Help Deciding between UC San Diego, UC Irvine or UC Davis Out of State!

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Hey Guys,</p>

<p>I need some help narrowing it down to one of the following 3 UC schools: San Diego, Irvine, and Davis. I am an out of state student from Texas and I have a 1950 SAT Score with a 3.92 GPA and ranked 32 out of 580 in my class. I hope to major in Accounting, Political Science or History. So based on my choice of major and my stats which one is a better fit? I am wanting to attend a school where there will be a lot of internship and future job opportunities for me and if not directly in a city like that at least pretty close to a city (30-45 minutes away from a major city). Also I would appreciate if you guys could debunk this myth: Is UC Irvine really a commuter school? Also please feel free to share any pros or cons about each of the schools!</p>

<p>Thanks Guys</p>

2

<p>UCI is more of a commuter school. Nice campus, close to beaches.</p>

<p>With your stats, you may not get into UCSD as that is the third hardest UC to get into besides UCLA and UCB. </p>

<p>I dont know anything about quality of internships at the three schools you mentioned. Also consider if you want sports (football, etc) at the UC you attend.</p>

<p>You do realize you will be paying OOS fees, etc so that will make your cost as high as privates schools/universities – and probably almost double what an “in state” student would pay. </p>

<p>I have a UCLA junior majoring in history and sociology right now and when she stayed at the dorms for the pst two years (with tuition), it cost about 26k/year. She is in an apartment this year ( 4 girls, 2 bedrooms, and her share of apt is $ 600 plus ultilities/mo). </p>

<p>Tuition ( or UC calls them fees) went up about $2500 this year from last year.</p>

3

<p>what the issue with applying to all of them? they’re the same application. make that decision if you get in/not</p>

4

<p>Majority of the Cal State and even UC schools are semi-commuter schools. They only real schools that are on the lower end of commuters are UCLA and USC. Growing up in Irvine before moving to GA, I’ve been the UCI multiple times. To be 100% honest and not to be racist, UCI, UCSD, and UCD have strong asian populations, with asians being the majority. Coming from OOS, I would encourage you to apply to UCLA as you will enjoy the best experience there. But if for some reason you decided to rule out UCLA, I would rank the others as UCSD, then UCI, and lastly UC Davis. UCD has an extremely ugly campus, it’s in the middle of nowhere, and they are considered one of the lower UC Schools. </p>

<p>Also, coming from OOS, I would suggest you look into USC. If you can get in, it may be a lot more affordable as it’s a private school and they are need blind. Also a lot less commuters due to the fact that you have a lot more oos students.</p>

5

<p>^^ Thanks for all your responses much appreciated… I really miss california and I really would like to go back but for OOS tuition though after one year going to a UC school you pay in state tuition correct?.. I want to at most apply to two UC schools I was thinking about UC Davis or UC Irvine but with the fact that its a commuter school its not really worth it… so I was thinking to narrow down to UC Davis and UCSD? Any thoughts on my final choice? Jakecern I would try UCLA but its crazy hard as far as admissions goes… as much as I love my hometown LA I really don’t think I have a chance there</p>

6

<p>UCD is in no way considered one of the lower UCs. In fact, it’s ranked higher than UCI in nearly all rankings and gets more government research money than pretty much any school on this list. This is because of it’s amazing Ag department. And another thing about UCD that neither UCI nor UCSB have is that UCD is an innovative leader in 2-3 major fields, all of which command significant sway in CA government and in CA’s private sector.</p>

<p>First, we have arguably the best Vet/Animal Science program in America. Last I checked, we were top 2 to top 3. And considering that we just finished construction on our Vet Med 3A building and will commence construction on our Vet Med 3B building, I honestly expect us to leap frog that Vet Program rankings. Combined, with those 2 buildings, on top of other various Vet programs, UC Davis has pumped almost $200 million dollars into the Vet program in the last ~5 years.</p>

<p>Second, we have arguably the leading Viticulture and Oenology program in the world. Cornell and UCD usually compete to have the undisputed #1 program but last I checked, wine grapes are grown in CA. In fact, I believe about 98% or soemthing of the domestic wine consumed in America come from CA grapes. So UCD pretty much has the #1 job placement in that field. Also from this field are very generous donors. Robert Mondavi has given the school millions of dollars. A few years ago UCD finished the Mondavi Wine and sensory building, which is absolutely enormous, and just about a week ago we finished the Beer Wine and Food lab. I don’t have absolute numbers but the combined cost of those two buildings are around $50 million if I recall correctly. </p>

<p>On top of those two, about 10-30 million is being funneled into the law school in various ways and construction is currently ongoing on 2 new dormitories. Not the mention the $200-$300 million+ we have planned for our “West Village” which will include a market and a self sufficient community of neighborhoods. This would essentially double the size of the compus. UCD is very much on the way up in terms of rankings and prestige. And that is my genuine opinion, not just as someone with ties to the school. Our history department is very good I think.</p>

<p>But to get to the OP’s point, UCSB and UCD are not commuter campuses at all. UCD is, like the poster above me said, kind of isolated and rural. San Francisco is about 90minutes away and Sac is 30 minutes away. UCD is in every definition of the word, a ‘college town’. The town moves to accomodate the students. UCSB is probably the least ‘commuter’ campus I have ever seen. It’s entirely populated by students drinking and having a good time, in addition to studying of course. </p>

<p>Internship availability is kind of meh at UCD. They’re there but it’s nothing to write home about. I have friends at Yale and the like who are essentially guaranteed jobs upon graduation if they interned. UCD has great placement in Sacramento and I’d daresay placement in Sac for UCD students is about as good as LA or Berkeley would be, given the proximity.</p>

7

<p>The other posters are right about USC. They are very generous with aid. And being an OOS doesn’t hurt your dramatically at USC, in terms of either admission or fin aid. However, I think USC is a reach for you, depending on your other stats.</p>

8

<p>^^ Thank your for your stellar input WhoFriend… does UCD also have placement in the Bay Area as well or is that too far? Would you think UC Irvine is a good choice for any out of state student? I can post my other stats if you would like… here they are: </p>

<p>UC GPA: 4.10
AP’s :
US History - 3
World History - 4
English Language - 3
English Literature - 3
SAT II Subject Tests :
US History -630
World History - 620
Math LVL 2 - 650
Senior Year Courseload :
AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Macroeconomics, AP Government, AP Biology, AP Physics C, Engineering Design/Drafting.
Extracurriculars :
Math Club, UIL Academics Team (Math, Science, Current Events, and History), Aerospace Club [Founder], Student Council [Community Service Chair], Business Professionals of America, Chess Club, Athletes for Literacy, Asian-American Students Association [Historian], Habitat For Humanity Club [Treasurer].
Awards/Honors/Achievements :
Honor Roll, AP Scholar, Nominated/Participated in Texas Aerospace Scholars Program, Internship with FUNCEDESCRI Program to help malnourished countries like Guatemala.
Community Service :
275 hours and counting under my belt (JPS Health Network Volunteer, Public Library Volunteer, Blood Drive Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity Volunteer and others)
Talents:
Tutors English and History at school. Helped students get 3 or better on AP World History Exam; Proficient in Java and Microsoft Office, Played violin since the 5th grade (Proficient in Western and Indian Carnatic Styles).
**Hooks:
First Generation College Student, Possibly Under-represented Minority (Sri Lankan), California Born</p>

9

<p>

Incorrect. You will pay out of state tuition for your entire four years. California is one of the hardest states in which to establish residency for tuition purposes.</p>

<p>Your residency is derived from your parent’s address until age 24. If your entire family were to move to California, you might qualify for in-state tuition after they have lived here for more than one year. It is too late to make that move for Fall 2011, and they would have to begin their residence in California by June, 2011 for the 2012-2013 academic year.</p>

10

<p>I can’t blame you for wanting to get out of Texas, but it looks like you are in that magic top 9% that would get admitted to UT. Why don’t you at least start there? Could save alot of $$, and you might end up liking it. Plan to move to CA for grad school, or to look for your first job. (Here’s hoping the economy has picked up by then.)</p>

11

<p>It has some placement in the Bay Area. But the Bay Area is much too big and rich of a city for UCD to hold significant suasion, especially given that so much of UCD’s fame lies in industries that populate the Inner California Valley (sometimes even east of this; I know we have a hatchery for wildlife observation in Tahoe and the mountains).</p>

<p>I’m sure a few UCD grads find jobs right out of undergrad in SF, but it’s definitely not the norm. SF’s prime positions are filled by people from Stanford, Berkeley and the Ivies. These positions are recruited and not so much applied for as handed to through networks. But like I said, if you are a gunner in life, you shouldn’t let that stand in your way. Alumni connections aren’t the only thing you should have at your disposal in job-hunting.</p>

<p>Also, I think Whites make up about 60% or so of UCD, so that’s something if you don’t like UCI’s Asian-ness.</p>

12

<p>WhoFriend thanks for your feedback… SF may be overwhelming now that I think about it since its farther than sacramento from davis … to everyone else thanks yall… I posted my stats up a couple of posts back… It would be much appreciated if you could match me the proper UC with my stats!</p>

13

<p>Are you able to pay $200,000 for four years at a UC? As I stated in post #9, you will pay approximately $50,000/year for any of the UCs. You will not qualify for in-state tuition after one (or two or three) years. Please read Davis’ residency requirements completely <a href=“http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mdprogram/registrar/pdfs/D059StatementofLegalResidence.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mdprogram/registrar/pdfs/D059StatementofLegalResidence.pdf&lt;/a&gt; Each of the other UCs has a similar document.</p>

<p>Approximate out-of-state costs: $50,000/year [University</a> of California - Out-of-state tuition & fees](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/paying-for-uc/cost/out-of-state/index.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/paying-for-uc/cost/out-of-state/index.html) .</p>

14

<p>WhoFriend, very nice posts. You stated UCSB but I think you meant to type UCSD.</p>

<p>spt.leonidas, I have lived in CA my entire life, 49 years in Northern CA and the past 9 years in Southern CA (Orange County, 20 minutes from UCI). I love our UC system, but not enough to justify advising you to pay $50,000 per year tuition. If you had a more specialized major that was offered at UCD (Vet/AS or Vit/Oen as WhoFriend mentioned) then it would make more sense to fork out all that tuition. If you cannot be convinced otherwise, I would then tell you to opt for WhoFriend’s alma mater. Davis is a terrific undergrad experience. Better get a bike or you will miss out on one of it’s major selling points (one of the nations most bicycle friendly cities), if you get accepted. </p>

<p>^^^I would seriously consider alamemom’s and 2bizee’s advice.</p>

<p>Quote: I can’t blame you for wanting to get out of Texas,</p>

<p>PS: My son, a senior who wants to major in Engineering, is ALSO applying to UT-A and Rice. Texas is a nice state!</p>

15

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</p>

<p>Sorry, but absolutely incorrect. To pay instate tuition rates, you would have to be financially independent or your parents would have to move to Calif.</p>

<p>All of the campuses do Poli Sci and history, but not all do Accounting. UCSD, for example, only has an Accounting minor. Does Davis even offer Accounting?</p>

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<p>JShain thanks for your feedback… Its not like I dont like texas I just prefer going back to california but UT Austin is without a doubt one of my top choices… My brother is currently in his final year at UT Austin and he says if you get the chance apply somewhere with good internship opportunities and job opportunities I was surprised to hear that Austin doesn’t supply much of those opportunities as big of a city it is… I honestly just sought this opportunity out to get kind of a “reach” school since I barely have any… I heard Davis is the more science/engineering type of school? true?</p>

17

<p>I really would like to go back but for OOS tuition though after one year going to a UC school you pay in state tuition correct?..</p>

<p>**You seem to be ignoring the very obvious advice people keep giving you. ** </p>

<p>YOU WILL NOT be paying instate rates after one year. You will be an OOS student for all 4 years. UCs are not worth $200k unless your family is so affluent that they won’t miss the money.</p>

<p>How are you going to pay for a UC?</p>

<p>If you don’t have the means to pay $200k for a UC, then it’s a waste of time to be asking questions like which UC is the more science/engineering school.</p>

18

<p>I will second everything that’s been said about OOS admissions. If you are absolutely set on a UC and can afford, then by all means. Otherwise, stay away. It’s definitely not worth it with OOS tuition. For that price, just go to a good private school, since the rigor with which your application will be assessed by is kinda harsh. To the point where you could probably get into a school ranked several spots higher. The aid will be better I’m sure.</p>

<p>And to bluebayou (and to you spt.leoniads), no we do not have an accounting major or program. All we have is managerial economics, which is the second largest major at UCD and which, imo, sucks. It’s a business major without the resources that you really need to fund a business school. It’s inflated in numbers and the opportunities you get aren’t any better than any other major at Davis tbh. We have a grad school of management but it’s courses are not open to undergrads. In terms of quality of professors though, it’s great. It’s taught under Ag Econ so you have some really reputable and politically power professor, some of whom I know for a fact have argued and presented points to the UN and congress concerning tariffs and ag prices.</p>

<p>UCLA has Biz Econ, which is just Econ with some accounting classes and some business classes. I believe UCI has some business major now. And then there’s Berkeley Haas of course.</p>

<p>EDIT: Davis does not strike me as being particularly science oriented. At least no more so than any of the others. If anything there’s a strong humanities/social science swing to it. I wanna say UCI is the most science/engineering oriented, but maybe that’s just because there’re so many Asians there haha. UCSB has always felt science-y to me. Their particle physics lab has Nobel leaureate affiliates out the crapper. And I think they’ve had a few winners in the past 10 years or so. Also, they have a pretty good bio program because of the Laguna. But i don’t know if that translates to mean anything.</p>

19

<p>^^UCD is indeed very strong in science - particularly biology and biochem. It’s status as the UC’s main land-grant campus has given it a bio-ag focus that it has maintained from the start and still has today. It is also reasonably strong in humanties and social sciences, but those are programs it has chosen to add and strengthen over the decades in order to make itself into something more than a cow college, but the biological sciences still remain the heart of its identitity.</p>

20

<p>That’s good to know.</p>

<p>By the way, if you’re interested. Here is the website for the upcoming Vet Med 3B building</p>

<p>[Vet</a> Med 3B](<a href=“http://dcm.ucdavis.edu/projectsinconst/VetMed3B/]Vet”>http://dcm.ucdavis.edu/projectsinconst/VetMed3B/)</p>

<p>Almost $100 million dollars in a pure research institute. </p>

<p>[Projects</a> in Construction](<a href=“http://dcm.ucdavis.edu/projectsinconst/]Projects”>http://dcm.ucdavis.edu/projectsinconst/)</p>

<p>That’s some of the other projects that are currently in construction. Also, I misspoke about the West Village. Thus far, we are only on laying out the infrastructure which, in total, has a budget of over $600 million.</p>

<p>[Bid</a> Opening Results](<a href=“http://dcm.ucdavis.edu/contractors/bidresults.htm]Bid”>http://dcm.ucdavis.edu/contractors/bidresults.htm)</p>

<p>Some projects that have either began construction or will be beginning construction soon.</p>