Cal Poly vs. UCSB vs. UCI vs. UCD

College Search & Lists
21

<p>Davis is primary known for the sciences, like agriculture, pre-med and pre vet, but really has decent and respected programs across the board. After UC Berkeley, I believe UC San Deigo is where it’s at for Computer Science, and it could be the same for engineering.</p>

<p>I would say San Deigo and Davis are about the same when it comes to name recognition and overall prestige (although of course the edge goes to san deigo with some programs that reign superior, and of course higher ranking). Santa Barbara and Irvine are in the same ballpark, with SLO fitting somewhere within this bracket when it comes to your desired major.</p>

<p>If you are concerned with the overall quality of college life, then I really think that Davis and SLO are your best bets. When it comes to the UC system, UC Berkeley, UCLA and UC Davis are, in my opinion, the true college experience, mixing great academics, sports (davis is moving on to greater things in this department), great social life, and close knit students and spirit.</p>

<p>SLO is in a nice area, and has a good sense of pride and unity. The social life is good, but not out of hand. I see a recognizable array of options for those who aren’t into drinking or smoking. Sports aren’t televisiion material, but good for their division.</p>

<p>While San Deigo is excellent for academics, and in a beautiful area, I know first hand that the social life is a bit dreary. Then again, I am not a student myself and have only visited and known people who attended so my opinion isn’t in stone. There are also no sports to actually get into.</p>

<p>Irvine is the same situation - commuter school, lack of dominant sport spirit and buzzing social life. Then again, I’m not a student.</p>

<p>Santa Barbara falls somewhere in between. While the university doesn’t have super recognizable sports, the college is known for having a great social life…if a bit on the wild side. Expect a good amount of drinking, and casual drug use. Of course, this is avoidable if possible. The university has such a dominant social life, that they don’t need to rely on the Greek system to create their Saturday nights. But I’m sure if you’re interested in greek life, it’s a lot of fun.</p>

<p>Just so you know, I’m not a jock, and I’ve never played a sport to the degree of being incredibly involved. But I do feel like this factor plays into the atmosphere at a university. I see that you already ruled out Davis, which is totally fine. I too, have been a beach bum all my life and prior to college visits, I really didn’t think I could live without a beach right nearby. But going to college is a good time for a change of pace, and Davis actually changed my opinion about living away from the ocean. It’s a lovely town and I believe it’s the hidden gem of the UC system. Wow, I feel like a nerd because I am not even attending the school, but if I didn’t get into Berkeley, I would have taken a long, hard look at UC Davis.</p>

<p><3,</p>

<p>Izzie Bear</p>

22

<p>You make your own social life. Be friendly and put yourself out there. You live near UCI. Visit the school and talk to the students. Most students are happy to talk about their experiences.</p>

23

<p>Grad-if you live in Newport Beach, UCI is in your back yard. Davis is basically in a rural area southeast I believe of Sacramento. UCSB is right on the beach. It’s about a two hour drive from you. Cal Poly is about a 10-15 minute drive to the water, its located just north of Pismo Beach and is about 1 1/2 hours north of santa Barbara. </p>

<p>Cal Poly and UCSB have pretty serious and well deserved party reputations.Davis so-so. Again, UCI is virtually next door to you-check it out. Personally, not a fan of the OC, but you’d know better than me.</p>

24

<p>Having lived in graduate housing at Harvard (Peabody Terrace), Berkeley (the old barracks in Albany), and Columbia (Riverside Drive & 115th), and lived blocks away from UCSD and UCI, I would like to echo IzzieBear’s assessment of Davis being the hidden gem of the UC system. The campus architecture is fairly uninspired (there is nothing to compare with the impressive Widener or Low Libraries), and they need to step up the maintenance in some buildings, but the grounds are lovely and traditional. For example, Aldrich Park at UCI is pretty, but not designed or used as a traditional gathering/quad as Davis’ is. The biggest surprise was how charming the actual little town of Davis is, with many galleries and bookshops. It did not feel agricultural or cow-town-ish at all, but more bohemian-artsy-eclectic. It is similar to downtown Claremont, or old-town Orange, even with a bit of Laguna Beach (seriously … the town itself, not the beach, obviously). It is definitely a college town, and definitely singular in the UC system in this regard. Really impressed.</p>

25

<p>Izziebear~ What’s Berkeley like?</p>

26

<p>In terms of what, so save me?</p>

<p><3,</p>

<p>Izzie Bear</p>

27

<p>environment, social life?</p>

28

<p>Although I am starting this fall, I have been able to visit Berkeley many times, as a few of my close friends attend. </p>

<p>The environment is very urban. Typical Bay Area weather. Berkeley is, afterall, a city, in close proximity to San Francisco and Oakland. The town is bustling with diversity - from hippies to gutter punks - musicians to scientists. There are an array of bookshops, coffee houses, funky boutiques and street vendors - always something to do and something to see.</p>

<p>It feels very busy on campus, lots of students heading this way and that, but that just adds to the exciting, if times overwheming, Cal feel. There are plenty of open stretches of grass to lay on and study outdoors. Berkeley is a suprisingly natural, breathtaking campus in a city where bums and hippies are free to roam and sing.</p>

<p>Students work hard, but they also play hard. Sports are big here, and everyone attends the games. Parties are plentiful, but there’s always something to do if the party scene isn’t your thing. There are so many concerts, plays, film screenings and activities on campus, that you will never feel like your weekends consist of holing up in your dorm room.</p>

<p><3,</p>

<p>Izzie Bear</p>

29

<p>Yeah the party scene isn’t really my thing. I hear a lot about how liberal Berkeley is and how crazy the surroundings are, although when I visited I can’t remember anything in particular, what do you think about these observations?</p>

30

<p>Berkeley got that reputation in the 60’s from the free speech movement. Berkeley is very diverse, so you’re bound to meet students and instructors from different political parties and backgrounds.</p>

<p>The surrounding area isn’t too crazy, as long as you’re used to urban cities and what comes along with it.</p>

<p>That said, the university and city isn’t for everyone, so base your opinions on your own visits to the school.</p>

<p><3,</p>

<p>Izzie Bear</p>