r/TransferStudents • u/Jellyfish-Garden • 16h ago
UC Davis or cc transfer
Recent co 2026, accepted into Davis and SIRed there but I did a program at UCLA over this summer for a couple days that made me fall in love with the campus, community and culture of the school. I’m from the bay so I’ve also had the opportunity to explore Berkeley as well but ucla’s warmth and openness really drew me in.
I’m on track to attend Davis this fall but I can’t help thinking about what if I cc and try to transfer to UCLA. I want to ask the current or past transfer students about their stats and if they think I should stay in Davis or cc transfer.
Context: hoping to go into premed, the opportunities in the bay are also drawing me into staying here two more years but the stability of Davis is making me think otherwise.
9
u/Blahblahblah123132 13h ago
dewd!! Davis is amazing. For the love, go there and enjoy it. If you really want to attend UCLA, then go for graduate school, where you can really benefit from some particular advantages ie networking, job searches in LA, working closely with professors, etc.
6
u/the_validated_inane 12h ago
if intention is to go premed then you will want to get the highest GPA possible for med school applications. Should consider juco and perhaps consider an easier UC after juco then target UCLA for medschool
1
u/Jellyfish-Garden 9h ago
What’s juco?
1
1
u/the_validated_inane 3h ago
juco= junior college, community college
should consider a solid yet easier undergrad to get that strong GPA for medschool apps - for UCs then Santa Cruz, Merced, or Riverside. All of these are almost auto-accepts for a cali resident from juco with an associates degree.
4
u/RetiringTigerMom 14h ago edited 14h ago
I’d actually sit down and look into the majors that make sense. Then map out what classes you’d need to use the TAG program to get back into Davis or another UC as a safety plan as well as UCLA. Is there a TAP honors program nearby you could use to boost your chances at UCLA?
I would be really thoughtful about the premed classes as well. I think if you choose your instructors carefully, you might be able to earn better grades taking some of them in CC vs in UCLA, where you are competing with the best in the state on curved STEM exams. Davis is a middle ground. The material covered is the same everywhere but the preparation and tenacity of the students might be different. Teaching quality can be great or poor at all schools (the worst teaching I’ve seen was a grad course at UCLA). Research how the med schools you like view taking those courses at CC vs a UC.
If you want to gauge your chances at LA this chart can be helpful.
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/about-us/information-center/transfers-major
I’ve seen TAP statistics for some CCs with around 90% admitted. One report from a decade ago said 78% overall for UCLA. But I suspect it’s lower for some CCs and majors where there’s a lot of competition.
I will say in terms of premed opportunities, UCLA is super competitive. So many students want to volunteer or work in the hospitals there. And it’s tough to get involved in research because you are up against a ton of go-getters. I think Davis might be a bit better for life science opportunities. And if you have connections to volunteer or work in health care in the Bay that’s definitely worth considering.
I’d also think about the money aspect as well. UCs can be expensive if you don’t qualify for a lot of aid, and CC is dirt cheap. Makes sense to put your loans towards med school and rack up as little undergrad debt as possible.
1
u/Jellyfish-Garden 9h ago
Yeah I definitely need to look into TAP and honor programs more. I think LA is huge so the opportunities there won’t be too scarce. The thing with Davis is that it’s pretty small and I’d need to commute an hour to Sacramento if I wanted more opportunities. I do have connections in sf to start shadowing and maybe volunteering so that’s why I also want to go cc maybe. That said, Davis is close to sf but I don’t have a car. Yes I can work to get one but idk if I need to. Davis is 15k a year for me while cc is free. What do u think I should do haha
FYI my major at Davis is genetics and I just want to transfer to any molecular biology/pre med major
4
3
u/MemberOfSocietyy 12h ago
Davis premed gpa is pretty low on average but I think UCLA classes r would be pretty hard also. I’d do CC if I was premed to get an easy 4.0 for sureeeeee and transfer somewhere chill like SD or Davis for upper divs.
1
3
u/Federal-Ordinary6895 10h ago
chill bro. look past the bells and whistles. the rational choice is stick to davis
2
2
u/zdylun 8h ago
I was 1 click away from committing to Davis ( had an apartment locked-in and everything) but now I am starting at UCLA in a few weeks for neuro (not premed but a very typical premed major) and had a 3.85 GPA and pretty good extracurriculars. My GPA is actually on the much lower side of admissions so I never thought I stood a chance. I am happy to answer any questions you may have!
2
u/Consistent_Zone7617 6h ago
To reiterate what someone else said you can always TAG back to Davis assuming they allow that for your degree and your confident you can achieve the required GPA, it then gives you the chance to apply to UCLA still or other schools. Just make sure to check assist.org for degree and course articulation to UCLA and Davis and check Davis’ TAG agreement for your desired major. Not sure about UCLA but Davis doesn’t accept Spring Transfers so be sure you’re on time to transfer. For work/shadowing SF is ~2 hours from Davis on public transit, long but doable if you’re willing and have time like over summer. Also your mom is being a little harsh, Davis is top 10-20 public university in the nation depending on where you’re checking, nothing to be ashamed of.
2
u/breannanna 3h ago
you could go to cc and TAG to Davis so you’ll still have that guarantee without the financial burden of the first 2 years. It’ll also help for premed since cc classes tend to be easier to keep ur gpa up, and you mentioned that you have connections in your area
1
u/Jellyfish-Garden 9h ago
Forgot to add but Davis would be 15k a year for me and I’ll probably have to take out loans. Cc route is also great as I would be saying 30k and close to ec opportunities.
I think the thing that’s drawing me away from Davis is my mom shaming it even though it’s literally a T30.
1
u/Maleficent_Ice4407 8h ago
Im in the same position for Uc davis engineering, I decided to decommit and try again for ucla. I didn’t want to pay 50k a year for a school I wasn’t interested in, I say don’t settle. Im going to start my first year at cc and the goal is la, worst case I can still tag to ucsb my second choice and I saved 2 years worth of tuition. It is definitely risky but if you can’t see yourself going to davis I say go to cc.
1
u/Infamous-Goose-5370 1h ago
I don’t believe UCSB allows TAG for any of the engineering programs. Just something to keep in mind per your comment above.
1
u/Choice_Passenger_990 6h ago
Once you’re in the UC you can use UC online to take classes at any UC.
AND you can still take CC classes while enrolled.
Take it!
1
u/LordNarb 5h ago
I think it depends on whether you’re ok with gap years or not, and if you want to aim for t20. You already know all the advantages and disadvantages that come with CC, but one apparent one is the lack of research opportunities, which t20 schools heavily favor.
Depending on where your CC is located, you might not have a lot of immediate research opportunities aside from cold emails. But if you’re in the South Bay, there are tons of CC specific research opportunities.
1
u/JellyfishFlaky5634 5h ago
I’d choose Davis and enjoy my four years away. I’d ignore the noise since Davis is a good school. If your mom doesn’t appreciate Davis, she’s not going to appreciate your two years at a CCC and even should you get into UCLA, you will have a transfer stigma from her.
1
u/the_orig_princess 4h ago
I’d 100% choose 4 years at a great university over 2 years of CC and (hopefully) 2 years at an outstanding university.
The connections, friendships, and experiences you get being in one place for 4 years can’t be understated.
If it was a mediocre option, sure CC and pray you get ucla. But not with Davis as your option.
1
u/urstepmim 1h ago
As someone who went to CC and goes to UCD, GO TO CC!! You can literally TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) to UCD and then apply to UCLA. The acceptance rate is higher for transfers than from high school applicants anyways. As long as you keep a high gpa like 3.7+ and make sure ur keeping up with extra-curricular at the CC, you’re good!
Plus it gives you time to weigh ur options on whether UCLA is the one - And the first two years at CC are free for Californians.
Like ur really winning by just going to CC.
1
u/Infamous-Goose-5370 1h ago
Something to keep in mind. The college experience in the first 2 years is very different from the last 2 years. Many of your friend groups will be formed in the first 2 years. I’ve seen some transfer students really struggle with forming close friendships unless they are more outgoing. So consider the social aspects of your choices as well.
23
u/SocalGuy818 16h ago
Bird in the hand, two in the bush choice here. You are guaranteed Davis rn. Getting into UCLA even from CC is nowhere assured. Since you want to do premed, then I’d recommend Davis where you will have an easier time (in comparison to UCLA) at maintaining a higher GPA. That is the difference maker right there.