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eflat

Platinum Member
Feb 27, 2000
2,109
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I have to transfer to one of these schools next semester and I cannot decide which.

UC Davis:

Pros:
45 minutes from home
Better academic rating

Cons:
It is in a disgusting location
It's more of a science school (I'm a history/Spanish major)
Harder classes, most likely

Santa Cruz:

Pros: Great location (on the coast)
It's more of a literal arts school.
More of a laid back atmosphere
Cons:

It's a 1 1/2 hr drive
Not as good an academic rating


SO yeah, I have no idea. Anyways I'm sure a bunch of you have gone to these schools so it would be cool to hear your opinions.
 
G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
21,983
6,297
136
Originally posted by: CitizenDoug
I have to transfer to one of these schools next semester and I cannot decide which.

Santa Cruz:

It's more of a literal arts school.
Click to expand...

For those of us that didn't attend collage, could you define what a "literal arts" school is?
 
S

Syringer

Lifer
Aug 2, 2001
19,333
2
71
Davis is a considerably better school but Santa Cruz would probably be a lot more fun. Do you plan on going to graduate school at all? If so, then undergrad won't really matter so I'd lean toward the latter.
 
S

Suspicious-Teach8788

Lifer
Feb 19, 2001
20,155
23
81
I say you should go to Davis just cuz it's a better school. You're not THAT far from the Bay Area either. I'm from Berkeley and I've driven up there at least a few times this year already =)
 
dr150

dr150

Diamond Member
Sep 18, 2003
6,570
24
81
Davis and Santa Cruz are both great schools.

I'd say Davis is harder to get better grades, b/c Davis has some reeeallly smart/competitive students (LOTS!). Grades run on bell curves, so your GPA will be lower at Davis (unless you're some nerd hot shot).

Since your GPA SHOULD be higher at Santa Cruz, I'd go there so I'm more competitive for grad school applications. It makes a difference. The reps don't matter (unless you go to Cal).

Plus, the fact that Santa Cruz is BEAUTIFUL, more laid back, better parties, it's a no brainer.

You should also check out UC Santa Barbara--just like Santa Cruz but warmer!

With the exception of UC Riverside, Merced, Irvine (all ugly/boring) I'd recommend ANY UC.

Whatever you do, get good grades and take advantage of your resources.....college is a platform that will set you up for the next decade. Also, major in a skill set that employers value (like engineering/science/business). Unless you plan on a PHD or go to law/MBA school on the back of a SOFT degree (i.e. History/Spanish), you'll have a MUCH leaner salary in potential misery/frazzleness.

Had I a 2nd chance, I would have manned up and worked on an engineering degree instead of partying my way on the easier soft degree. It all worked out for me, but the path is a lot tougher!
 
F

FP

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
4,568
0
0
Why is Davis disgusting? Have you actually visited the campus/city? It is an ag community (which means cow smell in some places during hot days) but the city is really beautiful. It isn't foresty like Santa Cruz but you are going to school to learn. Save the "nice view" for your first beach house after graduating from a school with a great academic reputation.
 
C

Corporate Thug

Lifer
Apr 17, 2003
37,622
0
76
Originally posted by: binister
Why is Davis disgusting? Have you actually visited the campus/city? It is an ag community (which means cow smell in some places during hot days) but the city is really beautiful. It isn't foresty like Santa Cruz but you are going to school to learn. Save the "nice view" for your first beach house after graduating from a school with a great academic reputation.
Click to expand...

In my experiences, if you are happy with the city you live in, its going to adversely effect your academic performance.
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,900
14,296
146
If he can't get into UC Berkely, (Not sure that's the case or not) and since geographical location seems more important than the level of education...CSU is better than nothing...
 
oiprocs

oiprocs

Diamond Member
Jun 20, 2001
3,780
2
0
What about Cal Poly San Luis Obispo?

If you have to choose between those two, other people are right about the academia. If grad school is something you want to do, go to Davis. If you aren't planning on it, or don't plan on going until you have a few years of work experience, then go to Santa Cruz.

I'd go to Santa Cruz, but I'm an engineering major, so a job is waiting for me no matter where I go.
 
SociallyChallenged

SociallyChallenged

Elite
Mar 22, 2002
10,483
32
81
Well, here, let's pose some things for you think about. You already know Davis has a better academic standing than SC. Also, SC is an extremely liberal city. One of my best friends is from there and, really, I can't see myself ever living there. It's laid back, but the culture is really hippie and drug oriented. Davis is a really nice campus, except for when it gets to be 110 in the summer. SC definitely has better weather. I live in Davis right now actually, going to UC Davis. I really love it here. If you can get good teachers and you're willing to put forth effort, you'll do fine here. If you have any personal questions about Davis and such, just PM me and I'd be happy to give you some info.
 
clamum

clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,252
403
126
theeedude

theeedude

Lifer
Feb 5, 2006
35,787
6,197
126
Santa Cruz. That is a nice place, anyway you slice it. Plus you are a History/Spanish major, so it's not like good academic rating will help you.
 
T

touchmyichi

Golden Member
May 26, 2002
1,774
0
76
I'm a UC Davis student right now and I highly recommend coming here over UCSC. There's a much more active student social life here than you would imagine, Davis is a really ideal traditional college town/experience. Really nice housing too. For academics its an even bigger no brainer, lots of successful people coming out of here :).

Feel completely free to ask me anything about UCD if you are interested.
 
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