UC Santa Cruz Undergraduate Admissions

The beautiful views isn’t our whole story! 🌅

We’re the number 1 public research university in the world for highly cited researchers. Our marine biology and space science programs both rank in the nations top 10. We’ve got a campus in Silicon Valley, and a farm that started the country’s oldest organic farming training program. We understand the importance of uplifting underrepresented communities, and we have an incredible research site among the redwood forest. 😉🌲

Apply to UCSC by November 30 and become a Banana Slug! 💛💙

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Slide 1 — Aerial photo of UC Santa Cruz’s forested campus overlooking Monterey Bay. Text overlay reads: “When they call me a pretty campus but that’s the least interesting thing about me…” UC Santa Cruz Undergraduate Admissions logo at bottom.



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Slide 2 — A student works with lab equipment and a circuit board. Text overlay reads: “I’m also ranked the #1 public research university in the world for highly cited researchers over the past 10 years.” Source: Clarivate, June 2025.

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Slide 3 — Aerial view of UCSC’s Coastal Science Campus buildings beside the Monterey Bay. Text overlay reads: “My 100-acre coastal campus sits right next to one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet…”

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Slide 4 — Interior of an observatory telescope dome at night, shown in a red tone. Students and instructors in a group at the bottom of the telescope. Text overlay reads: “I’m ranked #2 in the nation for marine biology and #7 for space sciences…” Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2025.

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Slide 5 — Exterior of the UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Campus building with students and instructors outside. Text overlay reads: “I have a Silicon Valley Campus, helping students and professionals develop high-demand skills and research in the largest tech hub in the world…”

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Slide 6 — A garden shed at the UCSC Farm with stained glass art and wooden shelving. Text overlay reads: “My 30-acre campus farm and renowned agroecology garden hosts the oldest organic farming training pro

Did you know 77% of UCSC students eligible for state or federal financial aid have their tuition fully covered through scholarships and grants? From scholarships and grants to cost-saving tips and resources, UCSC has tools designed to help students reduce the cost of tuition and make college more affordable. Want to learn more? Click the link in our bio for further information!

Slide 1: Photo contains image of UCSC campus bridge with students and a sticker of a banana slug. On screen text reads, “Your Guide to UC Santa Cruz Affordability.”


Slide 2: Photo contains image of graduates at McHenry Library with 3 badges listing rankings reading, “26 million in undergraduate scholarships awarded each year nearly 7,000 students, 17th in the nation for financial aid and 77% of UCSC students eligible for state or federal financial aid have their tuition fully covered through scholarships and grants.” Additional onscreen text reads, At UC Santa Cruz, affordability is part of our commitment to student success. Through scholarships, grants, financial aid, and cost-saving opportunities, we help students reduce the cost of a UC education, save time, and graduate with as little debt as possible. Many students pay significantly less than the published cost of attendance.“

Slide 3: Photo contains images of East Field with UCSC logo surrounded by a group of students and a sticker of California and a banana slug. On screen title reads, “Scholarships for California Students” with additional text reading “Sabatte Family Scholarship, A full-ride scholarship of the highest honor, ensuring high-merit students with financial need are fully funded after other grants and scholarships. This includes the entire cost of attendance, from tuition to room and board and course materials. It is open to first-year students who are California residents. Middle Class scholarship, California undergraduate students from middle-income families may qualify for a Middle Class Scholarship to help pay for a University of California education. Eligibility is based on family income, assets, and other financial aid received, and award amounts vary by student. For students attending coll

Here at UCSC, CRWN 90 lets you explore the world of entrepreneurship by building a business plan from scratch! 💼

Student’s learn principles of data collection, marketing processes, and resources needed for new companies among fellow peer groups, learning from entrepreneur mentors and interacting with real customers, partners, and experts, every week! 💻

The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps) is a 7-week experiential training program using the Lean LaunchPad methodology. It helps researchers, students, and innovators test commercial viability, map business models, and conduct extensive customer discovery to transition technical ideas from the lab into the market! It’s the playbook that turns real-world research into successful startups. 📊

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UCSC “Sammy’s Course Picks” graphic for CRWN 90, Startup Entrepreneurship Academy. Various background photos show students collaborating in a classroom. Text describes the course: students learn data collection, marketing, and startup resources in small groups coached by entrepreneurs, with weekly customer interviews, using the Lean Launchpad/NSF I-Corps model. Lists 5 credits, GE code PR-E. Graphic of Sammy the Banana Slug holding a book in the corner. UC Santa Cruz Undergraduate Admissions logo at bottom.

Choosing a career isn’t about having it all figured out, it’s about exploring what excites you and finding where you can grow. At UC Santa Cruz, your path can look however you want. From hands-on research and internships to student organizations and community work, there are so many ways to discover what drives you. Whether you’re still exploring or already set on a goal, every experience helps you build skills, connections, and confidence for what’s next! ⭐️🌲🌊


On-screen text: “Launch a Career from UCSC.”

Image description: A clean, designed cover slide introducing career-building opportunities at UC Santa Cruz, setting the theme for exploring different paths students can take to prepare for their future.

On-screen text: “Build your resume with RESEARCH! Undergraduate Research.”

Additional text: “Work directly with world-class faculty on groundbreaking discoveries across fields ranging from genomics to the humanities… demonstrating you can tackle complex, open-ended problems. These opportunities are just a glimpse—over 85 research projects are available.”

Image description: Visuals representing lab or academic research, possibly including students working in a lab setting, analyzing data, or collaborating with faculty on projects.

On-screen text: “Build your resume with INTERNSHIPS.”

Additional text: Mentions access to internships through UCSC’s proximity to Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay, including tech companies, biotech startups, marine research centers, and nonprofits.

Image description: Students in professional or workplace environments, such as office settings, research facilities, or collaborative team spaces, representing hands-on internship experiences.

On-screen text: “Build your resume with EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. Degree-Defining Experiences Program. Study Abroad!”

Additional text: Highlights hands-on opportunities like scientific diving, coding, stargazing, creative fieldwork, and working in natural reserves.

Image description: Outdoor and experiential scenes such as students in nature, conducting fieldwork, observing the environment, or participating in immersive, real-world learning activities.

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Transfer students—why wait for fall? Start your UCSC journey sooner by applying for Winter 2027 by August 15, 2026. Select majors are open, and winter is the perfect time to join the UCSC community! Don’t miss your chance, your path to UC Santa Cruz starts now! 📚

Image Description: Photo contains image of redwood trees with a bridge containing students walking. There is a yellow rectangle in the middle of the frame with a Sammy the Slug image with on screen text reading, “Winter 2027 with a special extended deadline! Transfer students, why wait to apply for next fall? Get started on your journey sooner – apply for winter admission by August 15, 2026! Visit the link in our bio for more information!”

Which UCSC aesthetic are you?? Let us know (or tell us which ones we missed)👀

From traveling to research opportunities, see what our current, alumni, and transfer slugs are up to this summer! ☀️✈️

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First image: On-screen text reads, “We asked Slugs...” with the question, “What are you doing this summer?” Three students stand on West Cliff, outlined in white.

Slides 1–5: Each slide features a student in a polaroid-style photo layered over a larger background photo of the same student, with a Sammy the Slug mascot in the corner. The onscreen text shares each student’s summer experience: conducting cancer research in New York City after graduation, traveling through Thailand with friends, exploring Yosemite and spending time with family before returning to UCSC, learning to make jam in Italy, and taking Summer Edge classes while working in a transfer student course.