Admissions

If you're checking this school out and want to know what goes on at Davis, check out Davis Wiki. This is a great source to learn about house parties to which bike trail is the steepest.
Also, make sure you take a tour of the place, it has an amazing arboretum and the campus is filled with trees, maybe that will persuade you. Another thing to know is that transportation on bus is free, if you have a car San Francisco is only an hour away as well as Berkley, road trip is definitely a must if you have a car.

I would recommend visiting any college that you are considering and base your decision on the feel of the community (big city or small town, warm or cold weather, relaxed or competitive, etc.) as well as whether or not they have your major. If you're not sure what major you want, it would be wise to pick a college that has lots of majors to choose from. Probably the most important factor in your college-selection process should be based on the feel of the campus when you visit it. Some campuses are very focused on academics; others are more relaxed and social. I visited campuses where everyone I saw was isolated and either listening to mp3 players, reading books, or just walking or sitting alone. I didn't see anyone talking to anyone else or socializing at all, and that just wasn't for me. Then I visited UC Davis where I saw people running together, sitting together, studying together, talking to one another, playing frisbee and other sports, and in general just enjoying themselves and the company of others...and that's the college experience I knew I wanted. But I can't speak for everyone...some like the rigorous feel of a focused campus.

Get involved! If there's something you like or would like to try, there is a club on campus for that. And if there isn't, dozens of clubs are formed every quarter. Also, bring your bike, a good bike lock and light! Everyone rides bikes, and the biggest crime is bike theft. It's really the best way to get around though. There are so many bikes on campus that a lot of first year students park their bike outside of a lecture hall, then come out an hour later, freaking out because there are literally hundreds of bikes in front of them and they can't remember where they parked theirs! Go to Farmer's Market on a Saturday morning at least once, and see the dachshund races on Picnic Day. Go for a summer bike ride through the arboretum and try something you have never tried before. Take advantage of the campus escort/tipsy taxi services and try not to get too lost in the Death Star (aka: the social science and humanities building)!

It is a big school, but you will find people that are amazing friends and always be meeting more of them. Be prepared to go and get what you want for yourself: you have to have initiative, but once you take it everyone supports you on your way. There are so many excellent programs to study that you (like I did) will probably have trouble picking one. But this also gives you a great opportunity to learn about new things and take interesting and different classes.

Want to learn more about UC Davis? Feel free to go onto http://daviswiki.org.

Read other reviews because they said it all.

Always be friendly. Everyone is intimidated by other people, they might just be as intimidated as you are. When you sit next to people in class, introduce yourself, say hi, start to chat it up before class. Making friends in class helps you in that class, because you'll be able to help each other out during midterm weeks. Staying fit is also important. There is the ARC, which I think is one of the best perks of being a UCD student. Go there, work out, play some sports. You're paying for it in your tuition anyways. Might as well make the best of it.

As a student who attends Davis my advice would be to stay on top of grades. During the first year of college stay as focused on classes as possible. It may be hard due to transitions from home, new friends, new faces and room mates but when all else fails you rely on your class work to get you through the hard times. Hard work pays off at Davis if you give something your all then you will see results. Make sure to go to the professors office hours, if you are having troubles they may be willing to work things out also it helps for future references. Going to office hours causes professors to appreciate the students willingness to learn more and it shows you are dedicated to the class. Another tip is once you are on top of grades try to get involved in the community of Davis in some way. It helps networking, its good to have an outlet for stress and it will look good on future resumes. Classes are important but so is your personal happiness do something that keeps you involved and happy.

- Research about Davis beforehand: It's culture, it's history, etc. to see if it it the right choice for you.
- Fill out the FAFSA forms EARLY to determine what Financial Aid you are qualified for.
- Get involved with activities, clubs, and sports.
- Do not be afraid to say hello! College is a new experience for everyone, and there are people who are just as nervous as you may be!

Davis is not really as agrarian as most people think it is, so really consider coming to check it out before you apply. You just might find that you fall in love with the place and decide to come here