I wasn’t planning on applying, but I am not sure if I should now. The location and campus seems pretty nice, and it seems liberal. However, I don’t like colleges that are too liberal. I also heard a lot of hippies and stoners and stuff are common, but not sure if this is true. I like the area, but how are the academics? Specifically for bio/chem/engineering, and more specifically premed?
I am not sure if I want to apply? My parents are fine with upto 20 apps, and I am already applying to 7 other UC’s.
How is UCSC?
Fine, how are you?
Go visit if you aren’t sure.
I’m good. I can’t visit as my dad is traveling for work. I went to the area before, and I liked it. However, I am not sure of the academics. Should I just apply? I think I have a good chance of getting in, but there is low chance of attendance.
The UC’s are some of the best schools in the country. I know that you know that given your multiple posts.
UCSC is a good school in a great location. You make and take what you get out of it.
Dont attend a school that you can’t visit. If you don’t plan on going there, why apply?
Hippies and stoners? That’s kinda what made Berkeley what it is. Why does that matter? As long as you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.
Liberal? All of the UC’s are liberal and everything else. It’s California and a public school they teach everything.
I would go, but its like one of my least preferred. I already am applying to 14 other schools, so I have safeties and matches.
Then don’t apply and definitely don’t go if you haven’t visited.
The visit is CRUCIAL!
My kiddo is very happy at Santa Cruz. And the academics (he is a science major) are excellent. The campus is beautiful.
Yes it is a liberal campus. The students have a live and let live philosophy. Not everyone smokes weed. As I said, live and let live.
The one thing that would NOT be tolerated there is a judgmental attitude. So plan accordingly.
ETA: 14 applications is more than sufficient, IMO.
@aunt bea is right about the visits, especially a school like UCSC. It has a “love it or hate it” campus setting. My son (current freshman at Cal Poly) LOVED the campus and had it as one of his top choices. My daughter and wife did NOT like it and were ready to leave five minutes after we found the bookstore. Everyone agreed that it is a beautiful campus, but it is very woodsy and decentralized. Not a “traditional” layout at all.
We have a friend of the family whose son is graduating from UCSC (LOVES it) in the Spring. He did it in four years by focusing on studying and avoiding weed. That’s pretty much true at any college.
UC level academics are UC level academics. UCSC is usually ranked (for what its worth) in the top 100 nationally and top 50 of public schools. Totally worth the money compared to comparable private schools.
I think you should definitely consider Irvine as one of your top choices. It’s a bit more selective than SC but it is not liberal and is not thought to be a party/drug school. Also, it has a great engineering program.
I don’t know how good your stats are but if you have a 3.8+ and 1250+ SAT it’d be a match for you.
I personally love UCSC, everything about it. The campus, the people, and Santa Cruz in general is a great place to hike and surf.
is UCSC a match or UCI? And I have I think 4.06 UC gpa and 1490 sat. I also visited UCSC and liked it and actually applied. However, it didn’t have chemE which I didn’t like as I applied as chemE to all UC’s…
You have a solid chance at UCI, I’d say it’s a match, and you’ll very likely get into UCSC. UCI will fit you much better though because as I said, they have a top engineering program.
thanks so much!