The University of California, Davis continues to be a huge draw for Campolindo students and thus far, nineteen seniors have announced that they will be attending next year. Current students praise the inviting nature of the campus, the school’s commitment to sustainability, and the diversity of programs.

According to counselor Jake Donohoe, the number of Campolindo students attending UC Davis has steadily risen in the past five years. The school drew 11 students in 2007, 13 students in 2008 and 2009, and over 19 in 2010 and 2011.

“I really like neurobiology, physiology, and behavior, which Davis is good for,” said Tom Nocera.

Ranked as one of the “Public Ivies,” a list of the top public universities in the United States, Davis is distinguished for its strong graduate programs in biology and agriculture. It draws approximately 25,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students.

“My sister went to Davis and visiting there, I saw the school and how cool it is,” said Alicia Glidden. “It has cows. But I really like them. It’s a reminder of home.”

“I wanted to go to a school that was totally not mainstream, so I chose UC Davis,” quipped Brian Rath.

One issue that Campolindo students attending Davis will face is running into old high school peers, whether from this year or past years. “It’s the largest UC campus, so hopefully I will never see them again,” said Ryan Kastigar.  “If I do, I will fling myself behind the nearest foliage,” he added.

Nocera took an entirely different stance on the issue. “I’ll have people I can know that I can see, but the campus is large enough that I can get away,” said Nocera.

Glidden attributed the number of Davis attendees to the increasing competitiveness of other University of California schools and the rise in tuition costs at private schools. “Private school is so expensive, Davis makes more sense financially for some people,” said Glidden. “Berkeley is so hard to get into, a good portion of people going to Davis probably didn’t get in,” she explained.