More than 2,100 prospective students and their guests got a taste of UC Santa Cruz at four Chancellor's receptions held in late March and April in Southern and Northern California.
"We wanted to bring them the excitement we have on our campus," said Acting Director of Admissions Michael McCawley. "The academic programs, support services, and activities."
Chancellor George Blumenthal and approximately two dozen UCSC staffers from admissions, housing, financial aid, career services, and public safety traveled to San Gabriel, Irvine, San Jose, and Oakland. This was the second year the admissions office held regional receptions in an effort to court select admitted students.
McCawley said he made a special effort this year to invite a broader group of students. The tally of attendees showed the audience was more diverse than it was last year. "We had a rich diversity of top-end students, students who are first in their family to attend college, and students from low-income families," McCawley said.
Blumenthal spoke at all four receptions. He was joined by faculty members Lisa Sloan in Southern California, Alison Galloway in San Jose, and Lori Kletzer in Oakland. Also speaking were college provosts, a student, an alum, and financial aid representatives.
Blumenthal told attendees that UCSC is the leading institution for undergraduate education, offering the benefits of a small-college experience with the resources of a major research university.
A total of 903 admitted students attended, along with 1,227 parents or other guests. Responses were positive, as were follow-up surveys, McCawley said.
The receptions are a way to introduce UCSC to more people than just those who attended, according to McCawley.
"I really think they take this back to their communities and talk about the experience of getting to know UC Santa Cruz," he said.
Contact the author at lasnier@ucsc.edu.
