Photo portrait of UC Davis tour guide Neshmia Alam

Tell us a little about you.

Before attending UC Davis, I lived in the Bay Area. I currently study political science and sociology with the hope to attend law school in the near future. I want to focus on criminal justice and study how the criminal justice system affects the lives of convicts.

Why did you choose UC Davis?

I chose UC Davis for the community! Everyone at UC Davis is so kind and welcoming. I wasn't sure what I was looking for in a university while I was still in high school, but the positivity of the UC Davis campus drew me in, and I've appreciated the community and people here so much since.

What do you enjoy doing for fun here?

I like checking out all the different restaurants and coffee shops in Davis! I also like going to Sacramento and exploring the area with my friends.

What activities have you been involved in here?

  • Mock Trial at UC Davis (attorney and team captain)
  • UC Davis tour guide
  • Communications team member

Where have you found community and support on campus?

I feel as though joining a club has really helped me find my community here in Davis. There were so many organizations to look into, but ultimately finding people with similar interests and career goals was so helpful in creating a community to call my own.

How do you feel UC Davis is preparing you for success?

UC Davis is helping me both by giving me a solid academic background and an amazing network as well. So many people here have helped connect me to people in the fields I'm interested in and have encouraged me to pursue extracurriculars related to my passions.

What do you hope/plan to do after you graduate?

After I graduate, I hope to attend law school and become a criminal defense lawyer.

What has surprised you about UC Davis?

Just how much all the other students here want to watch you succeed. I knew that UC Davis had a reputation for being a positive campus, but I also knew it to be academically rigorous. Now, I see students are able to succeed academically so often because they have other students (and staff!) to support them.

What would you tell prospective students about UC Davis?

I would tell high school seniors that UC Davis is an amazing school no matter what they're interested in! I've felt so at home while attending UC Davis and love the people I've met here!