UC Santa Cruz - Pros/Cons (community college, housing, student)

[njbiodude]

I almost went to UC Santa Cruz, but ended up going out of state. Lots of employees at my work went there (biotech industry) and theyre cool and competent employees.

As far as Im aware it's a great school for math, physics, comp sci, some engineering, and pre-med. Its liberal arts fields are supposedly hyper liberal I hear.

The biggest problem I hear is renting in the area is hard. The school hasnt built enough dorms, and many students are living off campus in garages for $1500 a month.

Definitely do freshman year at a community college if you plan on attending *any* state school.

[BeauCharles]

I haven't lived in Monterey since 2008. How is CSUMB progressing? Would that even be something your kids would consider? Certainly would make things easier and cheaper if they could live at home.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

I haven't lived in Monterey since 2008. How is CSUMB progressing? Would that even be something your kids would consider? Certainly would make things easier and cheaper if they could live at home.

Yes, that's the obvious least expensive option for us and we'll consider it for each of our children.

While CSUMB has been improving in the number of areas over the years, its not necessary the best school for every student in terms of things like major, opportunities for internships, goals and overall fit.

Derek

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by njbiodude

I almost went to UC Santa Cruz, but ended up going out of state. Lots of employees at my work went there (biotech industry) and theyre cool and competent employees.

As far as Im aware it's a great school for math, physics, comp sci, some engineering, and pre-med. Its liberal arts fields are supposedly hyper liberal I hear.

The biggest problem I hear is renting in the area is hard. The school hasnt built enough dorms, and many students are living off campus in garages for $1500 a month.

Definitely do freshman year at a community college if you plan on attending *any* state school.

That sounds pretty crazy in terms of housing costs. We do have friends in the area who may know of some better options. There are folks in the area who may be willing to rent out a room to the 'right' student vs. random strangers, for example.

Derek

[lemonstar]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

That sounds pretty crazy in terms of housing costs. We do have friends in the area who may know of some better options. There are folks in the area who may be willing to rent out a room to the 'right' student vs. random strangers, for example.

Derek

As a Santa Cruz resident, I will concur with the poster who said students are renting garages for $1500/month. There was an article in the Sentinel recently about students renting the corner of a living room, and we have had 3 friends from out of town offer us $1200-$1500/month for their UCSC student kids to live with us. Housing (costs, availability, and conditions) are a nightmare and do not seem likely to improve. Of course, there's a big contingent who blame UCSC itself for these issues, but that's another topic. If you have friends who would house your student(s), you are ahead of the game.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by lemonstar

As a Santa Cruz resident, I will concur with the poster who said students are renting garages for $1500/month. There was an article in the Sentinel recently about students renting the corner of a living room, and we have had 3 friends from out of town offer us $1200-$1500/month for their UCSC student kids to live with us. Housing (costs, availability, and conditions) are a nightmare and do not seem likely to improve. Of course, there's a big contingent who blame UCSC itself for these issues, but that's another topic. If you have friends who would house your student(s), you are ahead of the game.

Lemonstar,

Those are crazy prices which I'm sure some property owners are really capitalizing on.

Do you have any insights into the school itself or is it mostly as a resident?

Derek

[lemonstar]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Lemonstar,

Those are crazy prices which I'm sure some property owners are really capitalizing on.

Do you have any insights into the school itself or is it mostly as a resident?

Derek

My out-of-area friends' kids who go there report that they are very happy, and there are more who are actively applying for next school year. One is transferring to UCSC from college in Boston to be in a more natural setting. However, I don't have any specifics about what they like.


My own kids want to relocate out of the area for college, so I have not really spent much time researching UCSC. Good luck!

[CA4Now]

Last year, Santa Cruz enrolled about three freshmen for every transfer student. Of the campuses under state scrutiny, only Riverside did worse, with about four freshman per transfer.

UC Santa Cruz has offerings far beyond hippies and banana slugs. So why can't it draw more transfer students? - LA Times

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

Last year, Santa Cruz enrolled about three freshmen for every transfer student. Of the campuses under state scrutiny, only Riverside did worse, with about four freshman per transfer.

UC Santa Cruz has offerings far beyond hippies and banana slugs. So why can't it draw more transfer students? - LA Times

This is actually great news for those planning to transfer:

"UC Santa Cruz recently launched a million-dollar effort to reach out to community college students around the state in an effort to change minds and boost its transfer numbers."

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

This is actually great news for those planning to transfer:

"UC Santa Cruz recently launched a million-dollar effort to reach out to community college students around the state in an effort to change minds and boost its transfer numbers."

How's your and your student's decision process coming along?