u/Funkouttahere21

I really hope I didn’t just make a huge mistake! 😬 But as an art student transfer, UCSC is a better fit and will help me scale the brand I have created instead of only focusing on gallery exhibitions. That is Berkeleys goal for undergrads and I already know how to get works into galleries. I currently have one at the Crocker in Sacramento and one locally showing. I also believe I’d be taken more seriously here regarding things like opportunities and internships. I also got a one year housing guarantee here, although I’m concerned about after that one year as I hear it’s impossible to find housing. I also don’t know if I’d be under-stimulated here as I’ve been craving a way out of the life in my small country town up north and heard there’s not much near students besides the school. I will spend most of my time studying and working on creative projects, but I will eventually crave social things to blow off steam. I’ve examined both schools closely and consciously decided on this one, yet feel anxious and full of dread ever since I withdrew from Berkeley as I feel like I just gave up a strong path.

I’m a transfer student currently trying to decide between UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley as an art major, and I’m struggling with the decision.

Originally, I thought I had until June 1st to decide. I submitted Statements of Intent to Register to both schools because I needed the student email to look at programs and wasn’t ready to decide yet. I planned to withdraw from one before the deadline after visiting Santa Cruz. I’ve already visited Berkeley, but I graduate community college on the 22nd and was planning to use the time before June 1st to finally go see UCSC in person.

Instead, I got an email from the UC system saying they noticed I submitted two SIRs and now I have to decide by May 18th.

So now I’m trying to make a huge life decision in like 3 days.

A little background about me: I’m an artist, but I’m also very entrepreneurial. I run a small art/apparel brand focused around mental health, resilience, and storytelling through design. I’m into printmaking, tactile design, screen printing, sewing, branding, marketing, and creative direction. I’m not really trying to learn how to become only a traditional gallery artist.

I know Berkeley has far more prestige and opportunity density. There’s a huge culture of networking and ambitious people there. I’ve also looked into programs like SkyDeck/STAR (or whatever it’s called) and the entrepreneurial side of Berkeley is appealing to me.

At the same time, Berkeley’s art department seems more focused on research and preparing undergrads for gallery-oriented paths. I’ve already shown work in galleries (including some pretty respected ones), and I already know how to submit work professionally, so I don’t necessarily need a school to teach me how to enter gallery spaces.

What I really want is to grow as a creator and build a sustainable future around art/design/apparel.

That’s why UCSC keeps pulling me back in. From what I understand, the art culture there feels more integrated, and I’ve heard great things about the community and work spaces. Things like the workshops, fabrication spaces, screen printing access, sewing equipment, etc. sound way more aligned with the kind of creator I am.

But then I wonder if I’d be limiting myself by not choosing Berkeley.

I’m also someone who thrives in competitive environments. I grew up with very little and became extremely driven because of it. Berkeley’s intensity feels motivating to me. But at the same time, I wonder how much opportunity really exists when every opportunity has hundreds of insanely qualified people competing for it.

Housing is also a massive factor.

At Berkeley, I’ve mostly been looking at off-campus housing because on-campus housing was way too expensive for me. I have a couple possible places lined up, but they’re farther away, expensive, and I haven’t even toured them yet.

Meanwhile UCSC’s first-year transfer housing guarantee is honestly a huge deal to me because it gives some level of stability right away, even though I know Santa Cruz housing overall is also notoriously difficult.

I know a lot of people will probably just say “go to Berkeley,” but I feel like art is one of those majors where fit matters a lot more than people think. If I were going into law, engineering, biomechanics, etc., I think the answer would feel much more obvious.

I’m really just looking for honest perspectives, especially from transfer students, art students, or people who’ve been in similar situations.

Do you feel UCSC helped you grow creatively and professionally?

Do you regret choosing it over a more prestigious school?

Or do you think Berkeley’s opportunities/network outweigh the concerns I’m having?

Does anyone know about the art practice major at UCSC? I am an art practice major and run a small brand that focuses on tactile design and storytelling, and am trying to decide between the program at Berkeley and UCSC. On welcome day, all of the panelists for the art dept at Berkeley were research based artists, and looking at the faculty most of their work is research based as well. I’m wondering which environment would be better for me to carve a path that leans more into the elements of art that I want to focus on, meaning heavy studio classes, entrepreneurial mindsets, etc.

Edited to be less emotionally charged:

Hey everyone,

I recently visited UC Berkeley for Golden Bear Welcome Day and wanted to get some perspective from current students, especially in arts/humanities.

For context:

•	I’m coming from a small town / community college environment

•	I went alone, slept <5 hours, and ended up walking \~15 miles that day

•	So I know my experience might be a bit skewed by fatigue and stress

That said, here were my honest impressions:

Social vibe

•	It felt a lot more “closed off” than what I’m used to

•	People mostly stayed within their own groups and didn’t really acknowledge others

•	I’m trying to figure out if that’s just a first-day / big campus thing, or if that’s the general culture

Event experience

•	I tried to attend a Letters & Science session but got turned away due to capacity (which is fine, just felt a bit abrupt)

•	At an arts/humanities panel, a lot of the discussion leaned toward research/theory-based art

Art question

•	I’m more interested in expressive, emotionally-driven work rather than heavily research-based or conceptual work

•	Are there spaces at Berkeley where that kind of art is more common?

•	Or is the overall culture more academic/conceptual?

Housing

•	I toured a few shared living spaces

•	Prices seemed high relative to quality (though I did find one decent option)

•	Is this just the reality of Berkeley housing, or are there better ways to find good spots?

General environment

•	Downtown seemed active (restaurants, shops, etc.), but I’m still unsure if it’s a place I’d enjoy spending a lot of time in

•	Curious how people actually experience the area once they’re settled in

⸻

Main question:

For people who go here now—did your first impression match your actual experience?

•	Did it take time to find your people?

•	Is the social environment more open once you’re integrated?

•	How would you describe the art community beyond first impressions?

Appreciate any honest input. I’m just trying to get a clearer picture beyond a single (pretty intense) day.