<p>Here's question for you folks. What's appealing about UCSC these days? Is it actually a "competitive" choice? Do admitted applicants choose UCSC over higher ranked UCs (i.e. UCD, UCI, UCSB), and for what reason?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>My sister chose ucsc over uci.</p>
<p>I know a lot of people at ucsc. Many of them chose ucsc over ucsb, uci, and ucd. Some over ucsd. A few over ucb.</p>
<p>The students at ucsc, on average, are very intelligent.</p>
<p>I chose UCSC over UC Davis, UC San Diego, and Santa Clara University. It's probably the only opportunity I'll ever have to afford living in Santa Cruz, one of the most beautiful towns on earth, plus I have access to the resources of the UC system. It's got just about the best astrophysics department in the country for those who are interested.</p>