University of California-Davis Top Questions

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

Ariane

Money should not be the constricting factor for students looking into colleges and universities. It is amazing how much aid goes unclaimed every year, and so students need to take initiative in applying for scholarships broadly (in the local, national and internation arenas) and also promptly filling out their FAFSA form. A student should look for a college with an atmosphere that they are comfortable in, a setting that provides the student with interesting things to do in their spare time without distracting them from their studies, and of course a school that offers the programs the student is interested in. It is a bad idea for a student to choose a campus just based on their on-campus housing or the prevalence of fraternities/sororities etc., because those are factors that will have a minimal impact on the student's overall college-experience. A student should look for a place where he or she safe, comfortable and accepted and where learning can be fostered and personal growth can occur, that is what a student should get out of a college or university experience.

Janani

In high school, I chose to only apply to the UCs and not to any privates. My mind was set on UC Davis as it's one of the best UCs for a Biological Sciences student. When acceptance letters came out, I was surprised to find that I had been accepted by most schools I had applied to. Moreover, I had gotten into my dream school UCD and everyone else's dream school...UCLA. I felt so much pressure from everyone to choose UCLA. Nobody could understand why I would want to go to Davis when I had gotten into such a prestigious school. But in my mind, I knew I wouldn't be happy anywhere but UCD. It's crucial to visit each campus with your family before you make your decision. Try to imagine yourself as a part of the campus, and even attend a few lectures. Talk to the students, and even take advice from everyone. However, when it comes down to making the decision, go with your gut. Consider what everyone has told you, but do NOT let anyone influence you. After all, you're the one who has to live with your decision.

Jennarose

Find a college that best suits your interests. UC Davis for example, has a strong agricultural background and in high school, I was involved with FFA and i figured that alot of students here would be interested in agiculture as well. The UC Davis campus was just the right size for me because I knew I wanted a very large campus. To gain the best college experience possible, I HIGHLY reccomend living in the dorms your freshman year because it's one of the best experiences i ever had and you gain your first group of friends here and you may choosse to live with them in your sophmore year.

Alvin

Find a universtiy/college that fits your needs. Make sure that the program you want to get into fits your needs. The professors are well trained and are very intellectual. The school meets all the students demands academically and personally. The school provides awesome financial aid assistance. The environment and nearby cities provide a great atmosphere to go to during the weekends. The school has an awesome gym to go to as well as providing excellent extracurricular activities. Also make sure the school has a big parking lot. Make sure the size of the school isn't too overwhelming but overall the school is a place that feels like home.

Cedric

Make sure you choose a college that has all of the tools necessary for succeeding after college. College is designed to help students find careers after college in addition to exploring other options.

Enkhee

Understand what type of person you are before applying.

Reynaldo

Don't go for quantity or looks, go for quality. Trust me.

De

Find some place that fits your health condition the best then find yourself the right major. ask around or check online about everything in that school while take tours in the school

Raissa

Definitely make sure to choose an area where you would feel most comfortable and at home. Students don't need to go into college knowing exactly what they want to do, colleges offer a wide range of classes so student should explore them and figure out what they truly enjoy doing the most! School should be as stressful as everyone makes it out to be, you can study hard but still have fun at the same time. Don't let the stresses of grades get to you, the important thing is that you do your very best and try to actually engage in learning. Maybe you'll actually come to find that learning can really be kind of fun!

Christine

The best advice I would give to parents and/or students about finding the right college would be to really determine what the student wants out of life. It doesn't have to be able what career they want to pursue but rather about their interests even if they do not wish to pursue a career in it. Each college is known for something, for example, my school is the number one school for veterinary medicine. The school itself is an agricultural school. I have an interest in pursuing a career as a veterinarian but if I were to change my career path, I have all these other options because the school is focused on agriculture and animals. Just do a lot of research and there will always be that one school that's perfect for each student.

Veronica

When visiting the campus for a tour, check to see if major-specific tours are available. These unique tours focus more on the resources that pertain directly to your student and can be more beneficial in choosing the correct school. Overall, any college can provide a great experience. It just depends on the mindset of the student.

Tyson

Visit a lot of college and look for one that just feels right. That is the school you should go to!

Norma

Finding the College that is best for you such being able to feel welcomed, knowing what you want, and knowing if the place is the right place for you. Get involve, be social and go out there and explore in order to have a good experiece in college.

Rubeena

The right college is not just one that has the highest prestige. It is a place where you can find your identity and blossom into the unique individual you are to become. College itself is a journey in life. You gain knowledge, and wisdom, and you learn from your mistakes. It is here that I realized what was important in my life. This is where my dreams will become an actuality. Everything I have dreamt of becoming will be possible because of this journey. College is also where you learn to fend for yourself and become a responsible adult. You can have fun here, but you have to pay attention to school and work as well. College teaches you to balance your life and bring all the different parts of it into harmony. Your college experience is your defining journey. It is something that will stick with you for the rest of your life. It is supposed to be meaningful because of what it brings to your life- identity, purpose, and harmony. To find the right college, you have to think about which one will help you find these.

Stephanie

I recommend visiting campuses and taking tours. Make sure to talk to students in the department that you think you are going to go into to find out how hard it is to get into classes, how helpful the professors are, etc. Also, make sure to get a tour of the dorms to see where you would really will be living. Consider how far the school is from your home, and whether or not you will be homesick if you can only come home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

Lavender

Pick an area/location where you feel comfortable. When you aren't studying it is good to have a comfortable place to take a load off.

Jessie

When choosing a school, take into consideration more than just the social environment or fun options the school offers. While it is important to pick a school you can live with for a few years, you also need to find one that is going to help you build a solid plan for life after college. The school I attend is not my favorite place in the world. I don?t always care for the overall location and social dynamics, but I love my major and my advisors here have helped me build a great foundation for exciting future in my industry of interest. I personally believe that as long as you have a good attitude, you will find good friends and a home anywhere, whether or not that place has the prettiest people, best parties, and state-of- the-art work out facilities. Thus, when selecting a college, make the choice that will provide the greatest opportunities to learn, network, and get involved with people in fields of study that interest you.

Eva

I would make sure to visit the campus before selecting a school. Walk around campus, and see if you feel like you could fit in at the school. If you chose a school just based on its repuation you might not fit in there, and be sure to check out the college activities available that you might be interested in. When you get to college be sure to throw yourself in it, go to class and study, but go out and find some extracurricular activities to do. College is more than studying, it is the most amazing experience and to make the most of it you need to explore everything!

Celine

-look at the environment, decide what you want to get out of your college experience -look at the programs, decide what programs that you want and whether they provide enough classes to help you graduate -determine when you want to graduate, what major, and plan ahead for your classes -major counselors are NOT scary at all, go see them more than 1 time a quarter/semester. -don't be afraid to go into new clubs, groups. experiement with your comfort zone instead of limiting yourself based on image or what you think you might like or dislike.

Carlos

It is very important not to get caught up in the hype of going to a prestigious, big name college. Pick a college that you feel you will have the most success. Pick a college that gives you a that home-like feeling, I mean, you will most likely be there for 4 yrs so it would be in your best interest to actually like the college you?ll be attended.

Carlos

My advice to fellow students in order to find the right college is to research each college thoroughly and in advance. You are going to spend a significant amount of money and time in your school of choice so it better be the right one. For example you should like the campus and infrastructure of the school, feeling confortable while you walk around your school can give you a positive mind-set and energise you for the classes that will come during the day. Once in school, get to meet your classmates and your teachers. Fellow students cannot only become your friends at school but they can be very helpfull in your future career, and teachers are usually experts at their subjects who have great advice and connections in the professional world, their word counts. Lastly, you should have a post-graduation focus and attitude from the biginning. Remember that your time in the school is only a preparation for the real live, and in order to get a good job you need to have experiece. Use the career resources of the school, especially internships as these can connect you to relevant people in the job market. Good luck!

Jessie

Try everything.

Desiree

Aside from choosing a school with the major of interest, future students should look at what the college has to offer and the campus environment. Choosing a party school when the student wants to concentrate on academics will not help the student much. During college, students should find internships though the campus since they are easy to get and since they offer hands on experience in many different fields. Most of the time, professors will gladly teach you what the student what they need to know so little background knowledge is needed. This is a great opportunity for student?s to find their real interest in work, not to mention that it looks great on transcripts, resumes and graduate school. For fun, students should take part in clubs or intramural sports. It?s a great way to meet many people and make friends, and is usually always fun to participate in.

Valerie

Find an institution whose strengths are your goals. This gives you the maximum number of opportunities within your chosen field. Know what you want out of college. The average number of major changes is 2, and the average number of academic years is 5. Taking time off to realize your goals before college is a smart solution to spending another $20,000+ per extra year. Take advantage of GE's - they allow you to take easy-A classes that expose you to new topics. Mixing major courses with GE's every quarter helps diversify and simplify your courseload. Plan way, way ahead, especially if you want to travel. Upper division courses may be quarter specific, and graduate schools often require classes in addition to you major. Plan your courseload ahead of time - going quarter by quarter can mean additional years, or taking unwanted classes to graduate on-time. Last but not least stick in there! Lower division classes are sometimes much harder than upper division classes because they are "weeder" classes, specifically designed to extract all but the best. Yes, they really are that bad, but keep going - your goals are worth fighting for.

Teresa

College is a very important step in a young adult's life. For the first time, they will away from the friends that they had made, the home that they had lived in, and they will have many new responsibilities and choices given to them. Choosing a college was very nonchalant for me personally, but I saw many friends agonize over what school would fit them most and whether they can afford it or not. There are many things to consider when choosing college. Do you want to be close to home? Do you want to attend a private school? What type of major are you interested it? Do you want to go to a specialized college? Do you even want to go to college at all? It's very easy to be overwhelmed. The best thing to do is to have the student and the parent(s) talk about what college would fit them according to these questions and more. College is supposed to be as fun as it is studious. Don't be overwhelmed. And it's okay to fail. Strength comes from failing and rising above that.

Erich

take tours, and ask questions

bill

If there is anything I could people about choosing the right college and making the most about the experience, it would be to not choose the school that is the most furthest away from your home or is known for having the most parties at it. Every school has its parties and all of them give you your freedom that you have been looking for no matter how close. The most important thing is that they have and offer the classes and extracurricular activities that you know you will be interested after high school. These are the things that will lead to a more fullfilling college experience. Another thing would be to take advantage of these things. Remember, no matter how you are paying for your tuition and fees, you are still paying them in the end. So to not take advantage of your school's programs is just ridiculous.

Quynh

I think the best way to pick the right school is asking around. You should pick a school which is good for your major, your financial. Never try to pick a school because of their "popularity", or "fame". you'll be regret about it. Besides, try to find their rankings online. there's a lot of sources online. You should talk to counsler and tell them what you like because counsler know the best. It's helpful. if you have chance, you should go to the campus you have in mind, so you can have a basic idea about life on and off campus.the more you ask people, the better choice you make!

Sharmi

Let students make the decision, and really think about what you love and what you want to do with yourself and for your society in the future. What do you want to be represented by and what do you want to do to represent yourself? Do not be afraid to challenge, and find a place that allows the unorthodox.

roozbeh

UCD is awesome join us!

Jessica

Researching about the college environment for each college you are considering to apply to is a definite must. Depending on what you feel is important for your learning enviroment, as well as where you would feel comfortable living, is incredibly important. If you are unhappy with your living situation (if say your school is more of a "party school" while you are more of a quiet stay-at-home person, or vice versa) your grades will suffer. The most important thing is to be happy. If you're unhappy, why should you attend the particular college? Some students choose to pick the college that is most competative or academically recognized as being "the best", but if the lifestyle provided there does not fit with your personality it's not worth it. The main point: find one that interests you from your definition of "fun", not necessarily just from the academic viewpoint (yet of course, this should also be taken into consideration). Also, don't be afraid of taking risks and experimenting with new people or beliefs because thats part of the fun and learning experience! If you're unsure of whether to participate or not, always go with your gut.

Rosa

Make sure your child understands that the college they will attend is where they will make their home for the next couple of years. The students should feel safe and comfortable in the environment, as well as surrounding themselves with people who are equally passionate about their field of study and social life in general.

daniel

go to the highest rated college you get into

Stephanie

Finding the right college is not as simple as reading a book or talking to a counselor. Even if a college seems perfect on paper, it may not be right for you. The only way to know for sure is to visit the school, walk around, and talk to the people there. Does the atmosphere feel friendly? Do people accept you for who you are? If you don't feel excited and welcomed, then the school may not be right for you, no matter how prestigious it seems. There are plenty of schools that offer great oportunities and career paths, but the most important thing is to feel that you truly fit into the environment created by the college and your peers. If you don't feel happy as you walk around on the campus, how can you possibly succeed there? After you do the research by going online and reading books, get out there and try to experience what it's like to really be a student at that college. If it feels right, then it probably is right; at least, that's how it worked for me!

Patty

Listen to your gut. You know what you want, try to tune out the pressure. A school is what you make of it

Leo

Have your high school graduate visit the campus without you. Have them visit friends they know for a weekend. Emersing yourself into a campus for a weekend is a great way to see how comfortable you are with the type of people that you will go to school with. Once you get in, get involved. Getting involved in something will make college much more rewarding.

Lauren

Make sure to visit the campus during operational hours to get a feel of the campus life.

Brittney

My advice to parents and students when searching for the right college is this: find the school that's perfect for you...then worry about the money. The four (or so) years that you spend at college will be some of the most interesting, terrifying, challenging, exciting, and fruitful years of your life. You'll make friends for life, establish contacts with experts in certain fields, and grow into your own individual identity. Do not rob yourself of the opportunity to experience these things simply because you feel you cannot afford to do so. Fight for what is best for you.

Carmel

Finding the right college is definitely one of the most important decisions you'll ever make, but it should be something to look forward to. The location is important, would you rather stay close to home or go out of state? The choice depends on personal preference but living a little distance away from home may prove to be beneficial because stepping out of your bubble promotes growth and the broadening of horizons. Also, choose a school that has a major you're interested in along with classes that you'd like to take. It's okay if you're not sure what to major in just yet, you have plenty of time, so just take a variety of courses in different subjects and see what peaks your interest the most. Getting involved in clubs, organizations, sports, sororities/fraternities, internships etc. are beneficial academically as well as socially. Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity that should definitely be taken advantage of and is an experience that stays with you for a lifetime. College is what you make of it so learn all you can, take advantage of all the resources and opportunities available, have tons of fun, and good luck!

Nicole

Help your child chose the school that's right for them.

Khoa

The advice give to parents and/or students about finding the right college is that there are no easy or hard colleges. It is how hard you try and how much you want to real your goals. Many students may miss home the first year of college but it is all worthwhile. They will eventually get use to it. The problem is the further you go the more you will have to pay. Going out of state is far and expensive it might not be a great idea.

Jaspreet

My advice to parents and students in finding the right college is to visit the campus and interact with the people on campus. You find out a lot from the students already there and you can decide if you would be happy living there.

roshan

first find out what majors are offered and what it takes to be in that major. find out how the community interacts with the university and if the university offers any extra curricular activites. make sure you can live in the town that the school resides in and that the people at the school and community are your kind of people. the most important thing is talk to people who are there now and people who attended the college in the past. and talk to a diverse group of people not just people from your major.

Kelli

Choosing the right university is a stressful process that we all hope to get through smoothly when it's that time for us. Begin early by reading about different colleges and talking to people. Base your research on the type of location you would like to live near, the type of environment you will live in, and the common needs and goals of the students there. These things are very important because you will probably be going to school every day and living at your university for 4 or more years! When you think you've found places you might like to go to school, don't hesitate to make plans to visit and see the campuses and housing before you make your decision. Talk to people, ask lots of questions, and get excited!

Angelique

I would advise parents to allow their students to experience the independence that comes with the college experience. It is important to give them space to develop their identities as adults through both struggle and victories. Support their decision in what area of study they wish to explore because if they are not interested in the subject, they will have a hard time succeeding. The role of parents to a college student should be a support rather than a guide.

Chun

Pick the college that you feel the most comfortable with instead of picking one that people say are the best for you.

Jake

none

gary

n/a

John

My advice to highschoolers looking to find the college that is right for them is to truly go with your heart. It sounds corny, but where you feel the most comfortable and the most at home is going to be the place you are happiest. The "notoriety" of your school means absolutely nothing if you are unhappy there. Visit any school you are remotely interested and gauge how likely you are to go there by the way you feel when you are on campus. The school you choose will be your home for the next 4-plus years, and the other students will be your family. By making sure that you will be comfortable at your new "home" you are ensuring success at whatever school you end up attending.

Stephanie

Choose the place that feels right; you'll succeed and be happier in a place where you're comfortable. Regardless of the school's ranking, location and campus compatibility are going to be the two biggest things that affect your life on a daily basis while in college. Take advantage of the opportunities your college has to offer academically, extra-cirricularly, and socially - it's cliche, but you only get to be a college student once. so make the most of it!