So, Idaho versus UC Davis, huh?
People throw these names around, especially if you’re looking at certain programs, like agriculture or environmental science. One’s got that big California shine, the other… well, it’s Idaho. Seems straightforward, but it ain’t always that simple, folks.
I got a firsthand taste of this whole comparison game a couple of years back. It wasn’t even for me, you know? It was my cousin, young kid, bright-eyed, wanted to get into agricultural tech. He had his sights set on these two, and somehow, I became his unofficial research grunt and emotional support advisor. Joy.
Now, I’m not talking about just reading brochures or looking at rankings online. Anyone can do that. We tried to actually, you know, engage. See what the vibe was really like. And that’s where things got… illuminating.
With UC Davis, man, it felt like shouting into a void sometimes. My cousin, he was keen on this one specific niche research area they supposedly excelled in. So, he drafts these super polite emails to a couple of professors, asking for a bit more info, maybe a quick chat. Crickets. We tried calling the department. Got bounced around like a pinball. “Oh, that person’s on sabbatical.” “Try this extension.” “No, that’s the wrong department.” It was a bureaucratic maze. You’d think a big-shot place like that would have its act together, but it felt so impersonal, almost like they couldn’t be bothered with a prospective student unless he was already a Nobel laureate or something.
- Email after email, just vanished.
- Phone calls leading nowhere.
- A general feeling of being a tiny, insignificant speck.
Honestly, it was pretty disheartening for the kid. He started second-guessing if he was even good enough to apply, which was ridiculous. It wasn’t him; it was the system, or lack thereof, for someone trying to peek behind the curtain.
Then, almost as an afterthought, he decided to ping someone at Idaho. Found a professor in a similar field. Sent off an email, not expecting much after the Davis debacle. And what do you know? The professor actually emailed back. Like, a real email, from a real person, not some automated reply. He even offered to have a quick Zoom call to talk about the program and his research. Can you believe it? Just like that.
It was a night-and-day difference.
Now, I’m not saying Idaho is paradise and UC Davis is a hellscape. That’s not the point. The point is, when you’re looking at these places, especially from the outside, the experience of trying to connect, trying to get a feel for the people, that stuff matters. It tells you a lot about the culture, about how much they value individuals versus just being a giant institution.
So, when people ask me “Idaho vs UC Davis?” I just tell them about my cousin. I tell them to look beyond the glossy websites and the prestige talk. Try to actually reach out. See who treats you like a human being. Because that experience, that initial interaction, can be a pretty darn good indicator of what you’re getting yourself into. It’s not always about the big name; sometimes it’s about finding a place where you feel you can actually connect and not just be another number.
That whole rigmarole with my cousin, it really opened my eyes. Made me realize that sometimes the places you least expect can surprise you, and the ones with all the hype can leave you feeling pretty cold. Just my two cents, from someone who got dragged through the wringer trying to help a kid make a big decision.
