<p>My D2 is researching SC because we haven't visited yet and she had several concerns:</p>
<p>Housing for upper classman? How much housing is given and if forced to live off campus, do you need a car? Easy to find? Safety?</p>
<p>Curriculum question: How many classes do you take each quarter? It seems that SC is on a trimester system. So how are the chem and bio and physics taken? </p>
<p>Outing Clubs: Is there an active one? She likes to kayak, hike, surf, ski/snowboard? (already found there is skiing, but do kids get to go to Santa Cruz to the beaches or do most kids just stay on campus for the most part?)</p>
<p>Sorry to ask so many questions, but I want to take her there for admitted weekend but she is overwhelmed with the whole process. These are her actual questions. Too many waitlists at the other schools she's had her heart set on and knew more about, so I am trying to get her to focus on her other great acceptances.</p>
<p>SCU has sufficient housing for students all four years. In my daughter’s four years, no one has been “forced” to live off campus. My daughter lived off campus her junior and senior year. She doesn’t have a car…but some of her roommates do. She has survived all four years without a car. Her house is 2 1/2 blocks from the campus. Best housing is found through word of mouth from friends.</p>
<p>The school is on quarters, not trimesters…similar but not the same. Typically students take up to four academic classes per term. Chem and bio and physics are taken each term. If you are required to take a full year of these…you will take them for three quarters (fall, winter, spring). Summer is not part of the regular academic year.</p>
<p>Santa Cruz is just under an hour away. The kids do go there, but not every afternoon or weekend. </p>
<p>Clubs are plentiful and students are encouraged to start their own if nothing is already available.</p>