Everything You Need to Know About UC Davis

Victor Lai
11 Aug 202010:56
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis informative video script offers a comprehensive introduction to UC Davis for incoming students. Victor, a 2019 graduate, covers general university information, including its location, school colors, and mascot. He provides student demographics, cost of attendance, and academic offerings with over 100 undergraduate majors across four colleges. Victor discusses UC Davis's high rankings and commitment to sustainability, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2025. Student housing options are explored with pros and cons for each area. The script offers practical advice on adjusting to the quarter system, transportation, and using resources like RateMyProfessor. It also encourages getting involved in student organizations and seeking internships, while enjoying campus life and the local area. Lastly, Victor shares personal tips on visiting major advisors, studying abroad, and adapting to the weather, concluding with a humorous suggestion to avoid 8 am classes if possible.

Takeaways
  • πŸŽ“ UC Davis is a public university located in Davis, California, with a strong agricultural heritage and a mascot named Gun Rock the Mustang.
  • πŸ‘₯ In Fall 2019, UC Davis had 39,629 students, with a slight majority of female undergraduates and a diverse range of ethnicities represented.
  • πŸ’° The cost of attendance varies based on housing, with tuition, fees, and books being constant, while room and board, personal expenses, and transportation costs differ.
  • πŸ“š UC Davis offers over 100 undergraduate majors across four colleges and was highly ranked in various global university rankings.
  • πŸ“ˆ The middle 50% of admitted students for the class of 2020 had a GPA between 3.73 and 4.25, and the university has suspended standardized test requirements until Fall 2024.
  • 🌿 UC Davis is committed to sustainability, ranking third globally in the UI Green Metric World University Rankings and aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2025.
  • 🏠 Campus housing is divided into three areas: Cordo, Segundo, and Tercero, each with its pros and cons, such as proximity to campus facilities and recreation options.
  • πŸš΄β€β™€οΈ Biking is a popular mode of transportation at UC Davis, and the university offers resources like free Unitrans bus rides and encourages safety measures for cyclists.
  • πŸ“ Joining Facebook groups and using resources like Rate My Professor can help students find textbooks, connect with others, and get insights into courses and professors.
  • πŸ‹οΈβ€β™‚οΈ Students have access to free services and amenities, including the gym, bus system, and software like Microsoft Office, as part of their tuition.
  • 🀝 Getting involved in student organizations and networking through platforms like LinkedIn can enhance the college experience and future job prospects.
  • 🌞 Davis weather varies significantly, with cold winters and hot summers, so students should prepare with appropriate clothing and gear.
Q & A
  • What is the location of UC Davis in relation to other major cities in California?

    -UC Davis is located in Davis, California, approximately 15 miles west of Sacramento and 72 miles east of San Francisco.

  • What are the official school colors and mascot of UC Davis?

    -The official school colors are Aggie Blue and Gold, and the mascot is Gunrock the Mustang.

  • What was the total student population at UC Davis in the fall of 2019?

    -In the fall of 2019, there were 39,629 total students, with 30,982 being undergraduates and 8,647 being graduates.

  • What is the gender distribution among undergraduates at UC Davis?

    -Among undergraduates, 61% were female and 39% were male.

  • What are the most popular majors at UC Davis according to the data from 2016 and 2017?

    -The most popular majors at UC Davis were Psychology, Managerial Economics, and Economics.

  • How does UC Davis rank among U.S universities in various global rankings?

    -In the 2020 QS World University Rankings, UC Davis was ranked 28th among U.S universities and 7th among public universities. In the 2020 U.S News and World Report, it was ranked 39th overall and 11th among public universities. The 2019 Times Higher Education placed UC Davis 25th overall among U.S universities and 11th among public universities.

  • What was the SAT score range for admitted students in the middle 50 percent for the class of 2020 at UC Davis?

    -For the class of 2020, the SAT score range was 1260 to 1470, with Math scores between 640 to 780 and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores between 600 to 710.

  • What is UC Davis' stance on standardized tests for applicants until fall 2024?

    -The University of California Board of Regents unanimously approved the suspension of standardized tests requirements, meaning no ACT and SAT scores will be required for all applicants until fall 2024.

  • How does UC Davis show its commitment to the environment?

    -UC Davis is known for its commitment to the environment, ranking third in the world and first among U.S universities in the 2019 UI Green Metric World University Rankings. The university also plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2025.

  • What are the three main areas of student housing at UC Davis?

    -The three main areas of student housing at UC Davis are Cordo, Segundo, and Tercero.

  • What is the significance of the term 'aggies' in relation to UC Davis students?

    -The term 'aggies' is used to refer to students at UC Davis in honor of the school's agricultural origins.

  • What advice does the speaker give regarding the quarter system at UC Davis?

    -The speaker advises getting used to the quarter system at UC Davis, as it is typically 10 weeks for fall, winter, and spring, with midterms and finals coming around quickly.

  • What are some tips for new students regarding transportation at UC Davis?

    -The speaker suggests getting used to the transportation around UC Davis, which includes a bike culture and a free bus system called Unitrans. They also recommend getting a bike light and a good lock to prevent theft, and being aware of the rules of the road for cyclists.

  • How can students save money on textbooks at UC Davis?

    -The speaker recommends joining Facebook groups and pages such as 'Free & For Sale' and 'Textbook Marketplace' to find used textbooks and other items, which can save students a significant amount of money.

  • What is the significance of the term 'Picnic Day' at UC Davis?

    -Picnic Day is a significant event at UC Davis that usually takes place around mid to late April, featuring a variety of activities around campus. The speaker advises getting there early due to potential traffic issues.

  • What advice does the speaker give about studying abroad at UC Davis?

    -The speaker highly recommends studying abroad, sharing their personal experience of studying at the University of Warwick in England. They suggest that if students have the opportunity and no major requirements to fulfill during a free quarter, they should consider studying abroad.

  • What is the speaker's advice regarding the weather in Davis for new students?

    -The speaker advises new students to get used to the Davis weather, which can be as cold as 40 degrees in winter and as hot as 110 degrees in summer. They recommend bringing appropriate clothing, including raincoats, umbrellas, tank tops, and shorts.

  • Why does the speaker suggest avoiding 8 am classes at UC Davis?

    -The speaker suggests avoiding 8 am classes due to the challenging weather conditions during winter, such as cold temperatures, rain, and wind, which can make the commute to campus unpleasant whether walking or biking.

Outlines
00:00
πŸŽ“ Welcome to UC Davis - Introduction and General Information

Victor, a UC Davis graduate, introduces the university and provides an overview of its features. UC Davis is a public university located near Davis, California, with a strong agricultural history symbolized by its mascot, Gun Rock the Mustang, and the students being called Aggies. The video covers student demographics, including gender and ethnic distribution, and the cost of attendance. Academics are highlighted with over 100 undergraduate majors offered across four colleges. The university's rankings in various educational indices are mentioned, along with the suspension of standardized test requirements until fall 2024. The commitment to sustainability is emphasized, with UC Davis ranking highly in global university rankings and aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2025.

05:01
🏠 UC Davis Student Housing - Pros and Cons

The video discusses the three main areas of student housing at UC Davis: Cordo, Segundo, and Tercero. Victor provides personal opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of each, based on proximity to campus facilities, activities, and academic buildings. Cordo is noted for its outdoor courtyards and secure bike parking but is considered far from the campus center. Segundo is highlighted for its proximity to the recreation center and campus activities, despite older buildings and potential noise from nearby softball fields. Tercero is praised for its closeness to STEM buildings and the library, newer buildings, and a second dining common, but has a reputation for odors due to its location near dairy facilities. The video also offers general tips for incoming students, such as adjusting to the quarter system, using transportation wisely, and taking advantage of free resources included with tuition.

10:02
πŸ“š Academics and Campus Life at UC Davis

Victor shares advice on academics and campus life, recommending the use of the website Rate My Professors to gain insights into courses and professors. He advises students to familiarize themselves with the campus layout to avoid being late for classes. The importance of joining Facebook groups for ride shares, furniture, and textbooks is emphasized for cost savings. Victor also encourages taking advantage of free services like the bus system, the gym, and software provided by the university. Getting involved in student organizations and starting job and internship searches early is suggested. He also recommends participating in the annual Picnic Day event and exploring the campus and downtown Davis for a variety of food options and study spots. Lastly, Victor advises visiting major advisors regularly to ensure on-time graduation and considers studying abroad for a unique experience.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘UC Davis
UC Davis, or the University of California, Davis, is a public research university and the main focus of the video. It is located in Davis, California, and is known for its strong academic programs and commitment to sustainability. The video provides an overview of the university, including its location, student demographics, and various aspects of student life.
πŸ’‘Student Demographics
This term refers to the statistical breakdown of the student population at UC Davis, including gender distribution and ethnic diversity. The video mentions that in Fall 2019, there were 39,629 total students, with a nearly even gender split and a diverse representation of ethnicities, including international students.
πŸ’‘Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance encompasses all expenses a student incurs while studying at UC Davis, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, personal expenses, transportation, and mandatory health insurance. The video highlights that these costs can vary based on a student's housing situation and provides a visual representation of the expenses for the 2020-2021 academic year.
πŸ’‘Academic Programs
UC Davis offers a wide array of academic programs, with over 100 undergraduate majors divided into four colleges. The video discusses the structure of these colleges and mentions the top 10 most popular majors, such as psychology and manager economics, providing insight into the university's academic strengths.
πŸ’‘University Rankings
University rankings are a measure of a university's prestige and quality, often based on various factors like academic reputation, faculty qualifications, and graduate outcomes. The video cites several rankings for UC Davis, including its position in QS World University Rankings and U.S. News & World Report, emphasizing its standing among U.S. universities and public universities specifically.
πŸ’‘Admissions Profile
The admissions profile provides statistics on the academic credentials of admitted students, such as GPA and standardized test scores. The video discusses the profile for the class of 2020, including the range of GPAs and SAT scores for freshmen, and mentions the suspension of standardized test requirements until Fall 2024 due to the UC Board of Regents' decision.
πŸ’‘Sustainability
Sustainability at UC Davis refers to the university's commitment to environmental responsibility, both locally and globally. The video notes that UC Davis ranked third in the world and first among U.S. universities in the 2019 UI Green Metric World University Rankings. It also mentions the university's goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2025.
πŸ’‘Student Housing
Student housing at UC Davis is organized into three areas: Cordo, Segundo, and Tercero. The video provides a personal perspective on the pros and cons of each area, considering factors like proximity to campus, facilities, and potential disturbances. This information is crucial for incoming students deciding where to live.
πŸ’‘Quarter System
The quarter system is an academic calendar used by UC Davis, where the academic year is divided into four terms of approximately ten weeks each. The video emphasizes the importance of adapting to this system due to the fast pace, with midterms and finals coming quickly, which can be challenging for students not accustomed to this structure.
πŸ’‘Bike Culture
Bike culture at UC Davis is significant, as the university is located in a bike-friendly town. The video advises new students to familiarize themselves with biking etiquette, invest in a good lock and light, and be aware of the rules of the road, including the potential for receiving a speeding ticket while cycling.
πŸ’‘Student Organizations
Student organizations play a vital role in the extracurricular life at UC Davis. The video encourages students to join organizations, fraternities, sororities, or groups that align with their interests to enrich their college experience and build a network of connections.
πŸ’‘Career Opportunities
The video advises students to seek out career opportunities early, using platforms like Handshake and creating a LinkedIn profile to connect with potential employers. It emphasizes the importance of internships and job searches for building a professional network and securing employment after graduation.
Highlights

UC Davis is a public university located near Davis, California, with a strong agricultural heritage.

The university has official school colors of Aggie Blue and Gold, and the mascot is Gunrock the Mustang.

In Fall 2019, UC Davis had a total of 39,629 students, with a significant number of international students.

The cost of attendance varies based on housing, with health insurance being mandatory for all students.

UC Davis offers over 100 undergraduate majors across four colleges, with psychology and economics being popular choices.

The university is highly ranked, placing 28th among U.S. universities in the 2020 QS World University Rankings.

Admissions requirements include a weighted GPA of 3.96 to 4.25 for incoming freshmen in the class of 2020.

Standardized test requirements have been suspended until Fall 2024 due to a decision by the University of California Board of Regents.

UC Davis is committed to sustainability, ranking third in the world in the 2019 UI Green Metric World University Rankings.

Student housing is organized into three areas, each with its pros and cons, including proximity to campus and facilities.

The quarter system at UC Davis means a fast pace with 10-week terms for Fall, Winter, and Spring.

Biking is a popular mode of transportation on campus, with safety tips provided for new students.

ReadMyProfessor is a useful website for students to read reviews about professors and their courses.

Joining Facebook groups and pages can help students find ride shares, furniture, used textbooks, and more.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of free services such as the bus system, gym access, and software provided by the university.

Getting involved in student organizations, fraternities, sororities, and other interests can greatly enhance the college experience.

Handshake is a platform used by UC Davis students to find job and internship opportunities.

Picnic Day is a major annual event at UC Davis with numerous activities around campus.

Exploring campus and downtown Davis can lead to discovering new favorite study spots, food options, and stores.

Visiting the major advisor at least once a year is crucial for staying on track to graduate on time.

Studying abroad is a recommended experience for students who have the opportunity and flexibility in their schedules.

Davis weather can be extreme, with temperatures ranging from 40 degrees in winter to 110 degrees in summer.

Avoiding 8 am classes can be a smart choice due to the challenges of early morning commutes in cold or rainy weather.

Transcripts
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