<p>People should really stop saying there is pot at UCSC “as [there] is at any other school.” This is just not true. I have spent a lot of time at various UC campuses, and weed is much bigger here. For example, you meet random people on the bus and they ask if you blaze. Does that happen at UCD? No, it doesn’t. Santa Cruz is a pot haven, and the restrictions are very lenient. Honestly, you are only bothered if you walk directly past a CSO right after you took a hit. </p>
<p>You are outside in a forest, so obviously you are not going to get high just walking around. But you should definitely plan on weed being the substance of choice (besides alcohol of course) at most parties you attend. </p>
<p>Honestly, you can avoid the smell of weed for the most part, but it sucks when it feels like just about everyone smokes weed because its the cool Santa Cruz thing to do.</p>
<p>I would have to agree with Cali Trumpet. There is way more weed at UCSC than there is at the other UC’s. I’ve been to UCSC a few times, and every time, no matter where I stayed, there were bongs, pipes, fluorescent lights, weed paraphernalia etc.</p>
<p>If the drug use at UCSC makes the OP nervous or uncomfortable, then I would advise that UCSC is probably not the best school for the OP. From what I can tell, you’re looking for an environment that is academically stimulating and be around people that are going to complement your qualities and are also amiable. (You sort of described me) lol.</p>
<p>I would recommend Davis, UCLA/Cal. I think all 3 schools provide better shots of offering what you’re searching for.</p>
<p>yeah def tons of pot at ucsc. just look at the area…its norcal, near the beach, and its known for its hippie-like inhabitants. any pot smoker will tell you the best weed comes from norcal, and the rest follows. </p>
<p>i realize the op has never been around pot, or it sounds like, but you do NOT have to worry about getting contact high off of anyone elses weed. you have to be in the same immediate, closed in area in order to be affected by second hand smoke. dont worry, choose the school if you like the campus and your program, and the rest will follow; you wont drown in a cloud of smoke</p>
<p>I’d have to agree with everything everyone else has said, but I may as well add my two cents.</p>
<p>Yes, there is plenty of pot at UCSC, but even though there are plenty of stoners, there are also plenty of people who are completely straight-edge, as well as everyone in between. You’re not going to be surrounded in a haze of pot smoke all the time. There’s also nothing wrong with experimenting with weed a little bit, as long as you don’t make it a habit or let it effect your grades. Of course, if you’re not into that, that’s ok too. It’s not as if you’re uncool if you don’t smoke- that mentality is idiotic.</p>
<p>I don’t party that often, but my roommates do, and it seems like all the major parties are off-campus. However, if your RAs are cool (like mine), you can get away with some low-key partying in the dorms. In fact, my roommate does hookah in the room all the time, and she’s never been busted for it.</p>
<p>Oh, and AsianBorat- it’s really easy to avoid pot smoking. All you have to do is not smoke. You also won’t get high just by sniffing weed, you’d have to inhale it around several people smoking in order to feel the effects.</p>
<p>I don’t smoke and don’t find it hard at all to avoid it (and I’m at Porter LOL). It’s really not that hard to find people who don’t, and I’ve never been treated badly for not smoking…</p>
<p>Oh! Rectangleshorts, you’re in Porter? How do you like it? I think it will be my first choice college for the 10-11 school year if I end up going to UCSC. How are the people there? I really like the whole koi pond, queer fashion show things about it Sounds so fun. </p>
<p>Is the Porter Cafe open now? I didn’t see it in the colleges brochure that came in the acceptance packet but the picture on the Porter website looks so cute :D</p>
<p>I really enjoy the people here. It wasn’t my first choice, but I actually enjoy most of living at Porter.
The major downside is the constant construction. It never ends, and I guarantee the A building will not be finished by the time you move in. People may be living in the building, but it won’t be finished. That is exactly what happened this year. They just barely finished putting in shades in some rooms and it’s already almost spring quarter. Waking up to that every day is not fun.
Luckily, the dining hall and cafe will be open (to my knowledge) next quarter, so at least we will have a dining hall. </p>
<p>There are a lot of people who do drugs and drink constantly, so just be aware of that. I ended up in a fairly quiet hall, but just know that you may end up with a bunch of potheads or huge party people, which can make studying and focusing on school more difficult. However, I love Porter despite its flaws! The great, friendly people make it worth it.</p>
<p>Rectangleshorts-
Construction is definitely unfortunate, but I’ll cross my fingers and hope they finish early on during my school year! The housing websites say it will be completed during the summer, but like you, I never believe in construction deadlines either haha. I guess I should cross my fingers again for getting into Porter in the first place though! </p>
<p>: ) But it’s good to hear that the new dining hall and cafe will be open soon!</p>
<p>Are the substance free halls a little quieter? Or are the quieter halls just chance based on the people that end up living there?</p>
<p>Thanks so much for answering my questions! This is really helping me a lot!</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ll get into Porter. There are a ton of empty rooms right now, and I doubt they will cut back on letting people in, especially when there is going to be a whole new building open next year. </p>
<p>I’m not really sure which hall is substance free this year, but I don’t think many people follow it since there aren’t many people that want it. As far as I know though, as long as you request a substance free or quiet hall, you’ll end up there.
I didn’t want to be in the all women’s hall, but since someone requested it, they had to create it and I ended up stuck here haha. It’s actually not so bad now… But the point is that as long as you request a hall like single gender or substance free, they are going to put you there.
And even if they don’t, it’s not hard to transfer rooms :)</p>
<p>Haha it really depends on who you end up with as roommates. I requested a triple, but didn’t get in. In this building, as far as I know, there are at least 10 triples and around 6 quads. I’m not really 100% sure though.
With two residence buildings next year, I’m sure there will be even more. </p>
<p>As far as who you’re rooming with, it’s a matter of chance. I know people that were meant to be roommates and people who hate each other. But like I said, it’s not hard to transfer rooms if you are having problems. </p>
<p>And it’s no problem really! I really do love this school and am happy to answer any questions people have!</p>
<p>: ) Thank you really so much, rectangleshorts! </p>
<p>More and more I want to go to UCSC, especially after talking to someone who clearly loves being there. : ) I’ll keep my fingers crossed for good luck when it comes to transitioning into university! Thanks again</p>
Sounds so fun. </p>