Joshua
Truth be told, yes, the stereotypes are pretty accurate. I come from a very diverse area, and was really shocked because I never visited the campus prior to coming here. It is a really rich school, most of the people here are very privileged. It's also an academic school, mainly a research facility focused on theory rather than practical application. The parties here are insane, too insane at some times, and alcohol is easily obtainable for anyone. It's hard not to be changed here, I'm one of the few that doesn't drink, smoke, or sleep with anything that walks and a lot of people give me the bull response, "oh hey I respect that" when I tell them I don't drink. Get used to it. And activism? They dress up like hippies and parade around yelling about change, but honestly, the people yelling about change aren't UCSB students. UCSB Students are gullible and follow the guy with the megaphone, that's all. If you look at all the people who run these activist events, most aren't even students, but they get a following of naive students to join them and block off roads and stuff like that. That's pretty accurate.
Amanda
Some are true and some are a little over exagerate or only apply to certain students. We do have fun here at UCSB but almost all of us leave with degrees which means we do go to class and we do pass our finals. I do go out on occasion but I dont conisder myself a big party person. There a lot of people that enjoy the pass time of surfing and I do believe the campus as a whole is very laid back and friendly.
Devin
While there are many opportunities to party and the party scenes are quite active here, not everyone parties. There are intelligent people here and if they do party, that makes them appear even smarter since that means they're really good with time management. I've only been to one party so far, and that's during welcome week. You won't feel the "pressure" to party here, trust me. It's a free choice.
Anna
Nope. It's not everyone's scene. Besides, every college campus is a party campus--ours' is just the best (we can can party hard and still get good grades). If partying isn't your scene, there's always something else to do on Friday or Saturday nights like the Improvability shows.
Morgan
Many people did come for the partying and surfing, but that doesn't take away from the great academics here.
Owen
yes. Some of them are. but like I said before, people have fun, but also study.
Sarah
This is true to an extent. Its easier to label UCSB as a party school because parties are so visible. In the small, student-focused town of IV, everyone knows where a party will be. DP. But that is what's great about Isla Vista. Everyone is so close and you never have to be alone. Also, students here may party, but they know how to get work done too. I'm not much for parties but I still have respect for most everyone else who does. We hold our self-proclaimed title of "most intelligent party school in the nation" well.
linda
most are, absolutely. but the stereotype that is always left out is that in addition to all these, the students are actually very intelligent too, and get their shit done while still being cool. so if anything, it should speak even more highly of ucsb, because students are successful AND still able to have fun and rage. the saying "work hard, play harder" couldn't be more true here.
Connie
Surfers do not dominate the school, although surfing is obviously available due to the prime spot of the school. I believe our std rate is less than the national statistic and thus entirely exaggerated.the stereotype on the greek major does fit a good portion of the greek population, but there are just as many people with a much denser courseload. People do drink heavily and frequently, and parties are huge during the weekends although much less frequent during the week.the school has always struck me as very balanced.there are great classes and an incredible faculty, but if all you want to do is party, that option is available to you as well. However, there is a lot to do in the city as well as the school if you don't want to live that way! There are many unique opportunities available to ucsb students (like the Raggedy ann program for premed students) that exist nowwhere but sb!