you are like me and have never shared a room before). Get involved with an organization that you feel strongly about. Play intramural sports; they are fun and you don?t have to be an athlete to play! Use the amazing recreational gym (AKA The ARC) to workout?that ?Freshman 15? is NOT a myth! Stay focused on school. You are spending a significant amount of money to get an education and get ahead in life; don?t waste it. And lastly, be open to experiencing new people, new ideas, and new ways to have fun. When you are on a budget, you have to get creative!

Chelsea

Choose a college that fits you best. Don't worry about what your parents want or where your boyfriend/girlfriend is going. All that matters when you choose a school is that it fits you. Make sure that you can see yourself going there. Be realistic; if you get homesick, don't go to school across the country. When you visit, make sure you can picture yourself as a student of that school. Once you go to school, study hard, but have fun. This is the only time in your life that you get to be a college student so make the most of it. Work and play responsibly, but don't take college too seriously. Meet as many people as you can. College is what you make it, so make it a good experience.

Iman

The first bit of advice I would give to potential college students would be to find what works best for you. Although a simplistic and common sense suggestion, you would be surprised how many students failed to do so. It is easy to become overwhelmed with trying to find the school that offers the best programs, faculty, faculties, and even reputation; however, I want to precaution students that although important these aspects should not be the deciding factor in choosing a school. You can attend one of top schools in the nation and be completely miserable! And your sense of happiness will ultimately affect both your academic and social life. It is important to be realistic with yourself. Ask yourself questions such as: What type of person am I? What type of environment is most conducive for the way I study habits? Will I enjoy living in a big city or small college town? How far away is this school from my family? It is simple questions such as these that will make a world of difference in your overall college experience. If you are truly happy with were you are, it will reflect in all that you do.

Eric

It seems to be such a hard decision for many students..... what college should I attend? Many times parents and children have a hard time seeing eye to eye on these decisions as well. I believe most importantly, the college must have an outstanding reputation. A focus on education is what you're there for, not a party scene. A safe enviroment is very important as well. Another key point is that the staff must be unbiased, with non-discriminating attitudes. Accesible student aid, and assistance in getting additional student loans at the best rates possible is invaluable. A knowledgeable, helpful staff is going to make you feel secure in the decision you have made as well. I knew that I wanted to attended UC Davis Medical School, and wasn't going to stop trying if I had been turned down. I did not apply to any other schools, because of UC Davis's reputation, I felt I was making the best decision for myself, and my family. I believe it is so important to reach for your dreams. It's such hard work, but the payoff will be so rewarding. I am proud of the decision I made. Thanks!

Kimberly

The best advice I would give other students is to take classes that seem interesting to you, rather than solely pursuing those classes required by your major. College is a time where people learn as much about themselves as they do from their course work. Taking a diverse class load will make you more versatile and expose you to new ideas and points of view you may have nev er considered. It will be a lot easier to take your classes seriously if you choose classes you have a genuine interest in.

Alise

The most crucial advice I could give to a student entering college is that learning how to study in college is necessary for success. Efficient study habits are specific to the individual. For example, one person may learn best by doing visual exercises while another learns audibly or by doing kinesthetic exercises. Finding out which learning tactic works best for an individual requires self-knowledge and may require sessions of trial and error. The importance of discovering this about one's self is that learning material for quizzes or exams can be done quicker and with more ease. As a college student, there will be many times where one does not have a large amount of time to study due to their busy schedule. By knowing which study tactic works best for them, they can study efficiently for the little time they do have. One will soon discover that it is not only the amount of time spent studying that counts, but how studying is done.

Sarah

Students should be able to go to college with the understanding that its going to be exhilerating, but also hard work. Also, If the student does not know what he/she wants to pursue, then its important for the child to go to a school that offers many classes and provides lots of opportunity to explore different environments and fields. Students should attend the school and go to an area that they find most appealing and ask students who already attend that school how they enjoy it. Also, it might be a good idea to shadow a couple of students. Its important to realize also that just because one student might have one way of viewing the school another might feel completely opposite; therefore, it is good to get a variety of different opinions from many different people. Overall, a student wishing to go to a specific school needs to do the research, and read between the lines. Its dire that the parent be as supportive as possible, since this process can be a bit overwhelming; nonetheless, it is just as important that the parent allow the child to independently search for the best college that suits the students' needs.

Sarah

The advice that I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of their college experience would be to go and visit their top colleges of choice on several different occasions and once admitted, get involved. Choosing the right college is very important when it comes to academic performance. The student is more likely to perform well at a college where he or she feels comfortable. Therefore, visiting more than one college of preferred choice on several different occasions increases the chance that the student will feel adapted to a certain college over the others, upon which he or she will base their decision. Once on campus, get involved. There are many different activities on campus to get involved in whether it be a club, fraternity/sorority, volunteering, community service, etc. Once involved the student will feel a greater sense of belonging on that campus which will help make their college experince more memorable and exciting. Remember, you reap the benefits of your college experience only what you sew into it. Choosing a college will be one of the biggest decisions of your life, make it the right one.

Sara

I suggest parents and students think about the student's interests while he or she is still in high school. Look for a school that will provide a solid foundation in that field of interest. Although I wouldn't choose to go back and attend another university, I learned that the fields of study a school has to offer is important to accomodating and assisting the growth of a student's interests and talents. By being conscientious of his or her interests, the student can apply to the appropriate schools and focus on selecting the best major appropriate sooner than later. It can be a difficult transition for some students to attend college. Attending a school that will be able to stimulate a student's interests is critical to the efficiency of a student's time in college. Once you get into the right school, make the most of the experience by staying in the dorms for your first year (you'll make friends for a lifetime), get to know your professors during office hours, and don't be afraid to try new things to figure out what it is you like to do for fun!

Bonnie

Please please please make sure it is in a bareable environment that one can get used to.

Jessica

After nearly four years of college, I found that finding the right environment most suitable to you is what really matters, above all else. Things to consider when deciding on a college are (1) the type of people there - there's nothing worse than finding out you don't fit in with the group of people you'll be spending three to four years of your life with, (2) the type of academic environment, including selection of majors, class size, faculty members, and one or more comfortable places for studying, (3) location - how convenient it is to suit your daily needs, and of course (4) cost. Ultimately, you want to choose a place that you'll be happy in, and that will arouse your passion for learning. Forget about prestige, or where your friend or boyfriend is going. If you want to make the most of your college education, pick a place you'll like. Then, to get the most of it, I highly recommend joining a club, because clubs are a good gateway to meeting people and familiarizing yourself with the surrounding area. You'll be magically immersed in the environment, and will truly enjoy college.

Amanda

When visiting the school, try to picture yourself as a student there. If you can't do it, or if it feels too unnatural, then most likely it's not the school for you. Ask others for their opinions too, but really look inside yourself and see the qualities you like most. If you can't find them in the people there, it will be hard to make friends that share similar ideals or interests. However, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Most of the time, if you're still keeping your morals, you won't regret the risks you take.

Caitlin

make sure you visit the campus and talk to professors and students before you accept!

Lyndsay

To parents, I have to say that they need to let their kids decide. Trying to control your child's future will only make them unhappy in the end, especially when it comes to college. Of course it's okay to give your imput, but be careful what you say, and always encourage them to pursue their passion-- even if it's something you think is a little ridiculous. You never know, they may end up with a really unique career that fills their every passion. To students, do NOT go to community college. Many teachers say that it's cheaper and a great place for you to figure out what you want to do, but statistics indicate that most kids that in community college drop out, or spend up to six years pursuing higher education. When you attend a four year, you have four years to figure out what you want to do, when most students spend at least two years of it deciding and changing majors. At a community college, the pressure is on to get everything together in two years, which rarely works out. If you don't know what you want, pick four years, not two.

Elicia

The best advice I can give about picking the college that is right for you is to go to a visitor's weekend and stay over in the dorms. Even if academically the school looks great on paper, you will be miserable there if you don't like the other students. Once you are in college, try a couple things every quarter that you wouldn't normally do and use the experience to make friends with people who you wouldn't normally come into contact with. Generally, college will expose you to a more diverse group of people than you have ever been used to and learning about people who are unlike you can only help you socially and academically.

Gina

Parents and/or students should know that UC Davis is a very quiet and studious place. It is an ideal school for a student who is focused on their education, more so than their social life. The students at UC Davis are mostly white or Asian and for the most part, people tend to hang out within their racial groups. Davis is not very diverse however, it is a very friendly place in which the people living here are polite and respectful. There are not many activities to do in the small town of Davis compared to that of a college in the city. Please visit the school prior to attending it because it is a very different and unique envirnment in which some people love and some people dislike. Also, if you do decide to attend Davis, it is important that you get bike and a sturdy bike lock to go with it. A bicycle will be the students main source of transportation arund campus, expecially freshman year.

Navid

Before you start looking at a school, make a list of things that you want out of the school first. Include things such as city size, the size of the student population, the "type" of school (research oriented or teaching oriented), etc.. This will help narrow down the choices since the number of colleges offered in this nation is high and the process of selecting just one can seem daunting. Most importantly, make sure to visit the college. That is ultimately the only way that you can be sure if you will like the college or not. To make the most of your college experience, the best advice I can offer is to get involved. Everyone has something that they're are interested in, and more often than not, there are others that share those interests. College is a unique environment that provides the oppurtunity to meet a large and diverse population and allows for networking that can be crucial for employment later in life and overall mental well-being. Involvement stimulates the mind, looks good on a resume, helps your social network, and ultimately, is fun.

Shelley

Dont base your decision on "EVeryone applies there, its popular, its a big party school" blablabla. Go to the school thats right for you. VIsit the campus and see if you like it. Visit the surrounding areas, and talk to students. If possible, audit during a lecture and see if you like the way freshman classes are organized. A lot of the bigger campuses have HUGE lecture halls, but as the years go on the classes become smaller. If one is worried about a social life, just know that every college will have parties, many have fraternities and sororities. Dont go where others want you to, but go where you feel at home and where you feel you will have fun and enjoy college. College happens once, and it goes by very fast, so make the most of it. Also know that you can major in ANYTHING and do ANYTHING you want, its just a matter of knocking out the mandatory prereqs.

Bessie

Find a school that has balance and many possibilities.

Chere

I would advise students to first consider the location. For example, do they want to attend a school that is located in a small town or a big city? Also, the student should choose a college based on the degrees and programs offered. For instance, some schools may be well known for various art or science programs. To make the most of the college experience students should get involved in clubs and extracurricular activities. These activities offer a way to meet new people and have a well rounded experience. Internships and volunteer work are also great ways to discover other interests as well as build a superb resume. I would definitely recommend that the student live in a dorm or some form of on-campus housing during the first year of school. These opportunities allow the student to interact with other students that have never lived on their own and also experiencing college life for the first time. The students are also able to meet diverse people with interesting stories.

Andrew

University of California Davis is a wonderful school, but if you or your children are planning to go for major of Biological Science, you should put in your mind that it will require hard work to survive in this school.

Samantha

Visit as many potential colleges as possible and find a college with a wide variety of majors. I changed my major from animal science to graphic design, if my colllege didnt have it I would have had to change schools, which can be a huge hassel. Find a college that has variety and isn't too small.

Allen

At their roots, all universities are businesses, and many universities will act accordingly. The best colleges are probably those with the most resources available to the students (financial aid, psych services, tutoring, an on-campus housing program, etc). If not for the value, then for the fact that the school actually cares about its "customers". Beside that, a campus that is clean, has a relativley low crime rate, and is within easy access of shopping, banking, and, most importantly, housing of some kind, doesn't hurt. A campus with a reputation doesn't hurt, either; universities with a rep usually have them for a good reason!

Alexander

The biggest advice i could give to parents and/or students would be to consult current students about the school and to evaluate the campus, not just the reputation of the school. Current students are able to provide information about the quality of the learning experience, the social activities, and how the environment is. The second piece would to ignore the reputation of the school and focus on an environment where you'd be successful. Davis may not be the best university, but it has a large, beautiful campus and is the epitome of a "college town."

Ruth

I would say to find the college that most matches the student's career choice. With the not so competitve enviroment, I think students are more able to learn not under pressure.

Larisa

The best advice that I would give students in finding the right college is research. Research all that the school has to offer as far as majors, diversity on campus, social life as well as where the college is located (small town, city etc.), internship opportunities, student programs on campus, relations with alumni and job placement after graduation. These are very important as your school will become your home away from home, and such factors and opprtunities are a great way to experiment with on the path to discovering your self. This piece of advice plays well into both finding the right college and making the most of it. But as far as making the most of your college experience I would asvise that you take advantage of the organizations and opportunities offered for students to get involved in. For example, get involved with student government, or help a professor with their research. Or take advantage of study abroad opportunities, which for me and many students at my college, has been a life changing/awakening experience. But overall enjoy being a college student as that is a task in itself. This truly is the most important time of your life.

Jason

find a place where you can feel comfortable finding yourself

Brandon

To Parents: Let your children go! If you are worried about them finding their way, then you have failed as parents. Do not push them to do what you have done just because it may have worked out for you. Support their academic decisions and let them have fun, they will be making the friends that they will spend the rest of their lives with. Help them out as much as possible, whether it be through financial help, love and support, or simply some wisdom about growing up. Students: A college education is the most beautiful gift society will give you and should not be thought of as a chore. Do not think about how much money you will make afterwards or you will lose sight of the treasures in front of you. Focus on making your college experience just that, YOUR experience, and don't let others get you down over silly trivialities. Always keep the big picture in mind and realize the truly incredible opportunites in front of you. Don't party too hard or you will burn out. No fun at all makes for an unnecessarily boring ride. Priority #1: Love yourself and love others equally passionately

Ian

Absolutely visit the campus or campuses you are consisering! This could be where you spend the next 4 years of year life, so don't be afraid to test it out a little. Talk with students! Tour classrooms! Go on the official tour, then do some snooping of your own! Go read a book in the library. Are you athletic? Hop on an eliptical in the campus fitness center. Is the campus a healthy choice for you? You might want to ask about IM sports on campus. Meet with a real academic advisor, before you sign the dotted line. Are they competent and helpful? Remember, you're in college for an education! Make sure the campus you choose is conducive to your academic goals. Whether you like it or not, your college experience will forever shape you. Think about the future. After attending your chosen college, do you envision yourself having a shape you admire and respect?

Min

You need to visit the campus at least once. UC Davis wasn't my very first choice either but I just fell in love with it after I met the students and professors. The surroundings have an immense influence in education. This school is a very friendly school with great people that makes one feel at home.

Christopher

Dont go by school name. you should take your time and try to visit all your prospective colleges at least once. Although the opinoins of alumni might be biased, if you get the chance you should ask any alumni about the attractions of a particular university. study hard in high school so you have a lot of choices. Your back up school shouldn't really be a back up, it should be more like option A and option B rather than having a back up school. If you don't want to go to the school you got into, there is no problem saving money and going to a CC for two years, studying hard, and applying to a school you want to go to. Good luck with all your college choices!

Daniela

I have learned two things that I think are essential for every prospective student making decisions about college, and looking for a worthwhile and satisfying college experience. For me, choosing a college was very difficult because I didn't have a specific school in mind a and my major was undeclared. The truth is that I knew almost immediately that UC Davis was my school when I first stepped onto campus. I was able to picture myself biking from class to class and breathing everything in. And here I am, almost 3 years later, quite content with the scenery and environment that I have absorbed and loved as my own. It is extremely important to feel a connection to your campus and its surrounding environment because it will probably be your home for a couple of years. My second advice is to learn to balance academics with passion. Mastering balance can mean takiing 4 difficult academic classes a quarer while still finding time to squeeze jazz dance into your schedule. The most successful students keep their academic and passion priorities close together, eventually finding ways to incorporate these priorities into a satisying future and a satisfying career.

Brittany

I would tell parents and/or students who are choosing a college to tour the college while school is in session. Many schools can appear dead on weekends and during holidays, but once students are in classes, you can see what the school is really lke. I would also say the same of taking a walk or drive around town in order to get a feel of what the surrounding community is like. I would also tsuggest that in order to get the most out of the college experience, to join some sort of club, sport or fraternity/sorority in order to make friends. Sometimes living in the dorms does not create enough of that much-needed social interaction, so taking other steps in order to feel wanted and happy in the community is important. Figuring out how to handle the financial situation that the student/family will be facing is also important to choosing a school. Finances are not only very important when choosig a school but are important for the student to be able to get the most out of college by not having to worry so much about money but more about school.

Meredith

Look at different aspects of the college experience before you pick a school. You have to live and be happy in the place you choose to study, just looking at available academic programs doesn't give you enough of a picture of your new home for the next four or more years.

Consuelo

College life is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The best advice I have to offer is to visit the colleges that are on your top 10 or 5 list and spend a day there. It is preferable that you visit days in which school is in session, this gives you a feel as to the atmosphere of the campus on a regular basis. Then all you have to do is imagine. Do you imagine yourself here? Will you be happy? I found that choosing a campus is difficult because you will usually be far from your family and it may be a hard time to detach that is why finding the campus that fits you, is key. It is like buying a pair of shoes, you have to try them on first to see if it fits. That is the same way with the campus you will choose you have to go experience, absorb, and contemplate on whether the environment you see is right for you, your fit.

Leslie

Think of college as an opportunity to expand more than just your academic knowledge, but as an opportunity to learn more about yourself. Try not to think about your degree with the thought "I just have to get it done," as you have a rare, exciting chance to explore a wealth of knowledge and ideas that can, and will, open doors and opportunities you never thought possible. Get involved, join clubs, take classes "just for fun" to learn something totally new; you never know where inspiration and new career goals will arise. College is the chance to find and pursue your "passion," a chance to find "exactly what you want to do in life." Yes, coursework will be though, some G.E. classes will seem almost pointless, but keep your sites on your passion, your reason for attending college in the first place. As a recent college grad of 2008, I can honestly say that I know what I want to do in life, I know my "calling" and where my aspirations lie, which I attribute to the education I sought out in college. Pursue a college that offers a wide variety of acedemic experiences, and find your "passion."

Jesse

Balance is key. You need to find a school where a good portion of the student body shares your interests--finding a social niche is one of the most important things that you can do in college.

Josephine

The setting and city around college is important because you want to be in a place where you feel comfortable and safe. You also want to look at the type of majors the college specializes in or places more emphasis on. Money may be an issue for some folks but remember: there is no price limit to education. Despite what it costs, if this feels like the right college, go there. Financial Aid is always available and loans are not too bad to think about.

lourdes

take your time

Kristin

To parents, don't try and choose your child's school for the. It is a decision that only they could make, just because you had fun there or you like the school doesn't mean that your child will. They will take what you have to say into account because they trust. Don't try and take advantage of that, remember this is where they will be spending a nice chunk of their life and gaining experiences that may mold them into the adult they will become. Let them be who they are. To students, explore all the possibilities before you choose a campus. Visit the campus, interact with some of the students, take a tour of the city see if you like life besides the campus. Don't try and go somewhere because all your friends are going there, you may not like it. Everyone doesn't like the same things anbd remember they may not be the same person you left high school with once you get to school. Enjoy your freedom but don't over indulge there is plenty of time for that once you hit 21. Have fun but be smart, knowledge is key.

Elizabeth

The one thing that I learned from this process is that the school that you want to go to, may not be the best school for you. I applied to UC Davis just to see if I would get in, not thinking that I would actually go. It was the best decision of my life. You get out of college exactly what you put in, and you can make any school enjoyable. Be open to new ideas. My advice would be to not get hung up on one school, and if you do, don't be too upset, that school doesn't know what they'll be missing.

Jennifer

Advice that I would provide to people who are trying to discover the right college for them would definitely be for the student to go somewhere that they got accepted on their own merit, not follow their friends, and not go somewhere because their parents want them to go or the name of the university is impressive. I am a product of my own advice. My mother, father and brother attended and graduated from the University of Southern California. This is a pretty esteemed establishment, and even though they accepted me, I opted for UC Davis, which is still an honor to attend, but not exactly a private school like USC. Entering my second year, I would not have changed a thing. I have met wonderful friends, joined life-fulfilling organizations and learned thought-provoking and truly interesting things that trickle into my everyday life events. Even though my family wanted me to go to USC, UC Davis was best for ME. I knew virtually nobody and was eight driving hours away from home. Regardless, I not only survived, I thrived, and am still flourishing.

Laura

The most important thing is to remember that your first choice/dream school is not always the best school. I ended up going to a school I didn't even want to apply to in the first place, but it turns out that I love it! Don't judge a school by its rank or by what other people think of it. If you like it, don't worry or be ashamed because chances are, that gut feeling will work out for you. I know it is a cliche, but what you put into a school is what you get out. If you go in with a positive/open attitude you will most likely get something good out of the school, like fun classes, good friends and an amazing experience. In the end, the student is the one who has to go to the school, so it should be his choice and he should feel good about his decision.

Rusilah

apply for scholarships!

Troy

Four years is a long time out of a crucial point in a young person's life. A college is more than the sum of its success in academia. When choosing which college to attend, remember all the things that makes the college what it is; the atmosphere, the location, the student/faculty attitude, and everything that surrounds those elements. That combined with academia is a sure recipe for long-term success and enjoyment.