a day at Davis

[7dollarjack]

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I'd really like to hear from some Davis students.

I'm trying to decide between Davis and Western. Davis has a lot going for it, but I'm trying to get a feel for what a day at Davis is like. How much of the week is spent in that lecture hall (We're talking years 1&2 here)?

I like the hands-on approach of Western, but I have a strong wildlife and research background (and interest) which makes Davis potentially a better choice.

What's a day at Davis really like, as a student?

 

[mtrl1]

Hmmm....well our schedule is different every week, so no two weeks are ever exactly the same. But generally, we have 3-4 hours of lecture a day, and labs in the afternoon (which generally get out early). Different courses have different numbers of labs, and the amount of time you need to get lab done varies individually. Some weeks we only have 2 labs, some weeks we have lab every day. Average is probably about 3-4 labs a week. Next quarter isn't bad at all compared to Winter quarter. For days when we have exams on courses that have a lab component we usually have the day off except for the afternoon exam (written and practical). And if you're interested in wildlife stuff, there are electives you can take starting first year, and the WAAM (wildlife and aquatic medicine) club is very active. So far, I've attended several lectures and a necropsy wetlab, but there has also been a darting wetlab, and there are various tours throughout the year. If you're truly interested in research, I think you would be better off at Davis than at Western. The joint DVM/MPVM program might be of interest to you because there is a wildlife track in that. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

 

[splashnits]

I'm in sort of the same boat: trying to decide between Davis, Tufts, and UGA. I'm leaning toward Davis because of research interests, and I'm from Cali, but I want to make sure I'm making the right choice.

Anyone have any comments about the pros or cons of any of these three schools?

 

[mtrl1]

I don't know anything about UGA, but I was accepted to Tufts and really liked the school and everyone I met there.

Some things to think about when thinking about any school:
-size of teaching hospital caseload
-tracking vs. non-tracking
-possibilities to do research in and outside of joint programs
-location and proximity to the rest of the school community
-class size
-weather

One thing I really liked about Tufts was that you get 20 weeks of elective rotations your senior year....so you really can do whatever you want. Their wildlife program and international program are also amazing. I did meet some really nice Tufts students when I was at SAVMA symposium this weekend and they said they were really enjoying their time.

But I love Davis, and have no regrets about attending. They have an incredible amount of research going on, and there are so many activities going on you can't keep track. I also really like the fact that it's so close to the main campus, since I still have undergrad connections and enjoy some of the activities.

 

[hoodle]

I was accepted at Tufts too, and I thought the administration and students there all seemed very nice and very happy! A great school with a great vibe. But wow, was it isolated. I'm not a big city person at ALL, but Tufts was a bit *too* suburban/rural even for my tastes... you have to drive a couple of miles to get to a coffee shop or grab a bagel, there are very few options for dinner unless you drive quite a bit (can you tell my mind centers around food?). Of course, if you drive an easy 45 min w/o traffic, you're in an amazing city with all you can want. So it goes both ways... but it was a bit much for me.

Also, when I was at Tufts, I asked the guy who was interviewing me about the biggest flaws, and his answers were admirably honest... perhaps too honest. He talked about how short funding was, how they had only one anatomist, had lost their equine sports medicine guy, etc. He said that the wildlife and international programs were well funded. thriving, and exceptionally successful, but that the other signature programs were more on paper than in actuality. I don't know if this is true from a student's point of view, but it was interesting. The campus is very pretty, and the admin were by far the nicest of any place I visited - warm, like family - but I had reservations about the funding available for faculty hires and research, compounded with the isolation.

My biggest fear about Davis is how traditional the curriculum is. I don't do my best with multiple choice exams - PBL like at Cornell would fit my style much better. That said, I think the immense options at Davis in terms of faculty knowledge and student interests, the high caseload, the flexible tracking, and the great weather make me excited for next year!

 

[VAgirl]

That said, I think the immense options at Davis in terms of faculty knowledge and student interests, the high caseload, the flexible tracking, and the great weather make me excited for next year!

 

[hoodle]

VAgirl, we're too much 😀

 

[PlantersPunch]

Tufts...had lost their equine sports medicine guy, etc.
..

This is totally off topic and I apologize but I though it was interesting that you were told this because I was interviewed by Tufts' equine sports medicine guy and he didn't seem to be leaving...

 

[hoodle]

This is totally off topic and I apologize but I though it was interesting that you were told this because I was interviewed by Tufts' equine sports medicine guy and he didn't seem to be leaving...

Weird! Well, if you met the guy and he's not leaving, then that's great! I have no idea what the person meant, then. Maybe they had two, and now they have one? Or he was just really confused? He was certainly extremely nice!

 

[splashnits]

Thanks guys....

I guess I'm wondering less about the geography/stuff to do aspects (I've visited all these places) and more about the strengths/weaknesses of the specific programs and curricula--for instance, does the more traditional lecture-based system at Davis give you opportunities for actively involved or hands-on work during the first two years, or are you left bored in lecture all day every day? How flexible are the classes in terms of allowing you to take courses in your area of interest?

Also, does anyone know anything about how competitive the students are with each other at Davis/Tufts/UGA? Or how much the faculty are truly involved and care about whether students are learning?

Maybe this is a better post for the Vet, not Pre-Vet, forum?

(I'm just FULL of questions, huh).

 

[Angelo84]

I'm putting off studying by reading SDN so..

I can't speak for Davis/UGA but I don't know if other Tufts students will see this given the title.

I think the competativeness depends on the make up of each class. My class is not competative at all with each other. Study groups are very flexible and we regularly share information and study aids. The professors are all very willing to teach and are interested in what they are teaching. They are not teaching just so they can do reasearch or something else they are doing it because they enjoy it.

 

[mtrl1]

...does the more traditional lecture-based system at Davis give you opportunities for actively involved or hands-on work during the first two years, or are you left bored in lecture all day every day? How flexible are the classes in terms of allowing you to take courses in your area of interest?

Also, does anyone know anything about how competitive the students are with each other at Davis/Tufts/UGA? Or how much the faculty are truly involved and care about whether students are learning?

At Davis there's not a ton of live animal stuff...we have handling labs and evening nursing sessions, rumen palpation, neuro exams, and some other stuff. There's plenty of opportunities for live animal stuff on weekends through spay/neuter clinics, Mercer, as well as regular treatment crews. I do a lot of stuff outside the classroom, and I really like the science, so I really don't mind the lectures that much. I think 2nd year has more live animal stuff though, and then the bulk is in your 3rd year. There are electives starting your first year on a variety of subjects....but you don't have that many units. I don't feel like the students are competitive against each other...I think we all just push ourselves/each other really hard to do our best. I feel like the faculty are pretty caring for the most part....we definitely have some truly outstanding professors (like our anatomy professors) who will definitely do everything in their power to help you succeed. The administration is also making an effort to get student feedback on how they can make school better and less taxing...so they're trying!

If you have other questions feel free to PM me 🙂

Good luck with your decision!

 

[7dollarjack]

My biggest fear about Davis is how traditional the curriculum is. I don't do my best with multiple choice exams

--Does Davis really do Multiple Choice Exams?

 

[mtrl1]

The format of the exam is dependent on the professor. Some professors give m/c exams...and I think some of the m/c are trickier than the fill-ins. Since we often have multiple professors covering material for one exam, they all write questions for their own style. Other teachers give strictly short answer/fill-in. There are definitely no m/c questions in the non-anatomy written sections of cardio-respiratory physiology and I think those tests were the hardest exams I've ever taken. Unlike undergrad though, my study habits are not drastically different for the different exams formats.