Reviews

If your looking for a great learning experience, there is something important that you have to know, it all depends on YOU. So if you are, the advice I would give you and stuff you've probably already heard is to get to know your professor, research beyond on stuff that you're unfamiliar with. These two suggestions make such a great difference in any school you might choose to go, and here at UC Davis, the professors are amazing. (TIP: go to ratemyprofessors.com to look at the prof's review, this really saves you from a dull class!)

Going to school at Davis isn't really what everyone assumes it is, by this I mean cow tipping and it being boring. If you are the type of person that likes to party at all times, this isn't the place for you. But if your like me, and like to go out on the weekends and hangout with friends all the time, then you're in the right place. Being here has allowed me to explore different things that I would've never explored if I didn't have the resources here. Such as being a DJ, through a volunteer program you can become a DJ at KDVS, Davis' own radio station located right on campus! Other opportunities may come up, so always be on the lookout.

I think it is a bang for your buck, your given great professors to learn from, cool volunteer opportunities, great events such as Earth Day Festival and the Farmer's Market every Sat. and Wed., which have really amazing pastries and fruit!

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.

If you're looking for a way out of distractions and want to focus on school, then this is the correct place to go. And if your worried about parties, there are enough to suit a full time student, you just have to look for them.

As a freshman this past school year, I noticed that the staff and faculty at UC Davis was very knowledgeable, helpful, and accommodating to the schedules of students. I learned a lot in my classes, but it wasn’t what I would call easy. I always did well in high school, but at UC Davis there’s a much more noticeable connection between hard work and success. In high school, you can just know the material, hardly study, and still get good grades. This is not the case at UC Davis. To earn good grades, you must put in lots and lots of time studying effectively. I, personally, treat my scholastic career like a fulltime job by spending 40 or more hours per week studying. There is no question that you will learn a lot at UC Davis, but how well you do in your classes is totally dependent upon how hard you study.

I had the time of my life at UC Davis and am counting down the days until I return as a sophomore. The main reason I chose Davis over other campuses was because I liked the feel of the community. Not only is it a small town atmosphere, but the people in Davis are very friendly. In fact, they’re beyond friendly; it’s not uncommon for people to go out of their way to help you, and it’s very comforting to be in such welcoming surroundings.
There is an endless list of other sensational attributes that Davis has to offer, such as the bowling alley and arcade located in the very center of campus, the always entertaining Division 1 athletics program, the largest annual student-run event in the nation (Picnic Day), a very new and cutting edge work out facility, semiweekly farmer’s markets, a very proactive Greek community, and running/bike paths encircling a large pond and arboretum. Davis also has great one-of-a-kind restaurants such as the Hotdogger (a hole-in-the-wall hot dog vendor), Burgers and Brew (a local burger joint that is open until 3 A.M. every single night), and the delicious Yoloberry frozen yogurt eatery. These restaurants are local to Davis and cheap enough for college students to enjoy. But as if that’s not enough to satisfy one’s appetite, the campus has an amazing buffet-style dining commons that serves meals for all types of eaters and is kept immaculate during operating hours (and it’s conveniently open until midnight on weekdays).
I chose UC Davis because I loved the people I met and the positive atmosphere that is ubiquitous throughout the small town. Students, professors, and residents all seem to be outgoing, genuine, and truly down to earth people. After spending a year at school though, I’ve realized that there are so many other wonderful things Davis has to offer as well.

I believe that the cost of tuition at UC Davis is worth every penny. The degree you earn from UC Davis is a very prestigious achievement and can take you almost anywhere in your future. The school also has a plethora of majors to choose from should you decide to change majors. The campus has its very own internship and career center that is very useful in helping students find local internships, jobs, and research opportunities. The dining commons are definitely worth the money because they’re quality smorgasbords, and the food and services are well above average. The new fitness center, the ARC (Activities Recreation Center), is a nicer work out facility than the fitness center I’ve worked at for three years now, and it comes included with the price of tuition rather than costing 92 dollars per month like my hometown gym.
I’ve been very impressed with the overall quality of the professors, the food, the gym, the library, and the services offered by the school, and I would say that it’s worth all the somewhat expensive cost.

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.

People who are friendly and like meeting others, people who are open to diversity, people who like a small-town feeling, people who enjoy bicycle riding, people who have yet to decide a career path, and people who are interested in joining a fraternity or sorority.

The professors here all really know their stuff! And even if you're a little confused about a topic, the grad student assistants are always there to help you out and fully understand a topic better. I love how at Davis, the actual professors teach the lectures, then the grad students run discussion. You get two chances and two different perspectives on a topic which is helpful when you don't understand. In addition, the professors work really hard with the students to make sure that their office hours work for everyone and that they are available for you whenever you need them. You hear horror stories about how professors are cruel and heartless, but in reality every professor I have had has been completely understanding and accommodating to their students needs.

The town of Davis is its own little world. It's a small town and completely full of college students. Some people go home on the weekends but it is by no means a commuter school. I absolutely love the town and being there and never before have I wanted to go back to school so much! There is always something going on to fit any students preferences. From free movie nights in the Chem 194 lecture hall to constant parties on frat row. The Greek life here is amazing, there are no ugly house rivalries and everyone I have met, whether they're in a sorority or fraternity has been amazing. There are also hundreds of other extracurricular activities to get involved in, as well as various campus-wide events. There is the famed Picnic Day, full of families, fun and a never ending battle of the marching bands in the arboretum. There is Whole Earth Festival when for an entire weekend tie-dye wearing hippies overrun the main quad. The farmer's market comes every Wednesday and Saturday morning and occasionally there are midnight drum circles in the arboretum. The arboretum itself is an amazing place to lounge around on a warm summer or spring day. You can study out by the creek, feeling completely by yourself as a family of ducks waddles by. Everything about Davis seems to exist in its own little bubble, which is amazing feeling when you want to get the whole college experience. You can cut yourself off from the world and live in Davis for a little, then take a free bus down to Sacramento to get a healthy dose of shopping and the real world!

College is expensive, but I think that in terms of tuition and the type of education you get at UC Davis, it is definitely worth it. You get some of the most knowledgeable professionals in each field, teaching YOU directly. Unlike some Ivy League or more elite schools, the professors themselves teach and will talk to YOU personally. You don't get shoved off onto teacher's assistants or grad students. Unfortunately, the school does try to rip you off sometimes. For example, there are no book lists and you have to physically go into the campus bookstore to find out what texts you will need, but you can always write down the titles then find them cheaper elsewhere. Overall, though, there are dozens of ways to cut costs and the high tuition is completely worth it, if not for the excellent professors and teaching, than for the experience as a whole.

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)!

Someone who wants the full college experience. You become so immersed in your own little world of Davis that when you go home for holidays it's a bit of a culture shock. You don't have to love cows or the farm life, but you will have to get used to the occasional scent of cattle on campus! It's a beautiful and amazingly diverse place. If you want to go somewhere where the people are real and you're fully prepared to fall in love with your school, Davis is the place for you!

My professors have been engaging and passionate about their subjects, even in lower division classes. They are always available to help in office hours. Class sizes are very large for prerequisite courses (my chem classes were 500 students), but get smaller when you specialize. There are so many people to meet and programs to get involved in!

Personally, I LOVE the small town atmosphere. If you love the big city night life style of living, you would probably be bored here. But I enjoy going with friends to the farmer's marker on Saturday morning, biking EVERYWHERE around town and to classes, the arboretum full of cool birds, miles of bike paths, spending nights in watching movies with friends, nights out having chinese for dinner, and the excitement of my own apartment next year (even though leaving the dorms is kind of sad).

I know that getting into college is getting more and more difficult, but you cannot get it any better than the UC schools. They are all excellent campuses with exemplary professors, programs, and opportunities. I would encourage everyone to apply to the UC system because your chances of getting into at least one of them are great, and you will get an amazing education for a reasonable tuition cost.

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.

UC Davis is perfect for me: small adorable town, great community feel, friendly people, and more academic opportunities than you could hope for. I am studying biology and pre-vet and Davis has so many programs in the sciences.

The University of California school system has a reputation of being one of the best in our nation. For 100 years, UC Davis has proved itself to be a school that values excellence in all the roads education has to offer. One in every three Californians have trusted this university to provide them with their best college experience, and with its ever thriving academic and social environment, you can put your trust in its hands as well. Do you feel like you wouldn't be challenged? Thank again. There are various honors programs that can put you to the test, from the Integrated Studies Program and the Davis Honors Challenge to the 20+ honor societies. Not looking forward to that math and chemistry course? Take something out of the ordinary! Learn about mushrooms, human sexuality, wine-making, tractor driving, or even how to milk a cow! There is no doubt that anyone can find something to fit their shoe at UC Davis.

You're going to live in Cow Town? Despite what everyone thinks, Davis is not a complete cow town. Okay, sure, we have a greater density of cows than any other UC campus, but it's not like you're getting that horrific cow stench like you do when driving on I-5. Remember, Davis is a college town! Things are always happening. If you feel like it's not, do not panic! Sacramento is only 20 minutes away, San Francisco is at most an hour of a drive, and Lake Tahoe is a 1.5-2 hour road trip. Wanting to get further away? Take a bus, train, or plane! Stations for all are only minutes away from campus. And for all of you who like to party, don't you worry. ;)

Yes, yes, yes!

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

- Science majors
- People who love the great outdoors
- People who love to exercise indoors! Our ARC (Activities and Recreation Center) is a top notch gym.
- Students who want an impressive education without the cutthroat, competitive nature of others.
- Students who want to go green! Davis is THE bike capital of the nation.

I have met amazing students. The talent here stretches all over the board from I can't believe you got in... to You also got into Cal Tech? Why didn't you go there instead? Because of my major, Biomedical Engineering, I don't associate with the party all day! crowd very much but they do exist. Students that get down and study for insanely easy placement tests also exist. Its populous here and very diverse.

There was an assumption at my high school that Davis was the UC anyone can get into. DO NOT assume it will be easy here. The courses are tough especially with engineering, math, and computer majors setting the curve. It is a research school so that comes with tons of internships (Genentech, etc), research with professors, study abroad opportunities, etc.

For such a big place there are tons of opportunities to connect with professors: office hours, sandwich shops, honors programs, internships, CLUBS, etc. If you choose to live outside of a cave there are also many ways to connections for future job endeavors.

I live in Tercero Wall Hall which is right next to a farm of very handsome cows. There are 9 new buildings this fall (2011) and they're still constructing new ones opening in the next year or two. These residence halls are fantastic. They come more furnished than other schools AND my favorite part, the three person rooms are overly roomy! They are also about $2000 less a year than a typical 2 person room which means $2000 extra to save.

Davis is known for their Dining Commons. On top of the great healthy food in the DC, there is also a farmer's market twice a week. There aren't many fast food places close by except for Carl's Jr. but there are tons of small business restaurants.

THEY TAKE CARE OF YOU HERE. There's a tipsy taxi and and an escort service (I know, it's a bad name) to walk you if you're scared of going home alone in the dark. They spend 6 hrs taking about safety and sexual harassment and health during freshman orientation. It's difficult sitting that long but for a school to do something like that and to give you so many resources in case you're ever in trouble, it shows that they REALLY REALLY care.

Last but not least, BEST GYM EVERRRR and its free!!

I was able to get a lot of financial aid, almost a full scholarship for the 2011-2012 year. Especially if your family's income is low-middle class to low, Davis does it's best to keep you from spending $10,000 out of pocket which means no emptying savings or taking private bank loans. They have the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan which provided me with and extra $5,000. Look it up. It's amazing.
The other private school I wanted to attend asked me to take $10,000 out of various federal loans and and an additional $25,000. Davis offers the same great opportunities plus some since it's bigger at a cheaper school. I definitely feel grateful I had the option of picking this one instead.

The financial package is slightly overestimated so if you have all your aid completely covered, usually at the end there's still $2000-5000 left for spending on sweatshirts, athletics, summer courses, etc. Usually students will save this up to pay back their loans or they'll live extravagantly and spend it all throughout the year.

Read other reviews because they said it all.

Students that come here should expect to be part of a very tight college town. The sport games are very spirited. People sleep in the grass in the quad every day. It's welcoming. It will be surprisingly easy to make friends here because everyone is so diverse. There bound to be a handful of people with your shared interest.

After freshman year you are expected to live on your own outside of Davis's help. I love this because it encourages self sufficiency.

UC Davis has a lot of interesting classes to choose from. As a Psychology major, I was interested in this particular subject the moment I started going to school here. There is a wide variety of Psychology classes if that is what you are interested. There also a lot of fun classes to take such as beer brewing, and wine making. The fun classes at Davis are really packed, so its tough to get in it at times. There are a lot of extracurricular activities to do here, such as joining a martial arts club, dragon boat, ski or snowboard, and the gamut runs on. There are lots of people of different cultures and ethnicities, so one can immerse in the diversity of the campus.

Davis is a small town. UC Davis, however is a big campus. It is very peaceful here because everyone is easy going, and the atmosphere is very nice. Although the temperature is a bit hard to get accustomed to. During the summer it is very, very hot. During the winter it gets very, very cold. So if you're coming to Davis, remember to get the appropriate clothing, otherwise you'll either burn or freeze.

This gets a lower rating because of all the budget cuts and tuition raising. But other than that, this college is a great place to go to school because of the diverse cultures, myriads of different clubs, a lot of interesting classes to choose from, and the friendly people that go here.

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.

Go to the ARC and exercise. Join some clubs to meet new people and make friends.

University of California, Davis has so much to offer to students of very versatile majors and career goals. Davis offers learning in every aspect of life, from the class room to curricular activities and in the job circuit. Davis dwells on distributing knowledge to those who are willing and want to learn. The classes can be tedious but the amount of knowledge attained is priceless. Davis wants to present only the best to the students and if an individual wants to take the opportunity they can soar with the knowledge acquired. The class rooms are friendly and a place where knowledge only continues to expand. If a student wants to gain more understanding of a subject the professors are very open to students request of one on one meetings. Not only are the class rooms a place of learning but the entire community of davis offers vast amounts of learning. I've had the experience to be apart of the Student Housing under training as an Resident Advisor. I only see how much Davis wants us to learn to the best of our ability. Through this program training is offered because they want to present to new residents the best Davis has to offer in a sense of resources. Being apart of Davis is a privilege because of the never ending learning of life which Davis continues to give me.

I have loved Davis from the moment I took my first step on to the campus, which was durning my Junior year in High School. The saying goes The experience is what you make it which is entirely true as I have found while attending Davis. I went in with a willingness to learn and an open mind wanting to be involved in the community. I have involved myself in numerous ways through being involved with my floor which I lived on, being apart of the Equestrian Center, The Equestrian Team and through RA training. I have met so many people in the community that it continues to amaze me. The people are all really friendly it is not hard at all to meet people, they are willing to help and genuinely care for other people. The more I continue to get involved with the campus the more I learn and network. It brings me joy everyday to wake up in the morning and see what new experience I will gain. Overall Davis is a very safe place too, I have no worries to walk the campus at late times of the night and if there is a worry there are resources such as escort service which helps to safely get from point A to B. Davis is safe and will bring a satisfying enjoyment to students who attend this is all important to consider in the pursuit of learning.

Davis may be an expensive school but it is only because there is so much to offer, by attending Davis you are receiving the best that Davis has to offer. There are ways to make the school cheaper by getting on-campus jobs, scholarships or applying for positions such as RA, Barn Supervisors, and other positions. The education will be worth what you will be paying, education and knowledge is priceless it is something that will follow you throughout your life but money is a material item which will come and go. The experience will be unforgettable and if money is a problem Davis is able to work something out wether it be in student loans or work-study jobs. The experience is worth every penny, this experience is one which I don't regret paying and working for. If I spent my money on insignificant material items I would only have regrets. This is one life, one education and I don't regret my choice to attend UC Davis.

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.

It is wonderful for Pre- Vet students, and in general any kind of students, I have met so many various people that attend UC Davis it is not restricted to one type of student.

There is so much variety as to what exactly you can study here. From wine-making to nursing. From horse husbandry to tractor driving. From medicine and chemistry to animal science and exercise biology, there are no limits as to what classes and subjects you can take. This is definitely a college to broaden interests and explore opportunities.

UC Davis is a very active and fun college that is a major influential factor to the city of Davis that surrounds it. Davis, the city itself, is a very quaint and comfortable place to live with a downtown area, filled with coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, and farmer's markets. Though it is rumored that there is not very much to do in Davis, I beg to differ! There is lots to do, most requires little or no money at all! The city is safe and enjoyable while the school provides lots of services to current students for a comfortable stay and the people are very friendly.

UC Davis students enjoy many free services like yearly memberships to the ARC, a huge gym on campus, free service for the Uni Trans and YoloBus, bus services that run around and through Davis, access to the Student Health and Wellness Center, access to the Davis Library, and, if credited pre-purchased swipes, access to Dining Commons in the dorms across campus. I find that my money put into paying for education here is well used and is brought back to me in forms that I can utilize.

- 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!

- Student who are the studious type, but like to have a little fun once in a while!
- Students who don't mind the rain
- Students looking for a calm, small town
- Students who enjoy nature and are not looking for a bustling city
- Students who plan on focusing on their studies thoroughly
- Students who are looking for a fun-filled, thorough college education

I've only been here for one quarter, but it has been amazing. The professors give you the lectures, and they know their stuff. They are all willing to explain a topic if you as in class, even if it was from the past lecture. They try to make sure everyone understands. All of my professors were really cool, and they are really willing to help you out. The Graduate students are the TAs, and they've been through what we went through, so they understand; and they really are helpful.

I am from Southern California, and we all know it's never cold. So it was really nice to get some wintery cold for once. There's open spaces so you can go study if you need to get out of your dorm. If you need a study break you can always go to the Arboretum and go watch the ducks and the otters, or go Downtown and see the neat little stores, or if you really want to get out, take the bus to Sacramento! The public transportation is extremely reliable so you don't really need a car. There's movie theaters and we also have free movie screenings in Chem 194, a lecture hall on campus. How cool is that? Here, you'll meet people from around the state, the country, and even the world!

Despite our fee increase, it's really worth it. Not only do you get top-rate professors, you also get a gym, recreation, and useful resources for studying, as well as tutoring and even free printing! You definitely get what you pay for, and even more.

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

Some of you urban dwellers might want to try small-town living. This is a place for those that don't mind having to ride the bus. Also, you'll find your place somewhere, there's always something happening from movies, to sports, to even just walking around the town.