Final stop on my fall campus visit tour, UC Santa Cruz.
A few takeaways from my campus visit:
- UCSC is divided into residential colleges with the goal of providing a small, liberal arts experience within a large research institution. Freshmen take a college-specific seminar to explore educational interests and meet other students. UC San Diego is the only other UC that has a college system. However, unlike UCSD where college choice is indicated within the UC application, UCSC college choice is determined once a student submits their intention to enroll. Plenty of time to check out the options! (I recommend following UCSC Admissions on Instagram for lots of great info on the colleges.)
- Only 45% of campus land is developed, providing tons of open space, paths through the redwoods, and sweeping views of the Monterey Bay. Students interested in traversing through the forest while spotting deer on the way to class will feel quickly at home here.
- UCSC has its own farm on campus, developed as a research, teaching, and training facility. Students can choose sustainable housing options on the farm as well as enjoy its produce in the dining halls (30% of produce in the dining halls is grown on campus).
- Students are encouraged to keep their cars at home (at least during their freshmen/sophomore years) and enjoy the walk/bike-friendly campus. The campus is very spread out, so interested students should expect to spend time hiking/biking/taking a shuttle from one side of campus to the other.
Go Banana Slugs!
I help students and their families achieve balance and confidence throughout the college admission process as they discover and apply to colleges that best reflect their personal, academic and financial needs and goals.
