University of California—Santa Cruz (UCSC)

Nestled among California's coastal redwoods, UC Santa Cruz's campus "is one of the most unique, beautiful ecosystems I've ever seen," beams an environmental science major, noting that it's "a great resource for internship and job opportunities." It's also a boon for professors, who can "take time to teach students the importance of being outside and how it can impact their learning." It's not unusual for courses to include "taking class hikes and nature journaling trips," while also offering "extensive labs" and "rich discussions." Whether outdoors or in, UCSC presents "guest lectures and activities that allow for further engagement in many different areas of learning." As for academic support, "tutoring is widely available on campus no matter the class, and there are online tutoring options available that make it very accessible to those that may live off-campus or with transportation issues."

For all the support systems, as well as a number of professors who offer a muchappreciated series of "low stakes tests and essays instead of a big final and midterm," students emphasize that "UCSC is a very academically competitive school," particularly in the prized technical fields. Students who actively pursue and value STEM research enjoy "internships that I can do hands-on work with and earn credit for." Interdisciplinary teaching is also enjoyed, like the "amazing" resources of the Coastal Science Campus and the agroecology department's farm.

The University of California-Santa Cruz isn't defined by any one thing, except for perhaps the way it's "extremely open and welcoming" such that there's the freedom to be anything." (Okay, and maybe an environment that is "perfect for outdoorsy folk.") You can see this uniqueness in the way students "express themselves through clothes, gender, hairstyle, [and] speech. There is a very laid-back and accepting mentality that all of us share." And yet, for all the different communities on campus, there's a sense that those at UCSC "help each other and stand with each other in times of need." That extends to the body's activism "in social justice and climate change cause" and "student clubs and organizations that promote social justice as well as inclusivity." As one student jokingly puts it, UCSC feels like "leftist Twitter, but real," a group of "very carefree, very creative, and very caring people with an anti-establishment lean and strong sustainability goals."

My college experience in the redwoods is magical, marvels one student. "The school is gorgeous and the coastline that surrounds us is second to none." This "beautiful forest setting," ideally located "between the mountains and the beach" means that many students "are active in outdoor hobbies including surfing, rock climbing, backpacking, and mountain biking." Students are equally interested in preserving the environment they so enjoy: "Everyone here cares about nature and the environment," and the UCSC Climate Coalition is "amazing." Others appreciate culturally based organizations such as Hillel and the Chinese Student Association. "It can be difficult to meet people without joining a club or group simply due to the nature of being a larger school."

Like many in California, UCSC has been affected by a housing shortage, and students wish for "more affordable and guaranteed student housing." Nevertheless, the school grounds provide "the perfect getaway when things get stressful" as well as the setting for plenty of college fun. "I enjoy the forest raves as well as the arts and crafts activities," says one student. "The Adventure Rec provides amazing programs for students to gain outdoor skills and experiences." As for off-campus experiences, students "love to go downtown and hang around, go to the beach at Sunny Cove or the boardwalk. They love to just bask in the California sun."