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Cabrillo College Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

See Cabrillo College reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Cabrillo College. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Cabrillo College reviews, or contribute your own Cabrillo College review if you're a current student there.

  • 5 out of 6 people found this review useful. 1 person found this inaccurate.

    Zachariah from Aptos, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Great for these types of students

    If you are interested in any two year degrees it is a wonderful school to attend. Also to acquire a great general education.

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Alexandra from Feedom, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    cabrillo is a massive school filled with an interesting, diverse group of students. there are three campuses, in aptos, watsonville, and scotts valley, but aptos is the main campus. no matter if you have an intended major or not, cabrillo college can help guide in you in the right direction with the help of fellow students and the incredible staff at the college center.
    Tips for prospective students

    the staff isn't just here to give you homework and teach you new ideas. take advantage of their knowledge and ask around. there are so many people here who can help you reach your educational goals.
    Academic Rigor

    classes here are simple. teachers don't baby you, it's your responsibility to show up to class and be ready to learn. though it sounds harsh, teachers are understanding and very helpful when it comes up to academics.
    Dorm Life

    there are no dorms on campus. this is a community college so most students are from around the area. most live either in santa cruz or watsonville.
    Food and Dining

    the cafeteria isn't big, but it does serve delicious foods. it pleases the average students, whether vegan or not.
    What to do for fun

    sports here are awesome to go and watch. the are is close to the beach so there's a lot of time to be spent there. the towns around are calm and quiet so it's a serene place. we've had mls teams come and play at school like the l.a. galaxy with david beckham.
    Bang for the buck

    if you're from around the area it's cheap. outside cali, the thing gets harder. almost all local cali students receive financial aid here that will cover more than enough for tuition.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    no unusual traditions. most people keep to themselves this isn't a very large college, but there are bands that play on the quad every once in a while.
    Great for these types of students

    if you are the average small town california kid with a taste for the beach and outdoors, cabrillo is the school for you.
    Clubs and Activities

    this is a pretty mellow town, nothing big city, but we are around a cool beach atmosphere and very environmental.
    Greek Life

    greek life is no fairy tale. our sororities are the elite and high achievers, there are no kegs and sorority houses here.
    Campus Safety

    there hasn't been any dangerous incident at school. things around here are pretty safe and ordinary.

  • 0 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Araceli from Santa Cruz, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    cabrillo college is a great community college. counselors do their best in making sure you succeed whether in transferring to a 4 year or by getting your associates. they have many programs where you can easily get a degree.
    Tips for prospective students

    make sure you see a counselor right away, they can help you out. take classes that you want and need.
    Dorm Life

    i cant really say much about dorm life.
    What to do for fun

    there are many clubs that you can join and events, also at the quad there are many booths where you can buy things and hang out with friends.

  • 0 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Kyle from Soquel, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    i would rate this college as super acceptable. if you are willing to put in the work, they have the programs that can help you transfer out. i would recommend going to cabrillo before transferring.
    Tips for prospective students

    meet with a counselor and they will start you on the right track. always ask the teachers for help, every teacher i've had has always had good office hours. they will work with you.
    Academic Rigor

    tough but very educational
    Dorm Life

    i have to give this a neutral because i don't dorm from cabrillo. i am still living from home right now so i do not know what the dorm life is like. sorry.
    Food and Dining

    must receive another neutral because i do not really eat at school. i pack a lunch from home, or will go out to eat. however, the vending machines are nice.
    What to do for fun

    there are a lot of sports to go watch during their season. also the theater shows are quit nice. plus, if it is a nice day, the beach isn't too far away.

  • 0 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Stacie from Felton, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    cabrillo is a very good community college, with a varied student body and a lot of offered courses. it has some nice facilities and for how much their funding has been cut, they make pretty well do with what they have. it is a much cheaper way to get started on your education.
    Tips for prospective students

    it is important that you follow directions and begin to plan your course of action. the college is a bureaucracy so in the end you are responsible for what happens to you and where you end up.
    Academic Rigor

    the classes are geared toward a wide population of attendance. it makes them very general. this is best for general ed so you can transfer.
    Food and Dining

    the food is fine. it's cafeteria food.
    What to do for fun

    it's a community college, i only go there for actual classes.

  • 0 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Michael from Gilroy, CA

    Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    The course offerings, especially those for psychology and philosophy in my research, are extensive, but given the community college status, I am a bit wary of the general attitude towards learning vs. just being, but can neither confirm nor deny this suspicion yet.
    Will enjoy being here

    I've been living in Aptos for a month and this sea air is invigorating! Our apartment rests a literal 5 minutes (biking, nonetheless) from Seacliff beach and about 10 minutes from the school. The campus, nestled hillside, overlooks the pristine Pacific. Their massive vapa complex promises scintillating journeys into the theatre arts.
    Bang for the buck

    At $36 a unit, I can even save for future college expenses.
    Tips for prospective students

    Register early and plan earlier for classes fill extremely quickly.
    Great for these types of students

    For those wishing to better their education for cheap in a pleasant beach town, choose Cabrillo.

  • 0 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Angie from Felton, CA

    Reviewer is A past student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Did learn a lot

    All of my past professors had a PhD in their field and I was able to see what a quality community college could offer-- much better than any university because the classes are smaller and they are able to focus on you and help you succeed.
    Did enjoy being here

    Very good alternative to university if you want to get the general ed taken care of. Plus, they have an agreement with UCSC so you are a shoe-in when you apply.
    Bang for the buck

    I qualified for the BOG Waiver which paid for all my courses-- yay!
    Tips for prospective students

    Think about community college before you go on to Uni-- it'll save you thousands and you will get a richer experience from being able to be taught by an actual professor and not their student aids.
    Great for these types of students

    Confused about what major to pursue, low on cash, don't want to be swimming in debt, and love to actually learn something from professors with qualified credentials.

  • Victoria from Santa Cruz, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Cabrillo is a great place for taking the beginner classes for your major, or just getting those GEs out of the way. Most of the teachers are great.
    Tips for prospective students

    Register as early as possible. The parking is killer during the first 2 weeks of every semester so arrive around an hour before you classes those days. Also the parking monitors don't start looking for parking permits until the 2nd week of school.
    Academic Rigor

    The teachers always push you enough to want to do good.
    Dorm Life

    Cabrillo has teamed up with University of Santa Cruz to give students a housing opportunity. It is located downtown near the metro station. They are nice room, space is very limited though, so if you want to stay there go thought the process early.
    Food and Dining

    The food can range from OK to good. There are three places around campus that you can get food. They are mostly open at different times. The vending machines also have variety.
    What to do for fun

    Go to the Welcome Week at the beginning of every semester to check out the clubs and such. The hope page online also have a calender of events around campus. Go to at least one sports event to see if it's your thing.
    Bang for the buck

    You get a great education for very little money at Cabrillo. The best way to get great teachers is ask around, and go to ratemyproffesor.com to check out other people rating.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    The lower campus has the great places to lay out on the grass and also is where our computer center is.

  • Ziah from Capitola, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Fantastic and passionate teachers are around if you take the time to look for them. Cabrillo can be whatever you make of it, good or bad. Very professional administrative staff.
    Tips for prospective students

    You can get whatever experience out of Cabrillo that you want; you just have to seek out whatever that might be.
    Academic Rigor

    Teachers like Michael Mangin and Letitia Scott-Curtis demand a lot in the Honors department, but they're both excellent teachers. Like above, there are many good teachers, you just have to seek them out.
    Dorm Life

    There is a fraternity house, but I'm not really aware of the requirements of it.
    Food and Dining

    The food is prepared by the students enrolled in the culinary school with help from their instructors. It's cheap and surprisingly tasty. There are also quite a few good eateries within a few blocks of the school.
    What to do for fun

    Cabrillo isn't too far from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Downtown area which boasts many nightlife and tourist-y type attractions and events.
    Bang for the buck

    Very moderately priced classes that can be exceptionally useful and interesting.
    Great for these types of students

    Students that have a goal and want to get the most out of their attendance to the school.
    Campus Safety

    Very safe. There are very few thefts and no violent crime.

  • Ryan from Salinas, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Overall, Cabrillo is awesome! The professors are all incredibly helpful and knowledgable. As a Music Major, I find Cabrillo's music department far beyond the community college level! The whole campus has a great feel!
    Tips for prospective students

    When applying for classes, apply as early as possible. Classes fill up VERY fast, and its never fun to have to wait list and sign up later into the semester.
    Academic Rigor

    Overall, Cabrillo has a very nice feel socially and academically. The students do not compete with one another nearly as much as in High School. Although, the teachers expect you to hold your weight. Most of them will often confront students who are struggling and offer to help either by means of office hours or tutoring in the writing center/ library.
    Dorm Life

    Since Cabrillo is a Community College, there are no dorms on campus. Yet, there are many very nice apartments surrounding the school!
    Food and Dining

    I do not know much about the food and dining situation on campus, although the campus coffee shops looks and smells great! In such proximity to Santa Cruz and Capitola, food is definitely not an issue.
    What to do for fun

    Skimboarding, Jamming, Surfing, Cycling, Frisbee, Golf, Hiking, anything and everything in between!
    Bang for the buck

    Although the price per unit is going up to $46 a unit next semester, Cabrillo is still one hell of a steal! My books are often more expensive than my tuition!
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    Cabrillo is very much the green school. There is a communal effort to be environmentally friendly. Recycling is a MUST!
    Great for these types of students

    Students who love the ocean, sports, friendly down to earth people, yet folks who also care alot about their education!
    Clubs and Activities

    There are quite a few clubs on campus, with interests in biking, recycling, student gov, social science: archeology clubs, anthropology clubs and many more!
    Greek Life

    I do not believe there is much of a greek life on campus.
    Campus Safety

    The campus is only safe to your ability to be safe. The campus is well lit, there is an actual sheriff department on campus as well as a couple security guards.

  • Daisy from Royal Oaks, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    It is a great school and everybody is really friendly and helpful. Teachers are also very available after classes if you, in case, need help. Everything is always very mellow and under control. Great school!
    Tips for prospective students

    Make sure you go to any tutoring sessions that are being offered. The ILC in the Watsonville Campus and the MLC and Writing center are great places to get any type of help you need.
    Academic Rigor

    Teachers are very helpful and will work with you for as much time as you need.
    Dorm Life

    There are no dorms there.
    Food and Dining

    Food and dining is pretty ok, cant complain.
    What to do for fun

    At the campus, there are always activities and sometimes music or little stands where you can buy posters or stuff like that. Just little interesting things that you can look at and buy.

  • Melissa from Aptos, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    It is a great school with great teachers and great students. The class sizes are not too big for many of the classes and the teachers are available or make availability for you to learn and understand the material.
    Tips for prospective students

    Take a full time load of classes if you can. Because of budget cuts, classes are filling fast and sections are being cancelled. Take everything that you need to take to graduate or transfer while you can, because no one is really sure what is going to get cut.
    Academic Rigor

    Great school with great classes. Classes are not super hard, but they challenge you and they make you do the work. Make sure to show up to class because the lectures are important for the tests.
    Dorm Life

    No dorms here. No one lives on campus, but everyone lives pretty close to campus.
    Food and Dining

    Some pretty good choices. There are lots of coffee drinks and sandwiches, but the main cafeteria seems to always have the same or similar choices, which some people like and some people don't.
    What to do for fun

    There are lots of clubs on campus and there are even vendors on campus that bring their merchandise for sale which you can buy between classes. You can take a Kinesiology (formerly PE) class if you want to play a sport, but don't want to play on a team.
    Bang for the buck

    For around $1000 a semester for classes, books, and supplies this is a great way to get general education credits done, get an Associates degree or get a certificate because the school is still great, but it doesn't have a university price tag.
    Great for these types of students

    -Anyone that works
    -Anyone with a not so flexible schedule
    -Anyone looking to save money and still get a great education
    Greek Life

    there is a scholarship foundation known as Alpha Gamma Sigma, but no Fraternities or Sororities.
    Campus Safety

    There is a sheriff station on the lower campus across the street. Can get a little spooky at night in the parking garage, so walk with a buddy if you can at night

  • Andrea from Felton, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    nice campus but *very* hilly and spread out.
    Tips for prospective students

    check out instructors on ratemyprofessors.com prior to taking the classes. be aware that due to budget cuts your degree program may be eliminated w/o warning like the french program...
    Academic Rigor

    depends on intstructor.
    Food and Dining

    good food that won't break the bank.

  • KASIA from FELTON, CA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    this school is very clean. the teachers at cabrillo are very qualified. some of the staff even work at the nearby university, and many have doctorates.
    Tips for prospective students

    wear flat shoes; the campus is on a very steep hill. invest in a parking permit unless you enjoy walking across campus or if you're taking only art classes. the night classes have the best staff, and the campus quiets down after six p.m.
    Academic Rigor

    the work isn't difficult at all, but attend the lectures and do whatever assignments you are given and you should do well.
    Dorm Life

    there aren't dorms, but there are many nearby apartments that would be suitable to share with a few friends.
    Food and Dining

    there's a shopping center down the street if you want food, but i wouldn't recommend the cafeteria. there are, however, a multitude of vending machines stocked with candy, soda, and water should you find yourself in need.
    What to do for fun

    there is a state beach only a few blocks from campus with amazing views as well as a nearby mall (roughly five miles away).