University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

Yes and no. UCSB is definatley a party school, in the sense that you don't have to be a part of the Greek life to have a party to go to or something fun to do every night. And yes, a lot of people do skip class to hit up the local beach on a beautiful day, but I think UCSB students are the best out of any in learning to balance work and play. The academics at UCSB are no joke and it is getting harder and harder to get into this school, attracting scholars from around the nation. The professors are excellent for the most part and help make going to class be less of a chore. UCSB is full of young beautiful people, but most of them are down to earth and Isla Vista is one of the friendliest towns you'll find anywhere. You could walk into a party, not know a soul there, join a beer pong game and walk away with 3 new friends, easy. UCSB = University of casual sex and beer, well it is what you make of it. You would definatley fit in at UCSB if this was your motto, but then again, it is college isn't it? This is the time to have uninhabited fun and UCSB is definitaley a good place to do it.

I think that they may be accurate, however intuitively I dont think that they would deviate far from other campuses. I dont think that people are having more sex here at UCSB than the average 18-23 year old population. The overall stereotype is that UCSB is a party school, which is true, however I dont think that this is because UCSB students are innate "partiers", I think that it is due to the fact that so many students live in a small town 1 mile x 1 mile.

For the most part, no!! The STI rate (be proud) is just the same as the national average for all other universities. Also, I have found that the people here are far from stuck up; its southern (almost) California, we have a beautiful campus and I have a view of the ocean from my dorm room...relax everyone here is really chill. Also, same with the guys- there will always be sletchy guys anywhere you go, but I have already found some pretty amazing guys that I can trust (ha ha and they're in the Greek sysyem). Lastly, we do tend to have parties here from time to time, but keep in mind not only do we know how to have a lot of fun, but the people who go here had to be smart to get into the school too!

pretty much... students in the greek system get their act together come midterm and finals time, but other than that, party party party. and yes, it seems that everyone is [fake] blonde and a Forever 21 devotee.

For the Greek system, largely yes. Not for the general population.

Most UCSB students do drink a fair amount. I don't know anyone having very much casual sex, or that admits to having an STD. If UCSB student are smarter than your average college student, I'd hate to know how retarded the average college student really is. Seriously, I often wonder how some of these people graduated from High School.

the partying stereotype is definitely an accurate portrayal of a lot of students here at ucsb, but it is a personal choice and generally no one pressures you to do so if u don't want to, but the opportunity to do so is always there because the iv community is so small and made up of almost all students

beachy, yes, a lot of blondes, but school is very important to everyone, because this is a hard school to get into and everyone is pretty much intelligent. work hard, and of course, play hard.

UCSB has just as many alocholics and STDs as any other school. Our parties are just way better and everyone parties in a small area (Isla Vista).

These stereotypes are not necessarily true. It depends what you want to make of your college career and what you get involved in. If all you want to do for four years is drink beer at the beach, you can, but you will definitely not be taking advantage of the best programs this school has to offer.