University of California, Santa Cruz
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: History
Minor: Education
Student Self Identifies as: White Bisexual Female
Summary
I’m part of a student-led dance group.
Background
Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: White
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual
High School Experience: All-girls private Catholic high school near Half Moon Bay, CA with about 100 students in the graduating class. There was a culture of going to college.
First-Generation College Student: No
Major: History
Minor: Education
Extracurricular Activities: I’m part of a student-led dance group.
What impact has your dance group had on your experience so far?
I don’t want it to be too competitive so I’m glad it’s not too intense. There are different auditions for different performances that student choreographers put together, so I hope to be in more of them in the future.
Academic Experience
Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
It’s a lot of readings and papers instead of tests. This quarter, I am taking two general requirements and two for my major.
Is there anything you feel that your major’s department does especially well or poorly?
The History department is known for having really good professors. All the professors I’ve had have been really good. For people wanting study abroad opportunities, it works well for the History department. You can also go to Washington D.C. through the UCDC program.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
In the classes I’m in, it’s collaborative but I know it depends on the department you’re in. From all I’ve seen it’s not super intense or competitive.
How accessible are your professors?
They’re pretty accessible. All of my professors have office hours I can go to. They want you to come because they can’t really help you in a big lecture hall. But, if I had a problem in class, I’d go to a TA before a professor. If you want to make a connection with a professor you really like and want to talk to them, you can go meet with them and ask about other resources and internships and research positions.
Why did you pick your major? Are you happy with your choice?
I chose it because I really like history and enjoyed it in high school. Since I want to be a teacher, and there’s not an education major at UCSC, I thought if I do decide I wanted to do something other than teaching, I could do something with the History major.
How was transitioning academically as a freshman? Are there systems in place that help you transition?
I was in astronomy last quarter which counted as a math requirement. Science and math aren’t my thing and I needed help, so I went to all the discussion sections and that was enough. They also have Modified Supplemental Instruction (MSI) for a lot of classes, which is free tutoring.
Reasons to Attend
1) It’s really pretty and it’s in the forest. It looks like a national park.
2) The professors are friendly and approachable.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) It’s not in town. It’s kind of removed.
2) If you want to rush a sorority or fraternity, they have that but it’s not that big.
3) It’s not great for parties.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: Cowell Hall in a triple room and in a suite of seven people.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
You need two keys to get into your room, one to get into the building and one to get into the room. I feel safe around campus and have classes that finish late at night. Sometimes I’ll get out of dance at 10 PM and, at times, I feel a little sketched out, but for the most part it’s not that way. When I do feel scared, it’s more so just because it’s dark. There is a big homeless population, so I wouldn’t walk very far into town alone at night.
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
I go into town with friends and get food. UC- Santa Cruz isn’t great for partying. There are a few parties every weekend and when there are parties, everyone tries to go. There are lots of smaller kickbacks that usually happen in apartments or off-campus houses. Some freshmen have quads, and they’ll have small parties in there but it doesn’t work too well.
How happy are you with the weekend activities or nightlife at your school? Is there anything you would change if you could?
This is not related to UC-Santa Cruz itself, but going to a new place and not knowing people made it feel like it was hard to make friends. I like having a few, good close friends that I spend a lot of time with, and I think that’s what makes me unsatisfied with the weekends here than the lack of parties.
How has identifying as LGBT influenced your nightlife experience? Are there any LGBT nightlife options that you like to go to?
I went to an LGBTQ movie screening and there are other events that happen on campus. Santa Cruz has a pretty good LGBTQ nightlife. Each residential college has a personality, and the one I’m in, Cowell, is known for having fraternity guys and jocks because it’s close to the gym. There are other residential colleges that are known for having LGBTQ people.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
My closest friends are my roommates and I’ve met other people through them. Orientation was online this year, so I felt lost and confused coming in. I think they’re going to change it because it didn’t go well.
How would you describe the overall social scene at UCSC?
It’s pretty chill. If you like big parties, then it’s probably not the best fit for you. People are friendly for sure. I think people meet through mutual friends and through the dining halls. A lot of it happens early on in the year and then gets a bit harder to meet people as the quarter goes on.
To what extent do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
My residential hall is pretty White, and [there are others that] are known for having a lot of people of color. People are generally really accepting. [The undergraduate population is 4% African-American, 28% Asian, 27% Latino, 30% European American, and 8% International.]
How would you describe the LGBTQ community on campus? How strong is it?
Where I am, it’s not that strong. I have friends who’re also LGBTQ, but not as many in high school when I was more involved in the community. It can be a bit harder to find those resources here. There are events that go on, but they’re usually far from me so I don’t go to them.
How do you like the size of UCSC? How has that impacted your experience? [UCSC has about 18,000 undergraduates.]
It seems like a good size. It doesn’t feel too big, and the residential colleges help with that. They feel like smaller neighborhoods which is less overwhelming, but it’s harder to meet people outside of your neighborhood so you tend to become friends with the people in your college.