So, I’ve been accepted at UC Davis and UCSD
I’m not going to UCSD becuase I got admitted to my second choice major, that’s done and dealt with
So the options I have now are: UC Davis and a foundation year
A foundation year is a chance to study all my courses but in English(I studied my whole life in Arabic) and to retake the SAT. The foundation year is offered by my scholarship
My current SAT score is 1360(670math-690English)
Should I take the foundation year and try again, go to Davis, or go to Davis and try to transfer to a better school?
I’m not sure about Davis since I feel like my effort will be wasted, becuase I worked very hard on my application and my SATs and got relatively good scores considering I lived my entire life, and studied my entire life in Arabic
Share your thoughts with me becuase I really don’t know what to choose.
Anything is appreciated
Where do you ultimately want to end up?
I want to become a computer engineer
I’m just asking if I should go to Davis
Or try again for a better school
And since I mentioned that, how good Davis’ computer engineering program?
Academically, Davis is a solid school. A “better” school, as you mention, might only be marginally better, not worth pulling up stakes and moving somewhere else.
My concern about Davis is indoctrination. I had two cousins attend Davis who went in with solid minds and exited complete fools. Now they march around in circles protesting everything on Saturdays and neither has a clue as to why or a job. Their careers are stalled as they live lives as pseudo-activists. Their father complains that he can’t believe he actually paid for that. I also know a professor, who has taught there for years, who admits having multiple grading scales based on race/cultural background. So based on this admittedly limited second-hand experience with family and what I see in the news, I’m not thrilled with UCD and don’t advocate for the school. I did tour the campus last year for three hours and it seemed fine, especially their ag department.
What would you consider a “better school”? I’m asking because you can take a year to try for better scores but many schools make you wait until junior year to transfer. You might post this question on the UC Davis page or see if @Gumbymom has some perspective.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-davis/
UC Davis has a solid CE program. It is an ABET accredited program.
ABET accreditation is proof that a collegiate program has met standards essential to produce graduates ready to enter the critical fields of applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. Graduates from an ABET-accredited program have a solid educational foundation and are capable of leading the way in innovation, emerging technologies, and in anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.
Are you International? If so, does name recognition play a part in where you will attend college? UCD may not have the same name recognition as UCLA/UCB but you should not consider it an inferior school.
UC Davis has a large contingent of International students. My son roomed with 2 from China and 1 from Korea his Freshman year. Language issues could be a problem since you state you have studied in Arabic.
A foundation year may be needed since UCD is on the quarter system and you need to hit the ground running to keep up with the curriculum. Just remember that taking a foundation year will not guarantee you fare any better in your UC applications. The UC’s continue to receive record # of applicants for few spots and the competition will continue to get more difficult.
UC Davis is a well respected school and there will be many internship opportunities within the Sacramento/Silcon Valley and Bay Area and UC Davis is one of the few true college towns left in California. Transportation in and around the Davis area is easy with the buses or the preferred method bicycle.
A visited to UCD is probably warranted to help you make a decision.
Best of luck.