Santa Cruz is a fantastic place for anyone looking for a unique college experience. There is a perfect balance between academic focus and rigor, extracurricular opportunities and social opportunities. The campus is astonishingly beautiful and the surrounding area is inspiring, being between the beach and the redwood forest.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Attend UCSC with an open mind, willing to accept anything that comes your way. It is definitely not your typical college experience, and if you take it for what it is I believe it to be not only the best over all UC, but possibly the most fulfilling college experience in all of California. It will open your mind to new possibilities and help you truly find yourself if you let it.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
The academics are very challenging, but not so challenging that you have the high possibility for suicides such as other much more competitive universities. You definitely have to try hard and study a lot, but you aren't going to kill yourself studying. The academic rigor is such that you must apply yourself heavily but you are still going to have a chance to explore your other interests and keep yourself balanced in other aspects of your life.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The dorm life is fantastic. It is co-ed, which takes getting used to, but to be honest I didn't even notice it when I first moved in. You truly feel like your hall is a family, learning to share everything with each other. In my experience anyways, almost everyone kept their doors open at most times so it felt much more like a big household than an apartment complex. The campus is absolutely beautiful and if at any time you find yourself wanting something to do, you can take a walk outside and meander through the redwood forest. There is always something new, interesting and possibly mystical to discover. Living on campus for my first year at college was a fantastic experience, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The dining hall hours can sometimes be strange, and if your particularly dining hall isn't open at the time you want to eat then you have to hike across campus to a different dining hall. Some dining halls are much better than others, and if you end up at a college with a bad dining hall you will find yourself having to hike more often than not to get a decent meal. The food is fine for a while until you get used to it, then it gets very redundant and it tends to taste worse and worse the more you eat it.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
The beach is a ten minute bus ride away and the beaches are beautiful just like the campus. The beaches are great for surfing so if you are into surfing it is a fantastic place to bring your board. Downtown is always fun to walk around, it is quirky and there are lots of shops to go into and plenty of things to do downtown. the Catalyst Club always gets big names such as Bassnectar, Mac Miller, Snoop Dogg, Rusko, Andre Nickatina, E-40 and many others. Tickets are cheap and there is a school affiliated bus that picks you up right outside the club after the shows. OPERS has plenty of sports facilities to keep in shape and play sports. The field has a fantastic view of all of Santa Cruz as well. The redwood forest is also literally in the campus backyard and Pogonip State Park is walking distance away. Both provide excellent hiking opportunities. The beach boardwalk also has roller coasters and other such attractions which is pretty fun as well. Upper Campus has tons of world-renowned mountain biking trails as well. There is never a dull moment in Santa Cruz.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
UC's are currently overcrowded, tuition is going up, and it is extremely difficult to get classes. This is, in my opinion, the only downside to UCSC. Many popular classes are difficult to get in to, and the classes you do get into are often overcrowded. Since the classes are so competitive to get into, the courses also become more competitive to get good grades in as well. This is both a good and a bad thing.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Every year at the first rain, thousands of students begin from the east side of campus and run naked to the west side of campus, ending in the OPERS pool. There are often full moon drum circles at the Porter Meadows as well. April 20th brings thousands of students and non-affiliates to the Porter Meadows for the day and has fun student-run activities such as slacklining competitions. The Rock Garden and the Garden of Eden are seemingly magical places in Pogonip that gathers nature loving students frequently (if you can find them). The amphitheater by the bookstore is also a really cool place. There are tons of secret places around campus that people have found and there are plenty more to be discovered since the campus is located inside a forest.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Students who are well balanced and not too focused in one particular area will love UCSC for its diversity. Students who love nature will love UCSC as well. UCSC is fantastic for basically any student who feels the need to be apart of a school with a good football team.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are plenty of clubs and activities to be apart of. I personally didn't get involved in them but know many people who did and enjoyed them a lot. There are plenty of opportunities.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
The Greek life is pretty insignificant to the school at UCSC. Only about 3% of students are affiliated. However, everyone that is in the Greek life loves it. It is completely feasible to have a social life without being a part of the Greek system in Santa Cruz.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The Campus is extremely safe. it is pretty unaccessible to the rest of the city, being high up on a hill, and there are plenty of police officers roaming the campus that keep it a safe place to live. You can very easily and safely roam the campus at night and never run into any trouble. I felt extremely safe and comfortable throughout my entire time on campus, without feeling violated or suffocated by police and community safety officers. They truly are there for your own safety, and are not out to get you.
Santa Cruz is a fantastic place for anyone looking for a unique college experience. There is a perfect balance between academic focus and rigor, extracurricular opportunities and social opportunities. The campus is astonishingly beautiful and the surrounding area is inspiring, being between the beach and the redwood forest.
Attend UCSC with an open mind, willing to accept anything that comes your way. It is definitely not your typical college experience, and if you take it for what it is I believe it to be not only the best over all UC, but possibly the most fulfilling college experience in all of California. It will open your mind to new possibilities and help you truly find yourself if you let it.
The academics are very challenging, but not so challenging that you have the high possibility for suicides such as other much more competitive universities. You definitely have to try hard and study a lot, but you aren't going to kill yourself studying. The academic rigor is such that you must apply yourself heavily but you are still going to have a chance to explore your other interests and keep yourself balanced in other aspects of your life.
The dorm life is fantastic. It is co-ed, which takes getting used to, but to be honest I didn't even notice it when I first moved in. You truly feel like your hall is a family, learning to share everything with each other. In my experience anyways, almost everyone kept their doors open at most times so it felt much more like a big household than an apartment complex. The campus is absolutely beautiful and if at any time you find yourself wanting something to do, you can take a walk outside and meander through the redwood forest. There is always something new, interesting and possibly mystical to discover. Living on campus for my first year at college was a fantastic experience, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
The dining hall hours can sometimes be strange, and if your particularly dining hall isn't open at the time you want to eat then you have to hike across campus to a different dining hall. Some dining halls are much better than others, and if you end up at a college with a bad dining hall you will find yourself having to hike more often than not to get a decent meal. The food is fine for a while until you get used to it, then it gets very redundant and it tends to taste worse and worse the more you eat it.
The beach is a ten minute bus ride away and the beaches are beautiful just like the campus. The beaches are great for surfing so if you are into surfing it is a fantastic place to bring your board. Downtown is always fun to walk around, it is quirky and there are lots of shops to go into and plenty of things to do downtown. the Catalyst Club always gets big names such as Bassnectar, Mac Miller, Snoop Dogg, Rusko, Andre Nickatina, E-40 and many others. Tickets are cheap and there is a school affiliated bus that picks you up right outside the club after the shows. OPERS has plenty of sports facilities to keep in shape and play sports. The field has a fantastic view of all of Santa Cruz as well. The redwood forest is also literally in the campus backyard and Pogonip State Park is walking distance away. Both provide excellent hiking opportunities. The beach boardwalk also has roller coasters and other such attractions which is pretty fun as well. Upper Campus has tons of world-renowned mountain biking trails as well. There is never a dull moment in Santa Cruz.
UC's are currently overcrowded, tuition is going up, and it is extremely difficult to get classes. This is, in my opinion, the only downside to UCSC. Many popular classes are difficult to get in to, and the classes you do get into are often overcrowded. Since the classes are so competitive to get into, the courses also become more competitive to get good grades in as well. This is both a good and a bad thing.
Every year at the first rain, thousands of students begin from the east side of campus and run naked to the west side of campus, ending in the OPERS pool. There are often full moon drum circles at the Porter Meadows as well. April 20th brings thousands of students and non-affiliates to the Porter Meadows for the day and has fun student-run activities such as slacklining competitions. The Rock Garden and the Garden of Eden are seemingly magical places in Pogonip that gathers nature loving students frequently (if you can find them). The amphitheater by the bookstore is also a really cool place. There are tons of secret places around campus that people have found and there are plenty more to be discovered since the campus is located inside a forest.
Students who are well balanced and not too focused in one particular area will love UCSC for its diversity. Students who love nature will love UCSC as well. UCSC is fantastic for basically any student who feels the need to be apart of a school with a good football team.
There are plenty of clubs and activities to be apart of. I personally didn't get involved in them but know many people who did and enjoyed them a lot. There are plenty of opportunities.
The Greek life is pretty insignificant to the school at UCSC. Only about 3% of students are affiliated. However, everyone that is in the Greek life loves it. It is completely feasible to have a social life without being a part of the Greek system in Santa Cruz.
The Campus is extremely safe. it is pretty unaccessible to the rest of the city, being high up on a hill, and there are plenty of police officers roaming the campus that keep it a safe place to live. You can very easily and safely roam the campus at night and never run into any trouble. I felt extremely safe and comfortable throughout my entire time on campus, without feeling violated or suffocated by police and community safety officers. They truly are there for your own safety, and are not out to get you.