University of California-Santa Cruz Reviews

"The Bioengineering program at UCSC is unique due to the many concentrations available for undergraduate students to study under. My concentration is Assistive Technology (Cognitive/Perceptual) and allows me to combine my interests in computer engineering with cognitive science to help individuals with special needs. I take programming courses in C++, Java, and iOS languages, as well as courses on cognitive neuroscience and human learning and memory. UCSC has also given me the opportunity to be a part of a lab, where I apply this knowledge to developing applications and games aimed at assisting individuals with special needs in strengthening emotion recognition."

"I enjoyed the University's approach in welcoming new students and the various orientations provided. Monthly newsletters also provided great information of upcoming dates and events in the next quarter. As a Biology major, many courses revolved around Ecology and Evolution. The University had sections of the campus preserved for wildlife and exploring those parts of campus for the Biology courses. The campus is focused on Bio research, where they are focusing on the Human Genome Project. Students are able to work with professors in labs as well. Overall, UC Santa Cruz is a great experience."

"UC Santa Cruz is a place that pushed me to elevate my intentions as a student. The professors pushed me to learn more and enhance my research which allowed me to produce better quality work, even after graduation. Although the UC system is set up as a research school, it gave me the opportunity to dive into the subject matter. Also, the amount of clubs on campus allowed for the campus to be more comfortable."

"UC Santa Cruz is a great place to pursue a bachelor's degree because it is an accepting and passionate community of scientists. Courses are challenging but help is available if you look for it. People are willing to collaborate and there are research opportunities if you pursue them."

"UCSC has had a huge impact on me, I was affiliated with college ten--with the theme of Social justice and community. I never thought I would be a leader but that college has helped me grow and develop as a leader over 4 years. I believe that every lesson I have learned from that college will carry with me through my career and more."

"It was a great school with a very beautiful campus and a great student body. The professors were also highly competent and caring. I fully endorse UC Santa Cruz as an institution of higher learning."

"The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) sits on an elevated mountain side overlooking the Monterey Bay. The campus scenery can be described as an urban wilderness full of trees, yet not too far from the beaches Santa Cruz is known for. When I attended, there were 11 colleges within the university, each with their own theme. I attended Oakes College, which was known for diversity and loved the experience. My classmates were friendly and helpful, and the faculty is laid back, always willing to spend extra time to answer any questions or simply converse. I'd recommend UCSC to anyone looking for something between UC Davis and UC San Diego, as you'll likely thrive in the beach town setting UCSC provides."

"UC Santa Cruz is a wonderful school filled with a lot of diverse people with worldly views. The professors are wonderful in teaching about what is going on in the world and how we can make a difference. They emphasize social justice for all not just people in the US. They offer a variety of courses that are not typical in universities. It is a wonderful school to learn, to grow, and to realize your potential in a safe and supportive environment."

"I graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with Bachelor's Degrees in both Environmental Studies and Philosophy. I'll review my experiences with those two majors respectively. I very much enjoyed my experience with the Environmental Studies department. If you are interested in attending an institution that has an amazing array of opportunities for those who are interested in a multi-disciplinary approach to Environmental Studies, definitely apply to UC Santa Cruz. The discipline requires that you take classes that are both rooted in a scientific approach, as well as a social and cultural approach. I believe this is crucial in the progress towards battling the negative effects of human-accelerated climate change, for while its important to know the science behind human-accelerated climate change, at the end of the day we must also understand the different ways in which some populations will be more impacted than others, as well as how to work with and approach the people who are responsible for enacting legislation to help deal with the negative effects of human-accelerated climate change. I found my education in this regard invaluable, for it helped me to understand that the earth does not need "saving" - it will be fine on its own in the long run. This is important to consider, because if we are to ensure a secure future for generations of all species to come, it is up to us humans to "fix" or counter the chaos that we have created. In order to do that, one must consider the economic, social, and political structures we have created, as well as the scientific knowledge we have accumulated - a powerful tool that we must wield wisely. I would never have been able to understand this critical concept had UCSC not offered the option to substitute classes from other majors to count towards my completion of the Environmental Studies program - specifically, courses from the Community Studies major, for it is these classes that truly helped me realize how all these different structures intersect in ways more intricate than I could ever have imagined. Not only did I learn how to write a scientific paper, but I also learned to think critically about the issues in which we were writing about. This institution also offers an amazing program called Natural History Field Quarter, in which you spend the majority of the quarter actually out in the field, accruing hands-on knowledge about the world around you. You learn about the local flora and fauna, resource management, how to identify plants, and most of all how to keep a detailed field journal. You leave the program as a conscientious naturalist. I myself was accepted into this program, but sadly was not able to attend. However, it really made me appreciate that the school I attended had this option available in the first place. So whether you are interested in Environmental Justice (which is a class they offer, and I highly recommend you take it!) or Naturalism, or everything in between, expect that you will get an amazing experience in what you are seeking with the Environmental Studies major. The only critique I have of this major is that you acquire a B.A. rather than a B.S. which I find unfair because you really do take a lot of science classes, and they offer many many courses in other scientific majors that you can apply to your Environmental Studies major. Overall though, I was very pleased and would highly recommend anyone interested in a multidisciplinary approach to the Environment to consider UC Santa Cruz! As far as my experiences in the Philosophy department, I cannot say I got as much out of it as I did my Environmental Studies major, mainly because I was disappointed in how much the classes and material were rooted in Western Philosophy, rather than an integrated approach to both Eastern and Western Philosophy. I just got to a point where I got tired of reading books all written by dead white guys. The only time I was actually surprised is when we read Simone de Beauvoir, in a class led by the only woman instructor in the department. Philosophers of all sorts of color, creed, and cultures have written and mused philosophically. If Philosophy is supposed to be an understanding about the nature of knowledge and thinking, I believe it is rather foolish of this institution to limit itself to faculty members and material written by authors who are, for the most part, male and white, considering how the majority of the Earth's population does not fit that particular demographic. As far as the overall environment of UC Santa Cruz, I found it to be a very inclusive place for people from all walks of life. There were classes and organizations that were intersectional and conscientious, and it was not hard for me to find open-minded and socially aware people to vibe with. In my personal experience as a middle-eastern queer woman, I never once felt threatened, intimidated, or made to feel uncomfortable by my peers. UC Santa Cruz definitely seemed to provide avenues to a safe space for those who seek one, and I think that is so, so important. All in all, I was very happy with my choice to attend this educational institution."

"UCSC WAS A GREAT PLACE TO EARN MY BA DEGREE. THE QUALITY ON INSTRUCTION WAS OUTSTANDING. THE CAMPUS IS BEAUTIFUL, WITH LOTS OF GREAT TRAILS FOR RUNNING OR TAKING A BREAK FROM CLASSES. I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE DIVERSITY, THE SMALL CLASS SIZES AND BEING ON THE OCEAN WAS A PLUS AS WELL!"

"UCSC is a great learning institution. The campus itself is beautiful, right there by the beach and conducive to learning. The professors are engaging, knowledgeable and committed to their field of study. There are always events, workshops, lectures, forums, etc. happening on campus. It is not hard to find services if you need help. This is definitely a "walking" or if your adventurous, a biking campus. The town of Santa Cruz is vibrant and full of energy and there is always something to do in the area."

"Great experience. UCSC was an amazing school and an amazing campus. Some of the highest quality teachers I've ever had. I only applied to UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz. I didn't get into Berkeley and couldn't be happier that I didn't!"

"The Jack Baskin School of Engineering at UC Santa Cruz is a top-notch tech school. The professors have worked in the tech industry for years and know their stuff, and divulge in trade secrets every so often. Besides the School of Engineering, the rest of the campus is in a beautiful location, and the atmosphere is very laid back."

"Overall a strong program. You have to take the initiative to reach out to teachers and seek opportunities that will further your skill sets and experience level, but if you do, they are ample! Sometimes class sizes can be large, especially in lower-division classes, but as you get to upper division courses, they slim down. The professors in economics are doing really interesting research and if you are able, it would be a good idea to talk to them about helping as a research assistant in your 3rd or 4th year if you want to go to graduate school."

"The UC System is increasingly expensive and I will be paying back loans for many years. That said, the classes offered at UCSC were overall excellent. I thought that the History department should require a more narrow focus of study - but the faculty, classes, discussions, etc. were great. The faculty and school is definitely left-leaning but presents many perspectives and offers a free and open exchange of ideas."

"UCSC was an interesting college experience. If you are liberal, environmentally conscious, or what people would think of as a hippy then it is a very inviting and welcoming place. Not to say that other types of people won't fit in there but Santa Cruz thrives on being in your face about environmentalism and liberal politics. That said their science programs are excellent and overall they offer a wide variety of degrees. The student demographic is a lot of kids from wealthy families and the town itself is not cheap. On the other hand the campus is one of the most naturally beautiful schools I have ever visited. Living on campus you wake up surrounded by the redwoods. Sports and the Greek life is pretty minor at the school so if you want the classic college experience its probably not the place for you. But if you like hiking, surfing, or just being surrounded by nature it is a beautiful place."

"it was fun and relaxed, not as frantic or stressful as other bay area colleges."

"It was an amazing experience i would definitly recommend it"

"I LOVED UCSC. It was my first taste of true independence, I found my voice and became a much stronger person. UCSC has a beautiful campus, my dining hall was brand new so the food was on point, my dorm room was new and big (College 9) and College 9 and 10 were about diversity and international studies so I wasn't the only brown face there. But it wasn't perfect. I had to deal with a lot of racial/sexual micro-aggression, outright racism/sexism, and general stupidity. I think you will find that in all colleges as a person of color. But I wouldn't trade the friends I made, the professors I connected with, the things I learned in/out the classroom, the random people I met or the places I explored for anything. I can't speak for UCSC now, but then, it was well worth it. I would also recommend, if it still exists, that people of color participate in Rainbow Theater. Very culturally diverse theater troupe where plays were done around PoC stories. A lot of fun and, considering your classes will be predominantly white, a welcome chance to talk about your own experiences in a safe space."

"Great college. Excellent programs and culture."