Classes/Academics
What do I need to consider about my major at a specific university?
If you already have some idea of what you want to study, you might have applied for the same major at multiple universities. The same major can vary in terms of workload across different universities. Additionally, when looking at a specific university, take note of their policy for changing majors, as you might find out later you want to do something different. Some majors have more requirements than others. Consider also if the school has opportunities for your major, like joining research labs, internships/fieldwork, or having networking connections to professionals in the field.
How should I consider my AP/IB credits or community college credits when picking a college?
Often they will enable you to skip introductory classes or prerequisites, but this will depend on the college you choose, and the scores you receive! Some schools will allow you to use it anywhere, while others only accept it if it’s a part of your major. If your school accepts your test score, you will gain a designated number of units and potentially increase your class standing and save money by graduating earlier.
Strictly for California public schools, you can use assist.org to see which community college classes would be accepted for credit at a UC or CSU! Common classes that you might be interested in are math, English, or any GE, as most schools will often require some level of these courses.
Geography
How far / close do you want to be from home?
Consider these factors:
How often do you hope to see your family?
How often do you want to be able to travel back every week?
How do you plan to travel back home (i.e., plane, train, car)?
Consider whether it would be a direct trip or contain connecting segments.
Keep in mind that smaller cities may not have their own airports (or they may not be well-connected) so if you travel by flight, you may have to take multiple flights and/or other forms of transportation in getting to and from.
Find out about public transportation available at your school. Check if there are buses for transportation within the city, and if there are buses/trains connecting to nearby cities.
What climate do you want to live in?
Think about how willing you are to deal with certain climates! If you’re someone who cannot stand the cold at all, feels down when it gets overcast, or hates humidity, then these factors may be deal breakers! Also consider if you want to experience four distinct seasons, or just something new. :)
There may also be an additional hidden expense of buying a whole new closet for the appropriate climate, so keep that in mind if cost is a major factor.
How do I choose between a college town and a big city?
A college town usually has more students than non-student community members, so while there might be fewer activities, often many amenities in the area will be catered for students, like a lot of coffee shops, bus stops, student discounts, or student events!
A big city, by nature, tends to have a bit of everything! It will depend on the specific city or school, but you may find the city to be less oriented around school stuff, and more about your access to city resources and events. Often it may be easier to find summer internships or other opportunities the closer you are to a big city just by pure numbers. Some people may find the vastness of a city exhilarating, while others can find it draining, so it depends on the person.
How safe is the area?
Safety can often be hard to quantify. You can make use of a variety of safety indexes to get a better idea and also speak to current students/alumni about their experiences. Keep in mind, however, that people’s experiences can vary dramatically. Things you may want to focus on include theft, relative frequency of crimes, general sanitation and pollution, etc. (Numbeo Safety Index) (Crime Map by Neighborhood)
Housing
How can I find out about the school environment / campus vibes?
Take a tour of the campus: See if you can visit in person or if your school offers a virtual tour.
Talk to people who went to that college: Talking to others who went to the college can give you an insider's perspective on what being a student at the college feels like. This is where you can learn about what the college’s classes are like, community values, and off-campus life.
Online ways could be YouTube vlogs, student-run social media (Instagram, Tiktok, Reddit). Stuff like “day in the life of” vlogs or reading students’ thoughts (good and bad!) often provides a lot of perspective.
Research:
Downtown – How large is the downtown area? Does it have things that you’d be interested in? This can be hobbies, concerts, nightlife, other entertainment, certain cuisines, shopping centers, and so on.
Campus events – Colleges have different campus events. Some events Davis has are Picnic Day and Sunset Fest, while other schools have a big sports presence.
Commuter vs non-commuter: Commuter schools are when most of the students live out of the town their college is in. A non-commuter school is where most students live within the town of their college, similar to UC Davis.
Where will I live during my freshman year at college?
Usually students are required/strongly recommended to live in on-campus dorms, but some students are able to commute from their own homes or off-campus apartments. Students living in on-campus dorms usually share a room with one or more roommates and don’t have their own kitchen, so many choose to enroll in a meal plan provided by the college.
How are my roommates determined?
In some residences, you can choose your roommates if your application is submitted well in advance! Many people find their roommates through Facebook groups or other social media. Another option is to fill out a survey describing your living style and preferences and from there, the school will link you to people that are similar to you.
What do I bring to the dorms?
This depends on the type of dorm you paid for. Typically, you would need to bring the essentials: toiletries, shower shoes, towels, multi-plugs, cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, bedding, decorative material, preferred electronic equipment and their respective parts, etc. If your dorm also comes with a kitchen and you plan to use it, then you should consider bringing cookware/bakeware necessary for your dishes as well as a set of reusable utensils, plates, and cups. Note that these lists are not exhaustive. Your school may have a packing list as well! Here is Davis’ packing list: https://housing.ucdavis.edu/moving-in/residence-halls/what-to-bring/
What do I need to know about meal plans?
Meal plans are deals where a student pays ahead of time for access to dining halls. Examples of meal plans include 3 swipes every day, 3 swipes every weekday, and 15 meals per week. Consider how often you will be eating out at restaurants or cooking when choosing which plan to enroll in, so you waste as few swipes as possible. You may even be able to get unlimited swipes per week, but that of course, comes with a higher cost.
Student Organizations
How do I find student organizations on campus?
Your school may have a website where you can find information about all the student organizations on campus. This is a good place to start! If not, organizations usually have info sessions at the beginning of the academic year. There may also be a campus involvement fair/tabling event, be sure to check those out!
If you can’t find an organization for your specific interest, consider starting your own! Your university should have guidelines and support in place to help you get started.
When’s the best time to join one?
Most students join new clubs in the fall, but ultimately it is up to you! It is never too early (or too late) to join an organization! You might want to consider, however, how much of a time commitment it may be and whether you’d be able to manage it with other responsibilities and schoolwork.
Does it cost money?
Some organizations cost money to join but a majority of them are free!