Prospective Students

Considering UCSC? UC Santa Cruz is a beautiful campus located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and surrounded by redwoods, hiking/biking trails and panoramic views of the ocean—while only minutes from the beaches, boardwalk and downtown Santa Cruz.

UC Santa Cruz combines the resources of a world class public research university with a distinctive undergraduate experience characterized by our college system.

• Undergraduate students affiliate with one of 10 colleges. Each college houses students in a small-scale residential community within the larger university.
• Each college is a vibrant living/learning community supported by faculty and staff who provide academic support, organize student activities, and sponsor events that enhance the intellectual and social life of the campus.
• Every college community includes students with diverse backgrounds and academic goals. Your college affiliation is independent of your choice of major.
• The colleges differ in theme, environment, location, architecture, core course, and programs offered. All 10 colleges are dynamic, engaging learning communities that offer opportunities for students to help build and shape their experiences.