University of California-Santa Cruz Top Questions

Yes, it's lame, but the people are nice too.

sure, partly. But im sure these stereotypes can be found at other schools also. stoners: Lots of people enjoy smoking weed, but there are a number of people who also do not partake. IT generally isn't an issue, it only becomes an issue when dealing with those who vehemently HATE marijuana. A large number of us smoke marijuana responsibly and still manage to succeed in our classes. slackers/lazy: UCSC doesn't tend to get the cream of the crop (UCB and UCLA) but its not like we're UCR or one of the state schools. Alot of people try to get by doing the smallest amount of work possible, but you can find that at any school. Ive met some very smart and very dirven people at this school who've inspired me to work harder. rich bros: yes, there is the guy who's driving a BMW or audi and is sooo proud that his daddy bought it for him. And yes, UCSC is has the wealthiest student body of all the UCs. Some rich people try to hide it here (i think they call it bummy chic or something), unlike UCLA where you have to have the Lexus... White: Take it from someone who isn't white. UCSC is VERY white and most of these white people suck. It isn't that they are overtly or intentionally racist (though you get those folks too) its just that many, if not most, of them come from all white towns like pleasenton and danville and don't know how it interact with people of color. At least white people from Los Angeles aren't scared to look at you...

Well, alot of people smoke weed, but plenty of people don't, and alot of those who do smoke don't let it get in the way of their studies. As far as academics go, my department is one of the best in the country (right next to MIT). It all depends on your major: don't study linguistics if you want to bullshit your way through college.

I dont think its true. I guess if you look for these aspects in our community you'll find them, but I'm sure they exists on other campus's as well. Hippie is a word that can mean different things to different people. So depending on your definition of a hippie depends on whether we have a lot of them or not. I really like this school, I feel free to be myself and nobody here will judge you on your appearance. UCSC is a pretty accepting place. The school is what you make of it, not what it makes of you.

People here are always rallying to get more money for sports and things of that type. The hippie stereotype is outdated and the people that are still like that are getting outnumbered fast.

Sure, UCSC and its students are eclectic. You'll find way more vegans, vegetarians, raw, pothead hippies here than most other places. But I'd say that only composes 25{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student population - the rest of us love our steaks and dress in old-fashioned cotton. Contrary to the popular belief, UCSC is not artistic - it's population is. There are few to no art classes here, and if you aren't an art major (there's no art minor) you can take about 3 classes (which, from what I hear, suck). There's only something like one photography class of 30 students on campus, which is always full.

Pretty accurate. EVERY college has lots of weed, UCSC is just open about it. But we are more active than most colleges, meaning anything from parties to peace marches. No one is shy about anything.

partialy

The weed part is accurate but there are not as many hippies as is exaggerated.

I think to some degree they are. Hippie/Yippie culture is definitely alive and thriving here at UCSC. You'll see barefoot, bearded students wearing drug-rugs and chullos. I think it is not fair to call all students stoners though. Bear in mind that this is *college* and that there are students that are into experimentation. I don't think it's any more of a party school than, say, UC Berkeley or UC Davis. It really depends on who you know. As far as it being a lower-tier school, I can not verify that information since I have not gone attended any other UC campuses.

Party school--NOT TRUE! Especially for the sciences. UCSC has a world-famous physics and astrophysics department with people such as Sandra Faber and Joel Primack who are literally experts in their fields. As a research university, most undergrads have the opportunity to get scholarships or work with their professors over the summer on projects, unlike schools like Berkeley which--while famous--don't funnel as much money towards the undergrads, preferring to send the money to graduate programs. Stoners and laid back? Also not correct. There are a lot of pot-smokers on campus, but it's not that noticeable. It's not like you turn a corner and see a bunch of kids enveloped in smoke. Most of my fellow physics majors are good students, they work hard, but they do have lives.

I guess there are more hippies at Santa Cruz than there would be in So Cal.

Yes, i heard it on a magazine or news.

To a certain degree, but it is certainly exaggerated to seem like more of a problem than it is.

Yes, to a greater extent than the general population of college students, but to a lesser extent than the sensationalized picture of UCSC in the minds of the college-age public.

No. While a lot of students smoke pot, I don't think it's any more common than outside UCSC. People may be more open about pot here, but I doubt they smoke it more than the general population of the same age. And there aren't very many "hippies."

not all the time

I heard about 2,000 students attend a 4/20 smokeout at the Porter meadow. If that's true then I imagine about 15-25{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students smoke pot. I think we probably have higher than average drug user ratio than most schools. I think UCSC's reputation attracts hippies and stoners, but I think a lot of students smoke less pot than they did in high school because its tough to be a stoner and take on academically rigorous subjects. I know a few people who smoke much less because of that reason. UCSC is very environmentally conscious. Everyone is very aware of the importance of being environmentally conscious and organizations promote it a lot. But, not that many people are hard-core hippies who live in the forests.

In a way they are, except the dirty one, even our hippies are relatively clean, the hippies are in fact a small minority, just a vocal and very visible minority. There are copious amounts of drugs but it's not something that is forced on anyone. It is a very liberal school, probably not a good idea to go there if you're a conservative who feels strongly about your beliefs.

no, i don't think any of these stereotypes are true. there are a lot of different types of people all over the campus.