<p>yeah I think admissions went down more. good pictures I haven’t visited yet and I’m trying to get a feel for what its like since I’ll be going there.</p>
<p>Yeah admission is down to 63% from 83% two years ago. The GPA average went up from like 3.69 to 3.74 (or around that) too. That’s what makes it so crazy that US News reported so great a drop in rankings</p>
<p>I’m not sure if anyone else that frequents this board was there, but last Saturday I got back from spending three days and two nights at the campus as apart of the school’s [url=<a href=“http://admissions.ucsc.edu/sio/]SIO[/url”>http://admissions.ucsc.edu/sio/]SIO[/url</a>] event this year. To any prospective freshman that may be invited next year (presuming the program isn’t unfortunately cut as is being anticipated)–I strongly suggest you do not turn down the invite by choosing not to go, as I was initially considering. Simply put, the experience was absolutely amazing. I met so many cool people and was able to get a thorough and educated feel for the school that I otherwise would not have been able to attain. What I gained from the rather brief time I spent there (though actually pretty lengthy and extended when compared to the one-day visits many are limited to) was really something most undoubtedly do not have a chance at, and I am extremely grateful to have received the opportunity. It’s truly a great program they put on, and I really hope it is allowed to continue next year despite the present conflict that is the budget cuts.</p>
<p>I was going to do that… but I was in France. :(</p>
<p>I was in Europe, but I feel like I missed out! haha</p>
<p>@ Syrius : I was interested in that program so I emailed ORALE but they never responded. Did you email them also? I’m starting to think that they didn’t reply due to my last name. I’m Honduran/White but I consider myself mostly Hispanic due to the fact that my mom (Hispanic) raised me. Needless to say I was disappointed that they didn’t respond because I was looking forward to it.</p>
<p>They wouldn’t have prohibited you from attending because of your last name. 
In fact, one of the ASF leaders (the fillipino/asian portion of the group) was white.</p>
<p>But I couldn’t tell you why they didn’t respond. All I did was register for the trip on the website after receiving the informational packet they had mailed–basically letting them know that I would show up–and I was qualified to go.</p>
<p>^ Hmm, that’s strange. </p>
<p>btw, nice pics, skadforlife :)</p>
<p>Skadforlife, I was really impressed with your post about the differences between your visits to UCSD and UCSC. I get a lot of the same vibes from UCSC, and honestly, it’s my favorite of all the UC’s. Due to a living situation I’m trying to get into UCLA on appeal, but I know the chances are slim, and I have already submitted a SIR for UCSC, so I definitely won’t be disappointed. Unfortunately, because my situation was different at the time of applying, I only applied to those two UC’s (poor foresight, I know, but I’m in, and was in, a very unique position, and at the time was very certain, in addition to paying for myself the $60 application fees on a limited budget to each school).</p>
<p>Honestly, and many on this site would burn me at the stake for saying it, but I just think that the overall environment for education is a lot better at a school like UCSC that seems to value individuality a lot more than say, UCLA or UCSD or any other big college. </p>
<p>It seems to me that at these schools there is more of a mindless cutthroat competitiveness, not only in admission, but in study.</p>
<p>I’m from the Santa Cruz area so I wasn’t thrown off by the myth that the school is too liberal. Honestly, it is what you make it. I’m a veteran of the Iraq war, and the US Marine Corps, and when I once called their office looking for the veteran’s rep, I was recieved warmly by a voice on the other end thanking me for my service. At UCLA I got a machine that put me on hold until I was disconnected. Over and over again. To me, that’s just indicative of the experience a prospective student will have at each of the campuses.</p>
<p>Sorry to drone on, but I guess that’s what the internet is for.</p>
<p>Syrius-Which SIO through “e-two!”?</p>
<p>Stepahoe-perhaps that did happen…I wouldn’t put it past…</p>
<p>But, remember that SIO is a student initiated project. Students run the show 100%. So of course mistakes are going to happen. If you have a chance, call e-2 and ask them to give you a tour (they may say no…but let them know that you are looking to get the “student of color” perspective at UCSC and that you <em>really really</em> want to learn more about the center-they may be more receptive.) If not, contact Rosie through the Chicano/Latino resource center. She is always happy to meet with students.</p>
<p>SIO is housed under e^2, so if you wanted to get involved, the best way would be to go to e^2 right near the bike co-op–race is definitely not a factor.</p>
<p>& SIO is actually an outreach program designed to increase the diversity of UCSC, composed of the Filipino Student Association’s ASF, African/Black Student Alliance’s DHE, & MEChA’s ORALE, and is successful at enrolling at least 75% of its participants. But there’s so much more to the mission of the program…</p>
<p>But yeah, they usually start planning in Winter, so swing by the office if you want to get involved.</p>
<p>I myself am a transfer student, at 26, and I’m impressed with the readmittance programs they have at UCSC. They also discussed their strong veteran program when I was at the Spring Spotlight. What I like most about SC is that it functions as well as any university, but it does so sans the “institutionalized” feel. I don’t wanna be institutionalized, I want to grow and have an incredible experience. Plus, I’m an earthy person, and I’ve always thought that SC’s campus was pretty novel and organic.</p>
<p>LOL @ the.legend. So I take it that you were either E2 staff, volunteer or program coordinator!!!</p>
<p><em>wink</em></p>
<p>@ Louis XIII ; good guess. hahah!</p>