Wise advice from a UCSC Provost (director of a college up there) for Cabrillo transfer students:

• Complete math and chemistry prerequisites before coming up there.
• Don't complete your G.E. requirements here - leave some of those easy classes for your Senior year up there when you are working hard on your thesis research.
• Take summer school if you can as a preview of what it is like. Genetics or O Chem are two possible candidates that majors typically need, and they aren't that expensive.
• They have a special program for transfer students called STARS, and you should use those services now to help you plan for up there. They even provide off- and on-campus job placement and housing advice.
• Talk to a USCS biology advisor NOW to find out in writing exactly what they want you to take - don't rely on Cabrillo counselors. (Are you still reading this? I said NOW!)
• Be a part of ACCESS - it is for you in transitioning up there. Check out the Cabrillo tutoring schedule. and consider the Summer Research Institute.

At UCSC you have both a major (Biology) and a college (Kresge, Porter, Cowell, etc.). Hence, you will have a Department (i.e., Biology) advisor as well as an College Preceptor/Advisor. Consult both of them and know the difference between their roles now and use them both often. He warns that the quarter system is what they use in Hell - its pace is FAST! He says that you should get lots of practice reading and writing, especially in developing your critical thinking skills.