<p>Hi,
I’m thinking I would really love to go on to vet school to become an equine veterinarian and eventually specialize in sports medicine. I am from California and would really love to stay in California for at least my first four years of college. I love the beach and the weather, so I’m really set on staying here in my home state. I’m not considering UC Davis for my undergraduate studies because I know I will not like the lifestyle in Davis. For my pre-veterinary studies, I am considering UCI, Cal Poly SLO, and Cal Poly Pomona. I would really like some commentary on these schools (dorms, campus, the town, etc) and how good the pre-vet programs are at each. Thank you.</p>
<p>The top school for veterinary medicine in California – and probably the entire Western US – is obviously Davis. If you want an alternative, then it might help if you could explain why you don’t care for Davis.</p>
<p>After Davis, Cal Poly SLO is probably the best-known ag-oriented school in California, and is probably excellent for pre-vet. But if there is something that you don’t like about Davis, then you might not like SLO either, because the two towns are often regarded as similar. SLO is a bit smaller than Davis, and is located much farther from any large cities. On the other hand, SLO is only ~12 miles from the beach to the west or south, and doesn’t get as hot in the summer or as foggy in the winter. SLO is not noted for campus diversity; enrollment is predominantly white.</p>
<p>Cal Poly Pomona is the least selective of the schools on your list, and is located in the outer suburbs of the LA area (not near the beach). Unlike Davis or SLO, it is primarily a commuter school, and is often considered lacking in terms of on-campus life or college town atmosphere. The campus is a former Arabian horse ranch, and still has an Arabian horse center, so might be good for equine studies. CPP is probably the most diverse school on your list, with a roughly equal mix of whites, Asians, and hispanics. </p>
<p>UCI is located in the upscale suburbs of Orange County. It’s probably the most academically selective of the schools on your list. But it has little or no ag emphasis, probably has few pre-vets, and probably provides few opportunities to work with large animals. UCI is convenient to some great shopping malls, and not far from the beach, but don’t expect to find many ranches nearby. UCI, like SLO, is not noted for its diversity, except that at UCI most students are of Asian descent.</p>