Welcome visitors to campus this spring

To: UCSC Faculty and Staff

From: Michael McCawley, Director of Admissions

As you may already know, interest in UCSC is at an all-time high with nearly 60,000 applications for fall 2016. UCSC’s growing reputation for successfully preparing undergraduate students for the next phase in their lives is due to the incredible work of the entire campus community.

As they do every year, newly admitted undergraduate students will engage with the campus in person and online as they make their decision where to attend in the fall. To support admitted students and their families in their university decision-making process, the Office of Admissions offers the following to learn more about the campus:

UCSC Spring Spotlight – April 1 to April 9, excluding April 3

(includes specific sessions for transfer students April 8 and 9)

This annual event provides an opportunity for admitted students and their families to visit the campus and learn more about how UC Santa Cruz might be a good fit.

Spotlight Monday – Select Mondays in April and May (online events)

This year the Office of Admissions will be hosting targeted virtual events for frosh and transfers on each Monday throughout April and May. These 1-hour video chat events will focus on different topics, and are designed to meet the needs of students from California and beyond.

Campus tours – Mondays-Fridays, year-round

Students can schedule a student-led tour by using the online reservation tool.

Virtual campus tour

Anyone can experience a campus tour using the virtual tour, available on the Admissions web site, admissions.ucsc.edu.

Admissions is also continuing to partner with student-initiated outreach efforts; student organizations play an important role in reaching out to admitted students and welcoming them to the campus. The Taking UCSC Home program also continues again this year, allowing currently enrolled students to go back to their high schools or community colleges and speak first-hand about their UCSC experience.

We expect over 7,000 visitors in the next couple of months, including many who will travel from another state or another country, and will be curious about academic opportunities and university life. Some of our guests may ask you questions as they tour the campus, and your helpfulness (and patience) will affirm the positive qualities and character of the UCSC community. And when you happen upon individuals or groups that seem lost, I'd appreciate your help in pointing them in the right direction.

We'll begin notifying students of their admission beginning March 15, but in the meantime, if you have questions about these efforts, or if you see areas around campus that need attention, please contact Assistant Director Beatrice Atkinson-Myers in Admissions (beatrice@ucsc.edu or 459-2352) and she will work with the appropriate unit(s) to help create the best possible experience for our visitors. For more information, a complete outline of campus spring yield events is available online.

I thank you in advance for your commitment and continued partnership in yielding the best students for this fall's incoming class!