Davis is no NYC, but as a recent transfer, I couldn’t help but wonder what the dating scene looks like here. In order to find out, I did some field research by reaching out to fellow students.
While every experience is unique and no campus can be summed up in under five bullet points, I noticed a few interesting trends that gave me a sense of what we were dealing with; if you’re curious about the Davis dating pool, keep reading!!
1. Casual dating does exist, but it’s complicated
Here at Davis, connections often begin informally instead of with a slow progression of clearly defined dates. People meet through friends, classes, apps or group functions.
Let’s be honest; this isn’t just a UC Davis thing, it’s very Gen Z. We don’t casually date the way previous generations have. However, several students wanted to make it clear that meaningful relationships and connections do exist here. I personally know many people in happy, committed long-term relationships here; so it all comes down to what floats your boat.
2. The town feels small; the campus does not
Davis, as a town, feels close-knit. Our downtown is compact, and social spaces overlap, so it is common to run into people you know, including someone you may have dated. However, the campus itself is huge. With thousands of students and countless different lecture halls, labs and buildings, it is entirely possible to avoid someone if you so choose.
I have been at Davis since September and have only run into friends a handful of times. Side note – This is SO different from the small-ish college I went to before here!!
Students described this balance as surprisingly convenient: Davis feels socially connected without being too much.
3. People date inside and outside their social circles
At UCD, certain groups often date within their own spaces. Athletes frequently meet other athletes. Greek life tends to socialize within Greek life. Club members get to know their peers really well, etc. This isn’t different from any other school.
However, speaking to students showed me how interconnected these circles actually are. Participating in multiple communities at once (like research labs, clubs, jobs, volunteer opportunities and social groups) creates opportunities to meet people outside of your usual environment and makes dating even better! It was confirmed by multiple student interviewees that while you might run into your ex in the same social circle you met, there are plenty of ways to avoid them.
4. Dating apps are common but not always successful
Hinge and Tinder (among others) are widely used by students. Most people I spoke with had tried at least one app while at Davis.
However, some expressed that introductions through mutual friends, classes or shared activities feel more natural. Plus, some people feel that the apps are mostly used for hookups, not long-term relationships.
Here, it is common to build relationships through IRL interactions instead of a swipe and a snap (even though I think we can all agree we are too old to be asking people for their Snapchat).
5. Academics are the priority
As an academically rigorous institution, everyone at UCD is busy in their own respective ways. Between demanding majors, internships, research commitments and extracurricular activities, time to date can be limited.
Several interviewees noted that their free time (or lack thereof) influenced how much effort and time they put into dating. Multiple students highlighted that keeping things casual feels easier than committing to something that requires consistent time and emotional investment, especially when those two things can be hard to give. However, students in serious relationships emphasized that intentional communication and shared priorities made it possible.
In other words, commitment is not uncommon at UC Davis; it simply requires time and effort in an already full schedule.
To conclude…
If you walk away from this article with one overarching takeaway, I hope it is that there is no single “Davis dating culture.” Every single person I spoke with had their very own experiences that varied depending on social circles, academic paths and personal expectations.
For students like me, just now entering the dating scene, I think the most valuable approach is to enter relationships understanding what you want, communicating it openly, and remaining open to unexpected connections. At Davis, you are likely to meet people both within and beyond your usual circle. And that possibility may be one of the most compelling aspects of dating here! But, don’t just take my word for it… Go out and try it yourself!