Everything You Need to Know About the UC Schools

If there's anything I missed, please let me know! Thank you for watching~

I am a high school dropout with a cumulative GPA below a 1.0. After getting my GED, I spent a few years in CC and graduated with a 3.9 GPA, earned multiple AA’s and got accepted into Cal, UC Irvine and UC Davis. Community College gives everyone the opportunity to reinvent themselves, to mature, and to find direction in life. I did not have a goal of transferring to a four-year university when I entered CC but destiny had other plans. I am now currently finishing my first year at Cal and have loved every minute of it. Please do not fall into the stigma of chasing a “dream school”. No matter which university you are led to, know that, that is where you were called to go and everything will work out!

to any high school seniors bummed out about their decision results: dont be afraid of community colleges! there’s a stigma against CCs.. but if I could go back in time to choose between university or CC, I’d choose community all over again. i hated it at first but only because i pressured myself into feeling like i should have gone to a CSU or UC. there’s no wrong path! it doesn’t matter how long you take. CC’s helped me save money, the classes were smaller and I could be more personal with the professors. finally it was much easier to get into the universities I wanted due to the transfer system! CC transfers are given priority over high school graduates. Out of high school I pretty much got waitlisted and rejected from every place I applied even though I took AP’s, had great grades and extracurriculars. This year as a transfer applicant, I got into all the schools I got rejected from and even into schools I thought I wasn’t good enough for! whatever you choose, its okay that its not the plan you had! be kind to yourself, i know i wasn’t to myself back then :)

idk why i'm watching this i'm literally a 4th year at ucsd about to go into grad school but nice vid!

Santa cruz is amazing. It just doesn't get the recognition because it isn't as prestigious as la or Berkeley. I transferred here two years ago after getting into to ucla, sd, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Santa cruz. Ucla was my dream school but I just couldn't get over the fact that people there so so stuck up. Sure they got a high ranking but in the end it doesn't matter. I'm now getting ready to graduate and have zero regrets. All the professors I've had are truly amazing and have made my experience even better. And this school is truly underrated. Once you stroll among the redwoods on your way to class, or have unlimited views of the ocean you will truly never get tired of that school.

Me in HS: I hope I can get into Berkeley and get an enriching education and be a part of its beautiful campus life. Me at Berkeley: Anxiety from notifications about stabbing attacks and failing midterms :')

I graduated from UCI last year. You can def have a good social life if you join the right clubs and make friends in your classes. Disneyland is a 30 minute drive and the beaches are only a 10 minute drive. ZOT ZOT ZOT!!

My dad went to UCLA, my brother Cal. I got rejected by all besides UCR when I applied. I was distrauct and thought my life was over. This is so silly now looking back. I ended up appealing and going to UCSC which I later regretted and transferred to UCSD even though all my counselors told me it wasn’t possible. In my entire experience every counselor told me my dreams or goals were impossible. Never listen to the opinions of others and follow your own path. You’ll be amazed where you end up. UCSD was the best experience and I’m so glad I gave the “socially deaf” campus a chance. Thanks for the memories

I’m a UCSD grad; double-majored in math & computer science. I was also on the women’s crew team for 4 years. Overall great college experience, which led to awesome jobs in high tech in Silicon Valley, Paris, and Seattle, as well as life-long friends.

Here after being rejected from UCI lol. Still waiting to get back from UCLA, UCD, UCSD, AND UCSB. I’ll update when I hear back. Best of luck to everyone waiting for their admissions! Edit Update: Waitlisted at UCSB. colleges decisions be roughhh haha I rly wanna get into UCSD but like oh well. Edit Update: I GOT INTO UC DAVIS!!!!! Edit Update: Waitlist at UCSD omllll YAYYYYYY it was like a 5% acceptance rate this year... 118000 students applied and only 6200 got in. The fact I was even considered is a celebration within itself haha Edit: UCLA rejected haha was expecting it so all good Y’all if you got rejected from your dream schools, just know we are all in this together. The college admissions is a total crapshoot and if you’re lucky, you’re lucky there’s nothing you can really do about it. This year has been crazy for all of us and it’s even worse because it’s more people than normal applying. Wherever you go I’m sure you’ll be happy! Prestige doesn’t decide your worth! <3

I graduated from Davis! You made some good points. I’d like to add from my experience, If you’re pre-health(pre-med,pre-PA,pre-nursing, pre-public health) there are tons of hospitals internships and other opportunities. For STEM folks in general, there’s lots of research positions available, too. I was able publish my first research project from working in one! Tech wise tho, like you mentioned, I’d agree, I didn’t know very many folks who were in that sector I’d also say it’s not as quiet as you’d think. Davis has a fun small townish vibe with weekend farmers markets that people love, but also if you were into frat life those day parties existed too.

Uci is very social it’s just not a party school but most ppl here are really focused on academics and creating strong genuine friendships:) if you have AP credits getting classes is cake

i got accepted to ucla and berkeley but ended up going to santa cruz because they were giving me a full ride, and im super happy i did. the campus is beautiful, but the best part for me is the relationships you get to forge with your professors. ive been given so many research opportunities that i know i wouldnt have gotten had i gone to a bigger school like ucla.

Your thorough research and presentation are beyond impressive. I will share this with my daughter and my students. Thank you VERY much for being so transparent, non-superficial, and not leaning toward any particular UC. You're simply sharing information in a very professional way. Cool points!

I mean, Santa Cruz definitely got the most culture, i can say that. Loved my experience there. Being from SoCal(SB area), i can definitely say that the open-minded atmosphere, living in the forest, and having hella hiking/beaches within a 2 -mile radius made my college experience much more laid back and memorable. Going to grad school and looking back, i definitely feel like the small class sizes really gave me a chance to connect with professors, which got me into research and letters of recs, etc. Idk, overall, rankings are a pretty antiquated way at looking at college lol Definitely go where you feel you belong and where you can be yourself. Enjoy the journey y’all. Peace.

im currently a first year @ UCSD & i genuinely love it so much. the campus is so beautiful and it’s definitely not as “socially dead” as people think. it really just depends on who you’re friends with honestly and based on your preferences. a lot of the freshman are super social and everyone ive ever talked to is always down to make friends. and yes la jolla is a pretty expensive place BUT there’s so many other places to live in San Diego and SO much to do and see!

This video is so insightful, and the graphics are amazing! As a CA high school senior who applied to almost all the UCs, I thank you for making this video!!!

UC Merced has established a medical education department, and is working towards opening a medical school within the next few years. As a university located deep in the Central Valley it has regarded itself to sustainability and community development. During my undergrad, they were able to open 10 new buildings! (Housing, classrooms, research buildings, and more) If you have time, I highly recommend coming to see the campus!

graduating from uc davis in spring and i agree with all your points! the agriculture and vet facilities are world-class and even if you’re not in those majors you can take cool classes like wine and beer making, if you like the small-town feel also i would recommend to come here, it’s close enough to sacramento and sf that you aren’t in the middle of nowhere but it’s a nice chance of pace imo :)

I was accepted to UCSB last week & rejected from UCLA. I'm excited to think of what my life could be like at SB, though!! From videos I've watched so far, UCSB has everything from good academics, fun social scene, and amazing location. Thanks for this informative vid! <3