I got in!/NEED HELP and advice on college, life and stuff

[aolsuxs]

Well I am currently in Reno and applied to University of California, Davis and managed to get in despite my SATs being horrible. So I now have the chance to get out of this dirtball town called Reno. Crappy thing is none of my friends that applied were able to get in, are there any chances of them appealing? In a perfect world the 3 of us would be able to get outta here and things would just be grand. Anyways I have a few questions I am hoping some of ya can answer for me.......

1.) Hows life at Davis?

2.) I am planning on living at campus on a dorm, is there anywhere in perticular hall I should go for? How do I register for this?

3.) I was looking over my acceptance packet and it mentions how they discourage dropping any UC Prepatory classes; I audited the 2nd semester of my AP Calc class since I had 3 other AP classes and an externship program at the hospital, could this impact their decision on accepting me? *edit* mailed them explaning How I audit 2nd semester of my Calc class and got this response which scares the crap outta me, can they reject me just for auditing one semester?

Dropping a course(s) can affect your admission, so we encourage you not to drop any course(s) listed on your application. Admission counselors will not make a decision concerning the effect of dropping a course(s) until a formal review of your final high school transcript showing date of graduation has been completed. Any correspondence explaining particular circumstances that affected your academic performance may be sent at the end of your senior year.



4.) I'll need a job there, If I was to stay in Reno I was almost guranteed a job as a CNA, or Patient Escort in the local hospital, how many hospitals are there around Davis and are their any job vaccancies?

5.) The packet also says something regarding establishing resedency and financial independence. Can someone clear this up for me? I've always been a dependent on my parents and never filed taxes except summer of my sophomore year. How can I establish resedency?

6.) Will I need a Califorian licence plate/drivers licence? I currently have both but from Nevada.

7.) Anyone know anything on eligablity issues regarding athletics?

8.) Hows the girls?

9.) Whats the atmosphere like, parties, laid back, etc?

10.) Should I apply for the honors program? Are there any benefites to it? What is the workload compared to non honors?

11.) I heard that freashmen were not allowed to buy parking permits thus does that mean frosh are not allowed to have vehicles? Is there any way around this? I would like to have my car and be able to go to the bay area, sacramento and even home to Reno everynow and then, I do not want to rely on others or on public transportation.

I know theres a ton of questions, but I've always been under my parents wing and now that I'll be independent from them along with being seperated from all my friends I am a little scared, so any help is greatly apperciated.


*edit added a few more questions and a mail i got

 

[Aceman]

My advice to you is to start drinking heavily

Bluto, "Animal House"

 

[LaBang]

I like davis. Just come here and you'll be able to figure everything out. That is way too many questions for me to even bother. sorry.

 

[kami]

I have some advice: bring lots and lots of beer.

That's all I can give since I don't know anything about Davis let alone live in the same country

 

[RalphWiggum]

I'll try to help you out since you asked so nicely...

1) From what I know, there isn't much to do in Davis unless cow-tipping is your thing.

2) No idea about halls, but I think they send you a package with info about it.

3) I doubt it'll impact your admission. It takes quite a bit to change it and then you can appeal again.

4) No idea.

5) Establishing residency is extremely difficult. You should check out the web page on it, but basically you have to earn a large amount of money within a year without your parent;s help I think.

6) If you have both why are you asking? I suppose you do if you plan on driving.

7) Nope.

8) Probably just like any other UC's.

9) The few people that I've met from there are pretty kick back.

Hope that helps. Good luck on residency. Thats a real pain.

 

[eshrai]

I've been to davis. the dorms are pretty cool. i don't know which ones are better though. if you tell me your email i can give it to a friend of mine who goes to davis. she might be able to answer some of your questions for you. she used to live in the dorms.

establlishing residency means you have to live in california for a year. i don't know about financial independence, the fed gov. doesn't consider you an independent until you are 25 years old. (i hate that rule!!!)

you are going to have to get a license and plates here eventually, but i don't think its immediate.

notfred and i both live in sac, right next to davis.
if you need any friends or someone to talk to here, let me know.
i just moved here a year ago, i didn't know anyone either.

by the way, congrats! and have fun at davis

 

[linuxboy]

Hi aolsuxs

Well I am currently in Reno and applied to University of California, Davis and managed to get in despite my SATs being horrible. So I now have the chance to get out of this dirtball town called Reno. Crappy thing is none of my friends that applied were able to get in, are there any chances of them appealing? In a perfect world the 3 of us would be able to get outta here and things would just be grand. Anyways I have a few questions I am hoping some of ya can answer for me.......

sure thing. Oh and there isn't a great chance a petition will succeed. Frankly, colleges have their pick in these times since many highschoolers are working like mad and many people are applying to finish degrees due to the economy. Doesn't hurt to try though... I remain doubtful.

1.) Hows life at Davis?

From what I hear, a little boring but you can always find stuff to do.

2.) I am planning on living at campus on a dorm, is there anywhere in perticular hall I should go for? How do I register for this?

Please wait for someone who knows.

3.) I was looking over my acceptance packet and it mentions how they discourage dropping any UC Prepatory classes; I audited the 2nd semester of my AP Calc class since I had 3 other AP classes and an externship program at the hospital, could this impact their decision on accepting me?

I'm sorry, I don't follow. Didn't they already accept you? If you had to drop something, make sure you write a note explaining why. Hardship cases are excusable and try to include what you learned from it... (time management)

4.) I'll need a job there, If I was to stay in Reno I was almost guranteed a job as a CNA, or Patient Escort in the local hospital, how many hospitals are there around Davis and are their any job vaccancies?

Please check job posting sites like monster.com for an idea of who's hiring and where.

5.) The packet also says something regarding establishing resedency and financial independence. Can someone clear this up for me? I've always been a dependent on my parents and never filed taxes except summer of my sophomore year. How can I establish resedency?

Residency is established in 2 ways according to CA law (and this is pretty uniform in the country)

Dependent case

1) requirements: parents file you as dependent on taxes
2) Parent maintains significant ties with the new state. This means car registration, rent/housing, business ties/employment, bank account, etc. Basically, they moved for purposes other than educational, and "established domicile". Oh and have to be there for 12 consecutive months.

Independent case

1) File own taxes and not declared dependent on taxes. If you don't file taxes, provide support of how you get money
2) Maintain ties in CA. Same thing: car registration, license, housing, etc. Have to stay for 12 consecutive months.

you need to establish residency to get the lower tuition. Until then, you pay out of state (nonresident) fees.


6.) Will I need a Califorian licence plate/drivers licence? I currently have both but from Nevada.

Yes, need it to get residency.

7.) Anyone know anything on eligablity issues regarding athletics?

Please check the website or email someone there and ask.


8.) Hows the girls?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


9.) Whats the atmosphere like, parties, laid back, etc?

Someone else will likely answer this, I do not have adequate data.

I know theres a ton of questions, but I've always been under my parents wing and now that I'll be independent from them along with being seperated from all my friends I am a little scared, so any help is greatly apperciated.

Don't fret. This is a time of your life where you get to push the boundaries that you've lived with and get to explore who you are. You get to create yourself and get an opportunity to be with many other people who are doing much of the same. It is an exhilirating, wonderful yet scary and anxious experience and what you're feeling is normal. Just keep in touch with people who care about you and you should be fine. If it ever gets tough, there's always help if you just ask for it.

You'll be fine. Enjoy your year

Cheers !

 

[aolsuxs]

Bump for more opinions, thanks to everyone who has replied.

I thought there would be more things to do at Davis since its right next to Sac and not too far of a drive from the Bay Area. Well whatever it is, must be better then Reno.

 

[aolsuxs]

Added a few more questions, I am kinda nervous right now on how auditing one semester of a class will impact my acceptance,


Dropping a course(s) can affect your admission, so we encourage you not to drop any course(s) listed on your application. Admission counselors will not make a decision concerning the effect of dropping a course(s) until a formal review of your final high school transcript showing date of graduation has been completed. Any correspondence explaining particular circumstances that affected your academic performance may be sent at the end of your senior year.


Really freaks me out..


Also anyone know if I should apply for honors? Any real benefits from it? What is the workload like compared to non honors?

 

[her209]

Davis smells like cow crap all the time.

At this one dorm cafeteria, they are always serving beef related products... hehehe.

 

[amnesiac]

PM'd you this:

1.) Hows life at Davis?
Not as bad as the big city people would like to make you think. Davis itself is cow-town.. but only 15 minutes from Sac and an hour from Frisco. You could be in worse places.

2.) I am planning on living at campus on a dorm, is there anywhere in perticular hall I should go for? How do I register for this?
Dorm is probably your best bet for the first year or so. Otherwise find an off-campus apartment -- you might as well sign up early because waiting lists are a bitch. Even better, once you find a place you like, befriend people who live there; they can get you priority.

3.) I was looking over my acceptance packet and it mentions how they discourage dropping any UC Prepatory classes; I audited the 2nd semester of my AP Calc class since I had 3 other AP classes and an externship program at the hospital, could this impact their decision on accepting me? *edit* mailed them explaning How I audit 2nd semester of my Calc class and got this response which scares the crap outta me, can they reject me just for auditing one semester?

Dropping a course(s) can affect your admission, so we encourage you not to drop any course(s) listed on your application. Admission counselors will not make a decision concerning the effect of dropping a course(s) until a formal review of your final high school transcript showing date of graduation has been completed. Any correspondence explaining particular circumstances that affected your academic performance may be sent at the end of your senior year.
Mmm..dunno how to help you with that. Shouldnt' be too big of a deal. They rarely withdraw acceptances.

4.) I'll need a job there, If I was to stay in Reno I was almost guranteed a job as a CNA, or Patient Escort in the local hospital, how many hospitals are there around Davis and are their any job vaccancies?
Sacramento is fairly large, you shouldn't have problems finding employment there.

5.) The packet also says something regarding establishing resedency and financial independence. Can someone clear this up for me? I've always been a dependent on my parents and never filed taxes except summer of my sophomore year. How can I establish resedency?
Who will be paying for your school? This might be a nonissue if your "permanent" residence stays in Nevada.

6.) Will I need a Califorian licence plate/drivers licence? I currently have both but from Nevada.
Check with the DMV regarding the laws on this one. I know that if you move here you need one within like 90 days, but I don't know if it applies to students as well.

7.) Anyone know anything on eligablity issues regarding athletics?
Oh, you mean the school drinking teams? (Yes, drunkenness runs RAMPANT among most Aggies, even moreso amongst athletes)

8.) Hows the girls?
Not too bad. My ex's roommates are pretty hot. Lots of party girls up there so if you want gratuitous poontang I don't think it should be a problem.

9.) Whats the atmosphere like, parties, laid back, etc?
party, party, party. There's really nothing much else to do there in town anyway.

10.) Should I apply for the honors program? Are there any benefites to it? What is the workload compared to non honors?
I have no idea.


* If any of my info is wrong, any Aggies here are free to correct me

 

[Dragnov]

<< Added a few more questions, I am kinda nervous right now on how auditing one semester of a class will impact my acceptance,


Dropping a course(s) can affect your admission, so we encourage you not to drop any course(s) listed on your application. Admission counselors will not make a decision concerning the effect of dropping a course(s) until a formal review of your final high school transcript showing date of graduation has been completed. Any correspondence explaining particular circumstances that affected your academic performance may be sent at the end of your senior year.


Really freaks me out..


Also anyone know if I should apply for honors? Any real benefits from it? What is the workload like compared to non honors? >>



Bah, dropping 1 AP course isn't going to make them kick you out. Don't worry about it. I didn't drop an AP course but I changed courses around and they don't care. If you're really worried just go talk to a counselor and go find out.

Honors. I say no, unless you are on a scolarship or something. Theres absolutely no real point in it, unless they have really brainwashed you in believing jobs will help you get a job in the future so much more. It'll help somewhat sure.. but is it worth it... ehhh... you decide. I don' t know how it works at UCD but the Honors just have to take specific courses that otherwise wouldn't have to... a few are a seperate Honors course but not many.

I don't know how UCD is like as I've never been there. But all I can think of is "MooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

 

[KEV1N]

Well I am currently in Reno and applied to University of California, Davis and managed to get in despite my SATs being horrible. So I now have the chance to get out of this dirtball town called Reno. Crappy thing is none of my friends that applied were able to get in, are there any chances of them appealing? In a perfect world the 3 of us would be able to get outta here and things would just be grand. Anyways I have a few questions I am hoping some of ya can answer for me.......

1.) Hows life at Davis?
It's not that bad, it's what you make of it.


2.) I am planning on living at campus on a dorm, is there anywhere in perticular hall I should go for? How do I register for this?
You will receive a packet asking you which hall you want, with 2nd, 3rd, 4th choices. The halls in order of worst to best facilities is: Regan, Segundo, Tercero, Cuarto. Cuarto is where most jocks and aspiring frat boys/sorority girls live. The facilities are very nice (Suite Style, i.e, kind of like an apartment) but dorm interaction is next to nothing. If you want to have the most fun, sign up for REGAN. The facilities are not as great as Cuarto but it's way more fun. I made the mistake of living in Cuarto because of the nice facilities, turns out, the people there weren't very fun. My friends lived in Regan and I had a blast squatting in their dorm. In conclusion, pick REGAN.

3.) I was looking over my acceptance packet and it mentions how they discourage dropping any UC Prepatory classes; I audited the 2nd semester of my AP Calc class since I had 3 other AP classes and an externship program at the hospital, could this impact their decision on accepting me? *edit* mailed them explaning How I audit 2nd semester of my Calc class and got this response which scares the crap outta me, can they reject me just for auditing one semester?

If you got in, you got in. As far as I know, it would take a LOT for them to reject you.

Dropping a course(s) can affect your admission, so we encourage you not to drop any course(s) listed on your application. Admission counselors will not make a decision concerning the effect of dropping a course(s) until a formal review of your final high school transcript showing date of graduation has been completed. Any correspondence explaining particular circumstances that affected your academic performance may be sent at the end of your senior year.


4.) I'll need a job there, If I was to stay in Reno I was almost guranteed a job as a CNA, or Patient Escort in the local hospital, how many hospitals are there around Davis and are their any job vaccancies?

Davis is a very good biological sciences school. At any rate, I'm sure you could get a job at the UCD Medical Center, which is just in Sacramento. A shuttle is offered. If not, it is very easy to get a student assistant job, which will pay on the average $7/hr and will work around your academic schedule.

5.) The packet also says something regarding establishing resedency and financial independence. Can someone clear this up for me? I've always been a dependent on my parents and never filed taxes except summer of my sophomore year. How can I establish resedency?

I am not sure about how long you will have to live here to establish residency, but I think it might be a year. You might have to pay some out of state fees in the beginning in addition to your tuition.

6.) Will I need a Califorian licence plate/drivers licence? I currently have both but from Nevada.
I don't know, this is a different issue. Try not to get pulled over?

7.) Anyone know anything on eligablity issues regarding athletics?
2.0 GPA is all I know.

8.) Hows the girls?
The girls outnumber the guys, I believe it's something like 60% girls and 40% guys.

9.) Whats the atmosphere like, parties, laid back, etc?
Many parties on the weekends/thursdays, mostly frat parties. The town is very quiet.

10.) Should I apply for the honors program? Are there any benefites to it? What is the workload compared to non honors?
If you think you can handle it, I'd say go for it. You'd live in the honor's dorm, most likely, which is all studying all the time. I am not familiar with the difference in workloads but I can't see the obvious benefits of doing the honors program unless you are planning on grad school.

I know theres a ton of questions, but I've always been under my parents wing and now that I'll be independent from them along with being seperated from all my friends I am a little scared, so any help is greatly apperciated.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Don't pledge a frat till 2nd year, no matter how much you want to. The first year is the easiest one to fail because of taking on too much at the same time. Learn time management first, then pledge.

 

[aolsuxs]

lots of great info and advice, thanks everyone, any more?

 

[oLLie]

Good luck being an "Aggie"

. And to think dude... you coulda been an ANTEATER! :Q

Ollie

 

[Que-TiP]

before I went away to college, some older friends gave me this advise. I will pass it on to you. The first thing you should say to a woman after 6pm is, "have another drink!"

works every time. Have fun. I miss college.

 

[aolsuxs]

bump

 

[aolsuxs]

one last question:

I heard that freashmen were not allowed to buy parking permits thus does that mean frosh are not allowed to have vehicles? Is there any way around this? I would like to have my car and be able to go to the bay area, sacramento and even home to Reno everynow and then, I do not want to rely on others or on public transportation.

 

[aolsuxs]

one last biump