Viaje de Universidad
In my sophomore year, we were presented with a tremendous opportunity that would affect our view on colleges from thereon. This school year marked the start of the last remaining college road trip from a financial viewpoint. May the 2nd was the day that the class of 2021 set out to explore various colleges and gain a better understanding of how the college system works. Each bus trip was a grueling one as it would go on for multiple hours at a time but we persevered with the close friends besides us. The very first college that we visited was the University of California, Santa Barbara; it was a relief after the 4 hour bus ride and we got our first and one of the most memorable experience during the trip. |
Each of the colleges we visited consisted of a student led tour, a panel with a teacher, and a presentation from an alumni from High Tech High North County. Santa Barbara started out on the right foot as we immediately went to the food court with an hour and a half to spare. The food selection was a thought in college that I didn’t put a lot of thought into but a teacher cleared it up for me as they said that it’ll stick with you for the 4 years that you attend the college. After lunch, we went to a panel about UCSB and it was really informative about the school and what it specializes in. The campus of UCSB is definitely a special one and ranks towards the top of the ranking of the colleges that we visited.
The real fun times came when we went to see and experience our hotel. The hotel offered a ton of utilities, a gym room, a pool, and a good breakfast buffet. The whole class banded together and went to the pool, to which, we made a sizable whirlpool due to the collective efforts of everyone.
The other colleges that we visited had their strengths but they didn’t seem like colleges that interest me. Santa Clara University had strengths in business which also having mandatory classes which seemed quite useless. University of California, Santa Cruz was definitely an eccentric college, offering many unique majors and having a strong astronomy/physics program. The campus of UCSC was definitely the most unique as it’s surrounded by redwoods and it’s intune with nature. The last college we went to was Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is similar to High Tech High North County in the sense that we learn by doing or in other words, through projects. The tuition cost is quite cost effective and offers quite a bit after the 4 year period but the effectiveness declines if you choose to go to graduate school.
If I had to choose, then I’d definitely want to stay in California, the UC school system offers quite a bit towards my interests and I hope to pursue those in the near future. This trip has taught me what to look for in colleges whether it be financial support services, a good food court, programs that benefit my learning, or a UC exclusive TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) program.
The real fun times came when we went to see and experience our hotel. The hotel offered a ton of utilities, a gym room, a pool, and a good breakfast buffet. The whole class banded together and went to the pool, to which, we made a sizable whirlpool due to the collective efforts of everyone.
The other colleges that we visited had their strengths but they didn’t seem like colleges that interest me. Santa Clara University had strengths in business which also having mandatory classes which seemed quite useless. University of California, Santa Cruz was definitely an eccentric college, offering many unique majors and having a strong astronomy/physics program. The campus of UCSC was definitely the most unique as it’s surrounded by redwoods and it’s intune with nature. The last college we went to was Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is similar to High Tech High North County in the sense that we learn by doing or in other words, through projects. The tuition cost is quite cost effective and offers quite a bit after the 4 year period but the effectiveness declines if you choose to go to graduate school.
If I had to choose, then I’d definitely want to stay in California, the UC school system offers quite a bit towards my interests and I hope to pursue those in the near future. This trip has taught me what to look for in colleges whether it be financial support services, a good food court, programs that benefit my learning, or a UC exclusive TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) program.