Hi everyone!
I’m trying to choose between UC San Diego and UC Davis, and I’d love some feedback. I chose Design major (textile/surface design) at UC Davis and Cognitive Science with design and interaction focus at UCSD.
Here’s my breakdown of the pros and cons for each school:
UC San Diego
Can graduate in 3 years (very efficient since I can get 2 degrees in 4 years and experience two colleges / two sides of the field - very good for a career)
Strong program in Cognitive Science (Design & Interaction) — great for UX, AI, or tech careers (Cog Sci at UCD is not good, so I don’t want to minor in Cog Sci at Davis)
Amazing location: coastal comfortable weather, closer to home, solid public transportation, in a big city, many job opportunities in design and tech
Option to do a 1-year textile/surface design program at FIT NYC afterward (I was accepted into FIT for textile/surface design for fall of 2025, but I don’t feel like living in NYC for 4 years and college experience isn’t amazing there)
– Intense workload all year around — may not leave time for internships or rest
– Not the best “college experience” — weak social life, food, and dorms
UC Davis
Well-rounded, respected Design major (especially in textiles)
Can combine with a Linguistics minor — helpful for AI or political comms jobs (since it’s close to Sacramento + Design major is small)
Great “college feel” — beautiful campus, good dorms, great food, friendly vibe, animals
– Weather is brutal for me (dry, hot summers — I don’t handle heat well)
– Feels more traditional, less forward-thinking than UCSD
– Lacks the same level of prestige or industry access as UCSD
Money-wise, I don’t have to care about a financial fit, so it’s not a deciding factor.
Anyways, I’ve got a good financial package at UCSD (estimated COA is less than $10,000 a year). UCD refuses to estimate my COA due to their policy about my unique case (I don’t want to go into the specifics). I think I’d get a good financial offer since more prestigious UCs already offered it.
I’m torn between a practical and efficient track career option (UCSD) vs. a balanced college experience (UCD). If anyone’s had a similar dilemma or has insights into internships, quality of life, or post-grad outcomes from either school — please share! Any advice is valuable.
At UCSD I can graduate in 3 years and go to FIT NYC for a one year surface/textile design program not offered at UCSD. It is a big factor. Opportunity-wise, it’s a valid option.
It seems to me that you really prefer UCSD. Also, don’t discount physical discomfort. You can find social life anywhere, on or off campus, but weather will be everywhere, as soon as you step out of a building.
Also, you can do your UCSD degree in four years, and have a more balanced experience.
No wrong choice, but you have more pros and fewer cons for UCSD than for UCD.
I encourage everyone thinking about UC Davis to check out Picnic Day, if at all possible. It’s this coming weekend. Totally understand if it isn’t feasible, but it’s a fun one if you can make it!
You have two great options! Congrats! My only comment: you shouldn’t assume that UCD’s financial aid will match UCSD’s. Each campus decides separately, and I have seen people get really different numbers for no obvious (to me or them) reason.
Thank you so much for your perspective.
After I’ve read replies, I feel like I didn’t make my post quite readable and clear.. I apologize.
I would pursue textile and surface design regardless of what college I’d go to. Let me explain.
I am fascinated by the textile program at UCD - it’s the only UC school that offers such a comprehensive design program. And yeah, dorms, food, social life, and that special vibe (that reminds me of home) are something I won’t get at UCSD.
I love the idea of graduating in 3 years at UCSD because I can go to a great fashion school and study textile. It’s just the UCSD “futuristic”/tech program seems invaluable. It would give me a solid start in my career than just a fashion school. You know what I mean? I will have to graduate early if I want to have both - UCSD and FIT degrees - covered (I won’t have to pay for it myself).
Anyways, thank you!
Thank you! :))
I didn’t think of the financial aid aspect - I really thought that UCD can be more generous with me
About 63% of students graduate debt free, and many choose UCD because of the generous financial aid packages!
I appreciate your insight
Irrelevant - and you are making a lot of assumptions about social life that you have no idea if true. In the end, you will generate your social life. You will set the parameters, etc.
Which lets you go to FIT - you say UCSD and UCSD…
btw - UCSD has the residential college system - so how do you know UCD will be better socially? That’s an assumption…I’m not sure it’s correct - one wouldn’t know.
All or most schools in certain majors are rigorous.
UCD has biking, UCSD is near the beach, in the nicest city in America
Clubs at UCSD are academically focused - yep - like Badminton Club, Cheese Club, Drag Club, Jewish at UC San Diego, and more. Most schools have academic and non-academic clubs.
Why would it be harder to find friends? Again, you’re making assumptions - and I happen to disagree with them.
If you don’t want to go to UCSD, then don’t go - but you need an affordable place and I’m personally disagreeing with some of your logic or assumptions.
Okay! I need to hear different perspectives. Thank you for offering it. I also like talking with students who attend these colleges - it offers an insider’s view. I don’t need an affordable place though. I could go to USC for 100k a year if I got admitted - finances are just not a part of my equation. Because of certain circumstances in my case it is safe to predict that any UC I got into (four) would be affordable enough anyway.
Thank you for your suggestion! Sometimes colleges don’t give a student info (email for example) because of privacy concerns, but there is no reason not to reach out. Also I’m planning by to attend an admitted student event soon! Thanks
Our daughter attended UCD.
She didn’t want to go to UCSD. It’s still known as “UC for the Socially Dead”. It’s a good school and has a great reputation but it’s very different. It’s gotten better but, sometimes the “seriousness” of the students can lead to limited social participation.
Our daughter loved Davis!! Yes it looks more like a traditional college but the whole school has a “sense of humor” about everything! (The cows on campus are too funny.). It definitely is not behind the times.
It’s a great school with a great reputation! It’s in farmland and the weather is HOT in the summer and rainy or cold in the winter. The town is next to the school and has a great vibe, fantastic restaurants and shopping.
Davis is a GREEN campus and is earth friendly and concerned about the environment. They are 40k bikes on campus. It’s a mostly flat campus and everyone rides bikes. When you visit, you’ll see smiles on everyone’s faces. I strongly disagree that it is less forward thinking. It is extremely progressive. What are you basing that on?
Students take the train to Berkeley, SF or East to Sacramento. The train goes to the center of town.
The thing about Davis is that it’s a collaborative environment. The professors want you to succeed and they encourage students to work together to learn and get good grades. There is free tutoring in the dorm buildings.
The variety of courses is very attractive to the students. Our daughter took an English course whose literature included fairy tales. She tried to get into tractor driving and beer-making, but those courses were prioritized for Agriculture and Vintner majors.
They have an amazing Health occupations advising team who prepare the students well for future medical and professional schools. Our daughter majored in NeuroBiology, Physiology and Behavior (NPB). She got into her med school program with guidance from the Health team.
She had HS friends who attended UCSD who were disappointed with the lack of participation in social activities. Our daughter and friends got free swag at sporting events at UCD.
We live in San Diego. UCSD is across Torrey Pines Road. It is not “tropical” and I was surprised that incoming students believed that it would be. The climate has changed to colder winters. Sometimes it takes hours for the haze to clear and burn off to actually see sun.
You need to visit all of your schools and talk to the students on campus. You’ll get more information from the students who attend those schools.
Hi! Thank you so much for your input! I value that you went into such a detail to help me!
Yes, I visited UC Davis on the Aggie day and loved the environment - how green it is. Arboretum with its tiny river and foresty area reminds me of home Definitely bonus points for an environmental concern. UC Davis does provide a good college experience.
What I meant by being “less progressive” - it’s just the design major is more traditional compared to UCSD. UCSD does have a more tech oriented futuristic approach when it comes to design (+ they have a Speculative Design major!)
I do believe UCD is great for pre-health, psychology, pre-vet and pre-med, just not something I’m interested in. They have less advisors for other majors though (such as Cog Sci as an example).
I grew up in cold cities (think of Southern Siberia’s / Nordic weather). I’m much less equipped to deal with desert-like weather. UCSD wins in terms of climate.
I know I can be happy at UCD. That’s true. But I have an ambition. I’m afraid that if I go to UCD I’d feel that I’m missing out.. or is it all an illusion? Is it a question of happiness vs fulfillment now?
I wish I could minor in Cog Sci at Davis, but their program is weaker compared to UCSD because there are less classes at Cog Sci and it is a little too broad.
Yeah, I love that it’s easier to make friends at UCD, but I also love academically driven people around me!
Why is it so tough to choose?
I’m going to UC San Diego this week! I visited UCD and UCSB (not considering) last week and talked with several students! :))
Anyways, thank you so much for your insight! I appreciate it.
They have a minor in neuro, which has cognitive classes - at UCD. They don’t appear to have a cog science minor, just a major.
That it’s “weaker” - it’s a minor…it doesn’t matter. Do the classes interest you or not. You are basing a lot on perceived reputation - which means nothing. If something interests you, then take it. Employers don’t have these perceptions and minors don’t move the needle in life - other than maybe a nice add on during an interview.
That you are going to see UCSD is good. Obviously, you didn’t like UCSB - so really, that is your best thing to do - visit your finalists.
If you don’t like UCSD, then you’re done. On the flipside, if you love it - there you go!!
There are not so many classes that interest me at Cog Sci at Davis. I saw the catalog, definitely not as interesting as at UCSD. ))
Minor is just a minor, yeah. But again, I was comparing my academic experience at both.
UCSB is not an academic (+social) fit for me at all - they don’t really have much to offer for design.
I guess I have to wait for the final tour!
Definitely bonus points for an environmental concern. UC Davis does provide a good college experience.
