University of California-Davis Reviews

"Very flexible program designed for working professionals; courses are immediately relevant to work. Could make better use of online classes; seems a bit disorganized at times, but it is a University, after all."

"The graduate group in nutritional biology at UC Davis is one of the best in the country. Drawing on international research efforts, it far surpasses the efforts of other schools with primary research interests that stay local. This affords us students with opportunities to see real research being conducted through global organizations, such as WHO, UN, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USDA, to name a few. Domestic nutritional issues are addresed in tandem with international relief efforts and resources through big time collaborations across the globe are utilized so efficiently. The program has been challenging, but I am so grateful to be working alongside world class researchers and leaders in the field of public health and nutrition. I have learned so much more about my potential, and have been able to capitalize on it with the help of a seemingly endless supply of wonderful faculty and amazing lab equipment. I am becoming the scientist I've always envisioned, and I don't think I could have achieved this in many other places. UCD collaborates with the surrounding communities to design research programs and to distribute the fruit of such research. The community is truly a part of the school, and vice versa, and I see this not only in my experiences with my colleagues, but simply out and about in the town. I feel I am so indebted to the school for the opportunities I have been given-lab work, community outreach, a world class education-I have come a long way. UC Davis is a school with vast interdisciplinary programs, specific to me are the nutrition and agriculture/animal science programs. These programs expand the scope of research in human/animal metabolism and I've learned so much from the insights provided by dairy cattle research and human immunology combined. There is much more to speak of regarding the research and faculty around campus, enough to take up more room than I have. I'm grateful to be part of a school community with a long standing history of top tier research and world class global collaborations."

"UC Davis has a small but strong program. My department believes in its students rather than their proposed research. This speaks to the quality of the students and faculty of the university."

"My experience with the philosophy department at the graduate level was positive in many ways. There are many dedicated professors who are willing to go the extra mile for their students. Unfortunately, I also experienced discrimination on the basis of disability, during my time there. I'm not sure if other departments are any better, but the workload can be intense if you have a professor who doesn't respect the union regulations and assigns way more hours of grading than you are being paid for. This happened to me several times, but I had little recourse through the department or university. The attitude was that I should suck it up and do the extra work. I love the town of Davis, and many of the professors in the department, I was very happy with the program under J. but I can't say that I would recommend the program as a whole with it's current Chair still in place."

"Great school, great students, but very expensive. Also Financial Aid office is not very helpful. They were very helpful and nice when I was deciding where I wanted to go to school. But now I feel like they aren't as concerned with the current students."

"The Physician Assistant field is exponentially growing leading to highly competitive schooling opportunities. UC Davis offers a very reputable program that ensures a thorough education yielding highly competent health care professionals. Although the curriculum is rigorous, the faculty are very supportive and nurturing of personal growth of students. The school also provides an updated learning environment, incorporating the latest advancements in medical technology to aid in future practice. Additionally, the school embraces professional cohesiveness and collaboration by providing a didactic environment that incorporates the medical school students at UC Davis. By establishing rapport and a collaborative school environment, UC Davis allows students to adapt to the working field more easily. Realistically, the program is extremely challenging but with so much support and dedication by the faculty and staff it is one of the best Physician Assistant schools available currently. I selected to attend UC Davis's PA program because it was the best, by comparison, to all the Northern California PA schools and I am very satisfied with my selection."

"I love the Graduate Group in Ecology at UC Davis. I get the chance to work with numerous world class ecologist, take challenging course work, and have lots of opportunities to pursue prestigious grants and fellowships. Faculty are encouraging and supportive. Though the program is challenging, there is a great effort to make a community of graduate students within the group."

"Pros - lots of people to network with. Cons - heavy course requirements"

"Amazing program (one of the best in the nation for ecology) with great faculty, and wonderful colleagues. Davis is a cute little town, very safe, not terribly exciting. You will not be assured of full funding for the duration, but you can always find TAships or other ways to support yourself."

"Explanations for rankings: Affordability of Living: It's a very nice town, but can be pricey at times. Campus Safety: UC-Davis has a bike theft issue, but that shouldn't be a problem if bikes are kept locked up. Student Diversity: Ecology in American Institutions is not a highly diverse field in my experience, so this should not be taken as a slight to the school. Workload: I thought it was a relatively neutral rating but remained positive to account for willingness of instructors to remain flexible if needed (with respect to low-importance deadlines at least)"

"The core of a graduate program is really the sum of the faculty. Ecology at Davis has some of the top researchers in the field, professionals who have been instrumental in building and guiding the development of ecology as a discipline and profession. The professors and and graduate students are involved in groundbreaking work, making important contributions to how we think about ecological systems, how human beings shape, interact, and integrate within them, and the importance of protecting and managing many aspects of these systems. The program is intimate, and these luminary minds at the vanguard of ecological thought are at the student's disposal. This is a benefit not to be underappreciated. From my experience, having come into the program with several fundamental classload deficiencies meant taking several upper division classes along with my graduate work. At the risk grossly generalizing, undergraduate work is largely disposable, time wasting busy work, and along with TAships, can make for a taxing, exhausting year. Avoid undergraduate classes when possible! That caveat aside, the graduate education, seminars, and research being done at the university is awe inspiring. With each talk I attend, each discussion I am priviliged to participate in, my appreciation for the graduate ecology program at U.C. Davis deepens considerably. Davis is the place for ecology."

"This program is competitive and intense. The professors are highly qualified and offer great lectures. The students are bright and have great leadership potential."

"I went on to get an MS Degree in Counseling in 2001. My overall college experience helped me to become much more analytical, and sharpened my skills in public speaking. I can't imagine where I would be without my education!"

"This department has a lot of nice, enthusiastic staffs and faculties who are willing to help and advise students, in order to make sure they succeed academically. I am grateful to be one of the undergrads and graduate students in this department for more than 10 years."

"Overall very satisfied with my grad program at UC Davis, but it has been quite an adjustment for me coming from undergrad at a small liberal arts college with a much more intimate academic environment."

"I really enjoy the graduate coordinator's ability to assist students. I dont enjoy the limitations on open labs"

"UC Davis feels like a home. The town is built around the campus. It's easy to bike everywhere in town. There are world-class researchers in every department. The BME graduate program allows students to work with professors from different home departments which adds to the diversity and quality of research."

"UC Davis is a good school. My issue with the academics is that you get less out of the quarter system that with semester classes. Davis is a nice suburb, but it lacks the college town feel."

"Davis is a pretty lovely town, most residents are students. Therefore, no doubt, it is very nice for campus safety."

"It a simple mall city. Most of people here are students or staff who work on campus. Nice whether, safe campus. But sometimes feel boring"