The UC system is consistently ranked as the best public university system in the United States. With plenty of research opportunities, great in-state tuition, and pathways into competitive graduate programs, attending one of the nine campuses is a successful milestone for any student.
Much like the different parts of California, each campus has its own culture and reputation. For example, if I said there is a campus with students who run naked through the rain and have made news several times for 420 celebrations, could you guess which one it is? While stereotypes are rarely perfect, they are a fun way to get a glimpse of campus culture and imagine where you might fit best.
Stereotypes of the 9 undergraduate UCs
University of California, Berkeley—Cal
Location: 110 Sproul Hall, Berkeley
Top programs: engineering, computer science, business, and the humanities
Do you know that friend who almost acts better than everyone because they kind of are? Smart, social, informed, competitive, politically opinionated, maybe a bit intense? They probably should be going to an Ivy League school, but want to stay local and take advantage of in-state tuition. They are probably headed to UC Berkeley, which is widely considered the best public university in the country. Needless to say, getting in is highly competitive, but these kinds of students view competition like breathing—it is just part of who they are.
Beyond attending the big games and exploring Greek life, there are a few standout traditions at this school. Don’t step on the seals, get ready to go rolling down 4.0 Hill, and for goodness sake, call for Hugo!
University of California, Los Angeles—UCLA
Location: 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles
Top programs: Psychology, Film and Television, Engineering, and Political Science
Think of your friend going to Cal, except she’s way more fashionable and actually shaves regularly. While UC Berkeley ranks as the best public school in the nation, UCLA is not far behind, consistently ranking near the very top nationally. It’s in LA, though, so it’s only natural that the students here indulge in fashion, high-quality dining, and a lively social scene. Often, students who didn’t get into Cal go here, which is why they have a reputation of having something to prove. Think of the influencer who keeps saying “you can have it all,” but there is still something very suss about it.
While there are numerous campus traditions—some dating as far back as the 1920s—a couple truly stand out. New students might take off their shoes to dip their toes in the Janss Steps Fountains and not touch that water again until graduation, while others finishing up finals are taking off more than that! The undie run is perhaps the most outlandish tradition at UCLA, where students strip down to their undies during finals week to run a mile and relieve some stress.
University of California, San Diego—UCSD
Location: 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla
Top Programs: Bioengineering, Marine Biology at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Cognitive Science, and Neurobiology
Pass over both the pocket protectors and the surfboard and get ready to see one hot nerd. UCSD is known for an intense focus on STEM with an emphasis on research and heavy course loads. Rather than taking the philosophy of “work hard, play hard,” like many of the other coastal schools of the state, these King Tritons instead enjoy La Jolla by getting that perfect beach bod. These students are hot and nerdy, and they know it. Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you UCSD stands for University of Stuck-Up Dorks.
Traditions here are just as nerdy as one might anticipate. Legend says that if you walk backward under Sun God with your eyes closed, you’ll get a 4.0 that quarter—but you can only do this once. There is also an all-day video game fest in the winter.
University of California, Santa Barbara—UCSB
Location: Santa Barbara, CA (the campus is so big, this is literally the entire address)
Top Programs: Physics, communications, and environmental studies
Do you like to party? Like reeeally party? At one point, there was a bar in Isla Vista known as Study Hall, so students could tell their parents they were going to Study Hall! While the bar officially closed in 2023, this is a prime example of the culture among UCSB students. Many students at other schools will casually say they don’t regret getting rejected by UCSB because the school has the highest STD rate, but that is simply unsubstantiated bitterness.
UCSB does have a prominent dating scene, party scene, beach scene, and—once more for good measure—party scene. On the tours, you’ll learn Jack Johnson went here, though you likely could have guessed it. If you go here, get ready to study through hangovers and definitely choose the best sorority or fraternity you can find.
Take to Reddit, and many alumni will tell you the biggest tradition, or at least rite of passage, at UCSB is waking up hungover and studying with Freebirds’ nachos. In the past decade, though, students have been known to throw tortillas onto the field at successful soccer matches. Highly controversial but easy to forget when you find your own Study Hall.
Fun fact: Try to look composed while enjoying the beauty of the Santa Barbara campus. In the early 2000’s MTV was known to scout here—in fact, my alumni cousin was scouted for an episode of Date My Mom in 2004. If you are curious—yes, she won “the date,” though she never actually went to Vegas with him.
University of California, Irvine—UCI
Location: 260 Aldrich Hall, Irvine
Top programs: Criminology, Computer Science, Nursing, Public Health, and Biology
UC Irvine attracts tech nerds and is best known for establishing the first Earth System Science Department. It is also home to three Nobel laureates and a primarily Asian student body. Known for its quiet suburban environment and proximity to Disneyland, the stereotypes here are lackluster at best. Maybe that’s a good thing. You can simply be who you want to be here.
Traditionally speaking, you will need to learn a hand gesture for the games while yelling “Zot!,” develop a love for the anteater mascot, and get ready for a student-run medieval faire known as Wayzgoose.
University of California, Davis—UCD
Location: 1 Shields Ave, Davis
Top programs: agricultural, biological, and environmental sciences
When did you first learn that your equestrian friend decided to go to UC Davis? Known as the farm school with strong veterinary medicine programs, UC Davis is near enough to a dominant part of The Golden State’s agricultural region to attract all the students raised in this way of life.
Agriculturally minded people tend to be a certain kind of hippie, though, so anticipate dirty fingernails, a penchant for recycling and composting, and way too many people riding bikes. You’ll colloquially hear this school called UC Cow Dung—visit and you may figure out why.
To fit in with the traditions, get ready to kiss the egghead, dance on the football field, and race dachshunds. And yes, you may have heard that students here often milk a cow on picnic day. UC Cow Dung unlocked.
University of California, Santa Cruz—UCSC
Location: 1156 High St, Santa Cruz
Top programs: Marine Biology, Space Sciences, Computer Science, and Linguistics
Based on the address alone, I dare you to guess the stereotype. Yes, UC Santa Cruz is known as the stoner school. While you will hear this many places, as someone who attended, I am here to confirm the rumors are true. Divided into different schools on campus, you have the artsy stoners, the hippie stoners, the athletic stoners, the academic stoners—you get the picture.
Is this stereotype really the students’ fault, though? UCSC was notorious for offering pass/fail grades to reduce competition and stress. It was a great way to help the students mellow out, man. And students have not forgotten this mentality.
Traditionally, on 4/20, students congregate at Porter Meadow and create a cloud worthy of a news story. On the first rain, too, students strip down to nothing and run through campus to the Cowell pool. There are very strict rules about the First Rain Run, though, so do your research before getting skivvy.
University of California, Riverside—UCR
Location: 900 University Ave, Riverside
Top programs: STEM, business, and social science
So you have a friend that goes here, huh? What school rejected them? UC Riverside is known as the safety school of the state. It has more recently become known for strong pre-med tracks, student diversity, and a prominent fitness/gym culture, but that’s probably a hoax meant to help students cover up their disappointment at not gaining entry to a flashier school.
All jokes aside, UC Riverside still has a higher academic ranking than many schools in the country. Traditions reflect a high-quality culture, too, with end-of-year concerts and more than 54 established traditions. Students must complete at least 54 to earn a special medal by commencement.
Note: For a long time, UC Riverside offered automatic admittance to students in the top 10 percent of their graduating high school class. The application fee was waived, and acceptance was guaranteed, so all the student had to do was apply. Hence “back up school,” or “UC Rejects.”
University of California, Merced—UCM
Location: 5200 Lake Rd, Merced
Top programs: Biology, Psychology, and Engineering
UC Merced is the newest of the UCs, recognized as the first American research university built in the 21st century. Since it opened its doors in 2005, it has only been lightly stereotyped as having shy, isolated students attend. On the smaller side, students can enjoy more intimate classes and have a chance to get to know each other—and their professors.
Since the school is so new, the main tradition comes with a literal crossing of the Scholars Bridge. It is meant to signify the start of the academic journey and is practiced by virtually every new student who passes through campus.
Yes, there is a tenth campus—UC San Francisco—but it is strictly graduate-level. We aren’t going to count it and bring the institution down to our childish, playful level.
Closing thoughts
When choosing your dream school, it is important to consider the specific programs it offers, its acceptance and graduation rates, the cost of attendance, and, lastly, the lifestyle and culture. Stereotypes are a fun way to quickly sum up what’s in store, but they’re rarely universal. After all, someone still has to create the culture at UC Merced.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
