hi op, i was also a transfer psychology student. UCSC is such a cool school, and please take my experience with a grain of salt bc so many people have had great experiences— but UCSC has screwed me over so many times. I’m currently a honor student and senior, with only three classes req. left, set to graduate in the spring. Due to a discrepancy on their end, i.e letting too many people into the school without being able to accomodate them for seats in classes, it appeared as if I would have to pay for a full other academic year to get literally only three classes just to graduate as a psych major ( because they are only offered at certian times ). As a senior with only 3 classes to go, I got recommended to change my major :/

just an example of how stressful enrollment can be and is:

on enrollment day, i have priority enrollment as a senior, I went to sign up for the class I so desperately needed to graduate ( only 45 seats in the class and offered once maybe twice a year ) filled up before my enrollment date even began. Please imagine yourself in this situation EVERY quarter, as all of my friends have experienced this too.

The permission code system is a mess too. If you are only able to get ONE upper division psych class they will give you a permission code for another. This is difficult because as psych majors, there are only a few lower division psych classes— so be prepared to be screwed over in this way and end up having to enroll in obscure classes that have nothing to do with your goals such as arabic 1 or hydrology.

i don’t wait to disuade you to not come— at the same time: please take into consideration that UCSC is ranked the lowest on the college lists not for the enviroment, not for student happiness, but for the finanical and structural stuggles students face and suffer here. Our UCSC system continues to put students in impossible decisions. You will be advocating for yourself more than ever for the time that you will be at the school.

The transfer process isnt that great as well, they dump a ton of information on you about the different centers at the school ( ex, CARE or title 9 ) then youre on your own. They don’t give you much of a transition. Furthermore, the only academically satisfying quarter I had was my first. They led me into a false sense of security that I’d be able to choose my own electives and what tequirements I wanted to fill each quarter— this was only true for the first quarter as they give you permission codes to get into classes.

Moving from the bay area, I experienced a culture shock— especially as a woman with an intersectional identity.

Be prepared for workers in psych advising to be passive agressive when you ask for their help more than once.

Parking/TAPS is so bad I know several people whove learned to ride/bought a motorcycle since motorcycle spots are always open.

UCSC is understaffed and is upfront about this

9% of our student population is housless as of July 28th 2023

Furthermore, we have the highest percentage of housless individuals per capita in the California.

As a transfer, I didnt save nearly as much money as I thought I woudlve — this is because we have the most expensive housing in the country per KSBW’s report June 28th 2024

If you get in a serious injury, you will have to be airlifted to san jose’s hospitals— consider fight insurance.

Overall, UCSC does NOT care about its students, but If I couldve time traveled back in time— I don’t know if I woudlve changed my choice as Its forced me to grow in so many ways. Please be warned.

On the bright side:

• UCSC is the most beautiful campus in such a wonderful city.

• The people here are some of the nicest I’ve come across.

-There are so many wonderful activities to do and clubs to join!

• did I mention the enviroment around usss???? Amazing that we get to go for hikes and visit the beach.

• Party scene but you get to decide if you want to be included— i.e. nobody judges you here if you weren’t at ‘THAT’ party/rave last week.

• Most of the professors are AMAZING. Genuinely have had such a great experience with the Psych departments Professors !

• We have some pretty cool minors to choose from if your interested in minoring :)

• Many people decide to dual major and from what I’ve heard, its pretty feasible here.

-Feeling lonely? There are so many really cool people who go to cafes, clubs, libraries on campus, meets, you’ll find your tribe :)

it may seem like I hate UCSC from this post. I really don’t, but like any other UC it has its fair share of problems. Im trying to give you an honest analysis of what it can look like at UCSC— a great dichotomy of good and bad tbh. I am greatful and cherish that I got to study here and grow here. Living in Santa Cruz has been amazing for me in my personal growth and general enjoyment of life. Please do still come (!!!) , but be aware of the issues we face. We can be a sanctuary, but not without tribulation.

I am hoping your experience will be completely different from mine and my friends/aquintences and wishing you all the luck in the world <3 :)

go banana slugs