Join Us for Banana Slug Day!
Banana Slug Day, our signature event for admitted students and their families, will take place on Saturday, April 11.
Check this website later in the spring as more details become available!
Banana Slug Day
Saturday, April 11, 2026
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Visit the Swag Table to get your swag and check in! Check-in can be done at any time.
Admitted students, join us for a special preview day! This will be a chance for you and your family to celebrate your admission, tour our beautiful campus, and connect with our extraordinary community. Events will include campus tours led by a S.L.U.G. (Student Life and University Guide), Academic Division Welcomes, mock lectures by faculty, a Resource Fair, and student performances. Come experience Banana Slug life – we can’t wait to meet you!
While you’re on campus, stop by the Baytree Store for some swag! The shop will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Banana Slug Day, and our guests will get a 20% discount off one apparel or gift item (does not include computer hardware or accessories.) The Baytree Store is temporarily located at the Granary Building at the base of campus.
This program is open to all students consistent with state and federal law, the UC Nondiscrimination Statement and the Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California Publications Regarding Student-Related Matters.
Campus Keynotes
To set the tone for the day, we are gathering in our well known Quarry Amphitheater for Campus Keynotes from UC Santa Cruz leadership. We look forward to greeting you and your family as potential new members of our campus community!
Campus Tour
Join our friendly, knowledgeable student tour guides as they lead you on a walking tour of the beautiful UC Santa Cruz campus! Get to know the environment where you may be spending your time for the next few years. Explore the residential colleges, dining halls, classrooms, libraries, and favorite student hangout spots, all in our lovely campus between the sea and the trees! Tours depart rain or shine.
Why UCSC Presentation
Ready to make UC Santa Cruz your college home? Drop by for personalized guidance on your admissions offer, the Statement of Intent to Register (SIR), housing, financial aid, and key deadlines. Our admissions advisers will be available to walk you through the enrollment process, answer your questions, and help you take your next big step toward becoming a Banana Slug.
Whether you’re ready to commit or just want to learn more about the path ahead, we’re here to support you. A Presentation and Q&A will run every 30 minutes.
Divisional Welcomes
Find out more about your intended major! Representatives from the four academic divisions and the Jack Baskin School of Engineering will welcome you to campus and help you learn more about our vibrant academic life.
Mock Lectures
Find out more about our exciting teaching and research! These professors have volunteered to share their expertise with admitted students and families for just a small sample of our wide-ranging academic discourse.
Engineering Offerings
Welcome to UCSC’s innovative, influential engineering school! In the spirit of Silicon Valley – only 30 minutes from campus – our engineering school is a forward-thinking, collaborative incubator of new ideas and technologies. More details coming soon.
Coastal Campus Tour
Located less than five miles from the main campus, our Coastal Campus is a center for exploration and innovation in marine research! Find out more about our innovative Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) programs, as well as the Joseph M. Long Marine Laboratory, the Seymour Center, and other UCSC marine science programs – all on our gorgeous coastal campus right on the ocean! Details coming soon.
Career Success
Our Career Success team is ready to help you succeed! Find out more about our many services, including jobs and internships (both before and after graduation), job fairs where recruiters come to campus to find you, career coaching, preparation for medical school, law school, and graduate school, and much more!
Housing
Where will you live for the next few years? Find out about the wide variety of on-campus housing opportunities, including residence hall or apartment living, themed housing, and our unique residential college system. You will also learn about how students receive assistance finding off-campus housing, as well as dates and deadlines and other important information. Meet with the Housing experts and get your questions answered
Financial Aid
Bring your questions! Find out more about next steps with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) and how we can help make college affordable for you and your family. FASO distributes over $500 million every year in need-based and merit-based awards. If you haven’t filled out your FAFSA or Dream App, do it now!
Resource Fair
Want to find out more about student resources or student organizations? Stop by our tables to speak with students and staff members from those areas. You may meet a future fellow clubmate!
Dining Options
A variety of food and drink options will be available throughout campus. Bring a reusable water bottle with you – we’ll have refill stations at the event!
Find out More! Your Next Steps
