<p>PROS and CONS of both colleges?</p>
<p>From PrincetonReview.com:</p>
<p>Academics - UC Santa Cruz Students rate it 81 on a 60-99 scale and say…
The University of California-Santa Cruz offers one of the nation’s best combinations of “focus on scholastic endeavors in a beautiful forest setting” and is, by all accounts “a great place to live and study!” Students attribute their enthusiasm to “intelligent, eloquent, and easily accessible professors,” academics that are “impressive and challenging,” and fellow students who are “happy, open-minded, and a little bit crazy.” This school is best suited to those who can motivate themselves in a “chill” environment and the sort of student whose motto might be: “There’s no point in learning if you’re too stressed to enjoy it.” The sciences are “world-class” at UCSC, and the school also boasts “one of the finest engineering programs in the UCs” as well as “a great marine biology program.” While the “professors all do research,” what sets them apart from those at the typical research-driven university is that “they are very passionate about their subject even when teaching undergrads,” and they “also tend to be quite approachable despite having large class sizes and allow students to attend their office hours for extra help.” The school also offers undergrads “a lot of opportunities in terms of internships, research opportunities, job opportunities, and networking.” “There’s a focus on undergraduate study” here, one student contentedly reports.</p>
<p>Academics - Sonoma State Students rate it a 71 on a 60-99 scale and say…
Sonoma State University is a good place to get a down-to-earth and cost-effective public education, without sacrificing the opportunities and excitement of residential college life. For a state school, SSU’s student body is on the smaller side, and the environment is friendly and casual. Major coursework takes a “one-on-one” approach, and, in most departments, “professors make it easy to build a relationship with them outside of the classroom.” While SSU professors “enjoy teaching,” students admit that class quality is “hit-or-miss,” especially in lectures and general education courses. Fortunately, what remains a virtual constant is that the professors “want to see their students succeed and therefore, are willing to go above and beyond in assisting them.” A student says, “Not only do my professors know my name, but they actually know my character as well, and whenever I need letters of recommendation, I can always ask actual professors instead of TAs.” With the California state finances in turmoil, SSU has taken a noticeable blow. Students warn us that, “classes can be hard to get, especially with budget cuts,” making it more difficult to graduate in four years. Budget restrictions have also made it more difficult for students who want to take a broad-based curriculum, because many classes are offered exclusively to majors. For example, “all art classes are only available for art majors, and only drama majors are allowed to audition for plays.” Many students blame the administration for their registration woes, saying “there is somewhat of a disconnect between the administration and SSU students.”</p>
<p>Student Body - UC Santa Cruz Students say…
The ‘stereotypical’ Santa Cruz student is a hippie, and the school certainly has its fair share of those “The typical student is very hard-working until about 9 P.M., when hikes to the forest are common practice and returning to your room smelling like reefer is acceptable,” one undergrad explains-but “there are many different types who attend UCSC.” “It seems that almost every student here has a personal passion, whether it be an activism or cause of some sort, etc.,” one student writes. “Everyone is so…alive.” “Most are liberal,” and there’s a definite propensity for earnestness; it’s the sort of place where students declare without irony that they “not only possess a great respect for one another but the world and life in general. The world to an average UCSC student is a sacred and beautiful place to be shared and enjoyed by all its inhabitants.”</p>
<p>Student Body - Sonoma State Students say…
Nestled amidst Northern California redwoods, Sonoma State attracts students from across the state. In addition to locals, “there are a significant amount of southern California students,” who may initially stand out from their Bay Area counterparts. Eventually, however, everyone is “socialized to the laid-back atmosphere” that defines the SSU experience. On this relaxed campus, “most students are politically aware, care about the environment, and are accepting to those who are different.” A majority of students come from middle-class families, and students acknowledge that, “there is personality diversity but not ethnic diversity.” In any case, “you are bound to have an interesting conversation at least once a day,” and everyone is “respectful of others with different opinions.” No matter what you like to do, you’ll find a niche; “People looking for a social realm can experience that, and those looking for a quiet, academic realm can experience that as well.” In most cases, Sonoma State students blend a bit of both, and “the typical students at Sonoma are dedicated to their studies but not afraid to go out and have some fun.”</p>
<p>Campus Life - UC Santa Cruz Students rate it an 89 on a 60-99 scale and say…
Undergrads rave about the “take-your-breath-away beauty” of the heavily wooded UCSC campus; one says it’s like “taking paths through the forest that resemble Endor only to find a lecture hall at the end.” Another adds, “Almost every time my friends and I walk around outside, someone comments on how lucky we are to be surrounded by such beauty. Whether the silvery ocean, the fog in the trees, the wind in the fields of green, the wildlife such as deer, raccoons, squirrels, newts, etc., it all comes together like a painting.” The school’s setting means “there is much to do recreationally, such as hiking, biking, swimming, trail running, tree climbing, or rock climbing. You can walk in any direction and find some hiking trail that leads to some other part of the forest.” Students note that, “It is also nice to get off campus from time to time and enjoy the city of Santa Cruz. Downtown is lively and usually has something fun going on such as local farmer’s markets and cultural festivals.” Ambitious students “may head to San Jose or San Francisco on the weekend for a more rowdy bar or club scene.” Both cities are “readily accessible via public transportation.” The party scene on and off campus consists of “mostly decentralized, smaller parties, due to the near- absence of fraternities and sororities.” It also includes “a lot of drug use” that is limited to “specific locations” and “easy to avoid” for abstaining students.</p>
<p>Campus Life - Sonoma State Students rate it a 72 on a 60-99 scale and say…
As at many state colleges, a majority of SSU students live off campus and commute to school. However, with more than a quarter of undergraduates living on campus, you can still have the full college experience at Sonoma State. The school’s dorms and suites are “beautiful,” the gym and recreational center are state-of-the-art, and there are an “abundance of extracurricular activities that make the university setting more than just academics.” In the evenings, “the Residential Student Association at SSU puts on many fantastic activities for students to attend, such as weekly movie nights, karaoke, crafts, pizza feeds, comedians, open mic nights, guest speakers, and so on.” In addition, the school’s attractive atmosphere makes it a great place to kick back, and “a lot of people go to the cafe or just hang around campus” during their spare time. Although fraternities and sororities do not have housing, “the night life around Sonoma State University focuses on Greek events,” and for many (though not all) students, “partying is a staple.” For those looking for an alternative to the Greek system, “Sonoma State has great leadership opportunities for students on campus.” Off campus, the surrounding town of Rohnert Park isn’t a favorite with students. However, Sonoma’s stellar location makes the school a perfect home base for day trips in Northern California. From SSU, “the beach is less than an hour’s drive from campus, as is San Francisco.”</p>