<p>I was accepted to both Sant Cruz and Penn State (University Park campus). I don't know specifically what I want to major in, but I enjoy science so I'm thinking something in that area. What is the science department at Santa Cruz like? Or if you know anything about Penn State, that would help too.</p>
<p>The science department at UCSC is probably its strongest point. 
It has a focus on innovation and future technologies such as bioengineering, so if you’d be interested in something like that, all the better. </p>
<p>“A national survey ranked the overall satisfaction with the physics graduate program at UCSC the highest in the nation.”</p>
<p>“The department [Biology] is internationally known for its strength in RNA biology, and in chromatin and chromosome biology. Emerging strength is developing in neurobiology, stem cell biology and differentiation, and cell structure and function.”</p>
<p>All I could find on Penn State is the achievements of its professors. :/</p>
<p>And just in my own personal experience, I was very, very impressed with the science department when I was touring UCSC. I’m probably going to be majoring in a science too.</p>
<p>dude no question penn state</p>
<p>When you toured and heard about the science program were you on a general tour of the campus or was it a special kind of tour?</p>
<p>Both. I toured a good portion of the campus, but I actually got to walk around in some of the science buildings. I got to see some of their computer science, electrical engineering, and bioengineering labs. I also got to hear talks from the head of the science department, and a couple other people working under him. So yes, I got a pretty good look at stuff. :D</p>
<p>Why wouldn’t you want to save money and go to the in-state school, UCSC? It’s up to you, do you want to live near the beach in Santa Cruz, or in Pennsylvania? Think outside of the box before listening to someone spew out “Dude Penn State cause of rankings!!1”</p>
<p>Did you have to make prior arrangements to see the head of the science department?</p>
<p>Haha, no. It was one of the “open house” days for prospective students. I just did a lot of the science-specific stuff they had that day. But I did get to talk to the guy personally, because he was just wandering around by the info booths when I was there. He was a pretty chill dude. XD
Are you going to the Spring Spotlight? There are a ton of events that would give you a better look at the science department.</p>
<p>PENN STATE! One of the finest institutions in the country!</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m going next week. I didn’t realize that there were events at it. I thought it was just going to be a tour.</p>
<p>Well, I’m not sure about the details. The website is less informative than I would like.
There is a tour, but it looks like there are also some opportunities to sit in on classes, at the very least.</p>
<p>Did the tour you went on go through the residence halls or just the academic buildings?</p>
<p>Just academic buildings.
That’s why I’m going back for Spring Spotlight too. I’ll get to view some of the dorms.</p>
<p>Also, useful link.
[Virtual</a> Tour](<a href=“http://housing.ucsc.edu/tours/]Virtual”>Housing Virtual Tours)</p>