Reviews

After completing my first year at UCSC - and most of my GEs - I feel that I have learned a lot in many different areas of study. The classes offered as general education requirements are both interesting and informative. I have only taken two of my major prerequisites thus far, but both have also exceeded my expectations in the amount I learned from them.

The campus is absolutely beautiful! Some may complain about climbing the hills to classes, but it's well worth it. Where else can you go to class in the middle of a redwood forest, or wake up to a panoramic view of Monterrey Bay. If you end up at UCSC, be sure to visit Pogonip - the state park that is literally next-door to the campus. Not a huge party school, if that's what you're looking for, but weekends aren't boring either. There's plenty to do down town, and of course, at the beach.

The professors are amazingly brilliant, and most teach with excellent clarity and enthusiasm. There are a few duds, but you'll find that at any school. Tuition was increased for the 2009-2010 school year, but where in the country hasn't college tuition gone up, with the way the economy is? The only thing that I don't like is that a lot of classes are hard to get into as a first or second year because enrollment times are issued by the number of credits you have. It is disappointing to try to sign up for a class numerous quarters in a row, and still not get in because the class closes before your enrollment time rolls around.

Although UCSC isn't a huge sports school, there is a lot of school spirit. Get involved with groups on campus, whether it be intramural sports, clubs, or sororities/fraternities. The school has a great sense of community, so allow yourself to be a part of it as soon as you get there. Oh, and eat at Cowell dining hall - it's the newest and the best!

This school is great for environmentally aware students, culturally aware students, academically motivated students, undergraduate students (this is primarily a undergraduate university, and thus most of the focus is on preparing its attendees for graduate school and beyond), and students who appreciate the outdoors.

My professors made sure that I not only understood the subject matter, they also made us utilize what we learned into different problems. You learn a lot about yourself when you experience a different environment.

Santa Cruz is a very beautiful town! Everyone is friendly and the college scene is a lot of fun. The buses get you to most places, but your own bicycle would get you everywhere. There are endless possibilities with what you can do out here. You can bike around and go downtown to eat unique food, shop, or explore campus, watch the sunset, go to the beach boardwalk to ride rollercoasters, enjoy the wharf, or go to shows.

How could you not love being by the forest AND the beach, right by downtown?.. University professors are nice, and the campus is beautiful. College counselors are helpful and are there to help. The library is open until 2AM if you need to study. For you outdoors people, we have a school-based organization called OPERS that schedules and provides transportation for surf trips, hiking trips to Yosemite, camping trips, trips to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and more! You also get to encounter a lot of deer on campus. They're harmless.

Students, make sure you know what you would possibly major in, and look for your intended major on the college website. A lot of walking is required most of the time, but usually buses will take you around campus easily. Try to visit campus, especially during the school year to get the right feel of the school. Don't forget that San Jose is just a bus ride away and San Francisco is 2 hours from here!

Best of luck to you guys!

Students that love the outdoors, the beach, and a downtown area. Students that would like to experience a different atmosphere of a small town.

We're nicknames UC Summer Camp, UC Strong Calves, all for a reason. Absolutely beautiful campus, the atmosphere and views are incredible, and even if the you're not too much of a nature freak, the city and the beach are only a 20 minute bus ride away.

You are going to have so much free time in college, it's crazy, join clubs, sports, go out and explore! there's so much to do, so go out and do it!!!

These are college classes, there are absolutely going to be different than what you're used to, but these classes aren't difficult, there doable, the syllabus is there for a reason, and yes you should attend your lectures

I live in the newest dorms, so my experience may be a bit different (i've heard there's spiders in oakes lol) the rooms are decently sized, but unlike most colleges, a majority of students live in triples rather than doubles, (yup, 3 to a room, rather than just you and a roommate) Now, this isn't a terrible end of the world type of situation, having two roommates isn't so bad, I like it!

Starts off great, they truly try to impress you, then it sort of starts to go down hill. It isn't terrible, but it does get a little tiring. There's a station that will always have pizza, and the panini station and salad bars are always open, others range from pastas, to indian food, a wide variety throughout the week. The latest dining hall closes at 11 (College 9 & 10)

Downtown is only a 20 minute bus ride away, so if city life and shopping is your thing, hop on any of the metro buses. last stop will take you straight to downtown! Also a bus ride away is the beach, a bit colder than the socal beaches I'm used to, but still all the beauty and the fun. If that still doesn't call to go, there's a million places to explore on the campus, secret forest trails (that get you to class faster), the treehouse, the porter caves, the carousel, ect! exploring and hiking are my absolute favorites.

Now this definitely on a student's financial status, it is a UC, ranking it the more expensive universities in California, with financial aid, and outside scholarships, it's definitely possible to make it affordable!!

It took about 8 weeks for me to hear about this one: banana slugs roam around the campus, they especially abundant during the rainy season (what other schools have their mascot chilling around campus?) Apparently, the first banana slug you see, you kiss!! other wise you don't graduate on time, kind of a superstition, but seems like fun to participate in.
And of course there's First Rain (the naked run). Rules: It has to be a school day(M-F), it has to constantly rain between the hours 6-10, it starts at porter college, run naked, or half naked, or fully clothed, have fun!!
Locations on campus: Explore!!! there are sooooo many places to find, the carousel, the treehouse, porter caves, eden's garden, won't tell you where they are, that takes away all the fun!!

outdoorsy and adventure seeking,

From welcome week to finals week, there are so many fun activities planned. During welcome week I played heads up with strangers (who are now some of my favorite friends), karaoked, played twister, made tye dye shirts and so much more. For finals week my breaks were spent petting dogs, making smoothies, and face masks! I didn't even get to include all the activities in between!!
The clubs are great, there are so many, seriously, no complaining about how you couldn't find the right club to fit into. There are two club fairs during welcome week, go have fun (:

I haven't been very involved any greek life, so don't take my word on all of this! but there isn't much of it, majority of greek houses are off campus. There are lots of options to join so many different ones!!

Ok so I don't think many other campuses deal with mountain lions sightings, so I decided to rank this a little on the low side. When these sightings do occur, were notified with text messages, emails, and phones calls to stay away from the area. Safety isn't too much of an issue, I've definitely went out for walks at 2am and actually felt totally safe!

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.

UCSC is one of the most beautiful places that you'll have the pleasure of spending time at in your life. If you like the outdoors, a friendly and community-based environment, and students and staff that are dedicated to saving the world, then this is the school for you. The academics are amazing and the resources the school offers are excellent.

Dont be afraid to really get out there here. The people here literally run naked in the rain for fun every year, we're all a little crazy. Its the definition of the California environment, and the more open you are about who you are and what you want to do the better the staff will be able to help you. The only qualm I have about this place is that the voicemail system on all of their departments is a loop: if you want information, its better to go in person.

The classes are difficult, depending on what you take. I've taken a range of classes including Psychology, Writing, Chemistry, Political Philosophy, and Film Analysis. The basic level classes are exactly what you'd expect, in my experience: introductory courses that are run as much by TAs as they are by professors. Once you get to the upper-division classes the school starts to get rigorous, and it wont be easy. If you want to take Chem 1A, make sure you're not taking more than one other hard class: the chem and bio series is brutal. The upside is that the harder the classes are, the more you learn. Its an excellent curve.

I lived in College Eight my freshman year and it was amazing. I lived on the top floor of the building and I had a beautiful view of the ocean. Our RA was this amazing girl who was very respectful of all of us. As long as you dont openly break the rules (walking around the grounds intoxicated, drinking in the open, or letting the pungeant aroma of your dank kush seep into the hallway) you're good. From what I heard from other students and other RAs, their guidelines are to be strict but not invasive.

I also had the luck of having roommates whom I enjoyed living with. One became my best friend at the college, and I was also in close proximity to the dining hall. The ground are kept very clean at college eight and we had a very nice cleaning lady who came every couple of days. The whole floor chipped in to buy her a Christmas present.

The food is very hit-and-miss. The breakfast they had was always amazing in the early morning, they would make smoothies and omelettes. They were delicious. Unfortunately, after around 9 all they served until 1 in the afternoon was wet eggs, dry bacon, and gross buttermilk pancakes. On the upside, they always had a sandwich bar set up so you could always make yourself a sandwich. They also gave out unlimited free tea and drinks. It was very nice to be able to go to the dining hall in the middle of the day, grab a cup of tea and some yogurt and do homework. There's also several dining halls, so if you dont like one, you can move around. From what I understand, the cooks change shifts at each hall every once in a while, though.

If you like nature, you're gonna be just fine. The entire campus is right in the middle of this huge redwood forest, and there's several places you can hike to and explore. I remember the first week I was there it was a huge deal to go visit, the caves, which are this network of underground caves that you can crawl through and explore if a little adventure is your thing. There's also an entire forest to hike through and there's several landmarks in there as well, including a river, standing stones, and these treehouses you can climb up to. If thats not your thing, the public transportation is amazing and its very easy to catch a bus to any of the many beaches around the area, or to go downtown and go shopping or see a movie at the Regal Cinemas.

Also, this is much more of a niche, but I'm a very athletic individual and I vastly enjoy the great range of sports offered. I'm normally a runner, but my freshman year I explored the club on campus dedicated to freerunning and parkour, as well as joined the Grappling Club, which is dedicated to UFC-style ground martial arts.

Its a relatively cheap tuition for a four-year university, but if you're in my situation, relatively cheap isn't cheap enough. $13,000 a year is nothing to scoff at, and the on-campus housing is around $14,000 for a 9-month lease. The total cost of attendance is roughly $30,000 anually. But if its between this school and a $50,000 tuition private university, then this place is much more your speed. Its a relaxing environment that encourages free-thinking. I'd also like to point out I suffered a brain injury prior to attending that gave me a cavalcade of mental disorders including but not limited to depression, anxiety, and agorophobia, but spending a year in the woods definitely brought me much improvement.

There's a strange tradition that I have participated in called, First Rain or, more accurately, the, Naked Run. On the first torrential rain of every year, people gather at the front of their colleges and strip naked. They then proceed to run to every college on campus, starting at eight and going all the way to stevenson, completely naked. Men, women, non-binary, everybody enjoys the tradition, and its really quite fun. The run ends upon reaching OPERS, the recreation center, where we all hop the fence and dive into the pool (the school is aware that we do this and they take necessary precautions including extra chlorine and lifeguards on duty).

People that love to be out in the open air. People that want to try being a little more extroverted without being pressured to leave your comfort zone too quickly. Its as much of an excellent life experience as it is an academic institution.

I cant say a lot because I've only been in about four clubs and all for different amounts of time. I took a fencing class and was involved in the fencing club for a short time, which is probably the most well-organized. They regularly go to competitions and hold regular training. There are a number of martial arts clubs that i'm still getting around to trying out, but I am an official member of the Grappling Club which specializes in UFC-style groundwork. Its well-organized and full of very friendly people. There are also a huge number of clubs; my roomate was involved in a club where he produced a team that made their own video game and managed to develop the idea into a full-fledged work of art. There are clubs for computer types, medical students, fighters, runners, swimmers, fencers, anime-enthusiasts, cosplay enthusiasts, anything you can think of. Cant find your club? Start one.

This is where I can be completely confident in giving a five-star review. The campus police are the most respectful law enforcement officials I've ever come across. They dont sweat the small stuff, and they're all dedicated to the safety of every student from every walk of life. You can call the campus police for rides home, to be walked home if you feel unsafe, and even if you're feeling too intoxicated to safely get yourself back to your dorm. They send out text alerts whenever there's suspicious activity or dangerous animal sightings, and keep the entire student body updated constantly. Its a very safe campus. The city, unfortunately, is a different story at night. Be very careful when going into the city at night, and always be with a buddy. There's a night owl bus that regularly runs to take late-night partygoers to and from the downtown area.

UC Santa Cruz is a beautiful oasis. The views, environment, and opportunities are open to everyone. The teachers are just as inspiring as the classroom locations, because they are brilliant in their area of study and eager to help their students learn through classroom and one-on-one engagements.

Explore everywhere! Santa Cruz is a peaceful, yet thrilling environment, and everything is very accessible. So see and experience it all, and find out what is good for you. The UCSC and Santa Cruz community focuses on the individual beauty of every person. SC is a place where students can comfortably grow into their unique persons.

As a history major, I have found that my teachers are overly helpful. Professors and TAs are open to student questions and work closely with them on assignments to better facilitate the learning process. I have had formidable professors, and have been enlightened by their intellects.

Fantastic! My dorm-mates and I are still all best friends. Students at UCSC are affiliated with one of ten colleges. Freshman are required to take a course that's theme is unique to their specific college. This allows students to share one of their first college experiences with each other and discuss in ways they would have not engaged. It is a special way to bond with those who live around you.

It's pretty good! I have never been a fan of cafeteria food, but all the dining halls (besides college 8) are superb (for dining hall food). There is always one open, which is really convenient. Especially because once you learn the campus shortcuts, you are a 20 minute walk from everything.

Boardwalk; downtown to shop/eat/people watch. Go sit at one of the many beaches. And visit the nicest parks to hike and camp!

Santa Cruz made who I am. It must be meant to be for the people who go here. I feel that I've learned more about myself and subject material, had more fun, and have been more enlightened than most my friends from high school.

Naked run on the first rain, optional (and totally fun to watch). There are also awesome drum circles during the full moons; everyone just dances and parties to the beat of awesome drum players.

Open minded

Santa Cruz has as many opportunities as you can look for.

I am not at all interested.

I feel safer on campus than anywhere else in this town. The campus is covered with security, has its own police/fire force, and has emergency telephones throughout.

Professors here are pretty top notch and I have learned more about people and the world than I could have ever before. The Anthropology department has amazing professors who are there willing to help you succeed and the major adviser Courtney is helpful, informative and very caring. The HAVC department and Cher are another great department, but these are the only experiences I have had here though I have heard through the grapevine other majors are great as well. The professors have caused me to think and be proactive in obtaining information and to learn about the world and people around me.

I am enjoying my time here and it is very sad that this upcoming year will be my last, but it is going to be the best year! The sun, the beach and the trees are the reasons why I chose this campus and having the ability to walk in between these tall redwoods along the bridges and hills makes this campus worth while.

With the increasing fees I would rather suggest someone go to a community college and the transfer to any college if money is an issue. Also the GPA requirements are a little more lax as a transfer student compared to going in as a freshman.

The campus is extremely HUGE, but can be walked in about 15-20 minutes (10 if you walk really fast). There is an on campus bus system, but I would recommend to just walk there yourself to gain a true appreciation of the nature around you and the fact the buses get incredibly crowded. Once I stopped riding the bus I swear I did not get sick the rest of the year! Research each of the 10 colleges (unless you are a transfer student like I am then you won't have to do much research) because those colleges express different personal goals and the chances are you will meet people like you in those areas (such as Merill being the home to video game and anime people or just nerds in general like me haha).

People who truly love the outdoors, walks in between tall redwoods from class to class.

When I first began to look at schools in high school, I really wanted to attend a UC school and found that my choices were rather limited to schools that offered comprehensive humanities and social science department. At UC Santa Cruz I have a variety of avenues to pursue in the humanities department and the staff is absolutely amazing. As a sociology major and legal studies minor I have found all of my professors to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful. An added bonus is the education one receives about the environment, our impact on it, and how we can change our practices to better our planet's future.

Waking up to the fresh smell of pine and deer is an amazing thing. UC Santa Cruz has a little bit of everything for everyone. With woods, the beach, and the city not to far away UC Santa Cruz can be enjoyed by everyone. The added bonus is the people, everyone is incredibly helpful and the amount of community involvement and free workshops is absolutely amazing. Education extends much farther than the university.

School is incredibly expensive these days, but as they say you can't put a price on education. The classes are diverse, the atmosphere is one of a kind, and the people are something you just can't beat; the money I pay to go to school here is well spent.

Be ready for a culture shock, especially if out of state.
Go to class, many say you don't need to, but you are paying for it regardless.
Embrace it, life only happens once and college is something you don't want to miss.

Environmentally conscious.
Politically Involved
Computer/Game Design
Art/Theatre
Humanities
Athletes Go Slugs!!!

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!

Classes at UCSC are challenging although by no means impossible. I think the hardest thing about them is the time management skills you will need to complete all your homework and studying.

UCSC is a beautiful campus with lots of fun activities. Just last night, I went to an arts and crafts night where everyone made Halloween decorations for their doors. People at UCSC are very friendly and the campus will begin to feel like home before you know it.

UCSC is expensive, but a lot cheaper than private colleges. It is definitely a higher level of education than JC schools. It doesn't really matter how much you pay for a school. What matters is how much effort you put into learning in your classes. If you put in effort, you will definitely get a lot out of UCSC.

Take a look around campus and sit in a few classes if possible. It's very hard to imagine living here just from reading the advertisements. UCSC is split into 10 different colleges. Research the dynamic in each college. You really want to pick one that suits you so you have the maximum chance of thriving here at UCSC.

UCSC is great for self-motivated students. UCSC is also great for unique and eccentric students. UCSC is very diverse and accepting. If you want to do well here, you probably will.