UCSC is an excellent school with many professors at the top of their fields. Many of our undergraduate programs are top in the country (or were, before the budget crisis), and I believe that UCSC is greatly underrated as an awesome undergraduate school! Even outside of classes, I am learning a lot because UCSC students are environmentally friendly and are conscious about their impact on the world. We strive to be sustainable, and I feel that I am learning a lot about that by just being on campus. UCSC is a wonderful place to learn about life in general, and I definitely recommend it to everyone!
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I always talk about UCSC by saying our because I feel like I am part of a community! UCSC is filled with kind, friendly people, and I have had a great social and educational experience here. The campus is beautiful - trees everywhere, and on my walks to class I see deer and rabbits every day. It is a fantastic campus and it's said that UCSC students are the fittest college students in California! I have also found a great group of friends that have made me feel very welcome and accepted - which everyone on the campus seems to do anyway!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Unfortunately, the educational budget cuts in California are tearing apart every level of education, and UCSC has been negatively affected, just like any other school. Still, students and teachers alike are trying to make the best of a bad situation, and though everyone is affected, I feel that I am still learning a lot, and this campus is a great place to spend your time (and money) if you're going to be stressed about paying so much for college. (Who can get stressed on such a beautiful campus?) In spite of the budget cuts, student groups and the Disability Resource Center aid students who need more help than large class sizes (due to the budget) can give them.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Be prepared for a lot of walking, which is really okay since it is such a beautiful campus. There is a lot to look at, so the walks are never boring! Whenever you feel stressed, I'm serious, go for a walk and clear your head.
Be open minded. People who don't accept quirkiness often don't have a very good time at UCSC.
Please don't be afraid to speak up! UCSC is a liberal campus, but that does not mean you should be afraid to express yourself!
I do not consider UCSC to be a party school. Don't be too concerned about partying behavior - there isn't much of it, and what there is can be avoided.
Research which community within the University (there are 10 college communities) you would like to live in. I moved from Cowell to Merrill because it fit me more - choose the one that suits you the most!
And last and most importantly, please visit the campus before you decide on any college. You never know if a college is right for you until you have been there and have interacted with the people yourself!
One more tip: Have fun!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
I highly recommend UCSC for students who love the outdoors but still like to be near a city (Santa Cruz is a lovely city itself), or people who love the outdoors and that's it!
Quirky people are welcome!
I've read that students who get easily stressed would do well at UCSC, and I think I would recommend it just because I think it might be impossible to get too stressed out with all the trees around.
Students at UCSC are serious about their educations - that's why we don't have many big sports teams - but they still know how to have fun! Events are thrown all over campus that help students wind down - events like poetry readings, bounce house parties (act like a kid again!), Quidditch matches, and themed College Nights.
Students who like to have a great time but are still serious about their education, who are socially and environmentally conscious, who want a school with personality, and those who want to be a Banana Slug (UCSC's mascot!) should join the UCSC community! Hope to see you there!
UCSC is an excellent school with many professors at the top of their fields. Many of our undergraduate programs are top in the country (or were, before the budget crisis), and I believe that UCSC is greatly underrated as an awesome undergraduate school! Even outside of classes, I am learning a lot because UCSC students are environmentally friendly and are conscious about their impact on the world. We strive to be sustainable, and I feel that I am learning a lot about that by just being on campus. UCSC is a wonderful place to learn about life in general, and I definitely recommend it to everyone!
I always talk about UCSC by saying our because I feel like I am part of a community! UCSC is filled with kind, friendly people, and I have had a great social and educational experience here. The campus is beautiful - trees everywhere, and on my walks to class I see deer and rabbits every day. It is a fantastic campus and it's said that UCSC students are the fittest college students in California! I have also found a great group of friends that have made me feel very welcome and accepted - which everyone on the campus seems to do anyway!
Unfortunately, the educational budget cuts in California are tearing apart every level of education, and UCSC has been negatively affected, just like any other school. Still, students and teachers alike are trying to make the best of a bad situation, and though everyone is affected, I feel that I am still learning a lot, and this campus is a great place to spend your time (and money) if you're going to be stressed about paying so much for college. (Who can get stressed on such a beautiful campus?) In spite of the budget cuts, student groups and the Disability Resource Center aid students who need more help than large class sizes (due to the budget) can give them.
Be prepared for a lot of walking, which is really okay since it is such a beautiful campus. There is a lot to look at, so the walks are never boring! Whenever you feel stressed, I'm serious, go for a walk and clear your head. Be open minded. People who don't accept quirkiness often don't have a very good time at UCSC. Please don't be afraid to speak up! UCSC is a liberal campus, but that does not mean you should be afraid to express yourself! I do not consider UCSC to be a party school. Don't be too concerned about partying behavior - there isn't much of it, and what there is can be avoided. Research which community within the University (there are 10 college communities) you would like to live in. I moved from Cowell to Merrill because it fit me more - choose the one that suits you the most! And last and most importantly, please visit the campus before you decide on any college. You never know if a college is right for you until you have been there and have interacted with the people yourself! One more tip: Have fun!
I highly recommend UCSC for students who love the outdoors but still like to be near a city (Santa Cruz is a lovely city itself), or people who love the outdoors and that's it! Quirky people are welcome! I've read that students who get easily stressed would do well at UCSC, and I think I would recommend it just because I think it might be impossible to get too stressed out with all the trees around. Students at UCSC are serious about their educations - that's why we don't have many big sports teams - but they still know how to have fun! Events are thrown all over campus that help students wind down - events like poetry readings, bounce house parties (act like a kid again!), Quidditch matches, and themed College Nights. Students who like to have a great time but are still serious about their education, who are socially and environmentally conscious, who want a school with personality, and those who want to be a Banana Slug (UCSC's mascot!) should join the UCSC community! Hope to see you there!