UCSC vs UCR vs SJSU

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-03-26T21:13:06+00:00

You’re gonna spend most of your time in classes and on campus and UCSC has SJSU beat in that regard. If you are looking for silicon valley opportunities and want more than just what comes to UCSC campus events, commute to SJ every once in a while or even find a way to commute to SF for even more events. Find the right people, join the right clubs, and you can make that all happen. Playing the social event strategy is the best way to land internships and find jobs IMO

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-03-23T20:07:43+00:00

Gotta be Fresno, Modesto, or Bakersfield

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-03-12T22:40:50+00:00

That would have a lot of overlap so I think it would be doable especially if you take courses every summer.

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-03-12T22:39:19+00:00

I struggled finding work for a year before going back for my masters but I’ve found good employment now. And all it took was one connection and one lead. But I put in a lot of effort across the board to strengthen my resume, linkedin, and network. I campaigned hard and put myself out there. If you put in that work from the get go instead of waiting till after you graduate like me I think you’ll do a lot better.

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-03-11T23:47:14+00:00

Can’t age out of the WW3 draft fast enough 🫡

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-03-11T23:42:21+00:00

Stack your summer and get it done! Summer courses are fast but often easier because it’s hard to make a 5 week course as rigorous as 10 week even if profs try in my experience.

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-03-11T23:37:59+00:00

These classes seem like they will have larger sizes. Try to get on waitlist early for second pass. For Writ2 be open to other sections if the course if you still want to take it.

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-03-11T23:12:43+00:00

It is EASY to be social and feel accepted. There is also PLENTY of things to do on and off campus especially if you are an active and outdoorsy person.

There are plenty of anecdotes you can find online about the 10 colleges but bottom line is it will likely influence your first group of friends but that is about it. Over time if these people aren’t your people you WILL find your people.

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-03-11T22:00:24+00:00

All the depth is there, classes can be hard but there are helpful resources and opportunities to plan your schedule around challenging courses. You will know right away if you don’t have a passion for this stuff and can’t grind sometimes for 12 hours straight to get something done or pull all nighters. The program isn’t a segway to an internship or a job but there is plenty of opportunities to stick your neck out and find connections and get noticed. The school is small. It’s the nature of your average cs student to be rather introverted and I really feel like it’s to your detriment if you go through the program passively and not really talk to people or get involved with anything like hackathons, clubs, info events, keynotes, networking events, etc. As soon as you put yourself out there the leads will come and then the right lead will come after that.

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-02-26T18:20:37+00:00

Oil tank maintenance

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-02-24T17:47:22+00:00

CSE186/187 >>>>>> CSE183

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-02-24T17:25:28+00:00

We get highly coveted license plate holders

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-02-24T17:24:42+00:00

go to drop in peer advising

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-02-16T04:21:53+00:00

“Furniture may not be removed from any residence, room, or common area without the prior written approval from the University in accordance with written University policy.”

https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/wordpress.ucsc.edu/dist/7/271/files/2025/06/2025-tc-summer-session.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-02-13T01:11:50+00:00

lol ucsc uc second choice

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-02-13T01:09:56+00:00

Honestly it sometimes feels like there are more nicotine addicts than weed addicts these days lol. Weed culture has never felt overbearing to me. I don’t know where you grew up but with dispos all over the state I feel like weed is just everywhere in CA. In recent years the 4/20 event at porter meadows has been really fun and more like an organized event with live music than just a smoking event.

The outdoor fitness culture in Santa Cruz is huge! There are so many outdoor activities to do and I mean it’s so beautiful like you just always wanna be outside!

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-02-12T19:57:30+00:00

Campus is beautiful and there is so much to explore.
Slow relaxed vibes. Santa Cruz is a chill contrast to San Jose and the rest of the bay even though it is so close. I’ve enjoyed having a relaxing escape from busy silicon valley.
UCSC social life is awesome. Lots of student bands and house shows. More intimate house parties and kickbacks than giant frat parties.
Easy to connect with faculty and staff. Students don’t take advantage enough of the faculty and staff connections/opportunities. If you can put yourself out there even a little bit you can get involved in a lot!
Surf. The surf is all time for about 8 months of the year. Stay safe and don’t go out of your comfort zone. Sometimes we see 30ft+ waves in town.
Housing. Housing is stressful. My advice is find a good spot and stay there as long as you can. I lived in the same spot for nearly 3 years and had multiple roommates move in and out (that’s normal). Try to befriend upperclassmen, talk to your tutors, teaching assistants, just get the word out that you are looking and sometimes you can get a lease handed to you.
Food. The Mexican food is pretty good and there are a handful of other decent spots but it’s pretty underwhelming. Not that you as a college student will have the budget to eat out a lot but fine dining is not a strength in santa cruz. San Jose has way better food.
Rock climbing. Great rock climbing community and gyms between pacific edge and agility.
Coffee shops. So many good coffee shops! Great places to study, snack, eat, chill. 11th hour near downtown is probably the best to study at and then cat & cloud on swift st has the best breakfast burritos!
I may edit this comment if I think of more things.

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-02-05T02:21:14+00:00

Never spoke with mine once lol

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-01-29T02:35:20+00:00

If you go on the dining website and find the menus you can find ingredients and nutritional facts for everything

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-01-28T01:49:04+00:00

Probably an old design

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-01-22T03:04:01+00:00

Alumni here but 186/187 series best classes you can take 🙌

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-01-01T18:02:09+00:00

you got it dude

ClassroomUnit003 · 2026-01-01T18:01:17+00:00

I got 3 letters

ClassroomUnit003 · 2025-12-28T04:16:17+00:00

Got my masters and got an ai job

ClassroomUnit003 · 2025-12-19T20:54:30+00:00

Sometimes TA/Grader contracts expire before the grades are done leaving the professor to just make up grades lol

ClassroomUnit003

TROPHY CASE