University of California--Santa Cruz User Reviews and Ratings
Amazing experience
By Nat, From Sacramento, CA
My time at UCSC was truly one of the best times of my life. I loved my classes and professors. Social life was full and great. Everyday I got to look out at the beauty of campus and the surrounding forest and ocean. I think life is what you make it but I wouldn't have changed my experience for anything.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
An amazing challenge in the woods
By Grateful alumnus, From Madison, WI
It's been a few decades since I attended and earned my undergraduate degree from UCSC. I gather quite a lot has changed. Recently, however, I was able to visit the university to meet with faculty, administrators, and a handful of students. I am wonderfully surprised that some of the university's founding ideals remain. Yes, they've scrapped what may have been the outward signs of the freedoms they wanted and expected students to explore, but those same freedoms are still available if you seek them out. I can think of few public academic environments that offer as many doors into the unknown and unexpected for undergraduate students. If you do it, if you take what is available and allow yourself to challenge and be challenged, you will emerge with a keen mind, strong critical thinking skills, and the tools you'll need to succeed in professional or graduate school. You can let college--any college--wash over you. You can miss what is available at UCSC. Many do. But if you show up at office hours, dive into research projects that aren't strictly required, and maybe even just wander alone in the foggy woods trying to make sense of Hegel or organic chemistry, you will emerge from Santa Cruz with a sharp mind and generous spirit. Santa Cruz is pretty isolated up on the hill. It was designed to be a large intellectual community comprised of smaller intellectual communities. There are countless things about the way the campus has grown and changed that make me miss the notion that a 25,000 person major public research university could exist as a collection of small liberal arts colleges, but UCSC is still a challenging and exciting place to learn, struggle with ideas, and grow.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Ed Program NOT for Social Justice
By Disappointed Education Grad Alumni, From California
If you want a social justice focus in your graduate education program then AVOID this school. POC you will not get supported here. If you are affluent and white, but don't plan on actually doing anything social justice related in your education career, this is the right place for you.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：1
City & Setting
Score：1
Classes & Teachers
Score：1
Dining & Food
Score：1
Dorms & Housing
Score：1
Health & Safety
Score：1
Intellectual Classes and a Beautiful Campus
By Parent Perspective, From Riverside, CA
UCSC professors care about the students they teach; they don't just dial it in as other some other professors do at other colleges. The campus is lush and has a harmonious vibe. UCSC is not the party school that some think it is; that may be an old thought from many years ago. It has superior science programs, and it focuses on helping undergraduates succeed more than other colleges that supposedly have great reputations.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：4
Very welcoming and friendly
By UCSC, From Hayward California
At UCSC, I am not in competition with my peers. I am a CS major and it helps to have a sense of community while learning and researching.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：2
Dorms & Housing
Score：3
Health & Safety
Score：5
Growth, Learning, Different from Home
By Ashley Class of 2018, From Inland Empire, CA
I had a fantastic time at UCSC. I was able to graduate in 3 years earning a B.A. in my intended major. Came in with AP credits and those filled in some GEs for me. I've had problems with teachers from elementary through high school but never once disliked or had a problem with a professor here. Some may say there's not enough to do in Santa Cruz but after 3 years I still feel there was much more for me to explore-- I think there is just enough around to keep students balanced between academic and social activities. I actively participated in Greek life on weekends but was focused during weekdays on school and if given leftover time, could walk to the beach, go to the gym, etc. and this worked for me-- I graduated with highest honors in the major and highest university honors, while making friends and working part-time on campus my entire time at Santa Cruz. I hope you give this school a chance-- it was not on my radar when I applied but I do not regret attending at all.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Amazing school
By Jason Class of 2017, From San Diego
Great community. Great professors. Lovely weather. The scenery and piece of mind while studying is amazing.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
One of a Kind Education
By Dylan B, class of 2022, From Riverside, CA
UC Santa Cruz has exceeded my expectations of what I thought college life would be in my Freshman year. I'm from Southern California, and we do not have a college nestled in a forest, where deer roam the campus freely. Aside from the majestic beauty of UCSC, the administration and professors are supportive, and they go out of their way to help students thrive. I am a Freshman (attended summer too) Computer Science major and live in Crown College. I can't think of a better program for me. I am learning more than I imagined. UCSC has left an indelible impression on me in the six months I've been here. The campus is incredible, but the city of Santa Cruz is not as charming, so I gave "city and setting" only 4 stars. Crown College and other parts of the college are undergoing a major renovation, but some buildings and dorms are a bit rundown, so for that factor, I gave "dorms and housing" a 4. When the renovations are finished, the rating will be a 5. Overall, my experience at UCSC has been a 5, and I feel so lucky to be attending a college that is changing my life so positively.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Not what it's cracked up to be
By Thomas G., From Los Angeles, CA
Santa Cruz is not at all what I expected while going there. For the most part the teachers are much more concerned with their research than being educators and that shows in their classes. The school does a terrible job facilitating any sort of campus life and there really isn't much to do in town. This is really a love it or hate it kind of school, and don't expect to graduate in 4 years.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：1
City & Setting
Score：2
Classes & Teachers
Score：3
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：2
Health & Safety
Score：1
Excellent educators, world class programs, beautiful
By Class of 2015, From Palo Alto, CA
UC Santa Cruz is truly the beacon on the hill. It's inclusivity, diversity, education, and faculty are all among the best in their fields. Professors and TA's regularly come from programs at Ivy League schools and Stanford. And on top of a great education, you can't beat going to class in the middle of the forest, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：3
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
