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anyone going to UCSC? go banana slugs class of 08!


college 9


does anyone know about the three years and UCSC/ two years at Berkeley degree? im a politics/philosphy major... anyone know if this is possible?

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 03:39 am: Edit

yeah i'm going.
why do so many people pick college 9?
all the incoming freshman probably prefer newer dorms hahah.
but college 9 core course has like a writing seminar thing...that's what i don't like about it. i hate essays!
but i really want to live there!
grrr....so hard to pick.

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 03:45 am: Edit

Whyyou should not go to these colleges

Cowell - Discussion of literary and philosophical texts which develop themes of humanistic study. Emphasis on critical interpretation and expression with frequent writing assignments (including at least five essays).

Porter - LIterature and Art

Kresege - Issues of individual responsibility within American communities are approached through two main questions: How do individuals construct their lives within the bounds of society and culture? How can society be changed by the acts of individuals? Race, class, gender, and sexuality as major building blocks of the person, society, and culture are studied through novels, films, and workshops.

well, i dislike these themes the most.
don't know about you guys...but i'm just not into art, humanties, etc.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 05:04 pm: Edit

Lost, I know about the UCSC dual-degree program with the College of Engineering at UC Berkeley. You spend the first 3 yrs at UCSC completing undergrad reqs for your UCSC major, plus the pre-reqs for your engineering major at Cal. You finish the last 2 yrs at Cal, and you end up with 2 bachelor's degrees: a BA in soc sci, humanities, or the arts from UCSC and a BS in engineering from Cal. It's pretty intense, and you enter the dual-degree program during the first quarter of your freshman year. If you go to the UCSC general catalog website, there are examples of courses that you could take at UCSC while preparing for the UCB engineering pre-reqs. That is the only UCSC/UCB dual-degree program that I know of. Don't know if there are any other dual-degree programs with Cal that are non-engineering programs.

College Nine is nice, one of the two newest colleges on campus. Should put you in a fairly convenient location to your classes. It's up the street from Cowell College, which is a lively place for political & philosophical discussions. Cowell has La Maison Francophone (French-speaking dorm) and The Cowell Press. My S will be living at College Nine this summer & taking Spanish 1 & 2, and Spanish Culture.

Roh, my D is a freshman at Crown this year, moving to the Crown apts next year. She's a Biology major, with plans for med school. She does not like essays, prefers Calc & Chemistry. If you're interested in the sciences, Crown is a good fit. The core class last Fall was about ethics, science, and the use of technology. Great class, & my dd enjoyed it.

Pretty much any of the core classes will involve a lot of essay, but some core classes last longer than others. Stevenson, I think, has a 3-quarter core class, Self & Society, while the core classes at Cowell & Crown last only for the Fall Quarter. If you go to the UCSC Colleges website, you'll find the individual descriptions for each of the college core classes.

Any idea what your major might be? The theme at College Eight is Environmental Studies. It's also a new college and has a view of the Pacific that will knock your socks off. Sunniest location of all the colleges.

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 05:14 pm: Edit

I'm actually interested in the healthcare and science field/majors.
maybe crown college will be a perfect fit for me.
but i really want to stay in college 9 or 10 mainly because of the nice dorms.
so i have a hard decision to make.

Which other colleges (besides crown college) do you think it's best for me? coz i'm more interested in sciences.
but college 9 and 10 are tempting too.

But if i were to stay at college 9 or 10, all i need to do is pass the fall core course and then i'm done! right?
i guess it won't hurt that much to write a couple of essays. >_<

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 06:36 pm: Edit

The reason I'm chosing college 9 is because of it's focus. Essay writing is actually a stregnth of mine, so i think college 9 will be ideal.

College Nine

Core course: International and Global Perspectives: A Writing and Discussion Seminar explores issues such as cultural practices, international and interethnic conflicts, human rights, global economics, and ecology.


http://www.ucsc.edu/about/colleges.asp

it's supposed to have the best food/dorms/campus etc. Are the colleges selective? Do they ever run out of room or have to waitlist? I should probably submit my intent to register form soon right?

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 06:42 pm: Edit

i don't think it matters if you sumbit the form earlier or later right? i hope not. O_O

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 06:44 pm: Edit

banana slugs?
the name is so....O_O

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 06:59 pm: Edit

so Roh... it's you and me right?

By Coureur (Coureur) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 07:01 pm: Edit

No, Rowan is also choosing UCSC I believe.

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 07:30 pm: Edit

that's right lostnconfused.
not unless my appeal for UCD worked.

i'm going on UCSC campus tour to check those colleges out.
that will be on sunday. =D

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 07:32 pm: Edit

i have a question:
Who is asian and is going to UCSC?

yes, i am asian.
just curious.

By Ozochango (Ozochango) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 07:35 pm: Edit

Hey future sluggz. I might also join you guys at UCSC. I'm suppoesd to visit the campus on the 15-17 of this month. Mos def considering college nine for its theme. I dunno if imma be able to hang being so far from LA!

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 06:08 pm: Edit

Ozo, lots of SoCal *kids* at UCSC. My D says they fly & drive back & forth all the time. No biggee if you want to get back for a break from SC. A lot of the surfers live at College Eight, evidenced by the many wetsuits you'll see hanging from the dorm windows. It has a spectacular view of the bay, it's warm, it looks like a resort, and it's not in the trees. The cafeteria is not bad. Def not as good as Colleges Nine & Ten, where my D has dinner every night. Nine/Ten are just up the road from Crown. Crown's dining hall leaves a lot to be desired, crappy food, according to my D. She gets fruit from the Crown dining hall in the am & makes smoothies in her dorm room. I'll ask her what the culture is like over at Nine & Ten.

Roh, College Eight (Environmental Sciences) might be a good fit, if you're not interested in Crown, and you want a new college. Health Science is really going to point you toward Crown, though. You're certainly not restricted to Crown or College Eight, and some students really prefer a residential environment that is completely different from their major. I have a friend who was an Art major who chose Crown because the free-spirited, artsy/film culture over at Porter, the Arts college, was too weird for her. My D has a friend who lives at Porter, and he's a social science major. He's also a musician. You'll be fine at Nine or Ten, but the emphasis at each of those colleges is on global relations (9) & social justice (10).

The core classes for both Nine & Ten are just for the Fall quarter, and then, you will have met your core class requirement. Nine & Ten are close to the student health center. If you're interested in a health care major, you can join SHAC (Student Health Advisory Committee) and start getting involved with health care issues on campus.

Lost, I would expect the greatest demand for housing would be at Colleges Eight, Nine, & Ten, just because they are the newest. Those will probably fill up the quickest, so I'd recommend sending in your SIR and college preference sooner rather than later, if you know, for sure, that you wanna be a banana slug. I would recommend touring all of the colleges, because they are so different from one another. We took a tour last year at the UCSC Banana Slug Spring Fair, which this year is on Sat, April 17, from 10:30A to 10P. The Kresge apts are a trip, for those who like communal living, lotsa people around, very social atmosphere.

More on Housing: UCSC guarantees 2 yrs/housing, and Cowell just built brand new apts to open this Fall. Cowell freshmen live in the Cowell dorms, & sophs get to move into the new Cowell apts. They're supposed to be pretty nice. Cowell is also very social, but a less communal atmosphere than Kresge. D's boyfriend got a single at Cowell this year. Likes it, but the room is super-small. He's looking forward to moving into the new Cowell apts in the Fall.

From what I hear from a guy who has lived in the College Eight dorms for the past 2 yrs, Cowell is a happier place than College Eight. According to him, there is more going on over at Cowell at night. In his words, the lights are always on at the Cowell dorms, and it's because they're socializing and having fun over there. At Crown, it's because they're up studying all night! At College Eight, things sort of shut down at night. This guy is a musician, and he likes night-time hours. He can't make up his mind on a major, so I don't think the academic emphasis of any particular college is as much of a priority for him as the social environment. That's just the impression I get from a College Eight soph who will be a junior next year.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 07:12 pm: Edit

Update on choosing a college: My H did the SIR paperwork for our D last year, and he said that the colleges do fill up, and you might not get your first choice. It's not by first-come-first-serve, however.

They take all of the SIRs by the deadline, then they start looking at which colleges the students want. By whatever process they use, everybody is sorted out, and they start assigning students to the colleges they request. Some colleges do fill up, and that's why you have to give them several choices. I think it was 5 choices, in order of preference.

Be sure to check the instructions on your SIR paperwork. It may say something about how the college selection process works.

By Roh (Roh) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 07:51 pm: Edit

thanks for the info sluggbugg.

Is it very common for students to hang out at different colleges? or participate in activities at different colleges? or eat at other restaurants/cafe at different colleges?

i thought college 8's theme is environment and society, what does it have to do with sciences?

and what are your views on oakes college?
i want to know more about it.
i might put this down as my 5th choice or something. =D

By Roh (Roh) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 10:37 pm: Edit

i also have another question:
are there cable/DSL internet at UCSC dorms?
or do you have to go to the computer labs to use the internet?

by the way, i'm down to college 8 and clown college. =D
college 9 and 10 will probably be my 3rd and 4th choice.
i figured it would be better to know more people who also have similar interests as me...like science, math, technology, etc.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 02:34 pm: Edit

Roh: It is very common for students to interact with students from the other colleges. If anything, I think the university is designed for that. The individual colleges sponsor different kinds of all-campus activities throughout the year. My D tends to spend her free-time in downtown Santa Cruz. Seems to like the Midnight movie on Friday nights at the Del Rio. There are always other students there, and a bus goes back up to campus at 3 a.m.

The bus system is excellent. It's more convenient than driving. Freshmen aren't given parking permits on campus, anyway. The ones who do have cars hassle with parking their vehicles in downtown lots, and then take the bus up to campus. You get a free bus pass to anywhere in the county with your student registration.

Meal Plans: Most students want flexibility when it comes to dining, and the basic meal plans allow students to go to any of the 5 dining halls. Some of the meal plans include "flexi-dollars," which are like cash on your student ID or meal card. Flexi-dollars are good at any of the cafés on campus (Banana Joe's, for instance), and you get a discount on meals at any of the dining halls. You can purchase flexi-dollars alone or as part of a meal package. My D has used flexi-dollars all year, along with her meal plan.

College Eight theme: Think ecology and environmental issues, how society impacts the natural environment, environmental economics, recycling, etc.

Oakes College: The theme is multiculturalism and ethnic studies. Nice place, with its shingled bldgs & peaceful atmosphere. If you were interested in health care issues as they relate to racial, ethnic, and class differences, for instance, Oakes is the place to be. Walk on up there & check it out. Don't know about the social scene, or what it's like to live in the dorms.

Cable/DSL hookups: The dorms have Ethernet access provided by ResNet, UCSC's data access support center. You'll need a CAT5 Ethernet cable to go between your puter and the socket in the wall. There are an increasing number of wireless hotspots around the campus. Check the ResNet webpage for more info -- http://resnet.ucsc.edu/ResNet/ .

Here's a tip: At Orientation, if you go to where they tell you to go to register for classes, there might be a big, long line. The first orientation day was not very well organized last year. We found that you could register for classes anywhere on campus that had a Internet connection. We went to the McHenry Library where there was a whole bank of empty IMacs.

Phones: Dorm rooms also have phone jacks. My D brought a phone w/an answering machine, and her roommate shares it for local calls. They both have their own cell phones. My D has Verizon, which seems to consistently work well all over campus & in town.

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 02:53 pm: Edit

how is the weather over at ucsc and where can i go to find out about the differnt colleges?

By Rowan (Rowan) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 03:24 pm: Edit

Hi; writing from UCSC. It's gorgeous, SoCal -- spring is here, and all the flowers are blooming and it smells very nice. Smell aside, it is gorgeous -- mid-high 60's and 70's during the day, cool at night, kinda cloudy sometimes but that makes it a lot easier to bear the tempteratures (I live in the mountains, normally).

College 10 really is very nice and I agree with Sluggbugg: the newer dorms are probably going to be the most requested.

Boyfriend says he hasn't met anyone that hasn't gotten their first choice, though, but to be safe I'd send in my stuff as soon as I was sure I was going to go.

Anyway, going to head out to Capitola and do some shopping today -- hooray for a public transportation system that actually goes places.

-- ro

By Jbe (Jbe) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 03:32 pm: Edit

accepted as a transfer student. 22 yrs old, male, politics major. dont drink, dont smoke pot. Where should i live (im not excited about rooming with a 17-18 year old....no offense....im sure they wouldnt enjoy living w/ this old man either haha)
Where do most transfers live?

By Ozochango (Ozochango) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 03:59 pm: Edit

Wow, this is great information. Thanks Sluggbugg!
Defenitely keeping UCSC as my second choice for sure now. Any more info would be greatly appreciated!

By Roh (Roh) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 08:26 pm: Edit

I just returned from the campus tour at UCSC.
i must say, it's a pretty nice campus.
i'm defintely very interested in college eight and crown college.

SluggBugg: i really like college eight. but the college itself is so far away from the library and science departments (science hill,etc). it would be a pain to walk up the hill from college eight to those places. would it create a huge problem for me though?
would college 8 not be as convinent as crown college? coz crown college seems to be quite convinent. it's near the science departments and libraries. college eight seems to be kinda farther away from the rest of the campus.

Socal311: i heard the weather at UCSC is very unpredictable, but i'm not sure. that's what my tour guide said.

Colleges i disliked the most: Porter, Kresge, Oakes.

By Roh (Roh) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 08:47 pm: Edit

by the way, does anyone know which college has the most asians? i'm curious to know.
and which college have the hottest chicks? =P

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 10:06 pm: Edit

Jbe: Congrats, J! If you want to stay on-campus, go for a student apt. at Stevenson. They are currently under construction and are supposed to open in the Fall of 2004. There are supposed to be apts for 142 upper div students. They're kind of boxy & officey-looking. I think Stevenson might be a pretty good fit for an upper div poli sci major. My D likes Stevenson because it is one of the smaller colleges and has more of a sense of community than the big colleges (Nine, Ten, & Crown).

One of the big reasons for the sense of community at Stevenson is the core class, a one-year sequence called, Self & Society. More comprehensive than the core classes at the other colleges that are just for one quarter, the Stevenson First Year Seminar includes reading thirty texts over the year, 3 discussion groups a week, and tons of writing. Readings include religious texts, philosophy, political theory, social criticism, historical accounts, autobio, and fiction. Students & faculty just spend more time together in classes & in discussions, and because it is one of the smaller colleges, people tend to get to know one another.

My D just said today that one of the drawbacks of the bigger colleges is that they lack a sense of community. If she had to choose over again, she said she'd pick Oakes or Stevenson. She's an older student (w/be 20 in June this year) and after her first year of living in the Crown dorms, she is tired of the noise & the partiers.

Housing: D says that there are workshops this month for students looking for on & off-campus housing. Each of the colleges will hold separate workshops for continuing & transfer students who want to move into the student apts. I couldn't find anything specific about the Stevenson apts on their website (the Crown stuff is up). I'd find out who the housing coordinator is at Stevenson & contact h/her.

In addition, there are 8 workshops for students (from any of the colleges) interested in off-campus housing, and you'll want to contact the Community Rentals Office for more info on that. Here's the url with the "Renter's Workshop Dates" for off-campus housing -- http://www.housing.ucsc.edu/housing/offcampus.html .

SoCal: Here's the url for links to each of the individual college websites -- http://www.ucsc.edu/about/colleges.asp . You can find out about the core classes at each college, as well as info about housing. Enjoy!

Roh: Yeah, College Eight is a ways from where you'll be taking math & science courses. Practically all of D's classes are right down the hill from her at Crown. The only thing I can suggest is that you catch the campus shuttle up the hill from College Eight. It'll take you to the other college locations on campus. Just more of a hassle than being right there. The walk isn't too bad, though. A pain if you're on a tight schedule. Or, you could get on your bike & zoom over to the other side of campus! It will be a workout, for sure, and not fun during Winter Quarter when it's raining & foggy so much of the time.

Rowan: Welcome to the Land of Banana Slugs! Yes, it is as close to Paradise as it gets this time of year.

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 10:44 pm: Edit

thank you very much sluggbugg. all your information is greatly appreciated.

is it true that it rains most of the time at ucsc? i'm from southern california and i LOVE the hot weather here (70-95) so i don't knonw if i'm gonna be able to handle the weather change up there.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 11:05 pm: Edit

Socal: It's hot during the summer months, perfect weather during the Spring & Fall Quarters, warm enough to lay out on the lawn & get a tan, shorts & sandals weather, good for going down to Natural Bridges Beach. D needed a room fan during the Fall Quarter because it was really *warm* in her dorm room. The dorms have heat, but no air-conditioning. I think the idea is that all you have to do is go outside and find a cool breeze coming off of the Pacific. Ahhhh...

Winter Quarter is the coldest, but the mist adds a sense of Peace to the campus. Just dress in layers, bring a good pair of all-weather shoes, an umbrella, a scarf & warm hat. It's quite lovely, usually not a torential downpour, although that can happen in the Spring, sometimes. There are lots of cozy places on campus to duck into during the cold Winter months, Dec-Jan, mostly.

By Avoidingwork (Avoidingwork) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 11:45 pm: Edit

I grew up in LA and went to UCSC. The weather difference is pretty dramatic - it really rains in Santa Cruz ... for weeks. We used to have Culture Break in January at Cowell College - one week with no classes and activities around a theme (depression era, greeks, etc.) This was to get one out of the winter doldrums. On the other hand, Spring quarter is awesome (I never got much work done Spring quarter). Say goodbye to really hot days, but UCSC is so darn beautiful, you will soon adjust.

Also, suggest you consider Cowell College.

-avoiding work & ucsc class of '76 (double major in math & information science)

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 12:31 am: Edit

Detailed Weather Info: According to Weatherbase.com, the average low temp is 39 degrees Fahrenheit in Jan; 41/Febr; 42/March; 43.3/April; 46.4/May; 49.4/June; 51.6/July; 51.8/Aug; 50.8/Sept.; 47.2/Oct; 42.7/Nov; 39.1/Dec.

Average highs: 59.9/Jan; 62.5/Febr; 64.3/Mar; 67.7/Apr; 70.6/May; 73.8/June; 74.6/July; 75.3/Aug; 76.3/Sept; 73.2/Oct; 66.2/Nov; 60.5 Dec

The hottest month is Sept (76). Coolest is in January (41). It usually gets hotter in Santa Cruz during the summer & early fall than the average hi temp of 76 degrees. In Sept, it's still going to be hot during the days (mid 70's-low 80's).

Average precipitation (measurable rain):
Jan 6.7" of rain (that's a lot!); 5.3" Febr; 4.4 Mar; 2.2 April; 0.7 May; 0.2 June; 0.1 July; 0.1 Aug; 0.3 Sept; 1.2 Oct; 3.9 Nov; 5.3 Dec (again, lots!). So, you can see that it rains a lot in Nov, Dec & Jan. Things start to settle down in Febr & March. By April, an occasional storm may blow through, but the days are usually warm (hi 60's/low 70's), and the nights are still pretty cool (low to mid 40's).

SoCal, technically Santa Cruz is in a rain forest. It doesn't rain all the time, but it does rain a lot during the winter months, Nov, Dec, & Jan. Monterey Bay weather is going to be cooler than you are used to in SoCal. Winter Quarter is def the gloomiest on campus, so it's a good time to hop a plane & come on home for a weekend.

By Jbe (Jbe) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 01:10 am: Edit

thanks sluggbugg- hey isnt Merrill College where the politics dept. is?
Someone told me a lot of transfers live @ Kresge, true?
Will it be difficult top get into Stevenson...seeing as its new?
How early do i need to request a college? I havent sent my SIR yet.
Is living off campus (down in town) not smart...have to take bus up to campus?
Is it cheaper to live on campus?
Too many questions

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 01:54 pm: Edit

Jbe: The Politics dept is at Merrill. Here's the link that spells out the degree reqs for the Politics major at UCSC: http://politics.ucsc.edu/Ugrad/degree.shtml . It has all of your upper-div reqs, along with a description of the comprehensive senior seminar.

Kresge apts: I haven't heard that about Kresge, but it makes sense. Kresge doesn't have dorms. It's all cooperative apartments, and living in the Kresge apts requires a flexible attitude. Sharing an apt, as opposed to living on a dorm, would be preferable for a transfer/older student.

The Kresge East apts are restricted to continuing & transfer students. As opposed to the other configurations in the Kresge Flats (5-person) & Kresge Suites (7-person), the Kresge East apts have 4 singles. You can request a substance-free, quiet apt. Here's a link with diagrams & descriptions of the different kinds of apts that are available at Kresge: http://www2.ucsc.edu/kresge/

Stevenson: No info on the new Stevenson apts. Try contacting the Stevenson College Main Office. Here's the link with the phone # & email addie: http://www2.ucsc.edu/stevenson/Appartments.html

Requesting a college: The deadline for turning in your SIR is May 1. After May 1, they'll start reviewing the Request for College Affiliation forms. Being assigned to a college is not on a first-come-first-serve basis, as far as I know, but check the info they've sent you just to make sure. As long as you get your SIR p/work in by the deadline, you'll be okay. Chances are you'll get your first choice of college, but some of the colleges are more competitive than others (like Crown). Be sure to choose a second & third college that you'll be satisfied with. Keep checking your personal web portal for updates at my.uscs.edu. Your user ID and password are in your application acknowledgement letter.

Living off-campus: Is it more expensive? It really depends on where you end up. I lived in a crappy student house off-campus for 2 years, and I was dirt poor. I wouldn't recommend it! My D is going to attend one of the off-campus housing workshops to get more info.

Here's the link to the UCSC Off-Campus Housing info: http://www.housing.ucsc.edu/housing/offcampus.html . Click on the "Renter's Workshop Dates," and that will give you all of the workshop dates, plus an email addie, phone, & street address for the Community Rentals Office. The first workshop is today at 2P, and there will be 7 more workshops through May 27. If you can't go to the workshops, contact the Community Rentals Office directly. Good luck!

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 02:13 pm: Edit

P.S. There's a typo in the stevenson apartments' url ("Appartments"), and the contact info is at the very bottom of the page.

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 09:27 am: Edit

how is the parking situation at ucsc?

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 07:16 pm: Edit

wow look at all this info! woohoo...

im visiting this weekend you guys... I'm touring on Saturday from 1-3. What is this Banana Slug spring fling thing you guys are talking about on the 17th??

I hear the only way for freshman to park on campus is if they park in Santa Cruz city at a garage designated for college freshman. That's what i know.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 12:29 pm: Edit

Deese is true, Grasshopper.

On-Campus Parking: The information on parking has not been updated, but here's the url for applying for the UCSC undergraduate parking permit through their TAPS (Transportation and Parking Services) office. Note that it is dated 2003-04, so it was for last academic year: https://tapsosxserver.ucsc.edu/studentweb2003/st2003.htm . The TAPS street address in Santa Cruz is on there, too, if you want to drop by their office to get up-to-date info. I'm sure the university will send out more info once they've received your SIR.

It says right on the form that freshmen and sophomores living on-campus are not eligible for any parking permits. Permits are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis, and parking areas on campus will sell out. Even when the lots are sold out, students can apply for an "R" permit (REMOTE) and be put on a waiting list. There are permits for motorcycles, but the info was pretty sketchy about that. My D's friend from Oregon has a motorcycle this year, so freshmen may be eligible for on-campus motorcycle permits. I'll ask my D if she knows if he's got an on-campus permit.

The shuttle bus system on-campus and the metro bus lines to & from downtown Santa Cruz are exceedingly good. The university buses run every 5 to 8 mins on weekdays during the regular school year, and the transfers are super-easy. Registered students get a free bus pass to anywhere in the county (unlimited use) for the whole year. The metro buses are relatively decent & clean, very reliable, & safe. Here's a website under UCSC Admissions that gives a good description of the transportation options: http://admissions.ucsc.edu/discover/faq/stuserv.cfm

Off-campus parking: I know that there are designated lots around the city where students can get permits to park. Last year, they were issuing permits for $125/quarter at the Boardwalk. Personally, I wouldn't leave my car unattended at the Boardwalk unless it was in a locked, well-lighted lot with a security guard on duty. Besides, it's a really long way from campus, and it might be kind of a hassle to get down there. The TAPS office would be able to give you more info about the off-campus lots.

One other option, of course, is living in an apt or a house off-campus that has its own parking, like a covered garage or a driveway. Parking all over Santa Cruz is pretty tight, and parking on the street is usually monitored by metermaids.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 01:22 pm: Edit

Lost: Until this year, the Banana Slug Spring Fair was the annual springtime open house for newly admitted students and their families. Now, the BSlug Spring Fair is a reunion event. They've expanded the tour program, now called, Experience UC Santa Cruz, and new students & families can tour the campus between April 3-21, 2004. You have to make a reservation, though. Here's the url with the schedule of Saturday tours: http://www.admissions.ucsc.edu/see/campusTour/experience_ucsc.cfm

Nine, Ten, Cowell, Crown, & Stevenson have tours on Sat from Noon to 2P. No weekend tours at Eight, Oakes, Merrill & Porter. Bummer, but at least you'll get to see College Nine, which is the one you were most interested in. You can walk around the other colleges and get a pretty good idea of what they are like. Be sure to stop by the McHenry Library; see "The Wave" sculpture near Porter (for a spectacular view of the ocean); and visit the outdoor classroom amphitheater next to the Bay Tree (campus) bookstore.

You can take a free, self-guided tour if you're not on one of the reserved tours. Maps are available at the admissions office on campus. Wear comfy walking shoes. Weather.com is forecasting sunny weather tomorrow, around 75 degrees, & partly cloudy on Sunday. We'll be dropping my D & her boyfriend off at Cowell (his) & Crown (hers) on Sunday. Should be a great weekend for you to visit!

By Rowan (Rowan) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 03:18 pm: Edit

Wanted to take the tour -- got shuffled out by bad circumstances (like the tour being 50 feet away, but having to go to the campus entrance and back again to find that out just a minute too late. $*@#&%$)

Anyway, I've pretty much decided on Stevenson, with Kresge as a backup. I'm not worried about not getting into my first choice because everyone I've met here has, so as long as you get your forms in on time...

I chose Stevenson mostly because of my major. It has a 3 quarter core that gets rid of some of the GEs my major doesn't cover and leaves me with about 3 GEs outside of my major and minor I have to cover. Woot.

By Shupa (Shupa) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 03:41 pm: Edit

hello...i m a prospective transfer student from LA(orig. from hawaii)....still deciding which UC to go to.....my roommate (who graduated from ucsc) said its so beautiful up there....so I am thinking bout visiting this coming week on my spring break....well...is environmental major any good? I dont know much bout ucsc...haven't even been up there...jus applied to bunch of UC's hopin to get in...and so far I heard from this school...and other schools are pending...well hope someone will give me a feedback...thanx

(btw...I was also curious...are there any asians in ucsc? hahaha)

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 04:24 pm: Edit

^ 13.8% asians

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 05:43 pm: Edit

so who's going to crown college or college eight?
i'm still having a hard time deciding.
suggestions are welcomed.

By Artic (Artic) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 05:53 pm: Edit

Im 90% sure I will be going to UCSC next year. woo. Anyways I am a science math person majoring in CompSci, I know I will put down Crown for first choice. Any ideas on what other housing i should look into, or should I just pick one of the newer ones to live in a more recent building?

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 07:08 pm: Edit

i think i'm going to live in a double room.
triple room = too crowded (it'd be so annoying if your two roomates talk nonstop)
single room = jail

CROWN HOUSING PHOTOS:
Rooms: http://www2.ucsc.edu/crown/life/housing/room-photos.shtml
Exterior: http://www2.ucsc.edu/crown/tour/index.shtml

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 11:27 pm: Edit

Hey, i just asked a friend about which college has the most asians...hahaa

Oakes = most asians (because that's where a lot of the minorities are)
Crown = next most asian
College 8 = no asians

So now, i won't even think about going to college 8. My friend also says that college 9 and 10 has really nice and large dorm rooms. He also said that the themes doesn't really matter at all.
My friend's major is science, but he lives in college 9. So i guess i'm picking crown, college 9, college 10 as my top choices. =D

Does anyone know what exactly is the difference between college 9 and college 10 (besides their themes)?
I looked at the pictures of both colleges and they look almost the same.

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 12:45 am: Edit

thanks for all this information!

will i need a bike if i go to ucsc and if i do get one, where do i store it?

By Roh (Roh) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 01:44 am: Edit

i don't think many people ride bikes at UCSC.
there's so much hills.

By Shupa (Shupa) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 12:44 pm: Edit

hows parking up dere...or can we get around by jus walking??? hmmmmmmmm
also..is it better to live in dorms? what if I try to live on my own..get a studio or something...someone help...got no idea what that place is like....nor the cost of living....hahaha

-the clueless

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 01:29 pm: Edit

SoCal re: bikes: You can get around fine without a bike on the UCSC campus. Having one just speeds things up, a bit. There are bike racks inside of the dorms, and there are outside racks, as well. I don't see a lot of bike riders around campus. The trails are hilly, curvy & kind of narrow for bikes. Most students live close enough to their classes to take the trails. My D says that most of the students who ride bikes have mountain bikes and ride them for sport, as well as for transportation. It's too rainy for a bike during Winter Quarter, but a bike would be okay for Fall & Spring Quarter.

Shupa re: environmental studies: UCSC is very strong on environmental science. My D says that there are some really good EAP (Education Abroad Program) opportunities for environmental studies majors. It's a complex interdisciplinary program. Students apply for the ES major during Winter Quarter of their soph year. Here's the url for that major explaining the details: http://admissions.ucsc.edu/discover/majors/EnvironmentalStudies.cfm

Future Crownies & Cowellites: Housing is a bitch if you want to move into a student apt second year. Students at Crown and Cowell (& maybe other colleges, as well) have to put together their own households if they want to apply for a student apt. Then, you go into a lottery to be chosen for room selection. All of the roommates have to be from the same college, so you have to find 3 or 4 other students who all want to share an apt with you. Even though Cowell has the new apts this year, there is still a lottery for them. If your name is not chosen, you go on a waiting list & wait for a room in an apt to open up, or go for a dorm again, or start looking for off-campus housing. It's confusing and stressful! My D says that she does not want to live in a dorm a second year, so either she gets picked for the Crown lottery, or she's going off-campus next year.

This week I spoke to the mom of a student from Cowell who was not chosen during the Cowell lottery last year, and her D has been living off-campus this year. She & a roommate share a pretty nice condominium located just off-campus, $1,685/mo ($842.50 each), 12-month lease. Things like garbage & cable are not included, and she says that the extra expenses add up. She stayed on a limited meal plan on campus, and she eats dinner up there every night. They didn't start looking for off-campus housing until May last year, after the Cowell lottery was over, and they had no problem finding a place close to campus.

Just something to keep in mind about housing after the first year if you're at Crown or Cowell. I don't know whether or not the other colleges have housing lotteries. Check the individual college websites, or contact the college main offices.

Roh: Your friend is right about choosing a college. You don't have to live at a college that is related to your major. In fact, my D's advice is to choose a college that has nice dorms. Check out the other students who are looking at them. If you think that they are the kind of people you can get along with, it's an indication that you'll be happy there.

I asked her exactly what the difference was between College Nine & College Ten, and she said that they're practically the same, except for the themes. College Nine is about global issues, i.e. international conflict, worldwide economics, environmental economics. College Ten is about issues concerning social justice, discrimination, & economic injustice. The core courses for both are just for the Fall Quarter.

As for the Asian population at Crown, D says that there are enough Asian students in her dorm to make up one entire floor. Lots of Asian Crownies!

Rowan: What's the housing situation like over at Stevenson? Any info on the new apts?

By Rowan (Rowan) on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 07:46 pm: Edit

Roh: People often choose a college because it is the opposite of their major (like me :D). I did it because it gets rid of GEs my science major doesn't cover, and it also covers my real passion for literature, writing and reading. I will be a happy person there. :>

Sluggbugg, embarrassingly enough, I haven't a clue about Stevenson housing. I am mostly planning to live off-campus (still have to see about financial aid) so I didn't entirely consider on-campus housing. I hear that the new apartments will be opening this fall, though, and that they're very nice (what they mean by this is beyond me...).

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 03:07 pm: Edit

Colleges I requested:

1) College 9
2) College 10
3) Crown
4) Merrill
5) Cowell

what did you guys pick?

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 04:39 pm: Edit

colleges i requested

College 9
College 10
College 8
Merrill
Stevenson

lol.. see you next year Roh! haha

ok guys- i just got back from UCSC on sunday. The campus was... beautiful... but... not so sure it's my type of place. The cows scared me, and im not big into nature. I need my damn city. Pacific Avenue was nice, but i know it will get boring. I'm glad im close enough to San Fran and San Jose, but still UCSC is gonna take a lot of adjusting. Also, the people there were really alternative. I'm kinda you're typical OCer, so I'm worried about fitting in. My politics are liberal but I really hope those hypocritical hippies don't dominate. It seems like it's going to be hard to get around campus too with the hilly terrain.

Ok, i've decided I'm majoring in Politics and minoring in Film and Media studies (just because i think it's interesting). I intend on going to law school, but i think film will definitely be an interesting learning experience. Does anybody know anything about the Pre-law major??

Can someone please tell me more about the people and the social life at UCSC? I didn't see any of the frats or anything... and my tour guide was a complete nerd who told me that he plays video games everyweekend and the dorms get high speed internet so he loves hanging around online. haha... well as entertaining as that sounds... what else do people do there? many say UCSC is a very different college experience.... can somebody explain??

By Rowan (Rowan) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 06:07 pm: Edit

For me, college choices:

Stevenson
College 10
Kresge
College 9
Porter

Lostnconfused, you get used to the restrained urban atmosphere that is downtown Santa Cruz. I'm not sure how OC-to-SC will work, but I'm sure you'll adjust. Just something new. There's always something to do if you look for it, too; the student body seems to be pretty active as long as it doesn't involve sports.

Dunno about how liberal your politics are, but it's deifinitely not dominated by "hypocritical hippies." They're there, certainly. I didn't think they were too overwhelming. It's a cinch to get around campus, too -- there's a great bus that goes to all the major points, they're somewhat bike friendly, and if all else fails, it's pretty easy to walk around. You get used to it.

Ooh, ooh! Pre-law major being Legal Studies? I can hook you up with my boyfriend's email/SN -- he's majoring in Legal Studies (minoring in history) and intends to be a laywer (well, recently, a DA or join the FBI, but y'know). He was also really interested in film (directing especially) until a few years ago when he got into mock trial.

Frats and sororities don't seem to dominate. There's plenty of drugs and drinking for those who are looking for it (and for those who aren't, though there's no pressure to join in) and the party scene can be a little overwhelming for those who don't participate in it, but there's definitely a social life. You live very near to the beach, there are lots of clubs (or you can start new ones), including sky-diving and SCUBA and (soon) college-level mock trial, and pretty much anything else. There seems to be a HUGE comic book culture there, along with fairly large goth/emo groups, if those are your thing (or maybe that's just been my experience o far). I will have to say it's definitely a different college experience -- but is different really so bad?

Remember this: their mascot, by choice, is the banana slug.

By Artic (Artic) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 06:31 pm: Edit

I got my acceptance letter and packet, but where do you choose your housing prefrences? Do you get somthing after you send the SIR?

Lostnconfused-- I'm an OC chump too. We can be southern outkasts eventhough I live in a bubble town and there is nothing to do here in OC anyways...

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 06:35 pm: Edit

i think joining clubs is a good idea to meet new people with similar interests as you.
i'm joining asian/chinese club for sure! w00t! lol

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 06:59 pm: Edit

hey, i'm from oc too. we should all hang out and be oc friends together, start our own oc club at ucsc. haha

By Artic (Artic) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 09:07 pm: Edit

Any1 else get the email about Computer engineering and the event at the Jack Baskin School of engineering?

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 10:43 pm: Edit

anyone from Irvine/Newport Coast-Beach area??? rock on. the OC club.

There isn't college level MUN is there??? Berkeley has a great Model UN program, but SC is lacking in that department. I'm glad they're starting mock trial. That should be fun.

By Artic (Artic) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 10:53 pm: Edit

Im in Mission Viejo. I can see the spectrum from my roof on a clear night :D I live at the top of a hill though.

By Rowan (Rowan) on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 12:40 am: Edit

Boyfriend is actually the one starting the college-level mock trial team, so if you're interested in that, again, I'd be happy to initiate contact. He's recruiting, so he'd be very happy to remind you how good it is to be a founding member of a (winning - so he hopes!) college mock trial team. ;)

I'm in the San Bernardino mountains. Woo.

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 06:04 am: Edit

ARtic- wow you're really close by.. i just got back from a friends house in Mission actually... do you go to MVHS?

thanks for the info Rowan.. i might actually take you up on the offer to contact your boyfriend for mock trial info... but ill worry about that later.. but thanks SO much for the info/offer.

By Artic (Artic) on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 03:09 pm: Edit

I go to Trabuco Hills HS. Our sports are crap compared to MVHS but all our acedemic stuff is far superior. :D That and my house like a mile from THHS

By Rowan (Rowan) on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 07:36 pm: Edit

No rush, Lostnconfused. Glad to be of service.

So, anyone get any financial aid yet? (I pestered their office; they gave me a figure, but I have no idea what the breakdown is AND I had to change some stuff on the FAFSA and send them some extra info, today. Blah.)

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 09:19 pm: Edit

"UCSC's politics program is mediocre overall. Its international relations specialty is poor verging on bad. Its political theory speciality is good. Its comparative politics speciality is average. Its American politics speciality is mediocre. With the exception of political theory, UCSC is not a good place from which politics majors can go on to graduate school."


is this true??? im a politics major.... crap.

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 04:45 pm: Edit

i just got back from visiting ucsc and it's absolutely amazing. i can't believe i was so depressed about going there before. i guess it's because i knew nothing about it since it's not a very prestigious school. the weather sucks though as i expected and if this season is as good as it gets, i'm gonna die.

do academics take up a lot of time at ucsc or is the social life more dominating?

By Roh (Roh) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 05:06 pm: Edit

both academics and social life are good.
in fact, it is rated pretty high in the princeton review college guide.

i think UCSC's undergraduate academics is rated 3/4, and for campus life, it's 4/4.

By Jbe (Jbe) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 07:01 pm: Edit

the three times Ive visited SC its been beautiful! I took my dog to the beach, threw sticks in the ocean for her, tossed the football with the lady friend. Its pretty damn cool there.

Do I go to UCD or UCSC?!

Davis is 45 mins from home
Santa Cruz is 90 mins from home

Davis has a Div. I footaball team!
Santa cruz has ......the banana slugs!

I LOVE football- if I go to Davis I can see the Aggies play on Saturdays, and when they are out of town I can drive 1 hr and see Cal.....god I love football

I LOVE the outdoors...Santa cruz is amazing
Davis is.....its beatiful in its own way....and close to Tahoe!

By Roh (Roh) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 07:10 pm: Edit

you seem to be more of an outdoor person, so of course UCSC suits you more.
UCSC is overall a very good college already, you'll have fun at there for sure.
most students who go to UCSC seem to be happy with the campus and social life there.

GO TO UCSC!!!
if less people go to UCD, hopefully my appeal for UCD will work!
come on, help me out here....go to UCSC! hahaha. =D

so do you live in the bay area?
for me, driving to davis takes about 50 minutes, and driving to santa cruz takes 90 minutes.

By Krsanm (Krsanm) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 12:03 am: Edit

UCSC is beautiful. I went there April 15-17 and it was very mild weather. It was a bit chilly at night but nothing a good jacket can't fix. College 9, 10 dorms are overated. College 9 had good food but I think Merrill has a better selection. Merrill had a great vegeterarian selection with fresh fruit, salad bar, and soy milk & other vegan specialties. Non-Vegans can still eat stuff like bacon and chicken florentine however. Oakes college has the biggest dorm rooms (double is spacious triple is small) and is the most diverse ethnically. Oakes has several bridges and it's really romantic walking down the redwood path with your crush! Stevenson and Cowell are the whitest colleges. There's a hill where you can sunbathe. I really don't know much more but it seemed pretty nice. Kresge is more for transfers, there are more apartments than dorm rooms and there's a really cute cafe with great coffee for all-nighters. You can bring a bike there but from what people are telling me the transit/shuttle bus is great and efficient and free. UCSC isn't really a div. 1 college but it is number 1 in recreation. Very beautiful and expect to hear the word 'HELLA' from NoCal people a lot! UCSC is very political. Very easy to initiate a political discussion/debate with people. I actually took part in a demonstration against Sacramento and Arnold for cutting funding for student initiated outreach programs and student organizations. People are nice and friendly. Shortage of hot guys, girls weren't really great dressers but it's just college not high school where everyday is a fashion show. Overall I had a great impression of Santa Cruz and I think it is really underrated.

By Jbe (Jbe) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 01:04 am: Edit

Im from the Bay Area....been saying "hella" since I was 2 yrs old...hella tight, heh, anyway,... Roh- I live in Walnut Creek, leaning toward Davis, sorry. I'll go to Berkeley if I get in though! (fat chance...)

By Artic (Artic) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 01:18 am: Edit

rofl, the word "hella" randomly came into a conversation with my brother from UCSB one day. He swatted me in the head and said I'm not aloud to use the word cuz im just a southern chump :D

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 01:18 am: Edit

I'm now at a JC looking to transfer to Cal but I lived at Oakes my freshman year and had friends in the other colleges. Oakes dorms are DEFINATELY one of the larger, if not the largest dorms available. Diversity is a major factor that is stressed heavily in the core curriculum (Black Panther members even came for a lecture).

College 9 is definately the better place for dinner, but during the day all they have is the usual burger/fries/pizza. College 8 dining hall (which Oakes shares) has a really good salad bar for vegetarians as well. Food is by far 10X better than at Davis (where my boyfriend goes).

I've never been to Merrill except for a Poli Sci major info talk, but they have this awful hill that you have to climb up. I would hate to walk up it everyday. Same with Crown.

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 01:28 am: Edit

londonfields, why did you go to a jc after going to ucsc for your freshman year?

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 01:51 am: Edit

Multiple reasons

1) I hadn't really applied myself in highschool and Santa Cruz and Davis were my only options as a result. But, UC Berkeley was where I always wanted to go. I had planned to stay at Santa Cruz for two years and then transfer to Berkeley, but after freshman year I met a sophomore in the same situation who had a 4.0 from SC get rejected from Cal that very year. I realized that if I was serious about transferring then, I HAD to be a JC. I emailed the Poli Sci and Lit depts of SC about matching up Cal major prep courses with theirs and there was simply no matches. Impossible to complete just at Santa Cruz.

2) I didn't want to go to a CC right away b/c I was too prideful (a mistake in retrospect) and I wanted to prove that I could succeed in a UC setting which I most certainly did.

3) Santa Cruz was an awful experience for me. I am definately a city girl no doubt about it. The location was extremely isolating. The environment, although beautiful and peaceful, is not academically rigorous.

4) Although the pass/fail system was no longer in place, remnants of it still remained that had not been phased out. My core class was STILL pass/fail only, and then my required writing class although taken for a grade, did not have graded papers, so your grade came out as a surprise. Things like that really deterred me, since I am also planning to go to law school and graduate school in the future.

5) The Writing dept had been severely affected by budget cuts, the humanities and poli sci depts were just not what I was looking for and I was SERIOUS about transferring to Berkeley.

All these factors, plus a few others were all reasons why I needed to go back to a JC in order to transfer. Hopefully in 1 1/2 weeks it'll all be worth it.

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 02:00 am: Edit

Funny thing is, after I left the school I began to dress more "crunchy", a result of my experience probably.

Hemp necklaces, Reef flip flops, Northface gear, the total works. I even carry a Nalgene bottle to JC everyday. Funny stuff.

By Crazichic98 (Crazichic98) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 02:10 am: Edit

ucsc and ucd are my choices as well. it's 90% davis right now, Londonfields, can u tell me more about their academics.

i visited both last week

By Roh (Roh) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 02:13 am: Edit

^ come on, go to UCSC with me. =D

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 02:55 am: Edit

Crazichic98,

If your decision is between UCSC and UCD, let me be honest and say that OVERALL, the academics for both are relatively equal. My boyfriend goes to Davis and he has been at SC with me various times and vise versa so he would agree as well. The faculty for both are very qualified (although as a freshman you will most likely get a lot of lecturers/part time faculty). UCSC does have more of a focus on undergraduate studies though and personally, I would say you would gain more out of it than at Davis.

1) The written evaluation system. While I have my personal complaints about the grading system (see my above post about why I left), the written evals are definately an asset. It is a requirement for all teachers or their TA's to provide a written evaluation for every single student. Although sometimes you get the occasional generic eval, MOST of time you get a great re-inforcement of a quarter well spent. The requirement really encourages the teachers and TA's to make it a personal obligation to want to meet with you, talk to you, just, get to know you, which is great. I've developed a lot closer relationships with my academic superiors that way. One even recommened me to TA his writing class the next year had I stayed.

2) Their sciences are strong, Astronomy and Astro Physics especially. I know of some very intelligent people who could have easily gone to Berkeley but instead chose SC specifically for these programs.

3) Their humanities, not so great. As an aspiring English major, their Writing program was very critical to me. I was also interested in journalism at that time which to unfortunate circumstances was recently cut as a minor. The Journalism minor at SC was one of the single remaining minors available in the entire UC system. Fortunately I still received writing credit for my radio station internship. What was really great though, was that in true SC style there was a huge rally/march to save it, complete with NY and LA Times writers, award winning authors, etc, all giving speeches.

4) Their poli sci department is different than your traditional poli sci curriculum. First, it's just Politics, not Political Science, and focuses more on ideas and theories. It's subjective, but if you do decide to go to SC, you MUST take Political Freedom, simply because it is a great class. Almost everyone who has taken it would agree. And if you can, get Gabe Brahm-which reminds me...

5) The teachers are VERY relaxed, they are great. Gabe Brahm actually had his office hours at a local pub downtown called Lulu's. You could literally get a beer and talk politics, current events, life with him. Other teachers that you will actually have a lot of personal time with are your Core and Writing 1 teachers, as the class is required to stay at around 30 kids or less.

6) The TA's are almost all graduate/PhD students (as far as I've encountered) so no worries about too many undergrad TA's (such as my self would have been haha). They are all just as intelligent as any graduate/PhD seeking student would be. The undergraduates might be a different story...

Keep in mind this is just based on my personal experience. I've noticed that Santa Cruz really gathers a variety of opinions, ranging from love to hate.

Between SC and Davis though, it is really just up to what environment you prefer. My boyfriend, originally chose Davis b/c he thought that he would love the quiet laid back atmosphere. Now finishing his second year as well, he absolutely despises it, and is bored to death. The downtown, while cute, is completely useless and empty. We both agree that SC downtown is far nicer and on campus, the liberal/radical/hippie atmosphere definately keeps the place interesting...(oh man I have stories). Hope that helped!

By Crazichic98 (Crazichic98) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 03:12 am: Edit

It helped a lot! i was wondering if i could get ur aim and talk more about it. mine is "crazichic98" just like my name!

i think i'm gonna pick the campus solely on the environment. downtown sc is like ONE street. theres a GAP, STARBUCKS, JAMBA JUICE, and other cute little stores. thats it!

i haven't explored downtown davis. but davis is higher ranked than sc, i wonder why? if they are alike.

what are the chances of going to either sc or d first yr then transfer to ucla or ucsd the next

By Crazichic98 (Crazichic98) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 03:16 am: Edit

btw i'm from san diego, ca

and after my trip to davis and santa cruz, i kept smiling when i came home, i realize how much i love sd

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 11:20 am: Edit

I don't go on AIM, hardly ever if you can believe, I'm often running around busy b/c I take 6 classes, intern for both a grassroots poli sci org and a city councilmember, and work. You can email me, I always make sure to check that.

Oh, and there is a lot more to downtown SC than just that one street, you just have to stick around longer. It's not SD obviously b/c it's not a major city. Most of my favorite places were on side streets. And I don't count GAP, and those as part of downtown. The unique thing about SC downtown is that the city tries really hard to keep the major stores away. They love their one of a kind shops. Even the homeless perform for you. Very interesting. I could tell you more if you email me.

By Roh (Roh) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 12:56 pm: Edit

Crazichic98: so you're most likely going to UCD? =(

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 05:04 pm: Edit

hey, im quite a city girl... i dunno i enjoy dressing up and clubbing and stuff.

I prolly wont like UCSC right?

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 08:21 am: Edit

do you guys know if t-mobile gets any reception there? what's good?

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 05:36 pm: Edit

yea i have the same problem. what is the best cell phone service to use? Cingular doesn't work.

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 05:44 pm: Edit

To be honest, NO cell service worked super on the hill. Be prepared to have a few phone calls cut out once in awhile.

With that said, my friends have had better luck with Verizon (I had AT&T, which has a good plan, but not as good reception).

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 07:25 pm: Edit

I'm transferring to UCSC this Fall. My major is Business Management Economics. How's Merrill College? I'm leaning towards College 8 right now but I'm not too sure if I want a dorm that boring or dead. Help...What do u think of college 8? Thanks.

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 07:28 pm: Edit

oh, I want to be assigned in a single room. Is it hard to get one? I'm a junior transfer.

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 07:31 pm: Edit

^ if you look at the map, college 8 is kinda far away from the rest of the campus.
college 8's environment is actually pretty nice, but i didn't put that down as any of my choices because 1) it's too far away from the rest of the campus, 2) it's sort of isolated, 3) no asians.

i picked college 9 and college 10 because they have the newest dorms. even though i dislike the themes, it doesn't really matter because your major has absolutely nothing to do with the theme. just take the fall core course and you're done with that!

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 07:33 pm: Edit

single rooms cost much more than double/triple rooms, like maybe at least $900 a month.
i dunno, but it's so lonely staying by yourself in a single room. i'm most likely going with a double room.

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 07:34 pm: Edit

What's your opinion on Merrill College?

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 07:42 pm: Edit

^ i never visited that college....not interested in that college either.

By Artic (Artic) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 11:06 pm: Edit

Ok this is really important. Where do I go to rank which ones I want to live in? I am sending my SIR this friday and kinda need to pick housing.

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 11:08 pm: Edit

log on to the ucsc site where you got your admission status. the link should be from there.

By Roh (Roh) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 01:17 am: Edit

Artic: don't remember to send in your SLR (statement of legal residence) form too!

By Artic (Artic) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 01:31 am: Edit

Thanx a million Socal.

Roh the SLR came in the admissions packet with the SIR, correct?

By Artic (Artic) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 01:50 am: Edit

SH** A** MOTHER DAMNIT *continues cursing*

The piece of crap site won't allow me access to the page. I can get to admission status, but when I click the link for choosing colleges it auto logs me out with a msg saying that "for increased security anyone is logged out after 20 mins of inactivity." I got a screenshot of the information before it auto loged me out, and luckily it had a phone number. So I think I will have to call them and have a bad chat.

By Crazichic98 (Crazichic98) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 02:55 am: Edit

yea i'm going to davis for sure, roh. but i know some ppl at ucsc so i'm for sure gonna come and party down there. my friend told me halloween was one of the best parties, so im coming down for that!

By Crazichic98 (Crazichic98) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 02:57 am: Edit

when i was at ucsc, my cingular phone did NOT WORK! i had to be like in one position if i move i would lost the connection. it sux! my friend has sprint and it works just about anywhere

By Crazichic98 (Crazichic98) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 03:02 am: Edit

thanks Londonfields for all the info, i sent in my SIR for davis, just to get it over with. im tired of comparing the two. if i don't like the place i'll leave, im not stuck there. and where ever i'll be i'll just try to make the best out of it, be positive and optimistic right?

By Roh (Roh) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 02:40 pm: Edit

Artic: i believe the SLR form doesn't come with the packet.
didn't they send you like a check-off list thing?
there's a list of things they tell you to do, like requesting colleges online and downloading the SLR form from their website.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 03:45 pm: Edit

CELL PHONES: D uses Verizon. Works pretty well in most places around campus. D lives at Crown & most of her classes are in that general vicinity, on the East side of campus. Between Science Hill (e.g. Baskin Engineering) and down the hill to Kerr Hall is where the reception isn't as good, but Verizon seems to work better than the other major carriers.

WESTLA: D says that if she had to choose a dorm all over again, she'd pick a nice one & not base her choice so much on her major (she's a bio major). Btw, you won't have any problem getting a single, I don't think. Most of the residential colleges reserve a number of rooms for transfers. Jr transfers & continuing students have priority status over freshmen when it comes to housing. Freshmen can't get into the apts, only dorms, unless it's at Kresge where all of the housing is in apts. Have you considered the College Nine apts? You can apply for a single room in a 4-person suite. Here's a link with a room configuration & more info about the College Nine apts: http://collegenine.ucsc.edu/apartments.shtml

The ground-floor apts at C9 have patios, and the upper floors have balconies. College Nine would put you fairly close to Merrill, Stevenson, & Cowell, where you are likely to have classes. The theme of College Nine, International & Global Perspectives, deals with global economics, & it could mesh with your upper-div classes in Business & Economics.

Fwiw, I asked my D & her boyfriend what the culture was like at Merrill. Keep in mind that it's just the opinion of two freshmen, out of 15,000 students on that campus. D's boyfriend is a politics major, & he has had the opportunity to spend time at Merrill this year. He lives at Cowell. Merrill is a good environment for students who are very passionate about their cause, whatever that may be, to the point of being angry about it. Oakes, otoh, is for students who are as passionate, but don't have such an in-your-face approach to raising awareness & engaging in political discussion. If you like drum circles, for example, Merrill is the place to be.

Colleges Nine & Ten are so new that neither has developed an individual identity or a culture of its own. If you're looking for a college environment with a strong identity, you need to look at the more established colleges. I've heard these colleges described as "soul-less," but who cares if you want to live in really nice dorms with the best dining hall on campus.

College Eight - Lotsa Barbies & Kens, but clean, new dorms. It's the sunniest location on campus, built on a hill with a view of the ocean that will knock your socks off. The West Field House is nearby, so it's close to some of the athletic facilities. C8 is maybe a 10 to 15-min hike to the East side of campus where Merrill & Stevenson are. Not a bad walk, imho, if you cut through the redwoods on the paved trails. It's not far from the McHenry Library or the Bay Tree Bookstore. The only time I think it could become a problem is if you had to keep switching from one side of the campus to the other without a lot of time between classes.

The inseparable beauty of the campus may be taken for granted by younger students who are overly focused on the social aspects of living on campus. To get the most out of UCSC, you have to get past the labeling & take advantage of what the university has to offer. Because it's a less-impacted campus, there are excellent opportunities available to undergraduates that simply aren't open to undergrads at some of the larger UC's. I graduated from UC Berkeley & regret not having the individualized attention that my D is benefiting from this year.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 03:54 pm: Edit

P.S. Here's a pretty good map of the campus: http://www.ucsc.edu/about/vtour/ . You can see what I'm talking about in regard to cell phone reception & college locations. ~sluggy

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 05:48 pm: Edit

Thanks a lot for the info Sluggbugg! I'll put down College 9 as my first choice then and College 8 as my second choice. I think I really need to see the campus because I would regret not choosing College 8... Do you think College 9 is better when it comes to social stuff ?

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 09:49 pm: Edit

Yeah, for sure go see the campus, Wstladude. You'll know right away if College Eight is the right place for you. It looks like a resort, lotsa LA kids there. Surfers seem to like C8, and I don't know if that's because there are a lot of surfers who also happen to be environmental science majors, or if it's because it has a totally kickass view of the ocean. The open exposure & the extra sunshine are very appealing to people who like the beach. The dining hall isn't bad, either.

I know a guy who will be a junior next year, & he has lived at College Eight for the past 2 yrs. Started out in the dorms, then moved into a student apt this year. He's a business major, as well. He said that College Eight kind of shuts down at night, so he finds things to do at the other colleges. I have practically no firsthand info about student life at College 9, but their website encourages students to participate in a variety of College Nine organizations that deal with global & community issues. Students are encouraged to join Praxis, which is basically a community service organization that works with local programs in Santa Cruz. There's a group called PIE (Programming International Events) that plans events relating to the themes of diversity & international relations. Study abroad is also encouraged.

One way to determine whether or not you'll like living at College Nine is to go there & spend some time checking out students who are also considering the college. If you are comfortable with the types of students you see, you'll probably be okay living there. Do the same at College Eight, and that should give you a general sense of what the social atmosphere is like at each college.

By Rowan (Rowan) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 10:11 pm: Edit

Ugh.

Thought I'd put a note in for financial aid:

I'm not happy. Perhaps I should be, but it's a LOT of money for my family (my dad's self-employed, so they didn't consider the $6000 beyond the $400 reported on the FAFSA that he had to pay in taxes) and my workstudy requires me working every single week of the school year (including the holiday weeks) for 15-20 hours.

Sigh. Here's hoping I get $20,000 in scholarships.

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 10:32 pm: Edit

Sluggbugg, you're making me really want to attend UCSC. Is the orientation worth attending? I can't believe they're charging $85 for students and $70 per familiy member? Is it worth it?


Rowan- Sorry to hear about your financial aid problem. I haven't heard from them about how much I'll be getting. I'm an independent student and my EFC is $2500! When I attend UCSC, I won't have the same job I have right now....and if I do I won't be earing $14,000+ I earned lastyear while being a fulltime student. I should have worked less... Can they adjust my EFC for my current situation?

By Roh (Roh) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 10:56 pm: Edit

is there also an orientation in september?

Westladude24: go to UCSC then! *evil smile* j/k

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 11:17 pm: Edit

I lived at Oakes and I can definately concur that it is filled with a lot of passionate and outgoing people. They emphasize social activism and being culturally aware. The dorms are also the largest. I was lucky enough to have a double w/ an ocean view to myself b/c my roomate had moved out after first quarter and they never placed another person with me. Oakes shares its dining hall w/ College 8 (which is totally Abercrombie & Fitch, small rooms, but the most beautiful nonetheless).

College 9/10 are overrated. Yes, they have the best dining hall (FOR DINNER), otherwise, during the day it is no different (burgers/pizza/etc). Oakes, Kresge, and others have nicer cafes. I also had a teacher who used to teach at College 9/10 but switched to Oakes (he likes it a lot better at Oakes, better community he says).

Personally I like the older colleges, they do have a more established curriculum and atmosphere. Kresge is definately hippie (most in the woods, lots of smokers), Porter is art/drug induced (gallery, koi pond, and running naked during the first rain), and Cowell is the center of everything (Cowell circle, dances-the SEX dance is CRAZY, huge lawn w/ activities). TINY rooms though. Crown also has tiny rooms, but a prime location like Cowell. It is also right next to the radio station (which is where I worked/chilled at), bookstore, etc).

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 11:27 pm: Edit

i'm 95% set on UCSC for the fall

Theatre Arts Production Major

Porter College 1st choice
Crown College 2nd choice
10 3rd choice.

By Rowan (Rowan) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 11:36 pm: Edit

Well, I feel slightly better about my financial aid after thinking about it for a bit.

I'm going to decline my work-study offer. It's a huge amount for rather menial jobs (lots of cleaning among the choices...) when I could just as easily get a better job. The only bad part about a non work-study job is that they won't necessarily consider my school schedule when giving me work hours. Other than that, it's fair game; after all, I found out that work-study IS taxable income.

Luckily, Santa Cruz abides by the policy regarding outside scholarships that allows it to deduct from family contributions, loans and workstudy before touching the grants (I THINK! please double check before banking on this).

Anyway. Yay Kewkiekid! Theatre's great.

Roh, there's a fall orientation and a summer orientation. I HIGHLY recommend attending the summer orientation, despite the cost, if only because you'll get a chance to register for classes then and speak with an advisor about your plans and schedule.

Westladude24, I'm sorry to hear that! My family's EFC was in the $2500 range as well, and they also gapped us about $1700. Not pretty, considering that $2500 number was a huge stretch to begin with! But it'll work.

Go to my.ucsc.edu and check and see if there's an option on your menu saying "My Financial Award." That's where I got mine (nothing in the mail yet).

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 02:48 am: Edit

hey does anyone know anything about the film and media studies major.. i was thinking of minoring in it.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 04:52 pm: Edit

WESTLADUDE: It is worth it to go to the summer orientation. My D went to the June orientation last year. The main advantage is that you get to register for classes, and they DO fill up. Just remember the tip I gave earlier about registration: If you go to where they tell you to go to register for classes, there might be a long line. We found that you could register for classes anywhere on campus that had an Internet connection. We went to the McHenry Library where there was a whole bank of empty IMacs.

Definitely go visit. UCSC could turn out to be a trainwreck for anyone who does not like the isolation of the campus, or just wants more of a structured program. The laid back atmosphere is what drives some people nuts about the place, and it can be hard to get a handle on what you want to do in the absense of pressure. Some people need pressure to find a direction. UCSC is not a pressured academic environment, and for some, this is perceived as less of a challenge. It's not a match for everybody.

KEWKIEKID: Welcome to Slugdom! You know about Porter, right? This is one college that has never been lacking in...creativity. We've been talking about cultures at the different colleges, and Porter probably has the strongest identity of them all. Musicians, composers, photographers, actors, dancers, painters, sculptors, poets, film makers, media artists, plus just about every type of sexual orientation I can think of, can be found at Porter. Porter students have an exceptional appreciation for individual differences and personal expression. =o) Experimental & freeing for some, too much of a PITA for others.

The Porter dorms remind me of the Cowell dorms. Concrete stairwells with long, narrow halls & skinny, dark rooms. The Porter dining hall is inviting on drizzly, cold days. The koi pond is lovely, and the fish are cute!

LONDONFIELDS: Great post. It's interesting that your teacher moved over to Oakes for a stronger sense of community. That's what I keep hearing about 9/10, and it's also what my D said. They just haven't been around long enough to develop their own college identities. Nine & Ten were established in 2000 & 2002, whereas all of the other colleges have a lot more history. Cowell was the first college, established in 1965; Stevenson (66); Crown (67); Merrill (68); Porter (69); Kresge (71); Oakes & College 8 (72).

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 10:51 pm: Edit

hey, i sent in my SIR.. why dont i get a welcome... anyways... AGAIN- does anyone know anything about the film program

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 01:08 pm: Edit

L&C: It looks like a pretty good program. Here's an overview of what the undergrad prep is for declaring a major in Film & Digital Media:

The film and digital media major at UC Santa Cruz offers an integrated curriculum involving theory, criticism, and cultural analysis, as well as a production program in the aesthetics and techniques of film and digital media. Graduates of the UC Santa Cruz film and digital media program have enjoyed considerable success both in the professional world and in gaining admission to top graduate schools in the field. --True. H knows people from his dorm at Porter (College V grads) who are currently working on successful television & film productions.

Study and Research Opportunities

* B.A., Undergraduate Minor
* Department-sponsored independent field study opportunities (with faculty and department approval) --You'll need to meet with an academic advisor about minoring in the program.

Film and Digital Media Department
120 Porter College
University of California, Santa Cruz
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, California 95064
(831) 459-3204
film@ucsc.edu

UC Santa Cruz lower-division requirements for the film and digital media major are:

• The Film Experience; and two of the following three courses:
• Introduction to Television Culture and Society
• Introduction to Digital Media
• Introduction to Production Technique

Students are encouraged to complete the lower-division courses as early in their studies as possible so that the petition to major status is accomplished no later than the first quarter of the junior year. Acceptance into the film and digital media major does not constitute acceptance into the production concentration.

Production Concentration
Admission to the production concentration is highly selective, based on promise and accomplishment shown in the student’s work. After completing course 170B, Fundamentals of Film and Video Production, students may apply to the production concentration by submitting works to a portfolio review conducted at the end of each quarter. These student works are reviewed by film and digital media production faculty. Application materials and instructions are available at the Film and Digital Media Department Office. Students should note that production courses are in high demand and that faculty workload considerations and equipment resources require a limitation on the number of applicants accepted into the production concentration. Students may re-apply a second time if not accepted.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 01:30 pm: Edit

P.S. L&C: Didn't mean to pass you over on a sluggy welcome to UCSC! I've kissed many a banana slug, but a slugghugg will do for now. -{{{{{}o<:

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 02:17 pm: Edit

Is it better to skip the Biology 3 course and Chem 1A course?

i mean, i've taken biology and ap biology in high school before (failed the ap test though), so i think it would be better for me to start at Biology 20A.
i was planning to take the placement exam, but maybe i should just take a course during the summer and pass it. i read that you need 70% to pass the placement exam. it would suck if i fail it, coz i have forgotten a lot of biology already...haha

also, Biology 20A's prerequisite is Chem 1B, so i should take the Chem 1A class over the summer as well. That way, i can start Chem 1B in fall and then start Biology 20A in the winter quarter.

by the way, i'm going to declare health sciences as my major.

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 06:19 pm: Edit

thanks for the info sluggbugg!

hahaha, i was joking but thanks for the welcome

By Vyola (Vyola) on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 07:03 pm: Edit

Take TV Culture and Society with L.S. Kim if you're a good student who doesn't slack. It's an AWESOME class if you do the work. Most people found it very hard, but if you try you can get an A.

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 01:50 am: Edit

Sluggbugg, one of the reasons i loved Porter was how free everyone is there with everything.

when i toured the theatre arts department someone metioned they had sword fighting lessons a previous quarter, and students were always practicing all over campus. When i went to visit Porter my mother and i heard sticks hitting together and thought "oh is that sword fighing?" not only were there 4 people swordfighting with tree branches (on the grass in front of the dining hall) but one was dressed in a wizard costume and one was dressed as a cat! i think the other 2 were wearing a costume of some sort, but i can't remember now.

and then the girl in the purple wizard costume turned around and yelled out my name. it was someone i knew from my High School -- really really random. it was great!!

By Roh (Roh) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 03:12 pm: Edit

^ wierd people...i would never go there. hahaha

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 10:03 pm: Edit

KEWKIEKID: I'm glad you went to visit & got a good feeling about Porter. That's how I feel about it, too. You can be a wizard or a cat or :::whatever::: you want to be. The Theater Arts Center looks really great, btw. I went to visit College V (aka Porter) for a weekend when I was a h/s senior in 1975. I spent a whole day brushing a guy's hair. It was past his shoulders, and he really needed it brushed! Party on, sluggz.

By Artic (Artic) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 11:31 pm: Edit

^ hmm I don't think I want to brush hair all the time and seeing as how i have a crewcut, maybe I should take porter off my #5 choice. Lol j/k but you have to admit slugg, that sounds really bad.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 01:02 pm: Edit

Yes, imagine that. A hairy banana slug! It was 1975 & you had to be there, Artic.

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 01:14 pm: Edit

When I was there last year, there was a boy who fell out of the second floor of Porter because he was tripping out on acid or 'shrooms. He was eventually in a coma, and I never knew what happened to him. But his girlfriend, right after the fall, also tripped out on said drugs, freaked out, ran into the woods and they had to get a search party to go find her. Interesting stuff.

I loved Porter's naked run during the first rain. Since I lived at Oakes we saw a lot of nude Porter students. My friend even took a picture with one guy.

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 02:42 pm: Edit

Totally nude?

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 02:56 pm: Edit

Yes, completely. And at Oakes a bunch of kids filled water balloons up and threw them at the Porter runners when they ran by.

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 03:21 pm: Edit

There are female participants too?

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 03:25 pm: Edit

You might want to check out
http://people.ucsc.edu/~jte/main.htm
for photos and other info on it

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 03:58 pm: Edit

Wow..are all participants from Porter? If so, I might wanna pick Porter as my firs choice heheh

By Artic (Artic) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 06:34 pm: Edit

I can't get the SLR to come up. The webpage keeps getting an error and saying the site might be temporarily down. Any1 got a copy of the SLR file that I could make use of? or any other ideas...

By Roh (Roh) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 07:08 pm: Edit

those pictures are interesting. =P
wierd people...

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 07:52 pm: Edit

ROH, SEE YOU IN FALL FOR THE NAKED RUN...I HAVE A FEELING YOUR APPEAL FOR UCD WILL BE TURNED DOWN BECAUSE YOU'RE SNOTTY..LOL J/K

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 08:47 pm: Edit

lol... i suddenly feel much better about my body.... i'm sorry but i hear UCSC is infamous for ugly people...

just out of curiousity.. are there any NORMAL folk at UCSC?? I don't exactly know how to define normal, but students that could be comparable to those at the other UCs.. without the whole PC non conformist attitude??

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 09:38 pm: Edit

*double post*

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 09:38 pm: Edit

i'd like to think i'm fairly normal....

i'm just liberal and a (prospective) theatre arts major....

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 10:26 pm: Edit

is everyone there liberal or are there at least a few conservatives?

how are conservatives treated ucsc?

By Scrimmage (Scrimmage) on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 03:39 am: Edit

I have 5 days left to sent in a SIR and I'm still completely torn between UCSC and UCD.

I need help. If someone can say something to push me one way or the other, it would be great. I'm mostly concerned with the social enviornment at UCSC, and how everyone seems to be soo far to the left. I'm liberal, but like socal, im wondering how people that are more conservative are treated. And like lostncofused when I visited, it seemed that almost everybody was non-conformist. So, again how are people treated, that don't push so much to stand out from everyone else. My overall question is, is UCSC an accepting place?

I figure that a "normal" (is that the right word?) person like me will fit easily into Davis, but im not so sure about UCSC.

Everything else I saw in UCSC looked great. My last question is does anyone know how the music department is?

5 days left...someone help.

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 03:22 pm: Edit

^ GO TO UCSC!!!!!
of course UCSC is an accepting place, i think a lot of people are happy with the campus and social life at santa cruz. you'll fit in for sure.

i'm appealing for UCD, so don't go there!

By Rana (Rana) on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 03:48 pm: Edit

I'm tempted to recommend UC Davis only so it will bug roh! But really, both schools are great. Can't say anything about the music program, though. But check out these streams, the students on it seem to be very open to questions from new students, they may have the answers to your questions...

http://www.livejournal.com/community/ucsc_chatter/

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 09:27 pm: Edit

Here are the colleges I requested.

1.)Porter
2.)Nine
3.)Ten
4.)Eight
5.)Kresge

any comment? I like to socialize and want to be with people who are very open-minded and fun to be with.... Have a missed a college I should consider? My major is Business Management Economics.

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 - 05:36 pm: Edit

hey, i just got my orientation stuff... why is it that it's not an overnight program like the rest of the UCs? For those of you going... are your parents planning on going too??

By Roh (Roh) on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 - 05:53 pm: Edit

i'm taking biology 3 and chem 1A over the summer so i don't have to take it at UCSC freshman year.
i can waive those placement exams too. =D
i think i'm going to the orientation in september, not much difference anyways.

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 - 11:54 pm: Edit

roh, orientation is in June

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 02:16 am: Edit

^ there's also an orientation in september.
i'm pretty sure.

who else is taking/waiving the bio and chem placement exams? no one is going to enroll in a bio or chem course?
seems like everyone here are political science majors.
how easy are those placement exams anyway? i think i prefer to take the bio and chem classes over summer, so i can build a strong foundation first. i'm going to major in health sciences by the way.

By Artic (Artic) on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 04:28 pm: Edit

I will be a CS/ Chem guy. I took AP of both those courses before and got 4's so I think I should be cool on waving the chem placement. I think I'll get stuck taking a bio test some time.

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 06:05 pm: Edit

^ so you're going straight to Chem 1B? maybe i'll see you there....yeah right. lol

By Rsbjsd (Rsbjsd) on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 07:45 pm: Edit

what kind of grades do i need to get into UCSC if im from MA?

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 08:19 pm: Edit

^ wow...even a guy from MA would be interested in going to UCSC.
i would say you need at least a 3.4+ gpa, because UCSC is getting more competitive and selective in the admission process.

this is by far the longest UCSC thread we have in college confidential. w00t!

By Cayucthis (Cayucthis) on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 10:20 pm: Edit

Roh. Currently this is the longest thread on the College Admissions thread period!

Go Banana Slugs!

And congratulations to all that will be attending next year.

From a proud Mom of a future banana slug.

By Artic (Artic) on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 11:42 pm: Edit

I still havn't sent my SIR yet :/
I still got two days... heh. I have to send my Aid info too, so that looks like tomorrows plan.

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 01:43 am: Edit

sent mine today!!

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 02:03 am: Edit

yes. go banana slugs. i started this thread thinking no one wouldnt respond except for maybe roh.


UCSC rules.

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 02:04 am: Edit

yes. go banana slugs. i started this thread thinking no one wouldnt respond except for maybe roh.


UCSC rules.

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 05:01 am: Edit

Anyone picked Porter College as his/her first choice?

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 05:25 pm: Edit

I sent in my SIR today! UCSC here I come! Go Bananna slugs!

Colleges:
1. College Nine
2. College Ten
3. College Eight
4. Stevenson
5. Merrill

Anyone else who signed up for College Nine?

By Artic (Artic) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 05:59 pm: Edit

Zepplin our college choices are nearly the same. And with Zeppelin in your name, it can't be bad to be in the same place :D

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 06:17 pm: Edit

Artic-

You like Led Zeppelin too? What other bands do you like? I'm also a huge Pink Floyd and Tool fan.

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 06:51 pm: Edit

Artic-
I was reading through the post, and I noticed that you said you were from Mission Viejo. I was born there and moved to Northern California when I was 2. I dont remember anything except that we lived on the top of a hill and we had a pretty view (at least thats what my parents told me!) I lived on Josephina or Josephine street. Do you know where that is? It really is a small world.

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 07:29 pm: Edit

Westladude24, porter is my first choice!

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 04:39 am: Edit

Tool is awesome- one of my favorite bands. I've seen both Tool and APC live and they're great. Pink Floyd.. is well.. a classic...

By Westladude24 (Westladude24) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 05:02 am: Edit

kewkiekid, are you gay?

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 01:32 pm: Edit

Lostnconfused-

Awesome! I saw APC last month at San Francisco, but unfortunately haven't gotten a chance to see Tool yet. I plan on going to at least three shows next time they tour...if their next album ever comes out! I saw that you too put college 9 as your first pick. Whats your aim sn? Mine's zeppelingoddess9 if ya wanna talk. It's awesome to hear that other people I'll be living with have the same taste as me!

By Artic (Artic) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 03:40 pm: Edit

That's awesome you lived in MV too. Pink Floyd is awesome, I tend to be a fan of all classic rock. As for your street, I have never seen it.

Well it is may 1st.... I think it is time to go to the post office and send that SIR. Not like it is a rush or anything

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 04:09 pm: Edit

Aww... that's too bad you haven't heard of it. I thought it would be funny if we were neighbors 16 years ago. Anyways, I too am a huge fan of classic rock. I can't wait to go to Santa Cruz! So many people like the same music as me! IM me sometime, I want to meet people before I get there. My sn is zeppelingoddess9

By Roh (Roh) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 05:18 pm: Edit

i hope there's not a lot of wierd people at UCSC. =P

By Artic (Artic) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 06:47 pm: Edit

I thought SC was known for its "weird" people :D
That is cool with me though, I need a change from the norm.

*If any other slugs want to msg me, I'm on AIM screen named : ArticCopi *

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 09:17 pm: Edit

Westladude24, no i'm not....did you get that sense from my posts or something?

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 04:37 am: Edit

hey guys- AIM screen name : p26horsey feel free to IM me.. im online a lot.

By Artic (Artic) on Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - 04:08 pm: Edit

Bump, don't let our awesome topic die. Any1 else talk on AIM?

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - 05:05 pm: Edit

We can talk about how wonderful the AP Calc test is going to be tomorrow.... eek! Anyone else terrified for it?

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - 05:53 pm: Edit

^ yes, i need to study for that.
damn, there's american idol and 24 tonight. crap.

By Artic (Artic) on Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - 05:53 pm: Edit

I was until I got my Calc final back from last friday. I got an 88% which was the 4th highest grade in my class. So now I am not scared of the big bad ap test.

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - 07:25 pm: Edit

i'm so glad i dropped that class....

*crams for AP Human Geography test instead*

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - 11:54 pm: Edit

Well good luck to you all tomorrow! Maybe we can waive two of those Calculus courses

By Rowan (Rowan) on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 12:08 am: Edit

Ah, Calculus.

I'm soooo glad the AP tests matter so little to me at this point.

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 01:27 am: Edit

im not in calc and don't ever plan on taking it...

but hooray for those of you taking AP english lit on thursday

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 03:26 pm: Edit

ARE THERE ANY "NORMAL PEOPLE" AT UCSC? Sure, there are a lot of nice, normal undergrads, grad students, faculty, health workers, and administrators at UCSC. They're not running their naked asses all over campus, but they're around, pursuing academics and developing careers, just like anybody else.

To get the most out of UCSC, you have to enjoy the fact that you're on a campus where there is that much freedom of expression and not be threatened by it. It doesn't mean that you have to conform to behavior that isn't comfortable for you. It means that you get to exercise a little maturity, think for yourself, and find students with similar interests. As part of its overall campus policies for students & faculty, UCSC has developed a policy called Principles of Community, which I think generally describes the campus environment:

Principles of Community

"We are a community living and learning together. Certainly, we cannot expect to always agree with each other on every matter. Yet, we must unfailingly demonstrate respect, tolerance and patience in our communications." — M.R.C. Greenwood, Chancellor, April 24, 2000

"The University of California, Santa Cruz is committed to promoting and protecting an environment that values and supports every person in an atmosphere of civility, honesty, cooperation, professionalism and fairness..."

Okay, so that means that students get to act like jackasses sometimes, but it also means that there are students on that campus who are interested in less exhibitionist-type activities, like finding great places to eat in town, exploring the beaches, hearing visiting lecturers, attending concerts, hiking in the redwoods, surfing, visiting the elephant seals at Año Nuevo, or maybe a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to see the new shark exhibit. The first time it rains, you don't have to be faced with jiggling anatomies, unless you want to...

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 05:41 pm: Edit

sluggbugg, how are conservatives treated at ucsc?

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 01:32 pm: Edit

SOCAL: I asked my D about this, and she said that it depends on how conservative you are, what the topic of discussion is, and which college you're at. I thought I read in a previous post (which I can't seem to find now) that you were interested in College Nine. My D says that College Nine would be a good fit, socially, for a student with conservative views. The theme over there is International & Global Perspectives. Again, it's one of the two newest colleges on campus, so the culture there is less defined than at some of the more established colleges. I'd say Colleges 8, 9, & 10 would probably all work out. A conservative student isn't going to be happy at Porter or Kresge, perhaps.

Fwiw, my D's impression is that a middle-of-the-road or conservative student will do fine at UCSC. It's not as politically radical or liberal as some would like to think. What distinguishes UCSC from some of the other West Coast liberal colleges (Reed College in Portland or Evergreen State in Olympia, WA, for example), is the level of social intensity. Things are pretty relaxed at UCSC, and students are generally pretty tolerant and accepting. Froshlings tend to be the most judgmental, but that softens as students get more involved in their academic pursuits. The student body is actually made up of a lot of typical California high school grads. Here are some admission figures from Fall 2003 that may give you an idea of who's going there.

Hometowns of UCSC Undergraduates (Fall 2003)

Monterey Bay Area/Santa Clara Valley -- 17.6%
San Francisco Bay Area -- 30.6%
Other Northern California -- 2.6%
Total NOCAL: 50.8%

East Central California -- 10.6%

Los Angeles/South Coast -- 25.2%
San Diego-Desert -- 8.2%
Total SOCAL: 33.4%

Other States -- 4.7%
Foreign -- 0.5%
Total Out-of-State: 5.2%

TOTAL IN-STATE: 94.8%

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 05:26 pm: Edit

I'm actually most interested in college 8 and don't care much for any of the others.

Thanks for all your info sluggbugg.

By Artic (Artic) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 06:30 pm: Edit

College 8 is the one with mostly Souther cali folk right? I think that was my 2nd choice.

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 07:23 pm: Edit

^ college 8 is full of non-asians.

By Artic (Artic) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 08:09 pm: Edit

I could care less about what races are going to be in my dorm as long as every1 is cool. I do find it odd that (of my friends and others I know) Asians are the most racist people around. Maybe I am just friends with a bad bunch. Most of it spawns from the fighting between all the different types of asians though. It isn't like they are going to do anything, they just talk a lot of sh**

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 09:36 pm: Edit

SOCAL: You're welcome. Hope it's helped. I think you'll like College Eight. There's a UCSC conservative student publication called The Redwood Review that you may want to check out. Here's the url: www.redwoodreview.com .

You might also find the College Prowler guide book on UC Santa Cruz helpful. The guides cost around $6 and can be ordered off of the CP website. Just google. My D found the insider info helpful last year when she was thinking about UCSC. The guides are written by recent college grads, and they also have quotes from current students.

ARTIC: That's what I hear. :o) Lotsa SoCal sluggz.

ROH: What's the status of your appeal to Davis? Have you thought about doing the junior transfer thing to Davis from one of the jcs up near UCD? It seems like you're really set on Davis. Anyway, here's an url for Sierra College, which is a jr college in Rocklin, about 30 mi. from UCD. I hear it's a pretty good!

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 10:26 pm: Edit

Hey I just got my packet for Summer Orientation. When is everyone thinking of going?

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 10:34 pm: Edit

Sluggbugg,

right now, i'm thinking of transferring to UCD from UCSC after one year. i'll be taking some classes over the summer so i can enroll in higher level classes at UCSC. i need to finish all my GE courses and most of my prerequisites in one year, which is a pain in the ass. if the transfer doesn't work, i'll transfer after two years.

i have actually thought of going to a CC/JC, but i figured that i don't really want to waste two years at a CC/JC. i want to start experiencing college life. the only routes i can take is UC-UC transfer or UC-CC-UC transfer. i absolutely do not want to spend two years at a CC/JC.

UCD is still reviewing my appeal at this time. decisions will be revealed on may 24th. pray for me! yay! =D
i'll let you guys know if my appeal worked or not.

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 10:40 pm: Edit

"Hey I just got my packet for Summer Orientation. When is everyone thinking of going?"

i actually have a question about the summer orientation.
should i decide all the courses that i want to take before the orientation? it seems like it would be better if i'm all prepared. then during the orientation, i can just sign up for those classes.

i'm pretty sure i'm going into health sciences major, so i plan to finish all my math, bio, chem, and GE courses in my freshmen year. i heard that physics is also a prerequisite for my major, but the catalog says that you can take it junior year.

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 10:44 pm: Edit

roh, why do you care so much about being around asians anyway?

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 11:34 pm: Edit

^ well, of course asians would want to be with asians. just a natural thing.
i want to make some friends who can speak chinese, and find some asian girls...haha
i'm not saying that i don't like white people, but i want to be somewhere where there're asians and also other people of different races.
college 8 doesn't have much diversity...that's why.
hope i'm not being too racist here.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 03:07 pm: Edit

FYI - ROH: Have you been on contact with the UCD transfer admissions people? I just took a look at their transfer reqs. You should make an appt with an academic advisor at UCSC during the orientation to discuss your program. You'll need to take the freshman core course in Fall 2004, and then, use the year to cover all of your basic transfer reqs. I think, realistically, this is going to take you 2 years to complete. It wouldn't hurt to get in touch with an undergrad advisor in the biological sciences dept at Davis, too. From the UCD website: http://ugaos.ucdavis.edu/Transfer.html:

Admission as a Transfer Student
UC Davis gives highest transfer admission priority to junior level (60 semester or 90 quarter units) applicants from California community colleges. You must apply at the junior level in majors in the College of Engineering, the College of Letters and Science, and the Division of Biological Sciences. Next in priority after community college students are junior level students from other UC campuses, followed by students from all other institutions. You must complete the courses required for minimum eligibility and specific courses required for selective majors by the end of the spring term prior to fall enrollment. UC Davis will not accept these courses if they are taken during the summer prior to fall enrollment. Be well prepared for your major by completing lower division courses.

Undergraduate Admissions
and Outreach Services
178 Mrak Hall
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis CA 95616
(530)752-3710

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 03:14 pm: Edit

^ yeah, i did read that on their website, and i contacted them how i would transfer after a year. they basically sent me the same information, which was not very useful at all.
they didn't say they're not going to accept sophmore applicants though. i doubt there's little chance that the transfer will work. so if it doesn't work, i might go with two years instead.

i think it's possible to complete all those course in a year. there's also people who have succesfully transferred after one year.

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 10:30 pm: Edit

So I'm going to ask people again, does anyone know when they're going to orientation? I'm thinking about going June 22...

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 06:12 pm: Edit

:::bumpers::::

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 07:37 pm: Edit

my dad wants me to go on the first date, the 18th, but that's the day after my graduation and we'd have to fly up the night before, meaning i can't go out with my friends the night of graduation, i'd have to leave right away, and that's not cool.

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 10:19 pm: Edit

im going the 18th.

By Roh (Roh) on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 10:45 pm: Edit

the reservations for the orientation are due 6/9.
you guys already made up your mind?
i still have to wait for my appeal decisions from UCD and UCI.

By Rowan (Rowan) on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 04:47 pm: Edit

I think I'm going in the latter half of the month. My graduation is the 17th, and it's really a pain to fly out there for the orientation, then come back, and then go up there in July for a job and stuff. Blah.

By Rowan (Rowan) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 01:23 am: Edit

Ugh. Money things.

And I haven't heard a peep from UCSC at all since I received my financial aid information in the mail. I'm impatient to see what college I was assigned to; I want to start planning out my schedule!

By Thisisanxiety (Thisisanxiety) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 03:24 am: Edit

should i be worried about getting the college assignment of my choice? it's important to me. i mailed my SIR in today (i'm a transfer student), and indicated on my.ucsc.edu my college preferences just the other day. will i get my first choice?

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 01:40 pm: Edit

ROWAN: You'll get your college assignment before the first orientation in June, so it should be soon. My D's roommate info didn't come until August last year, so that takes a while, too. We just called this week re: S's summer school housing info, because it had been a while since we had heard anything. They told us we'd get the info by the end of May. Everything is in the works in all of these different depts. It's just a busy month.

THISISANXIETY: Most people get their first choice. Junior transfers have to declare a major during their second quarter, so I'm guessing that transfer students are given priority in college selection. I really think you're pretty much assured of getting your first choice.

By Chezme (Chezme) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 03:20 pm: Edit

I'm still not sure about which college to choose--any advice?

I've visted UCSC a couple of times and loved the campus and the friendly people I met.

I was originally leaning towards Cowell and Stevenson because of the brand new apartments, but I'm worried about the lack of diversity there. I'm from LA and so I'm used to being around a nice mix of cultures. An earlier post said that Cowell and Stevenson were the "whitest colleges"--what does this mean. Would I be the only latina there? I don't know if that would be too much of a culture shock to me. Then again, the people that I met were so friendly that it didn't even matter.

Somebody else told me that the people at Cowell were generally mellow--I like mellow. How do you figure out where you'll be happiest? Is it possible to switch colleges if you make the wrong choice?

I found the people I met at Oakes to be very friendly, but they also said that it gets pretty loud. I need it to be relatively quiet to study. I think it would be nice to be able to study in my room, but maybe I'll have to hang out in the library.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. BTW I'm a transfer student

My current selections are:
1) Cowell 2)Stevenson 3)Ten 4)Nine 5)Oakes

By Roh (Roh) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 05:03 pm: Edit

^ you want diversity? pick college 9 or 10.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 06:10 pm: Edit

CHEZME: Two areas to look at, diversity & housing. Here are the most recent figures from Fall 2003 re: racial diversity:

Ethnic Composition of UCSC's Student Body (Fall 2003)
Euro-American
52.0% - undergrads
51.0% - grad students

Asian American
13.8% - undergrads
17.9% - grads

Chicano
10.6% - U
4.1% - G

Latino
3.8% - U
4.1% - G

Filipino American
4.1% - U
1.0% - G

African American
2.4% - U
1.7% - G

American Indian
0.9% - U
1.0% - G

Other Minorities
1.8%
3.9%

Not Stated
10.1%
15.3%

As you can see, it's a mostly white campus. I wasn't able to locate the ethnic distribution at the individual colleges, but I think you'll find the most racially diverse student population at Oakes.

The core course at Oakes is called, Values and Change in a Diverse Society, which "examines historical and contemporary aspects of multiculturalism in the United States, including issues of inequality in the areas of race, class, and gender." The biggest dorms on campus are at Oakes, and they are relatively new & quiet. They were in the process of building the Oakes dorms when my H graduated in 1978. I've also heard that Oakes has a nice community of students. Oakes is located on the far West end of campus, over by College 8, so check it in relation to where your classes will be. It could be a pain if your classes are all on the East side, over by Cowell & Crown. The good news is that the overall level of friendliness and acceptance on campus makes up for the lack of racial diversity. There's plenty of diversity in attitudes and personalities! Check Londonfield's short post on April 19 in this thread for her positive impression of living at Oakes.

Cowell seems to have a positive rep, too. Lots of togetherness for those who want it (e.g. movie night in students' rooms, hiking trips, field trips to Monterey), and a fun, social atmosphere. My D's boyfriend has a single room the size of a closet, but he seems to enjoy living there, and he's made a lot of friends this year. The rooms in general are pretty small, but I guess the enjoyable atmosphere makes up for it. My overall impression is that Cowell students really are pretty mellow & accepting. In terms of its location, Cowell is more centrally located, just up the street from the Bay Tree Bookstore. Good for science/math or politics majors, and closer to where the social science classes would be. Cowell definitely has a social life. My D says they hug each other too much! :o)

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 06:48 pm: Edit

P.S. CHEZME: Another good thing about Cowell...Brand, new apts opening up this Fall! As a transfer student, you'll have priority housing status. Cowell has themed halls. You might be interested in... "Multicultural Community House is an entire residence hall dedicated to celebrate the diversity of various cultures and lifestyles in addition to fostering respect and consideration in the living situation. House residents, working with the Multicultural Advisory Board (MCAB), help to foster diversity-awareness in the community. The intention in having students from different racial, cultural, or ethnic backgrounds is to encourage students learning from each other in a culturally rich and diverse living environment." --from the Cowell website. Cowell is big on cultural awareness. La Maison Franchophone, a French-speaking student community, is also located at Cowell. Check out this really good Cowell website: http://www2.ucsc.edu/cowell/residential_life/ .

By Chezme (Chezme) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 07:05 pm: Edit

Sluggbugg: Thanks for all the info!

Roh: Thanks for the tip. BTW why are you so hung up on Davis? I went to visit the campus in February and it was nice, but Santa Cruz is beautiful. I also liked the fact that davis has wireless internet access in the courtyards, but UCSC is headed in the same direction. Right now, I am leaning towards UCSC because I loved it so much, but I'm still considering UCSD because of its reputation. What is it that you love so much about Davis?

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 09:34 pm: Edit

Wow sluggbugg you are just a sea of information! I'd thought I'd contribute some as well...

Oakes (and in some instances I've heard Merrill) is the most diverse college BY FAR-and it would definately provide you with a very rewarding and enriching experience.

Having said that, there are downsides. Being so diverse in a sea of un-diversity tends to make you feel a little isolated. You begin to question why this diversity (and enrichment) isn't more spread out among all the colleges. I talked to a former teacher this year and he says it is getting better, but still, a situation that isn't ideal.

In any event, Oakes has the most amazing ocean views (if you are lucky to get a good facing dorm)and large spacious rooms. Don't let the outside wood panelling fool you. They are just as nice of dorms as any of the other colleges-and even better because they are bigger. And seriously, if you're going to UCSC expect to do a lot of walking anyway, so the convenience factor is minimal (especially since most hills and such are nearer center campus where you would have to endure anyway if you lived in any of the central colleges). But not to say the central colleges aren't also great! All of them have various wonderful things to offer. I simply don't see the need to put one over the other as "better"-perhaps just "better suited".

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 02:33 am: Edit

Chezme,

well, davis's environment is quite nice. i think i can fit in perfectly. UCSC might be too different for me, so i dunno. btw, lots of my friends are going to UCD. even my brother goes there. i really like davis's small town.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 02:47 pm: Edit

ROH: Sorry to hear that your UCD appeal didn't come through. Good luck with a second appeal. Think about trying another strategy, maybe applying for Winter 2005 and taking classes at a jc this summer & Fall Quarter. You'll have a better shot at it as a transfer student. ~sluggy

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 04:24 pm: Edit

i just got my orientation info, i'm going on the 22nd.

when will i hear about my college?

By Roh (Roh) on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 04:41 pm: Edit

received my housing packet already...i have been assigned to college 9, my first choice! =D

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 08:56 pm: Edit

roh, when did you send in your SIR and make your choices?

By Roh (Roh) on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 09:03 pm: Edit

^ i sent in my SIR during mid-april.

By Jbizz (Jbizz) on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 09:49 pm: Edit

im a current college 9 resident. It's the best. Nicest dorms, cleanest rooms, co-ed bathrooms, and beautiful girls!...hah have fun!

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 10:03 pm: Edit

woo hoo i just got my college thing in the mail. college 9!!!!!!!!!

By Artic (Artic) on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 11:18 pm: Edit

Oh man I only got my orientation packet, I hope I get college 9 so we's all can be friends :D

ps* how many days after you got your orientation packet did your housing one come?

By Roh (Roh) on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 11:51 pm: Edit

seems like everyone picked college 9.
all the other colleges are going down! =)

mine came today, which is about a month after i sent in my SIR forms.

By Rowan (Rowan) on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 12:41 am: Edit

Sluggbugg: Thanks. I'm actually only worried about the college because I'm trying to map my major and possible minor. I'm not going to be living on campus, so that really doesn't matter to me. Just want to know if I'm going to have the year-long core that I want or not!

By the way, my first choice is Stevenson. Still nothing in the mail, though.

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 01:04 am: Edit

I sent in my orientation stuff last Wednesday, and I just got the date back today. I'm going on the 22nd. I sent in my SIR April 30 or something... I dunno, the orientation and college stuff came separately. Guess it was luck of the draw that I got it so early. Anyone else whose college 9-- my sn is zeppelingoddess9. IM me-- I want to meet college 9 people!

By Roh (Roh) on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 01:58 am: Edit

i'll give you guys my sn if i get rejected from uc davis again. =D
i would like to meet college 9 people too.
i'm just curious, not to be racist or anything, but who in here is asian?

By Artic (Artic) on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 01:21 pm: Edit

Roh seems like you have researched transfering alot, can you give me a basic idea of how many gen ed + major requirements there are for most majors. Im looking for just a number of classes. (comp engineering if it helps :D)

By Roh (Roh) on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 03:05 pm: Edit

here's the list of GE courses you need to complete. you usually pick one or two classes from each category.
http://reg.ucsc.edu/catalog/geneds.html

as for the pre-requisite courses for your major, i'm not sure. since your major is comp engineering, i would guess you have a lot of calculus and physics courses to take. muhahha. >=P

anyways, here's a lot of information about your comp engineering major, probably everything you need to know:
http://reg.ucsc.edu/catalog/cmpePS.html

By Thisisanxiety (Thisisanxiety) on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 05:43 am: Edit

what are the internet connections like in the on-campus apartments? do the kresge apartments have nice connections?

By Jbizz (Jbizz) on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 05:51 am: Edit

Don't worry about the racial issues at c9....its very diverse. If you want to be in a place where minorities is the majority, then Oakes is your place. But to tell the truth, from experience, people regret picking other colleges once they've seen c9. Alot of people often try to switch to c9 but are unsuccessful... No offense, i'm not trying to put down other colleges here at UCSC, im jus speaking from experience. oh and the dining hall at c9 is the S%!#....

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 12:02 pm: Edit

JBIZZ: Are you applying for a College 9 apt next year? Did you have to put together your own household, and is there a lottery? Just curious how it works at College 9. D is at Crown this year and is applying for a Crown/Merrill apt. Students there have to find other Crownies who will commit to sharing an apt, and then, they have to participate in this lottery. It's a huge hassle, and it has added a lot of stress during Spring Quarter midterms. Since College 9 is one of the newer & bigger colleges, I'm wondering if there is as much competition for the apts among the second-yr/upper div students.

THISISANXIETY: In general, the dorms have Ethernet access provided by ResNet, UCSC's data access support center. You'll need a CAT5 Ethernet cable to go between your puter and the socket in the wall. There are an increasing number of wireless hotspots around the campus. Check the ResNet webpage for more info -- http://resnet.ucsc.edu/ResNet/ .

More specifically: From the Kresge website:
"A fast internet connection is provided in every bedroom. Make sure your computer has an ethernet port and to bring an ethernet cord. More information on the internet and restrictions is available on the CATS website -- http://www2.ucsc.edu/cats/ ." CATS stands for Computer & Technology Services. There is a ton of info on this site. It has everything you want to know about what's available on campus. Here's a useful Kresge link with FAQs about connecting to the UCSC network: http://www2.ucsc.edu/kresge/ .

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 09:57 pm: Edit

YES!!! COLLEGE 9!!!! IM me: p26horsey if you're in college 9 too!

By Artic (Artic) on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 10:47 pm: Edit

JACKPOT !!! GOIN TO 9!!!! See ya all there. WoOt!!!111!!!!1!!1!

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 12:11 am: Edit

College 8!

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 01:37 am: Edit

^ boooo! you're going down! =D

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 03:39 am: Edit

i'm surpirsed you'd say that to a fellow asian, roh.

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 03:52 am: Edit

^ i take that back then. =P
go azn pride!

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 05:30 pm: Edit

college 9 people ...hey it says we need to fill out the houseing thing ON june 1st.... can we fill it out and submit it before hand?

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 06:46 pm: Edit

i think it's by June 1st.... i'm probably going to fill mine out soon, just so i dont forget

By Rowan (Rowan) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 07:49 pm: Edit

Considering I still have yet to receive anything regarding housing, I'm pretty sure I am NOT in colleges 8 or 9.

Well, that narrows it down to 4...

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 08:37 pm: Edit

I have a friend who is going to Merrill and she got her stuff on Saturday. I think it really depends on where you live, or when you sent it in. I live really close to UCSC so maybe thats why mine came so early.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 09:01 pm: Edit

Hey sluggz, I'm buggin' out for a while. Taking a break from the message boards to start training for a 1/2 marathon in October. If you see a Mazda Protegé buzzin around campus with UC SLUGS plates, that's me. Good luck, froshlings! I hope you make some great memories at UCSC. Keep a journal. Good things to look for:

1. Animals. There are a lot of deer, and it's not a good idea to try holding an umbrella over one's head when it's raining! You will end up at the student health center waiting for a tetanus shot. This is my favorite true animal story from this year, and it happened to a guy from Cowell. The deer are just fine in the rain. If you're lucky, you'll get to see a banana slug. You'll know when you see one because they are 5" long and bright yellow. And, go see the elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Reserve. They're amazing!

2. The Flying IUD. Otherwise known in more polite company as "The Wave" sculpture over on the hill next to Porter. Good for photo ops with family members and visiting friends.

3. Halloween at UCSC. The timing may coincide with the Porter First Rain Run, and they could both happen during the same month. Get in touch with your inner nekkid self, or your inner voyeur, whichever fits. Just make a good costume, and be good. Or, go home for the weekend.

4. Bus surfing. A dumb, but fun game. Students receive bus passes that run all over the county. So, you get on the bus that has a really long route and try not to hold on. You'll see.

5. Chocolate. This is a really good restaurant downtown on Pacific Ave. Outside tables; affordable lunches; college profs eat here; and the BEST HOT CHOCOLATE IN THE WORLD. Next to the 6 or 7 heavenly blends of hot chocolate, the pork bbq sandwich is my next favorite.

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 12:00 am: Edit

Hey I have a question for anyone that is currently attending UCSC. Should I sign up for the 5 day meal plan or the 7 day meal plan? I figure if I sign up for the 5 day I can cook for myself, or go out to eat on weekends. But then what if I don't have the money or whatever, then I'd be wishing I had the 7. What do you guys have and what do you think I should do?

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 12:36 am: Edit

i got my college today, i got my first choice - Porter!

i'm signing up for the 7 day plan at least for the first quarter, i can always change later. i don't want to worry about meals until i'm adjusted to college fully.

i saw a banana slug when i was up in SC for the April preview days, apparently it was out of season, so it was very exciting. they're gross. but way awesome!

By Roh (Roh) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 01:18 am: Edit

i SERIOUSLY would not recommend taking the 7 day plan.
TRUST ME, the form food will bore the shxt out of you. you seriously don't want to eat 7 days of dorm food a week straight till the end of the school year. O_O

i'm taking the 5 day plan.
why? because i can use my flexi dollars or go out to eat with my friends instead of eating 7 days of crappy dorm food.

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 01:23 am: Edit

The places where you use the flexi dollars aren't usually open on weekends.... that's why you might need that dorm food on weekends. Plus you won't have a car, and it'll be easier to eat food on weekends at your parents expense, not by going out to eat downtown with your own money. The 7 day plan really isn't that much more money, and like kewikid said, we can always switch after first quarter.

By Roh (Roh) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 01:25 am: Edit

^ yeah, but you can bring snack foods, instant noodles, hot pockets, or tv dinners to your dorms. i'm sure there's a microwave somewhere...or just bring your own microwave!

By Shyarra (Shyarra) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 01:26 pm: Edit

hey ya'll....i'm currently a ucsc student, and i noticed a lot of stuff about people who hate writing essays and like writing them and what colleges they chose because of that. for those of you who hate writing essays, go to colleges 9 and 10...the colleges are new, so they don't have a set curriculum yet, which means essay dates get pushed back and cancelled a lot. for those of you who like writing essays, go to kresge or eight, they do a lot more writing.

as for the meal plans, the food in the dining halls is bland mostly - thawed costco food, if you catch my drift. you will NOT want to eat there on weekends. get the five day plan with flexi dollars...if you're ever desperate for food, you can always use flexis to get in the dining hall.

by the way, all of you going to colleges 9 and 10...think about where you want to live next year, because the apartments are extremely limited. yeah, res halls are great your frosh year, but you definitely don't want them as a soph. most college 9 and 10 people live off campus their second year, so keep that in mind.

By Roh (Roh) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 04:45 pm: Edit

^ woohoo! good thing i picked college 9. =D
i first thought there were a lot of writing involved if you were assigned to college 9, because they have a writing seminar included with the core course.

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 10:06 pm: Edit

shyarra, when you say a lot of writing, are you talking about the core class?

By Socal311 (Socal311) on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 04:32 am: Edit

bump

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 01:54 pm: Edit

what does bump mean?!

By Avoidingwork (Avoidingwork) on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 10:53 pm: Edit

'bump' updates the timestamp so the thread shows up earlier in the list of threads (eg the UCSC thread will show up in the first page of threads listed under College Admissions)

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 06:40 pm: Edit

ooooh thanks.... doesn't it do the same thing if you just respond to a post - like i am doing now?

By Artic (Artic) on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 08:40 pm: Edit

ya, It just serves as a post to bring the topic back to the top of the list so we dont forget about it and lose it

By Rowan (Rowan) on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 03:11 pm: Edit

I STILL don't have my college assignment.

Anyone else in the boat with me?

By Artic (Artic) on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 10:24 pm: Edit

I got mine, i still haven't signed up for an orientation date. How screwd am I?

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 10:52 pm: Edit

has anyone done their housing yet?? i think i should get on that despite the June 1st date confusion.

college 9ers... roommate or no roomate? i think ill get a double.. just for the experience...

By Roh (Roh) on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 11:03 pm: Edit

yeah, i'm getting double.
single = too lonely
triple = chaos

do we have to sign up online?
it says that we have to sign up on 6/1 by 11:59 pm.
does that mean that we can only sign up on that day and not earlier?

By Artic (Artic) on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 11:59 pm: Edit

read the inside cover. It says before 6/1. I started the survey then quit because I hadn't talked to my parents (what they want to pay for) about meals and roomies and such. I'm thinkin the same as u Roh, also the double is cheaper ;P

More bad news roh, my friend got an appeal granted from Davis.

By Artic (Artic) on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 01:44 am: Edit

Sorta off topic but not,this is for the fellas at ucsc already. Is it essential to bring a car freshman year? I don't really want to but if i have to i will. Any opinions?

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 02:49 am: Edit

how come mine says ON JUNE 1?
that's wierd.

another person granted appeal? NOOOO!!!

By Artic (Artic) on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 04:16 pm: Edit

Yah, but my friend deserved davis (without an appeal) He has over 4.0 and sports and good ec stuff. We think they dropped him because he was going to use it as a safty

By Thisisanxiety (Thisisanxiety) on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 07:39 pm: Edit

who here got into higher ranked schools (i.e. UCLA, Berkeley), but chose UCSC? i got into UCLA, for example.

By Zeppelingoddess (Zeppelingoddess) on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 08:15 pm: Edit

I got into UC Davis. I didnt go there because I thought it would be boring... I really loved UCSC, and my parents thought I was a fool for choosing it. Oh well, I'm happy with my decision

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 08:44 pm: Edit

hey, if any of you want to know me (especially college 9 people), then IM me.

aim screename: hkboy1019

i'm not always online though. ^_^

By Artic (Artic) on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 01:01 am: Edit

I thought you weren't going to tell people your sn untill your crusade for Davis was over. Did you already hear back on your 2nd letter?

By Roh (Roh) on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 01:59 am: Edit

^ yeah, DENIED again.

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 07:23 pm: Edit

i'm sorry Roh.


i just thought of an important question, are there any GPA requirements to keep our offer of admission? i know ucla says 3.0 and nothing below a C. right now i don't know if i'll get a 3.0 (senioritis and all that jazz)

anyone know?

By Tom_Holsinger (Tom_Holsinger) on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 08:44 pm: Edit

There is a discussion of UCSC on another forum of this board, at this URL:

http://www.collegeconfidential.com/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?8/16277

Someone who I think is a moderator just asked permission to move my posts from there to here because some of them seemed useful (what you have to do to have an economics minor and still graduate in four years, how Crown's hills make living there uncomfortable, go to Porter, Oakes or VIII if you want to have a car on campus due to parking lot locations, etc.). I have two children at UCSC and graduated from there myself in 1971.

And there are lots more useful posts from others. Here is one on why graduate school applicants from UCSC's natural science majors are so favored:

"... for one thing, undergrads at UCSC often get to work on graduate-level research projects that undergrads at other institutions just don't have access to. Not only that, you are often working with profs from some of the very schools you mentioned (Cal Tech, Berkeley, Stanford, etc.) because of the collaborative projects the UCSC profs are involved in (plus the UCSC profs have personal links to the grad schools they attended -- see their backgrounds -- which is very important for grad school). When I taugh[t] at UC Berkeley I sat on a grad admissions committee in the sciences and we regarded UCSC students very favorably, assuming they had meaningful LORs (which profs at UCSC can provide because they actually get to know you), research experience (common for undergrads at UCSC), strong GREs, and of course, good grades. Also, as a UCSC student you can enroll concurrently at UC Berkeley (which is only about an hour and half away)."

By Tom_Holsinger (Tom_Holsinger) on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 10:49 pm: Edit

As of two years ago, the major habitability difference between the dorms of Colleges IX and X was that IX had a significant mouse problem and X did not. My son lived in one of the IX dorms the summer between his sophomore and junior years, and one of his roommates was from X. He told Leo that mice had not been a problem in X, but were in IX.

Leo and his roommates had to keep all their food covered that summer in the IX dorm. My wife and I gave Leo a well-cleaned humongous popcorn tin to use as a breadbox.

By Roh (Roh) on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 11:11 pm: Edit

About how many classes do freshmen students take per quarter?

i plan to take the core course, bio, chem, and calculus course for the fall quarter.
then i'll add 2-3 GE courses per quarter.

(i might plan to transfer to UCD after one year, but i'm still unsure about that yet.)

By Tom_Holsinger (Tom_Holsinger) on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 11:34 pm: Edit

Rana & By Kewkiekid,

UCSC (in particular Porter) is the best place in California for theater arts and music undergraduates because they _get a chance to perform_. My son played cello in the campus orchestra for his freshman and sophomore years without being a music student at all.

A student from my daughter's high school had a speaking role in summer Shakespeare between his freshman and sophomore years. And then the following happened this quarter. It was made possible by UCSC being THE PLACE for undergraduate drama, and Porter being THE COLLEGE for drama to happen out of the blue.

My daughter as a Porter freshman, a week into the spring quarter at the end of March, ran into a friend who wanted to know where the theater building was. Anne took her there, asked why and found out that her friend was trying out for a student part in the Chautauqua (http://artstream.ucsc.edu/chautauqua/) student-run drama festival.

Anne then walked in too and asked what she could do. They asked if she had any stage managing experience and she said no, but she had put together a short 3-girl play for a local drama club while in high school. So Chautauqua offered her the job of stage managing their largest production - Mothman and Chrysalis. Anne had six weeks to put it together. My wife and I saw it. It was amazing - start to finish in six weeks? Our 18 year-old daughter had no stage management experience at all and she did this?

It turns out that good stage managers are born, not made. "BUT I've only been a stage manager for three days... and my director's already promised to bring me cupcakes. AND the freaking PRODUCER of the whole dang FESTIVAL has asked if she can add me to the official roster of People Who Can Stage Manage."

A friend who taught university level drama (science-fiction writer John Barnes) told me:

"Well, hot damn and conjramatations, TomH. A genuine stage manager in the family is about as bragworthy as you can get. And yes, any experienced director can tell in a few days whether someone can do it or not.

My theatre life included six people who stage managed for me more than once ... all of whom have gone on to do something interesting -- usually several somethings interesting -- with their lives, and every one of whom I'd hire for any job in the universe, figuring that he/she could pick up whatever they needed to know quickly enough. (Of the very very best of them, the one I dedicated PRINCESS OF THE AERIE to, I have always said that if I get a brain tumor while uninsured, I'm going to hand her two saws and a steak knife and a copy of EVERY BOY'S BIG BOOK OF BRAIN SURGERY, and confidently expect to wake up cured. Her reply was "Of course you would. If I killed you you couldn't sign the check ...")"

I repeat, this is an only at UCSC story.

You never know what you can do until you try. College is the place to find out.

Go there, get into drama even if you’ve never done it, and have fun.

By Tom_Holsinger (Tom_Holsinger) on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 11:37 pm: Edit

Roh,

Three per quarter.

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 12:03 am: Edit

yeah. that was me who asked you to move your posts... im not a moderator.. just thought all UCSC info would be better off under one thread.

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 12:05 am: Edit

back to the GPA thing.... im not getting a 3.0.... is that lethal?

By Tom_Holsinger (Tom_Holsinger) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 12:46 am: Edit

Lostnconfused,

Probably. It depends on mitigating circumstances and other factors. If you are otherwise UC qualified and have something really good to make up for it, or can point to some extenuating circumstance to excuse your GPA (such as one F under unusual circumstances bringing down an otherwise acceptable, albeit marginal, GPA), you should be OK.

You can also try some creative fast talking. As an example, my daughter got a D her last semester in high school (due to senioritis) which UCSC admissions questioned, but I pointed out that the same teacher flunked her brother three years before in the same senior year course and UCSC admitted him with no questions. And his GPA and SAT had been marginal, while his sister's were pretty good. By then UCSC Admissions had forgotten that my son had extenuating medical circumstances to explain his GPA - a sleep disorder cured by surgery the summer between high school and college.

It ain't over 'til it's over.

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 01:55 am: Edit

UCSC didn't say anything about maintaing at least a uw 3.0 gpa
only UCB, UCLA, and UCSD requires at least a uw 3.0 gpa because they're more selective schools.

as long as you're not getting below a C, you will be fine.
however, if you're getting all C's in your classes, then you might be screwed.

can you imagine how many admissions will be revoked if UCSC requires at least a 3.0 uw senior gpa?

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 02:25 am: Edit

** UCSC hooded sweatshirts!
http://slugstore.ucsc.edu/webitemimages/721/a172.jpg
http://slugstore.ucsc.edu/webitemimages/721/a166.jpg
http://slugstore.ucsc.edu/webitemimages/721/a167.jpg

i like the first one.
what do you guys think?
there's actually more on the website, but these are my top three choices.


** UCSC t-shirt!
http://slugstore.ucsc.edu/webitemimages/721/a119.jpg

i like this t-shirt too. =D

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 02:13 pm: Edit

Hi Tom! I don't know if you've read it yet, but I think you'd enjoy Wayne Hendrickson's book, Don't Tell...the parents. He was the night proctor at Porter from 1988 to 1998 when the book was published. It's usually available at the Bay Tree Bookstore for around $15. For anyone who was around during the earlier days of UCSC, it has some good stories about campus life.

My husband was a College Five freshman in 1974 and spent a year in the dorms. He graduated in 1978 from College Eight with a degree in Information Science. Our daughter is there now, just finishing up her freshman year at Crown as a Bio major. She'll be moving to the Crown/Merrill apts next year. I attended Cabrillo from 1975-77, then transferred to Cal. I never did live on campus, but I lived with seven other UCSC students in our house on Rigg Street. Our housemate, Charles, moved my stuff up to the Bay Area in his VW van affectionately nicknamed, The Mayflower. He handpainted a pretty good picture of the Mayflower on the side of the bus. He was also a Bio major and routinely brought home various kinds of roadkill to store in our home freezer. We referred to these items as Charles' "critterpops." I think he started out small, because I really didn't notice anything unusual going on in our freezer. Until one day, I went in to grab a bag of frozen veggies and saw a bobcat staring back at me. A house rebellion ensued, and he started storing his frozen treasures up at the university after that. (((Eeewww!)))

Alright, I can hear the h/s seniors groaning about my roadkill story...but, it's a Santa Cruz thing. It's part of the mythology of living there, and it's hard to explain unless you've experienced the culture. There's a certain underlying sense of humor that goes along with it, and I think I was too young and far too judgmental to appreciate the good things about living in Santa Cruz. It's hard to appreciate much when you're living on food stamps, and being poor makes any place a lot less enjoyable. It's good to go back now and have enough money to buy a donut at Ferrell's. Aaargh, I need to get out for a run today, but I'm procrastinating. Just curious, Tom...did you graduate from College Five? Are your kids still at UCSC, or have they graduated?

By Tom_Holsinger (Tom_Holsinger) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 03:36 pm: Edit

Sluggbugg,

I graduated from Stevenson in 1971, and spent the whole four years on the first floor of its Dorm 5. There were three other seniors in Dorm 5 during 1970-71, and two had spent the four years there with me.

My son will do two more quarters at Cowell to finish his economics minor. He lived in a Cowell dorm as a freshman, then in the Village for the next three years, and will move to a Cowell apartment for his final two quarters.

My daughter is moving from a really crowded triple dorm room to a single dorm room for her sophomore year at Porter.

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 05:57 pm: Edit

hey, who is planning to take the biology and chemistry placement exam?
for those who have taken the placement exams, is it hard at all?

i wanted to take those two classes over summer so i can waive the placement exam, but it seems to be too much work. now i think i want to just study on my own instead.
(you need 50% on the chem placement exam to skip Chem 1A, and 70% on the bio placement exam to skip Biology 3)

since i won't be attending the orientation in june, when can i take the placement exams? do they offer biology and chemistry placement exams in the september orientation? if not, then when do i take them? if i don't take it before september, then i would already be enrolled in a biology and chemistry class (most likely Biology 20A and Chem 1B)

By Artic (Artic) on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 01:03 am: Edit

Roh i got some questions for ya.

Question the first: Do you have to go to orientation? And if not how do you do all the stuff you are supposed to do there?

Question the second: Any idea what is required AP scores to skip placements? I got a 4 in chem if it makes a diff.

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 02:28 am: Edit

^ going to the orientation is optional, but most people go. it is recommended that you go. i'm planning to go to the september fall orientation so i have time to study for my bio and chem placement exams.

well, if you got a 4 on the AP chem test, then you can waive the chemistry placement exam, skip Chem 1A, and enroll in Chem 1B.
however, you should check what the pre-requisites are for your major. some majors don't require Chem 1B.

By Artic (Artic) on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 04:45 pm: Edit

good to know. Wgat day is the fall orientation?

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 06:03 pm: Edit

^ sometime in september

By Rowan (Rowan) on Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 01:24 am: Edit

Starting to worry about not getting a housing assignment, now. It's getting a little late...

By Roh (Roh) on Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 07:53 pm: Edit

^ notify UCSC then.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 12:13 pm: Edit

Rowan: I still think you're okay, and they are just slow in notifying you with your housing assignment, but call them next week & find out what's holding them up. The new Stevenson apts are supposed to open this Fall, so that might be part of the reason. I dunno, we still haven't heard anything about my son's summer school housing, and classes start in 3 weeks. These things take a while, but a phone call would be prudent at this point.

Placement Exams: You'll find all of the placement exam info here: http://collegetenadvising.ucsc.edu/placment.html (Yes, there is a misspelling in the url.)

The schedule for the Biology placement exam is at:
www.biology.ucsc.edu/ug/placexam.html

You need to register for the exam online-they will not accept drop-in.

Biology Placement Exams are offered two weeks prior to enrollment for the following quarter. Scores are posted within 4-7 days after the exam has been given. Scores will be reported to the Registrar who will enter them into the Student Information System (SIS), which will then allow you to enroll in the appropriate biology course.

04' Fall Qtr --Sept 23 & 24 --3:30P-4:30P
Registration will begin in Sept.

For Chem, go to: www.chemistry.ucsc.edu/placement_exam.html, or just do a search on the UCSC website for UCSC Chemistry Department.

The Chemistry Placement Exam is held several times throughout the year. The exam is always offered at the beginning of Fall and Winter Quarters. The Schedule of Classes lists placement exam dates and locations for several departments, but be sure to check the Chemistry Department web site in case there have been any changes. Lately many students have been confusing the Chemistry Department Oriendation date with the Chemistry Placement Exam date. The Placement Exam is not available at the Orientation. Please double check the Schedule of Classes to make sure you attend the correct one.

Chemistry Placement Exam Dates
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Ming Ong Computer Lab, Merrill College

Tuesday, June 2, 2004 CANCELLED

Wednesday, June 3, 2004 CANCELLED

For Math, go to: www.math.ucsc.edu/mathplacementexam/mathplacementexam.html, or search UCSC Mathematics Department.

Students must arrive at the test site 15 minutes before the scheduled time, with a #2 pencil and a valid picture ID. Space is limited. Testing begins promptly and late admittance is not permitted.

Summer Orientation Exams are June 18, 22, 24, 26, 28, & 30. For information on these exams, please check UCSC's Orientation Program webpage :
http://admissions.ucsc.edu/orientation/

Monday, September 20, 2004
1:00-2:30 pm
2:45-4:15 pm
Media Theater

Tuesday, September 21, 2004
1:00-2:30 pm
2:45-4:15 pm
Media Theater

Wednesday, September 22, 2004
1:00-2:30 pm
2:45-4:15 pm
Media Theater

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 07:47 pm: Edit

thursday i got a brochure about the outdoor/hiking orientation (i can't remember the exact name) it sounds incredible. anyone going? i don't know yet if i am, but it's certainly a possibility right now.

By Rowan (Rowan) on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 12:52 pm: Edit

I got that, too, Kewkiekid. Well, actually, I got it twice (the first one included an invitation to apply to their scholarship to cover the costs of it).

I think it's interesting, but I'm not sure I'd be physically able. The brochure doesn't say anything about that, though, and I'm not *that* bad... so I think I will go.

By Roh (Roh) on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 08:49 pm: Edit

What stuff can you do outside of the campus?
i know there's beaches and a downtown, but what else?
can buses take you out of the campus and into the city?

By Rowan (Rowan) on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 03:03 pm: Edit

The bus system works in Santa Cruz county, inclusive, so you can get pretty far. Santa Cruz city is pretty interesting, but it's an open-air strip mall. The buses do take you downtown and to the beach (Metro Center, and near the boardwalk).

You can go to Capitola, which is a "proper" mall and has most of the commercial interests. Other than that, you're going to want the train system (which can be a pain, but is the best/cheapest way to get to San Francisco.) Explore the transit sites, they can give you more info.

Plus, the bus pass for Santa Cruz county is free to students during the school year.

By Alkazk (Alkazk) on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 10:19 pm: Edit

I got into UCSC!!!! They just sent me a notice saying they have space for a few more students!

"I am writing you about the Guaranteed Transfer Opportunity (GTO) offer that
we sent to you a few weeks ago. While we knew that you were seeking
admission to UC Santa Cruz for the fall quarter, at the time, the GTO offer
was our only option for you given the severe enrollment restrictions our
campus faced.

Since that time, additional information on the state's budgetary picture
has been clarified, and our campus finds itself in a position to extend you
an offer of admission for the fall quarter -- even at this late
date. While we are extending this opportunity to you and a small number of
other students, we completely understand if this offer comes too late for
you to consider it. If you are interested, however, we do need you to
respond quickly.

If you would like to join UC Santa Cruz for the fall quarter, please email
me back by Monday, 6/7. We will then send you the formal acceptance packet
in the mail on Tuesday, 6/8. This packet will have some forms that need to
be completed and returned to our office by June 15, 2004. If these
deadlines are met, we will be able to guarantee you a space in University
housing. In addition, the Financial Aid Office will work with you to
answer any questions you might have. Please be aware that this offer is
contingent on your having met your high school requirements that were
listed on the GTO "Conditions of Admission" sheet that you were previously
sent.

We do hope that you will join our campus this fall, but if you have already
made plans to accept our GTO offer, then we will welcome you in two to
three years (remember that the deadline to submit your Statement of Intent
to Participate is today, June 1). If you have made plans to attend another
college or university, let me wish you the best for your future collegiate
success. Thank you for your consideration of UC Santa Cruz."

By Rowan (Rowan) on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 12:37 am: Edit

Wow. Congratulations, Alkazk.

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 06:33 pm: Edit

awesome! are you taking it?

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 01:31 am: Edit

I just received a new packet from college 9 (not the housing packet).
it told me to select an advising cluster on my.ucsc.edu under "My Application."
i can't seem to find it.
how about you guys?

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 01:19 pm: Edit

i don't have my packet yet (it's supposed to come this week though, today's mail will be here in 2 hours) but i don't have that category in my "my application"

By Rowan (Rowan) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 03:20 pm: Edit

Well, four inane emails, three phone calls and 2 hours later, I found out what college I'm in.

Apparently, Stevenson hasn't sent out their packet yet, or something, so because I am not staying on-campus, I haven't received anything. The people at Stevenson told me they'll be mailing the packet out "very soon," ideally in time enough to make it before orientation "in a few weeks," whatever that means.

Whee.

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 06:07 pm: Edit

i got my orientation confirmation letter and it told me to bring my academic advising packet... what exactly is that.. they said it should be mailed out mid may... well it's june now and i dont think ive gotten it

By Marza03 (Marza03) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 11:18 pm: Edit

What made you guys choose UCSC? My sister was thinking about going there but she was worried that the students didn't take their education seriously enough at UCSC. Is this true?

By Roh (Roh) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 11:50 pm: Edit

i'm curious, are there many smart kids at UCSC?
i consider myself to be "quite bright", but not super smart. sometimes i'm afraid many people there are slackers and don't take their education as seriously as me. that's why i prefer UCD because i want a more challenging environment.
but this is just an impression, i could be wrong about that.

By Londonfields (Londonfields) on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 12:01 am: Edit

^^depends on who you generally hang out with.

While I was at UCSC, I met people in class who I would consider very intelligent and well spoken. At the same time, I stayed at my boyfriend's complex at UCD and met people who were literally pissing off the balcony. Sooo...I would say that is relative ;)

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 10:37 pm: Edit

Just got back from UCSC. Nice day on campus, picnic at the quarry with our daughter for her 20th birthday. It's a drag to have your birthday the day before finals week. We moved about half of her stuff back. A few other parents were doing the same. Took some brain food up to her -- hummus; crackers; cheese; orange smoothie mix; 1/2 gal non-fat milk; a few bananas; chocolate Silk; diet cherry Coke; Folger's instant vanilla coffee; celery & carrot sticks; cherries & grapes; & a box of Weight Watcher 2-Point Bars. Mostly healthy stuff.

MY BATHROOM ADVENTURE: It was a dirty job, but somebody had to do it...Did her dishes for her, which meant that the bathroom counters & sinks got cleaned & disinfected. Same for the bathroom door handles. Clorox wipes are handy, so put those on your list of things to bring. Palmolive dishsoap pads are good, too. They're individual pads that can be used & thrown away after each use. Rubber gloves will help with germ paranoia when you venture into the coed bathroom, & you have to clean something before you can stand to use it. Those counters can get pretty groadie in between times when the cleaning staff is not on duty. Picked up paper towels that were overflowing from the trash. The bathroom really was grossing me out, so I had to clean part of it just so I could wash out a couple of cups & bowls. A guy came in & took a shower while I was washing dishes, but I'm speedy & got outta there before he came out. Been a long time since I've shared a bathroom with a 19 y/o guy, but ya gotta do what y'gotta do...He came out to a shiny, clean bathroom that smelled like Glade baby powder. Believe me, it was necessary! Musta been the janitors day off. Another thing for your Survivor College Dorm list...a good, air freshener.

I asked my daughter's roommate what advice she'd give about dorm mattresses, now that she's slept on one for a year. She said definitely get a pad, like an egg carton pad or a foam pad. Dorm mattresses are really thin, so you need the extra padding.

I'm tired, sluggies. Yeah, Roh, there are smart people at UCSC. UCSC is what you make of it. It's fun, and you can be smart if you want to be. Be sure to be specific on your roommate survey. They're pretty careful about matching you up with another student who is serious about studying. Welcome, Alkazk. A very cool name for a slug.
::::zzzzzz:::::

By Roh (Roh) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 10:48 pm: Edit

^ seems fun! hope you enjoyed your day at UCSC.

i already sent in my survey two weeks ago.
my dad told me to write interests/hobbies like "listening to asian music, playing ping pong, playing badminton" in my survey so hopefully i can get an asian roommate...hmmmmm o_O
well i did write those things...haha...and i also said i prefer a roommate who is tidy and clean. =)

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 11:17 pm: Edit

I heard they're going to name College Nine, Ronald Reagan College... (Sorry sluggz, not really!)

By Sackings100 (Sackings100) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 11:58 pm: Edit

Is it true there are a lot of pot-heads there? or is it just rumors?? Cuz if i go there i dont wanna be surrounded by a bunch of hippies hehe

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 03:15 am: Edit

hey sluggbugg, i was told one of the colleges was going to be named regan college (a while ago, not just now) and the regan foundation was prepared to donate a LOT of money to the college, but the students turned it down, they didn't like his politics.

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 03:18 am: Edit

oh and the packet i thought i didn't get? my parents had it and never told me it came....they're still reading it....i'll be lucky to get it by the end of the week.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 09:44 am: Edit

Kewkiekid, I'm not surprised. One of the names considered for College Five was Hitchcock College, after Alfred Hitchcock. I'm not sure why that one fell through, but it would have been a good name for artsy College Five.

By Rowan (Rowan) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 06:01 pm: Edit

Little updates from me.

1) In at Stevenson (still no packet, though).
2) No summer orientation for me. Too expensive for what it is (value vs. cost judgment already).
3) Still waffling on majors.
4) Need to get a job.
5) Have a place to live off-campus.

And that is all.

By Alkazk (Alkazk) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 02:41 pm: Edit

Is there a way you can request to room with someone else? I have a friend, and we were thinking about rooming together. Who do we contact to set that up.

(I am planning on attending, thanks all!)

By Roh (Roh) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 03:34 pm: Edit

^ you can request a room with someone else.
just do that when you're filling out the housing thing online.

isn't it kinda late to do that? you're suppose to sumbit your stuff before 6/1.

By Alkazk (Alkazk) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 03:19 am: Edit

I'm kind of a special case. They just offer me admission a couple days ago, and I had to respond by the 7th (see above). It might be too late to send one with my supposed roommate. Oh god, now that I think about it, its too late to really CHOOSE a college I want to go to anyway.

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 11:33 am: Edit

Alkazk, call Admissions & talk to somebody about your late admission status. First of all, you can request a dorm assignment with a friend, and they will try to accomodate. I don't know who handles the housing assignments, whether it would be the Admissions office or the college you have in mind, but call Admissions first. There might more information posted on your student portal. Graduation is Friday, and it's Final Week. Students are, well, [[[tense]]], and administrative things are kind of slow at UCSC right now...so be patient and persistent. Eventually, you will find the answers you seek, grasshopper...slug...

By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 12:33 pm: Edit

ALKAZK, according to your UCSC acceptance letter, you should be able to handle your college request & your roommate assignment through your admission packet materials: "...We will then send you the formal acceptance packet in the mail on Tuesday, 6/8. This packet will have some forms that need to be completed and returned to our office by June 15, 2004. If these deadlines are met, we will be able to guarantee you a space in University housing."

Also, UCSC has a service for transfer students called STARS, located at Kresge College: The Transfer Student Resource Center, along with the Re-Entry Services Program and its staff, comprise STARS, Services for Transfer and Re-Entry Students. The Transfer Center offers a lounge space and programs designed to assist transfer students through all stages of University life from pre-admissions through graduation. The Transfer Center is a place where transfer students, campuswide, can come to meet each other and get information, referrals and support about a wide range of resources available to them both on and off campus.

Some of the programs sponsored by the Transfer Center are academic support and extra-curricular workshops, dinners with faculty, and other social events to meet other students. At the center students can use the computers to check e-mail or write a paper, sign up for a tutor, have a cup of coffee or tea, heat a lunch, or just sit and visit for while. The Center is staffed by a Coordinator and a team of "veteran" transfer students who have successfully transitioned to life at UCSC and can provide valuable insight and advise to new and transitioning students. The Transfer Center is located in the Kresge College Piazetta, across from the college office and is open daily from 9-5. Claudia Parrish is the Coodinator of the Transfer Center and can be reached at (831) 459-5886.

By Lostnconfused (Lostnconfused) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 09:00 pm: Edit

ok important question: do UCSCers need to maintain a 3.0? or do they just need to maintain a C or better.. because i dont have a 3.0...

By Roh (Roh) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 09:11 pm: Edit

^ nah, 3.0 is not required.
you just can't get below a C. =)

By Loeryda (Loeryda) on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 12:12 am: Edit

What about a C minus? B/c i think that is what i'm getting in Trig or you just can't get a D or below??

By Roh (Roh) on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 01:02 am: Edit

no D's or F's.

By Donaf (Donaf) on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 12:20 pm: Edit

Alkazk: My D got the same offer as you from UCSC. She has not received her packet as of today. Have you?

By Donaf (Donaf) on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 06:02 pm: Edit

Alkazk: oops never mind, she got her packet in this afternoon's mail.

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 09:58 pm: Edit

ok i have a problem, if i get a D in a core class this semester, but i retake it over summer, will things be ok?

i just failed my final...

By Admin (Admin) on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 10:10 pm: Edit

Let's start a new thread!