<p>1) I don’t take many of the modern classes since I’m pre- and early modern/intensive, but the literature department is wonderful. Fabulous advisors who very much appreciate if you come in having already done some research. You save lots of time only needing to have things approved. I would also venture a guess that by showing initiative, you’re more likely to have things approved that are a gray area.</p>
<p>Advising appointments do fill up fast, though, so always plan in advance to sign up for a time slot.</p>
<p>I highly recommend Professor Greene if you get a chance to take a class with her. I had Lit 101 with her and it was a very interesting class. She is tough and can be difficult to follow if you are not used to fast pace teachers (this was a warning she gave the first day of class about herself), but the information you will gain from her is worth it. Very strict about electronics, though. For an instructor who uses very “out of the box” type of teaching methods (an Eminem song was part of our lesson one day), she is quite old fashioned when it comes to tools the student may use in the classroom.</p>
<p>2) Porter already had some divided issues because of the construction that had been going on for the two years before this one renovating the dorm buildings. The TC does comes some animosity for members of both groups (not towards each other from what I’ve seen, though) because of several unfair practices. Porter students are losing priority in their own college and transfers have been forced into an area that they are not entitled to their second year. People are having to share mailboxes, affiliates are pushed out to other colleges around campus, etc. It hasn’t been terribly pretty.</p>
<p>The good news is while the TC will, unfortunately, continue to exist, housing options have been extended to the Village and the UTC for new transfers. My belief is this change is a response to the fact that they have received a rather large number of housing requests for next year and, more so, I also believe the campus big wigs have been keeping it under wraps that the TC receives complaints (you only ever hear the good from official sources) from both sides.</p>
<p>So… I would say we’re still mostly Porter. You’ll find a wide range of majors, but the theme of the college is art and it is definitely ingrained in what feels like everything. We still have a lot of spirit, but any good Banana Slug should ;). We’re just on the smaller side for affiliation numbers and feeling a tad squeezed at the moment. With the return of our dining hall at the end of last year, a lot of Porter seemed to perk up since we had a major performance space back.</p>
<p>3) I don’t see nearly the marijuana use that is rumored to occur. It exists, but not everyone is “getting stoned.”</p>
<p>Remember that UCSC is extremely isolated from the city and it can be dangerous when you leave campus. Never walk down Bay at night. There have been some muggings there in recent months. The campus itself is quite safe.</p>
<p>Downtown… it depends on the night. I don’t go down there much except when I need something from the art store or I need to go to Trader Joe’s. Some nights it seems to be absolutely bustling, though.</p>
<p>Night hikes around campus are fun if done safely :D. A nice walk in the fog is especially fun. Not exactly the “nightlife” you meant, I know.</p>
<p>4) Like any college, you’ll get a range. You will find the people with the study habits you prefer. For example, I maintain an average of 20 units a quarter so my schedule is obviously a much more busy one academically and requires quite a bit of studying/homework time. I’m not the only one on campus who likes to torture myself either ;)</p>
<p>5) I know nothing about the surf club, sorry :(. Most of the clubs I’ve had exposure to are fairly active, though. It would seem to me that we make up for the lack of heavy sports by having several activities for people to participate in in accordance with their interests.</p>