I’ve been accepted to both UC Davis and UMiami with the Cane’s Achievement Scholarship, making the cost of attendance equal at both institutions. My major admitted at both schools is BioChem and Molecular Biology. While UC Davis ranks higher in the US News ranking, I cannot decide beyond that. I’m also interested in walking onto the college track teams, which seems more feasible at UC Davis specifically for the 400H. However, UMiami is a private institution with a better faculty-to-student ratio.
My main concern is that neither UC Davis nor UMiami offers my true desired major, computational biology, as a Major. UC Davis only offers it as a minor. Thus, I’m set on transferring to a school that does offer computational biology as a major. My transfer list is as follows UChicago, UCLA, UCSD, Brown, UPenn, Carnegie Mellon, USC, Duke, and Stanford (currently waitlisted).
Given all this, I need advice on which school would put me in a better position for transferring, considering both academics and athletics. Improving my athletic performance could potentially sway admissions in my favor. If transferring after the first year doesn’t work out, I’m going to try again after the second year. However, if I have to stay for all four years, I can envision myself at UMiami over UC Davis. UC Davis also has the summer start program which can help immensely for first year transfer as I get more college classes to show admissions I can handle college rigor.
If anyone knows which school out of the two is better for undergrad research as well, please help I’m struggling to find information online.
My opinion…choose a college with the intention of staying at that college. Look for a major that aligns with your possible goals. Look for courses you can take. I think enrolling with the intention of transfering is a mistake.
Plus…keep in mind that transfer students are at the BOTTOM of the food chain when it comes to any kind of financial aid…merit or need based. Most of that goes to incoming freshmen. And it’s even less likely for an international student.
UC Davis has a bioinformatics track in the biotechnology major (in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences). I don’t know how difficult it is or isn’t to switch into that, but it might be worth looking into - it seems to have a fair amount of computational bio coursework. There’s also a computational biology minor in the engineering school, that’s available to bio majors.
If you’re going to start college with the intention of transferring, you might be better off choosing a community college with an honors program and a strong support program for international students, and then transferring to a public university in that state, that has the program you want. You’d save a lot of money on the first phase of your education, and you’d be at an advantage in securing a transfer spot, over students attempting to transfer from another four-year school. For example, you could go to a good California CC, and then transfer into UCLA, UC Berkeley, or UCSD… or USC, which is private but which also accepts a large number of CCC transfers, and has a computational biology major. Or if you like Miami, enroll in Miami-Dade College and transfer to a public U there that has your major - FSU does, for example. (Not sure about UF.)
But I’d look closely at whether your current schools might really be able to cover the bases. If you think you could stay for 4 years (at the very least as a backup plan), that’s one thing. If you’re treating these expensive schools just as a springboard to different schools, then it isn’t worth it.
I totally agree with you that I’m better off in community college, but as an international student, my parents will never let me go to CC. There’s that factor of prestige as well with them. They won’t be happy to say their daughter is studying at a no-name college, but at least I get my pick of schools from what I currently have.
Though my parents prefer Davis because of its ranking, UMiami is only even an option because of the scholarship. Umiami ranked over 30 levels lower but I’m still considering it strongly. As you see, ranking doesn’t even matter to me, I just want to make that clear. Thus, even my transfer school picks are very specific because of something in their program or undergrad research opportunities within major/fellowships.
I did look into FSU before applying to college, but their program is fairly new and not as developed as the others, especially with the Major being split into 2 different majors in a way I don’t like, with computational biology-bio and computational biology - computer science.
I genuinely have my worries with both schools and the decision is impossible to me I don’t even know what to do with myself and I know I was very thorough with my research; Davis has more Pros, but I don’t exactly like the vibes of the school as I said I’m athletic school spirit genuinely matters, and I feel like its lacking the community aspect because of its sheer size alone. For Miami the vibes and culture yes (aside from the party culture thing because I don’t party) but the major and research aspects are lacking - I can’t have both these aspects in the two choices thus my predicament.
Given that chances of transferring are slim to none with FA and UC Davis has path with minor, plus prestige if you need to go back to you country, I think UC Davis is a better option.
I recently visited but I’m not really into the vibe but the fact I can skii almost every weekend is the biggest pro for me other than that I’m not sure I like it. But UMiami I have to fit into the super-rich kid culture or party culture which I don’t think I fit into well.
I don’t know a lot about UMiami, but Davis is a large and diverse enough school that I expect you will be able to find a group of people where you feel you fit in.
From what I hear about Davis, it is also relatively flexible if you want to switch majors, if you find yourself more interested in some of the options @aquapt mentioned.
Here is the info for changing to the biotechnology major (which includes a bioinformatics track) if that interests you. It looks like you would need to complete some core courses with a 2.5 GPA: General Catalog - Biotechnology, Bachelor of Science
Your parents want to spent the additional money for UC Davis. Miami doesn’t have your major and you don’t even like it that much. What exactly is the point of going there, then?
Go to Davis. Switch into the bioinformatics track of the biotechnology major, if you prefer that to the bio major with a computational bio minor. There is also a cross-enrollment program between UC’s, and a shuttle between Davis and Berkeley, so you may be able to take some computational bio classes there if you exhaust what Davis offers. UC Cross-Campus Enrollment Program | Office of the University Registrar (OUR) Walk onto the track team. Join the Snow Club: Davis Snow Club (@davis.snowclub) • Instagram photos and videos Find your people. (Hint: don’t whine at them about not wanting to be there.)
College Confidential is teeming with out-of-state and international students who are heartbroken that they can’t afford to attend the UC schools. You have parents who are begging you to spend their money at Davis, and you can specialize in your field of interest there. If you decide to apply to transfer schools later, Godspeed. But don’t fixate on this; give Davis and chance and see what happens. Congratulations.
Also I’m pretty sure the summer start for Davis is for international students only.