Any UCD Aggies out there?

[LivinLaVivaPollo]

I'm currently a student here at UCSC, but I plan on transferring for Winter 03. I'm going to be living with my family in Natomas Park, and I'm going to make the commute. How's Davis as a city? I have a couple of friends there that swear it's the most boring place in the world, but coming where I'm from, I can really use some peace and quiet. But, is there a night life? Do all UCD people go to sacramento to hang out? How's the riverfront? I've been so busy shopping for houses with my parents that I haven't had time to do all the research.

Will UCD allow a special case transfer? I didn't apply to UCD out of HS, but I could have gotten in, I just chose UCSC because it was closer to my parent's current residence in San Jose. I'm not doing so hot right now, CE major, ~3.2 GPA, but I do have a weird financial situation and it would be the best if I lived with my parents, worked on the weekends, and just commuted to Davis because it's so much more cheaper. How's the campus? I hear it's absoutely huge. Can you actually drive up to your classes? They basically ban frosh from owning cars here at UCSC, I have a brand new car sitting at home that my mom is driving because I can't use it here. What is a typical classload? 4 classes or 3? Are the classes difficult? I'm having a hell of a time in my computer science classes here, I don't know what it is, I get A's in everything else, but I can barely clear C level in CS. Anyone want to show me around? You got a guranteed chaffeur for the rest of your college life

 

[KEV1N]

But, is there a night life?
-The only night life here is the bar scene, but it's mostly frat boys and sorority girls. Most shops and restaurants close at 9.

Do all UCD people go to sacramento to hang out?
-Basically, yes. We go to Sacramento to shop and eat mainly, since Davis doesn't have all that much. Sacramento is not far at all. A benefit of living here is that the bay area is an hour away and tahoe is 2 hours away. I'm originally from the bay area.

How's the riverfront? I've been so busy shopping for houses with my parents that I haven't had time to do all the research.
-I have not seen this riverfront you speak of. I've only driven over the causeway, that's the closest I've gotten to any type of riverfront. However Natomas is what seems to be a pretty wealthy neighborhood and I'm sure it's a nice place to live.

Will UCD allow a special case transfer? I didn't apply to UCD out of HS, but I could have gotten in, I just chose UCSC because it was closer to my parent's current residence in San Jose. I'm not doing so hot right now, CE major, ~3.2 GPA, but I do have a weird financial situation and it would be the best if I lived with my parents, worked on the weekends, and just commuted to Davis because it's so much more cheaper.
- 3.2 is a very good GPA for your major. I think that they will accept transfers as long as your GPA is above 2.0, but I am not sure of this. All I know is that you must maintain a 2.0 to stay in the CE (It's called ECS here) major. 3.2 is not bad at all. Besides, I think they make special cases of intercampus transfers.

How's the campus? I hear it's absoutely huge. Can you actually drive up to your classes? They basically ban frosh from owning cars here at UCSC, I have a brand new car sitting at home that my mom is driving because I can't use it here.
- The campus is quite large. A lot of trees. It's actually kinda beautiful. However you can't drive up to your classes. Most people here bike or skateboard. It doesn't take more than 15 minutes to walk across the entirety of campus.

What is a typical classload? 4 classes or 3? Are the classes difficult? I'm having a hell of a time in my computer science classes here, I don't know what it is, I get A's in everything else, but I can barely clear C level in CS. Anyone want to show me around? You got a guranteed chaffeur for the rest of your college life.
- Typical classload is about 4 classes or 15-17 units. The CS classes are a bit hard but we have some good instructors here. You just need to put in the work. If you do not have a good C++ background you'll have to put in more work. The key to getting good grades is to show up for office hours every time. Minimum load is 12 units or roughly 3 classes.

 

[PrincessGuard]

Just a few things to add:

Parking is $400/year and all the lots are on the edges of campus. A bike is highly recommended, though you really won't need it unless you have to go out to the vet school or something.

And we do have a Computer Engineering (CE) major, along with Elelctrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Engineering Computer Science (ECS), and Computer Science (CS).

 

[Kelvrick]

Davis as a city revolves around the college pretty much. Everything pretty much revolves around the college. It is pretty boring. Our "downtown" is pretty much closes at 6. We have 2 movie theatres though, thats cool. Other then that, theres only the bars, and I'm not into that. Its pretty quiet at night. I usually go to Sac a lot. To shop and stuff, I go to the 2 malls in sac about 20 minutes away, and some wal-marts/targets in surrounding cities.

Riverfront? Ehh... I haven't seen no riverfront but the small stream in the Arboretum *spelling*.

Campus is cool. You could walk anywhere within the main campus within like 10-15 minutes. Bike in a couple. I personally walk during the winter because my ears and hands freeze. I lost one of my gloves.

YOu can't drive up to your clases. They just banned next years freshman from having cars.

Typical classload is 3-4 classes.

I'll show you around if you want. AIM is kelvrick, email kelvrick@yahoo.com.
Hhee, i have a car. A friend for the rest of my college life is good though.

 

[LaBang]

Davis, W00t W00t!!

Kevin did a good job at answering everything. Good for him.

I'm still a freshman so I don't have much insight. I like it here though.

 

[LivinLaVivaPollo]

400 bucks for parking isn't so bad. I believe it's 650 over here. I suppose I could get a bike rack and put my bike on top of my civic. I should go look for a new bike though, hehe, I still have this HK flea market style bike from when I was little. If you change the gears too fast the chain comes flying out.

How's the social life? What are the ethnic breakdowns from a personal standpoint? I can check the numbers online, but they really don't do much justice as some ethnic groups tend to hide, hehe. Like over here at UCSC, it's 60% caucasian, but like 15 to 20% asian, but you RARELY see any asian people.

It's sounding real good so far, do you guys really tip cows though?

 

[chickendinner]

<< Bike in a couple >>



LOL you wont be a true aggie with out a bike....lol

 

[kamiam]

Davis...the town that tried tp prosecute a woman for disturbing the peace

:disgust:...she was snoring:Q...the prosecutor lost his case and the the "defendant" successfully sued the city
edit: they will also ticket you for smoking anywhere within the city limits w/ the exception of your domicile or your auto,however if you smoke w/ the window rolled down in your car they can still ticket you

 

[KEV1N]

As for ethnic breakdown, by "observation" I would say that it is 50% white, 40% asian, 10% other. In many situations (waiting for the bus, getting lunch), Asians equal or outnumber Caucasians. But for a rough estimate you could say "half asian, half white".

 

[LivinLaVivaPollo]

edit: they will also ticket you for smoking anywhere within the city limits w/ the exception of your domicile or your auto,however if you smoke w/ the window rolled down in your car they can still ticket you >>

What?!!? That's insane. I don't smoke, but you can't smoke within the city limits?

I have a couple more questions...

How is the internet over there? speed? Are there any ethernet ports I can plug my laptop into, in say the library or something? I'm living with my parents, so I got internet at home taken care of, but I would like to know if I'll have access at school. Natomas=Winfirst Fiber, yahoo!

How is the overall political orientation of the campus? conservative or liberal?

If UCD is such a bike university, are there enough bike racks to park my bike? Are helmets mandatory?

My girlfriend is transferring with me, and she needs on campus housing. Is it possible to get housing during winter quarter?

That's about it for now. Thanks guys!

 

[notfred]

I'm from Aptos (if you're at UCSC, you should know where that is), and I'm living in Sacramento (going to CSU Sacramento). Davis, politically, is a LOT like Santa Cruz... very liberal. Santa Cruz is a lot prettier though There's no view at Davis that looks like the west entrance at UCSC.

 

[LivinLaVivaPollo]

<<I'm from Aptos (if you're at UCSC, you should know where that is), and I'm living in Sacramento (going to CSU Sacramento). Davis, politically, is a LOT like Santa Cruz... very liberal. Santa Cruz is a lot prettier though There's no view at Davis that looks like the west entrance at UCSC. >>

Yeah, Aptos isn't too far away from here. I agree that Santa Cruz is top notch when it comes to quality of life, and I do want to stay here, but I really can't afford it anymore. My dad had to use my college tuition for the downpayment for the new house. And, honestly, I do want to go live with my family. Santa Cruz is really nice, the bus system is great, the school is nice, but I really cant' stand dorm food, being poor, not having a car, going to puke infested restrooms anymore. I mean, if I go to Davis, I'll have home cooking every night, get to live in a brand new house, membership at a country club, have access to the car that I bought that I can't drive here at UCSC, and above all else, a fiber connection to the internet. There are other underlying factors though, I do have to work on the weekends to support myself and help my dad pay off the house, and I do want to be able to provide for my girlfriend and my sister because they are the most important things in my life. Is Fry's hiring? Here at UCSC, getting everywhere is so tough, the shuttles are always cramped to the extreme, and everyone is too lax. I applied for for 5 jobs, and they've all said, "We'll look at it later" I follow up, and they say they never received my application.

There are only a couple of things keeping me from transferring right now, the fact that it's not a application period, I'm a bit worried about my grades still, and how to get my girlfriend housing on campus when she comes with me.

 

[KEV1N]

First of all, if your GPA is really 3.2, I would say don't worry about it.

Second, if you are looking for oncampus housing, you will not be able to get in the dorms if you want your girlfriend to live with you. However there an on campus housing complex called Primero Grove which is basically a heavily discounted dorm for transfer students. If not there is housing but the situation is tight as there's actually a shortage in housing right now.

edit: they will also ticket you for smoking anywhere within the city limits w/ the exception of your domicile or your auto,however if you smoke w/ the window rolled down in your car they can still ticket you >>

What?!!? That's insane. I don't smoke, but you can't smoke within the city limits?
- This is absolutely not true. Everybody and their brother smokes all the time. Absurd!

I have a couple more questions...

How is the internet over there? speed? Are there any ethernet ports I can plug my laptop into, in say the library or something? I'm living with my parents, so I got internet at home taken care of, but I would like to know if I'll have access at school. Natomas=Winfirst Fiber, yahoo!
- I don't know about Natomas, but I'm in Davis and have Pacbell DSL which gives me pretty good speeds. If you get into an apartment complex called "The Colleges", which is a joint venture between a housing properties company (Tandem Properties) and the UC, you'll get free T1: it's jacked into the university network like the dorms are. Basically ResNet.

How is the overall political orientation of the campus? conservative or liberal?
- Mostly liberal. Sometimes annoying, a lot of "students against the war" rallies. They built a Jamba Juice and a Gap here recently and the community went NUTS. There were like protests and everything. Quite tree hugging; there's a natural-food co-op, and a housing complex that consists of domes wherein you grow your own food, etc.

If UCD is such a bike university, are there enough bike racks to park my bike? Are helmets mandatory?
- Bike racks all over the place. Helmets are not mandatory, hardly anybody wears them as I see. However you must have your bike registered with the city, costs like $6.

My girlfriend is transferring with me, and she needs on campus housing. Is it possible to get housing during winter quarter?
- Might be tough, but there's always someone looking to dump a lease on a close apartment. Check the school paper's classifieds. Remember davis is not large and the farthest apartment complex is not more than a 15 minute bus ride or drive. The buses SPRAWL Davis.

That's about it for now. Thanks guys!

 

[AreaCode707]

As the only female UCD ATOTer, hi! You've got most of your questions pretty well covered, so I won't add, just had to get my nose in this thread.

 

[darthmango]

As somone who lived in Davis for 17 years I'm pretty confident when I say that it's quite boring. I jumped at the chance to get out, and feel sorry for those who have not. But then again, there's an In-n-out 10min from anywhere in town.

 

[littlezipp]

Aggies rule... Invest in a good bike lock though. We may be know for our city full of bikes, we are also known for the bike theft rate. Mine was stolen in the first two months of school.

 

[LivinLaVivaPollo]

Well, I say I worry about my grades because my GPA doesn't tell the whole story. I ended up getting a D in computer science, and three 3 A's in my other classes. Quite a stark contrast, and that's whats really scaring me right now, because I almost HAVE to make the transfer.

 

[chickendinner]

dont forget the frog tunnel its awesome. LOL