5 things you should know before you choose UC Davis!
TLDRFiona Rose, a fourth-year senior at UC Davis, shares five key insights about the university for prospective students. She explains the quarter system, emphasizing its fast pace and the need for quick learning. She describes Davis as a small town with limited activities but a strong sense of community, which can be both an advantage and a drawback. The large student population, around 35,000, offers numerous opportunities but can make it challenging to connect with professors in popular majors. Fiona dispels the myth of Davis being overly competitive, highlighting the friendly and supportive atmosphere. Lastly, she clarifies that while Davis is bike-friendly, owning a bike is not a necessity due to the availability of a good bus system and the campus's walkability. Her video aims to provide a realistic view of life at UC Davis to help potential students make an informed decision.
Takeaways
- 📚 UC Davis operates on a quarter system, with classes running for 10 weeks each, leading to a faster pace and potentially more classes per year.
- 🏙️ Davis is a small town with limited entertainment options, which can be a positive for those looking to focus on their studies.
- 🎓 UC Davis is a large university with around 35,000 students, offering many opportunities but also challenges in smaller class sizes for popular majors.
- 🤝 The campus culture is friendly and collaborative rather than overly competitive, with students willing to help each other succeed.
- 🚴♀️ Contrary to a common stereotype, owning a bike is not a necessity at UC Davis; the campus is walkable and has a good bus system.
- 🔍 Students should consider the quarter system's fast pace and be prepared to manage their time effectively to keep up with the curriculum.
- 🌱 The small-town feel of Davis can be an adjustment for those from larger cities, but it can also foster a close-knit community.
- 🧪 Large class sizes in popular majors like biological sciences can make it harder to connect with professors, so students should consider their preferred learning style.
- 📈 The large size of UC Davis provides many opportunities for research and club involvement, which can be beneficial for students' resumes and personal growth.
- 🏆 Despite the academic rigor, the atmosphere is supportive, and students generally want to see each other succeed.
- 🚲 While many students bike on campus, it's not a requirement, and those who prefer not to bike can navigate the campus without issue.
Q & A
What is the primary difference between the quarter system and the semester system?
-The quarter system operates on 10-week terms with three quarters in a year, as opposed to the semester system which has about 16-week terms with two semesters in a year.
Why might some students prefer the quarter system over the semester system?
-Some students prefer the quarter system because it allows them to complete their work faster and take more classes within a shorter period of time.
How would you describe the town of Davis in terms of size and atmosphere?
-Davis is a small town with a population larger than 800 but with a small-town vibe, especially for those coming from bigger cities. It has all the necessary amenities but may not have a lot of entertainment options.
What is the approximate number of students enrolled at UC Davis?
-UC Davis has about 35,000 students, providing a large student body with numerous opportunities for research and club involvement.
How might the large size of UC Davis affect students in popular majors?
-In popular majors like biological sciences, it can be challenging to get to know professors and stand out among a large number of students, especially in classes with hundreds of students.
What is Fiona's perspective on the competitiveness at UC Davis?
-Fiona does not find UC Davis to be overly competitive. Instead, she describes the environment as friendly and supportive, where students are generally willing to help each other.
Is it a necessity to own a bike to attend UC Davis?
-No, owning a bike is not a necessity at UC Davis. While many students bike and the campus is bike-friendly, there are other transportation options like the bus system and the campus is also walkable.
What are some potential challenges for first-year students at UC Davis under the quarter system?
-First-year students may find the fast pace of the quarter system overwhelming as they need to learn the material quickly and stay on top of their work.
How does the small-town atmosphere of Davis impact the social and academic life of students?
-The small-town atmosphere can be both positive and negative. It can help students focus on their studies but may also be limiting for those who prefer more entertainment options and a busier social scene.
What advice does Fiona give for students considering attending UC Davis who are unsure about biking?
-Fiona advises such students to come to UC Davis first, figure out their class schedule, and then decide if a bike is necessary based on the campus layout and their personal preferences.
What are some of the benefits of attending a large university like UC Davis?
-Attending a large university like UC Davis offers many opportunities for research, club involvement, and a wide range of academic programs, catering to diverse student interests.
How does Fiona feel about the social environment at UC Davis?
-Fiona finds the social environment at UC Davis to be positive, with a friendly and helpful community where students are generally supportive of each other's success.
Outlines
📚 Understanding the Quarter System at UC Davis
Fiona Rose, a fourth-year senior at UC Davis, introduces the quarter system, which is different from the traditional semester system. Classes at UC Davis run for 10 weeks instead of the usual 16, leading to three quarters in a year. This accelerated pace requires students to learn material quickly and stay organized. Some students prefer this system as it allows them to complete their studies faster and take more classes. However, the fast pace can be overwhelming, especially for new students. Fiona advises prospective students to consider this system's demands before deciding to attend UC Davis.
🏙️ Life in the Small Town of Davis
Fiona describes Davis as a small town with a strong sense of community, despite being larger than one might expect. Coming from a big city, she found it an adjustment but ultimately a positive one, as it helped her focus on her studies. Davis offers essential amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, and bookstores, but lacks the entertainment options of a larger city. Fiona has come to appreciate the town's size, but acknowledges that some may find it limiting or boring. She encourages potential students to consider whether the small-town atmosphere is a fit for them.
🎓 The Large yet Intimate UC Davis Campus
UC Davis is a large university with around 35,000 students, providing many opportunities for research and club involvement. However, Fiona notes that popular majors like biological sciences can make it challenging to get to know professors, especially in large classes that may have hundreds of students. This can be a hurdle for those who need a strong relationship with faculty for recommendations or mentorship. Fiona suggests that students look into the size of their intended major's classes and consider how they learn best before choosing to attend UC Davis.
🤝 The Collaborative Spirit at UC Davis
Contrary to common perceptions of college competitiveness, Fiona finds the environment at UC Davis to be collaborative and friendly. She notes that students are generally willing to help each other with assignments and offer study tips. Although students at UC Davis are academically driven, Fiona has not encountered a negative competitive atmosphere. Instead, she describes the campus culture as supportive, where students want to see each other succeed.
🚴♀️ Biking and Alternatives at UC Davis
A common stereotype about UC Davis is that a bike is essential for getting around campus. Fiona dispels this myth, noting that while the campus is bike-friendly and many students do bike, it is not a requirement. She herself biked frequently as a freshman but clarifies that there are other options for transportation. The campus is walkable, and there is a reliable bus system for those who do not wish to bike. Fiona advises against purchasing a bike solely based on the stereotype and suggests new students assess their class schedules and personal preferences before deciding on transportation methods.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Quarter system
💡Small town
💡Biological sciences
💡Research opportunities
💡Club involvement
💡Academic competitiveness
💡Bike-friendly
💡Campus transportation
💡Class size
💡Study environment
💡Social adjustment
Highlights
UC Davis operates on a quarter system with classes running for 10 weeks, as opposed to a 16-week semester.
The quarter system allows for faster completion of work and the opportunity to take more classes.
Some students may find the fast pace of the quarter system overwhelming, especially during their first quarter.
Davis is a small town with a population larger than 800 but retains small-town vibes.
The small size of Davis can be an adjustment for those coming from larger cities.
Davis offers basic amenities but may lack the variety of activities found in larger cities.
The small size of Davis can be beneficial for focusing on studies, but it might also be boring for some.
UC Davis has a large student population of about 35,000, providing many opportunities for research and club involvement.
Popular majors at UC Davis can have large class sizes, making it challenging to get to know professors.
The campus culture at UC Davis is not overly competitive; students are generally friendly and supportive.
UC Davis students are academically motivated, but the environment is positive and collaborative.
The stereotype that a bike is necessary for attending UC Davis is not true; other transportation options are available.
Davis is a bike-friendly city, but not liking to bike does not make one an outsider.
A good bus system and walkability make it possible to navigate Davis without a bike.
Biking might be helpful for short gaps between classes across campus, but it's not a requirement.
Bikes can be expensive, and new students are advised to assess their class schedule before purchasing one.
The video aims to provide helpful insights for prospective students considering UC Davis.
Transcripts
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