Help Me Choose UCSC College! Please!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Santa Cruz
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<p>-={FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WANNA READ ALL THAT CRAP BELOW}=-
Question 1) List what you know about any or all of the 10 UCSC Colleges.
Question 2) What was wrong with "Question One" ?</p>

<h2>Question 3) Where should I sign-up for?</h2>

<p>I visited UCSC on the 13th and I'm planning on putting in my intent to register.</p>

<h2>NOW! I have to figure out which specific college to enter! </h2>

<p>I'm conflicted and would like some opinions...I'm gonna first tell yall some general information that might help.</p>

<h2>I'm a chinese dude...umm, I'm undecided on a major but I'm gearing towards the sciences. So, you could say, I'm the typical asian dude. I like music, that's why I've taken up guitar and I plan to bring it to the dorm (my other slightly more wooden and hollow rooomate). I also fit more into the Asian dude mold cause I'm an avid martial-artist...or slacker martial-artist. I'm not really a nerd, but I am a dork...some might say the "cute" kind, some my say the...douche-bag kind. I like people with a good sense of humor...as long as their humor isn't as humourous as mines (j/k...but not really). </h2>

<p>Umm...that's all I can think of as stuff of my interest. But I think you'd fit me into a college better if I told you stuff I'm annoyed of...here goes:</p>

<p>-Rap Music
-Stoners
-General *******s...
-Overly eccentric "Artsy" type
-Stuck-Up White Kids (not necessarily white kids...a spoiled brat or any color)</p>

<h2>-Simply put...stupid people!</h2>

<p>I'm looking for a college that would give me a not-so-****ty experience of first year college. With that being said, I wanna dorm room that is not old and grimey. Also, a College with a decent track record of an "un-ugly" female population might tip my hat (if I was wearing one)... =P </p>

<h2>I mean, from what I've heard...I think Crown fits me. BUT I dunno cause I haven't been or lived at each individual college. That's why I wanna hear some feedback from people who've been around those colleges. </h2>

<p>I dunno how many hits I'm gonna get on this thread, but If anyone else have questions regarding UCSC...tack on to this thread if ya like. </p>

<p>Thanks to Whoever in advance~</p>

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<p>College 9/10 are the newest colleges, but seeing that you are interested in science..i think you should choose Crown. However, I've heard Crown is filled with nerds and geeks; but of course, more asians. </p>

<p>As for me, I'm an asian female and I would love to live in the new dorms. So I'm considering to dorm in college 9/10, since I'm probably majoring something in social sciences.</p>

<h2>Anyways, You should look back at previous threads...but I made some notes on each college. Maybe you will find this helpful (thanks to previous posters for these info)</h2>

<ul>
<li><p>Cowell- traffic problems
first college, a good mix of people without a strong stereotype, theme/motto: "The pursuit of truth in the company of friends.", located on the east side between stevenson and the bookstore/the new humanities complex. i've never been in the dorms there, but they're the oldest on campus. housing is in multiple medium sized buildings.</p></li>
<li><p>College 9-10: new built for frosh, more options for food, asians</p></li>
<li><p>Porter: nature base, not modern, best atmosphere
Porter tends to have more of a fun/community atmosphere because of the central quad. You find people in the quad at any hour of the day or night.</p></li>
<li><p>drugs</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Crown- hills, hard to get to classes, science based
sterotype of "nerds/geeks/technology/etc", located above "cardiac hill" (your legs will hate you) - north of cowell/stevenson/bookstore and east of science hill and c19, housing is smaller buildings with ~60 students each, theme is "Ethical Issues In Emerging Technologies", really small dorm rooms</p>

<p>Stevenson - stereotype of the "jewish" college, the second college (read: older dorms), smaller 'houses' of dorms that house ~40(not sure?) students each. core is 2 quarters, theme is "self and society". physically located on the east side, on the far side of cowell, right about the athletic fields and gym.</p>

<p>Oakes
- diversity, Asians </p>

<p>Stereotypes:
Porter - artsy/emo/drugs/experimental
Kresge - hippies
C8 - surfers, environmentalists
Oakes - the only place w/students of color
9/10 - A&F wannabe's. Stuck up, only there for the <em>new</em> dorms.
Cowell - the original college, no strong stereotypes
Stevenson - Jewish
Merrill - "sterile merrill" and hard drugs - they're up a hill so once you're there, you stay there, not as much interaction as other colleges.
Crown - math/science nerds</p>

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<p>hmm thanks degeneres...excillent insights!
Although I'm a self-proclaimed dork...I don't wanna spend my days couped up with a bunch of nerds. </p>

<p>I wanna know more about the 9/10 because they're newer dorms. Although that A&F stereotype is a complete turnoff for me...I don't own any A&F or any of that kind of "preppy" attire...hehe, I'm sure it's not that bad though. </p>

<p>(Also, do you mind if I add your AIM to my list? I'd be interested to chat to a fellow prospective freshman)</p>

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<p>My impressions after seeing most of the colleges in the last two days and talking to a lot of students:</p>

<p>Stevenson -- didn't see; know nothing about other than the core course is heavy on literature and a lot of reading.
Merrill -- saw the inside of a dorm and a bathroom and thought both were pretty good and the room we saw a pretty good size. Students I met from Merrill all liked their choice and the people I met all seemed to have different interests. Very mixed and yes, there are people of all races there.
Cowell -- I think Cowell is the prettiest and has the best view (except for Oakes). Close to the rec center and the bookstore and the on campus bus. Didn't see the rooms, but saw a number of whites and asians there, all pretty nice looking, dressed pretty normal. Probably the most "normal" looking people.
Crown --</p>

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<p>(continued)
Crown: took a tour of Crown and liked it alot. Not all science nerds -- people from all the majors are up here, just mostly science people. Saw a dorm room and a bathroom, liked both. Dorm room looked out to upper quad and was peaceful. Didn't see a lot of people. Liked the layout of the college. Heard the food is good up there. They share with Merrill and the dining commons smelled good! Heard that if you don't want to walk up the hill after classes, hang until after 6 p.m. when the night bus travels up to the circle up there between Merrill and Crown and just walk over to the dorm.</p>

<p>9 & 10 -- newest dorms, huge mix of majors, diversity, etc. and houses the internationals. Which is what I like about it. I checked out one of the halls and dorms thanks to a very nice resident and yeah, considering the central location, the international flavor, the newer dorms etc., I like these the best.</p>

<p>Kresge -- If you cook and you don't mind sharing an apartment (since they are all apts., this is a great place, great atmosphere. The students I saw were outside playing frisbee and they all seemed chill, not one hippie, and not one stuck up person. Kresge is really close to science hill and engineering. Didn't see in the rooms other than looked into the windows and they look nice.</p>

<p>College 8. I met someone who was in 8 for 2 years and hates the people. She said it's the clicky high school girls that live there (born to shop types) that made you hate high school. Needless to say, doesn't sound like your kind of place (or mine) The housing looks like new condos, really pretty. Pretty far out there.</p>

<p>Oakes. If it weren't for being way out of the way and all the rap and hip hop I heard from the lounge and the smokers, I would have liked Oakes. Great view of the bay, liked the dorms (from the outside), but musically (I'm into alternative rock) really not my style.</p>

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<p>Finally Porter. I like Porter, but yes, it has it's arty people and stoners. Didn't see the rooms.</p>

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<p>Wow, beatchick That pretty much sums everything up huh! </p>

<p>Awesomeness-icity-ous...wooooo....</p>

<p>After hearing all of this and seeing some of the colleges...I'm leaning towards college 9/10 and then Crown as my third choice. </p>

<p>Are you also planning to attend UCSC in the Fall term? It'll be great to get to know some peers before actually hitting the campus late summer.</p>

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<p>ah hah! i need help with this too. </p>

<p>I am thinking college 8,9,10 or Kresge.
Definately not Merrill or Crown</p>

<p>I really cannot stand:
preppy people
too many parties
all nerds, or all party people- i like moderation
rappers
i really really really hate the smell of marijuana, and if i happen to live next to a pot head, i will murder him/her with my bare hands. I can handle the smell like once in a while, but not every day...
im pretty lenient other than that.</p>

<p>which college is best for moi?</p>

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<p>my aim is: mrslesliecheung
feel free to chat...</p>

<p>I guess I'm in the same boat as yours, truemusou. The only problem is that I hope we get college 9/10 since SO many people are demanding it.
I believe we are all planning to attend fall term....yep! We were saying we should meet at ucsc once we move in :)</p>

<p>Have you consider Cowell, Juniorita? wait, i think i have your aim. but i'm not sure...lol what is it?</p>

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<p>For me, its either Cowell, or college 8/9/10.</p>

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<p>Cowell seems to have it all. Good location, good activities (college nights), decent people. Only downside is that its the oldest college.</p>

<p>College 9/10 are only popular because their the newest imho</p>

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<p>i dont have aim... but over summer i probably will ( parent issues) but email me if you wish. I am thinking of college 9/10 too..</p>

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<p>Hahaha...everyone has 9/10 and Cowell as their top choices! eek! I hope I'll get 9/10 since I'm majoring in social science..i don't wanna live in other colleges...</p>

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<p>well i am majoring in science so... i dont want to be near science nerds. but of course it doesnt matter where you live, you can make friends with other people from other colleges. I submitted my SIR. =]</p>

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<p>Getting into 9/10 should feature some sorta battle royale, haha, if it's indeed so popular. </p>

<p>I was gonna put in my SIR but it the site was under maintenance in the morning... =( </p>

<p>Yeah, it'll be sweet to go into the school with people that we atleast have spoken to prior. Yupzzzz...sss.</p>

<p>So now I'm thinking: 9/10, Crown, Cowell or Stevenson (if my luck shoots down my first 3 choices...i have bad track record when it comes to luck)</p>

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<p>can anyone tell me more about college 8?</p>

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<p>All I can tell you is what that girl told me about it being clique-ey. It's right next to Oakes and is next to a loop bus that will get you around campus to your classes, but it's pretty far out there, so you'll have to take the bus or bike it. The housing looked, to me, at least from the outside, the best on campus. Kind of those cape cod condo feel, really nice landscaping, good view of the bay.</p>

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<p>mamaL, just went on a tour, and I agree with Beatchick, college 8 Definitely has the nicest housing. It's really pretty, has a sort of charming southern house feel to it. They literally look like houses. The buildings are a light lilacy color, with white trim. </p>

<p>The second nicest is definitely Cowell, despite it being the oldest. Reminded me of an old Italian Villa, and the view it has is very beautiful. Has a lot of westeria, and other nice shrubbery.</p>

<p>colleges 9/10, even though they were the newest, were probably the least pleasing to the eye for me, building wise. Colleges 9/10 (if anyone lives in a big city will know what I'm talking about), look like a nicer version of the townhouse complexes that governments build for supposedly lower income families. And I get why people say they don't have the community vibe there that the other colleges have. Structurally it's two buildings facing one another, then cement and walkway, no central area like the other colleges have. </p>

<p>At Porter and Kresge it seemed to be more of a small community feel. Though Kresge seemed to feel smaller than the other colleges size wise, though I'm not sure if it actually is.</p>

<p>Oakes housing is weird looking to me, like all wood chips overlapping the walls. If anyone has vacationed in Tahoe in the cabin housing communities, it looks/ feels like that, but in apartment looking buildings. But hey, it is the most diverse dorm, so that's a pretty big plus to me.</p>

<p>Saw Crown and Merill but didn't walk through it, so I don't know the feel.</p>

<p>And I can see how the stereotypes were built.
When at Porter I definitely saw more artsy looking people. And Porter has the art on the walls, and the awesome totem pole.
At 9/10 practically everyone and their mother was wearing Abercrombie/AE/Hollister or some Urban brand like Ecko Red.
At College 8 there were a lot of people dressed in sports attire.
my own observational stereotype: A lot of the Kresge people looked like rich kids from suburbia.</p>

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<p>Eh I realize I made college 9/10 sound bad. But honestly, in my opinion they had the hottest looking people, if anyone's shallow enough to care about that.</p>

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<p>Cowell has the best location for quick access to just about everywhere on campus, and is also on the main bus line to local stores.</p>