UC Davis
UC Davis is located in a suburban town among rural farmlands in Northern California. Covering more than 6,000 acres, it has the largest physical campus of any UC school. The campus is a 30-minute drive from Sacramento and a little more than an hour's drive north of San Francisco. It is also within a few hours' drive of the north coast and Lake Tahoe. Davis is perhaps best known for its friendly, small-town atmosphere and many miles of bicycle paths. Within the small town of Davis (53,000 total population), UCD students have a strong impact on the town's politics, culture and overall lifestyle. The Davis area is foggy in the winter and hot in the summer. The campus is quite safe and is contained within a mostly white college town.
Student Body
Approximately 19,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students attend Davis, and enrollment is growing. UC Davis has the third largest student body of any UC school after Los Angeles and Berkeley. About 96 percent of students come from California. According to recent figures from the University of California, underrepresented minorities (blacks, American Indians, and Latinos) account for approximately 15.0 percent of the student body.
Academics
Introductory-level lecture classes at Davis tend to be large, with 100 or more students, and science classes tend to be large at all levels. Teaching assistants are helpful and accessible and, with initiative and perseverance, students can get to know professors. Students can usually get into the classes they choose.
UC Davis is recognized as an international leader in the agricultural, biological, biotechnological and environmental sciences, offering unique classes in subjects that include agricultural economics, viticulture and enology, and yes, even "tractor-driving." Davis ranks among the top 20 universities in the United States for the amount of research funding it receives. As a result, students can find numerous opportunities to become involved in academic research projects.
Davis' ethnic-studies programs include African American studies, Asian American studies, Native American studies and Chicano studies. Funding for these programs is limited.
Close to 90 percent of Davis freshmen return for their second year. About 30% graduate in four years and more than 70 percent graduate within 5 years.
Health Opportunities
Science is a mainstay at Davis and biology is one of the most popular departments. Within biology, specialized majors such as genetics and cell/molecular biology are available. Many students at Davis choose premed majors. The university has a medical school on campus and a hospital in Sacramento. Students can find opportunities on campus to get involved in science research, but to work at a clinic or hospital they must travel to Sacramento or the surrounding area. A School of Veterinary Medicine, located on campus, is extremely strong, rating as one of the best veterinary programs in the United States.
Financial Aid
Around 50 percent of freshmen and 30 percent of upper-class students receive financial aid, and there are both merit and need-based scholarships and grants (80 percent of aid is need-based). About 43 percent of students take out loans. Students can find good part-time jobs and internships in the area--about 65 percent of all students work full- and part-time.
Transportation
The area around Davis is pretty flat, and everyone rides a bike to get around campus and the neighboring area. There is good public transportation to Sacramento and to San Francisco. A car is useful for mobility in the area around Davis.
Housing
Approximately 19 percent of students (90 percent of freshmen) live on campus. About 20 percent of students participate in the Greek system. Students can find housing options in the surrounding community.
Student Life
Davis is a studious place, and life overall – apart from academics – is laid back and down to earth. Davis is not an intimidating school. The campus is safe, with a quiet atmosphere. To find a variety of cultural offerings, one has to travel to Sacramento or San Francisco. Most students at Davis are environmentally conscious and participate in outdoor and athletic activities. The school's varsity and non-varsity sports programs rank high with students – more than 15,000 students participate in the more than 35 different recreational activities throughout the year. The school includes more than 300 registered clubs and organizations. Many opportunities are available at Davis, if one is willing to look for them.
UC Davis May Be for You If....
You think you might be uncomfortable in an urban university or if you want a safe, self-contained campus. You are looking for a supportive atmosphere that is challenging academically.
Go to http://www.ucdavis.edu to learn more about UC Davis.