University of California-Santa Cruz

Nestled on 2,001 acres of rolling, forested hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Monterey Bay, the University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) offers a truly distinctive educational experience. As one of the ten esteemed campuses within the University of California system, UCSC stands out not only for its breathtaking natural environment but also for its innovative approach to higher education, built around a unique residential college system.

Since its founding in 1965, UCSC has rapidly evolved into a powerhouse of "very high research activity," earning its classification as an R1 Doctoral University and membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities. The university is a hub for discovery, boasting a faculty that includes Nobel Prize laureates, Rhodes and Fulbright Scholars, and members of the National Academy of Sciences. Its far-reaching research endeavors extend from its Coastal Science Campus and Silicon Valley Center to administrative control over the renowned Lick Observatory and the Keck Observatory in Hawaii.

The student experience at UCSC is shaped by its collegiate university model, featuring ten residential colleges designed as a modern take on the Oxbridge system. This fosters a close-knit community feeling within a larger university setting, catering to nearly 20,000 students as of Fall 2024. Beyond the classroom, UCSC alumni have gone on to achieve remarkable success, including 13 Pulitzer Prizes and 7 MacArthur 'genius' Award fellows, a testament to the university's commitment to nurturing extraordinary talent. With its iconic 'Banana Slugs' mascot, UCSC blends academic rigor with a vibrant, unconventional spirit, all set against the backdrop of California's stunning central coast.