The University of California - Davis

I'm double-majoring in biological sciences and music (performance track).
Science majors are basically filled with weeder courses until upper division, because they're trying to keep only the ones that are, basically, smart enough to keep going. The mean (average) is generally equivalent to a C+ and most of those classes curve. It's harder to get to know people since the lectures contain about 500 people.

Music, in my opinion, is a whole lot more friendly. I use this major basically to de-stress (this is not to say that it isn't hard work, because it really can be). The classes are much smaller (about 10-50 students, depending on the class) and it gets to be like a family. If you're a music major, you're also entitled to free lessons (discounts on multiple instrument lessons) and free concerts, which is pretty nice, since they'd be pretty expensive otherwise. :D

If you have an extremely incompetent TA for your discussion section, I'd recommend going to someone else's discussion (ask your friends if their TAs are any good) if discussion isn't mandatory. Davis also has free tutoring and workshops where you can get extra help.

In my freshman year, I lived in Cuarto, which used to be apartment complexes but they're considered to be dorms; they're suite-style, and I got lucky with my room--I had a bathroom in my own room, so I only had to share it with my roommate. We shared the suite with 4 other girls and had a common room. It's on the edge of campus (on the edge of the UC Davis map), but not too far away. All my classes were a walking-distance away (could be reachable within 20 minutes). Most people bike, but I refused to until spring quarter, when I needed it to reach the equestrian center (horseback riding lessons are only $180/quarter for 8 2-hour lessons!).

There's also a really convenient bus system, so if the weather's bad or you're feeling lazy, you can just take the bus since it's free as long as you have your ID. In general, I really loved the place where I lived. It was quieter than the actual dorms, and I guess you could say, also more antisocial, since with dorms, generally, you can just leave your door open and get to know everyone that walks by. In suites, that's much less likely to happen, but if you want to meet people, you definitely can. Our building also had a pool and a hot tub in the middle; there was a park nearby with swings and such, so really, what more could I ask for?

Suite-style is more like living in apartments than anything else, but dorms are really, really expensive. The apartment complex I'm living at right now is more than 50% less expensive. :/

Most of the people I've encountered are really friendly. When you lose things, it usually gets returned. (This does usually not apply to bikes, laptops and other valuables. >_> ) I've lost my phone and my baton (for conducting class) multiple times and it's been returned to me every time. I feel really safe here.

Davis does kinda have the whole, "There's nothing to do here" mentality sometimes, though. Some people study out of boredom; others party. I've always gone with the mentality that it's not what you're doing that makes it fun, it's who you're with that makes it count, so if you have the right friends/people to hang out with, it'll be fine.

I really enjoy learning things, so I feel like there's always something to do here. The experimental college has everything from alchemy to belly dancing. There's also a crafts center where you can do woodworking, metalwork, etc. None of those are free, but the prices are extremely reasonable. The equestrian center also has a work exchange program where you get free riding lessons if you volunteer 4 hours per week. There's karaoking, a couple bars, many, many restaurants. Other than that, there's always Sacramento. (http://daviswiki.org is a wonderful site, too.)In terms of APs, it largely depends on what your major is and whether or not you want to go to grad school. AP English is definitely worth it; it knocks out one of the college placement exam you're required to take. Our school has a unit cap at 225, and you have to petition to have more. On average, most people take around 15 per quarter. You're need to take at least 13 to maintain a full-time student status. You need self-control/discipline (and motivation) to do well. Tests are everything; homework counts for next to nothing. Also, Davis is on quarter system, so it runs a lot faster than, say...Berkeley. You only really get to "relax" your first two weeks and then there are midquarters, then midterms, papers, then midquarters again, and then finals. It goes by really, really fast, but you feel like you're getting a lot more done? Make use of ratemyprofessor.com. Some professors tend to be way too brilliant for the students; they explain everything the way they've derived it and we wonder if he's even speaking the same language to us anymore, because we're not understanding a thing. sigh.

1st Year Female -- Class 2010

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Education Quality: F