The University of California - Santa Cruz

Date: May 02 2013
Major: Physics (This Major's Salary over time)
I love UCSC and I'm so glad I chose to go here. The campus is very unique and beautiful because it's built into a forest instead of being just a bunch of buildings in a city. If you love the outdoors, then you'll love it here. there's plenty of hiking, cycling, etc. Personally, I enjoy the campus simply because it's such a stress free atmosphere and it's relaxing when I'm walking from class to class.

Another unique thing about the university is the college system that it has. Freshmen get to pick which college they want to be a part of, which is where they'll live for the first year. Each college has a different theme which will determine what their first writing class will be about. I like the college system because it creates small communities within the university so you don't feel so small. After a couple weeks you'll recognize a lot more people than you normally would have which is good because it's easier to make friends that way.

The dining halls are all pretty good. My favorite is the crown/merrill dining hall, but I'm from Merrill so maybe I'm a little bias! I just think it's healthier than the others. All the dining halls cater very well to vegans/ vegetarians and most of the food is labeled in case you're allergic to gluten or nuts or something.
UCSC is know for being the hippy/druggie school in the UC system, but really there's gonna be drugs no matter where you go. If you don't want to do them, nobody is forcing you too, but if you do them it's extremely easy to get a hold of some. The choice is yours.
Safety has never been an issue for me here. I'm a girl and I've always felt safe on campus, even at night.
For those of you interested in pursuing a science degree, UCSC is great. I'm a physics major and math minor and all the classes are great so far. What makes this school better than others though, when it comes to research, is that because there aren't a lot of graduate students there are more chances of getting an internship. The college get's to use the LICK observatory which is awesome for physics/ astrophysics students. The school is also where the Human Genome Project got started. So hey Bio majors, if you're interested in that this place is great!

Just a couple things you should know before coming are, If you hate walking them maybe this place isn't for you. It's a hike to get to class. There are buses, but I prefer walking, and I have to walk a lot! That's not bad though, I've lost weight since coming here. The town is very small. I could probably do everything in one weekend if I wanted to. There is wildlife. The raccoons are freak'n scary. Do Not Touch Them!