Which UC schoool is better UC davis or UC santa barbara?

Question

Hey, I am in my last semester of junior college, hoping to transfer to one of the two UC schools for a biological science/BIochemistry major. I love to go to a school of great standard, nice social lifestyle and everything. I want to know which school to choose UC Davis or UC santa barbara. Hope to get replies from you soon, and give me reasons too. Thanks

Answer 1

The difference between the two is very slight. It would make no difference to anyone who would be interviewing you. They would put both schools in the same camp. For every person who would say Davis, there is probably a person that would say SB.

What you should consider when looking at two schools of similar reputation is the ancillary items related to the college or university.

For example: SB is literally on the beach and is located in argueably the most beautiful part of the west coast. That is why Santa Barbara, as a town, is called the queen of the coast.
Davis is close to Sacramento, with good availability of political opportunites nearby. Davis is closer to skiing, about 1 to 2 hours to Bear Valley/Mt Reba.

Also, what do you want the weather to be like? Remember, you are going to be calling this home for the next 4 years, maybe more. SB is warm and sunny and well, beachlike. Davis has 4 seasons or at least 3 1/2.

Lastly, where do you live now? If you live in Sacto and you want to stay close because you love your family so much, or whatever, then Davis is perfect. However, if you want to get away from the area perhaps SB is better. This obvious works in reverse as well.

Truly, there is not enough of a difference between the two programs to merit one over the other.

I wrestled with the same question back when I was choosing a college. My heart wanted the one that some, not all, would have considered to be slightly less impressive. My head said to pick the very best. Truth be know, there wasn't really enough of a difference between the two to have used academics alone as a deciding factor. In hind sight, I know, for sure, that I made the wrong choice. I chose based on perceived reputation.

It's like arguing over who makes a better bottle of water. Or which cell phone provider is best. They all have issues and they are all just fine.

Two years after you graduate no one will care what school, of the two, you attended. You are not talking about Stanford and Cal State Bakersfield. These two are too similar with academics. Look at the rest of the big picture.

PS: I am a teacher and could live anywhere...I live in SB

Best wishes and follow your heart on this one.

Mike

Answer 2

I agree with Lisa. UC Davis is a better choice for the hard sciences; I would choose UC Santa Barbara for the humanities or social sciences.

Answer 3

I believe UC Davis is above UCSB for bio-related majors. I am sorry i do not remember my source but I am pretty sure it was in a rankings book.

Answer 4

davis has a very quiet environment. perfect to study if you want top grades. a large campus too. Everyone bikes there. go where you think you'll do well and where you'll have fun. it's where you go grad school that is more important.