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ACT: AcademicSuccess: Again: Attitude: Competitive: Creativity: ExCuricular: FAttitude1: FAttitude2: FAttitude3: FAttitude4: FAttitude5: FAttitude6: FacultyAcc: Friendly: FromArea: FundingUse: Gender: GradYear: Grounds: Intellect: Maint: MindExpect: MindUse: Programs: SAT: SAttitude1: SAttitude2: SAttitude3: SAttitude4: SAttitude5: SAttitude6: SAttitude7: SAttitude8: Safety: Social: Standing: SurroundingCity: TAclasses: USE_THIS_DATA: Usefulwork: Worth: Valid Email Address
I loved UCSC, and never once regretted my choice to go here. But I want to help people get a better picture of what the school is like: ACADEMICSFirst and foremost, I think UCSC's reputation understates the quality of academics here. Almost every class I took was taught by a competent professor who had enthusiasm not just for the subject, but for teaching and their students as well. Many of them may not be renowned in their field, but the quality of the education itself was largely top-notch. I've learned a lot and enjoyed nearly every class. Classes I took were never competitive—people actually liked to work together.Many departments in the physical/biological sciences (and probably other divisions as well) are producing high-quality research. And luckily, there are plenty of research/internship opportunities at UCSC for undergrads—all you have to do is reach out. Everyone I know who looked for extra-curricular work found it quickly by simply asking professors for openings, something I've heard can be difficult at other universities.The cost of UCSC is comparable to any other UC—reasonable if you're Californian, but pretty high if you're from another state. Keep in mind that the UC system keeps getting shafted with budget cuts and tuition hikes, and what you pay your first year will probably be much less than your senior year. UCSC also doesn't offer a wide variety of majors, so be sure you can find your ideal major and several other backups in case that doesn't pan out for you.CAMPUS & CITYIf there's a more beautiful campus than UCSC, I've never seen it. Rather than being a beach school, it's really a forest school. The campus is located on a hill, nestled in between many beautiful redwoods. There are paths that meander through the forest, bridges spanning deep ravines, beautiful views of the Monterey Bay, and plenty of wildlife. It's a calm and peaceful atmosphere, with tons of places to explore. It's what really won me over, and what I feel makes the school so unique. Even after five years here, I still love walking around the school and enjoying the views. The architecture isn't grand or prestiguous. Instead it's more modern and subtle, and blends in well with the surroundings. The school is divided into ten colleges, each with its own architectural style.The city of Santa Cruz is quirky, but generally enjoyable. There are plenty of beaches, the boardwalk is OK, and downtown is pretty cool. There aren't many bars, but it's easy to find one you like. The forests offer hiking, biking, and more. If you have a car, San Jose and the Bay Area are a short drive away. The city isn't the cheapest place to live though, and has a surprising amount of traffic.As beautiful as the campus is, there are some potential problems: |