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University of California - Santa Cruz
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Inside Scoop

Quick Stats

School Slang
  • The Bookstore: Refers to central plaza on campus where students meet.
  • The Bridges: On the west side by Kerr Hall, they get you from Kresge and Porter to Science Hill, McHenry, and the core of campus.
  • Core Shuttle: Shuttle bus that takes you through the center of campus.
  • Crashing Classes: When you are not enrolled in a class, you can crash it on the first or second day to try to get in.
  • Downtown: Pacific Avenue, where people go to eat, shop, and walk around.
  • East Field: The athletic fields.
  • East/West Remote: The two main parking lots.
  • Flexi Dollars: Each student gets 50 “flexis” to spend each quarter for café meals, snacks, and other fun goodies.
  • The Loop: Shuttle bus that goes in a circle around campus and takes you to the base of campus.
  • Oakes Path: Shortcut from the music center to Oakes.
  • Perimeter: Shuttle bus that goes around the perimeter of campus, including in the east and west remote parking lots.
  • Porter Caves: Old dug-out caves behind Porter College where students go to test their courage.
  • Porter Meadow: Large meadow behind Porter College that hosts UCSC’s large 4/20 gathering.
  • Tree 9: An amazing climbing tree up above College 9.
  • Your Sticker: You have to get a new sticker every quarter on your ID card. Without this, you can’t ride the buses, get in the gym, get books at the library, or eat in the dining halls. Your sticker is very important!
Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming To School
  • A lot of people’s idea of “partying” is just sitting around and smoking pot.
  • Choosing the right college can either make or break four years of your life.
  • If you are unhappy with your particular college or dorm room, switch. Don't substitute happiness for convenience—after all this is college, so have fun!
  • Late-night dining will turn that Freshman 15 into the Freshman 25.
  • Sporting events are not big, and not that popular at UCSC.
  • UCSC, and college is in general, is completely different than high school, and no amount of explanation can duplicate the experience.
  • You have to take small portions in the all-you-can-eat dining halls.
Tips to Succeed
  • Do your homework. It actually matters in college.
  • During week one, introduce yourself to everyone!
  • Find out about classes and professors before you take them.
  • Form relationships with your teachers.
  • Give yourself a year before deciding on your major.
  • Going to class is a must if you want good grades.
  • Relax and take it easy—it’s Santa Cruz.
  • Use Teaching Assistants as resources.
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UC Santa Cruz Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Inside Scoop at University of California - Santa Cruz

rpgoldbe

'13

Art History

5.0
A+

You Mean We Have to Hike to Class?

One of the most amazing things about Santa Cruz is that it has the most life-changingly beautiful campus I have ever seen. Literally from the first moment I saw it, I was in love and new I needed to spend the next four years of my life here. I could see redwood treetops from my window, and acoustic music played throughout the day. You see deer when you walk to your classes! That is awesome!

Feb 10, 2012

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Inside Scoop at University of California - Santa Cruz

ewimmer511

'13

Neuroscience

5.0
A+

Something for Everyone!

UCSC has a club for everyone. The social atmosphere is very accepting and inviting. There are many different types of people that go to school here and not very many cliques. Many informal sport teams exist as well.

Dec 23, 2011

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Inside Scoop at University of California - Santa Cruz

Thkang

'15

Plant Science

4.2
A-

Green, Green School

We're all about clean air, recycling and organic foods. Can't get any healthier than that. Also, you will get huge muscles walking all over the hilly campus.(You'll also see a lot of deers that don't run away even when you are 3 feet away from them.)

Oct 12, 2011

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Page 1 of 7

Facts

Traditions
  • 4/20: Every year on April 20, students assemble at the Porter Meadow to smoke pot and gather for a countdown to 4:20 p.m. Usually the campus gets so crowded that guests are extremely limited and must get special permission. This is a very popular day for UCSC students and Santa Cruz, in general.
  • Banana slug kiss: The first time you see a banana slug on campus, give it a big kiss!
  • First Rain: One of the most famous traditions at UCSC is “First Rain.” The first time it downpours at UCSC, which is usually sometime in October, all of the students at Porter college get naked and streak around campus. They pick up naked people from all the other colleges and end up back in the Porter Quad, dancing naked to drums in the pouring rain.
  • Halloween: Halloween in Santa Cruz is, in itself, a really fun tradition. The main street downtown is blocked off and flooded with all of Santa Cruz’s most eccentric people. Everybody just walks around and runs into other people in costume. It is fun because it is a smaller town, so you see so many people that you know.
  • Multicultural Festival: There is a yearly multicultural festival that features great bands like Ozomatli and others. It is an all-day event that has food and lots of dancing.
Urban Legends
  • Throughout the years, students have reported strange happenings and ghost sightings on the fire road below Cowell College. One of the main ghosts supposedly spotted is of Sarah Agnes Cowell, who was killed when she was thrown from a moving carriage in that location in 1903. This has given the area the unofficial name, the Haunted Meadow.
  • UCSC is a dog-free campus since 1978, when a goat named Samantha was killed by a furry canine. It has been said that Samantha was a constant companion to a UCSC police officer and his horse, and beloved by all students and faculty members. One day a man supposedly brought his Shepherd/Lab mix onto campus for a run, when the dog got off the leash and attacked Samantha.

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