University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

Is the stereotype of students at University of California-Santa Barbara accurate?

Devin

Partying = yes. Surfing = not everyone. White-majority = yes.

Ashley

To an extent some are but for the most part, doesn't have the highest STD rate and I for one amongst other people do not drink.

chris

They are close, but not completely accurate. There are plenty of people who do not drink or party.

Shannon

We do know how to party but we also know how to prioritize. We study...then we party.

Harper

It is a party school, but it only happens in IV because it's a college community. It's really easy to not be involved in parties and the school offers a lot of alternatives. The campus is mainly white but there is very little to no racism at the school.

Natalie

Being in a sorority and being around the dorms, I know a lot of people drink, but we are still a top university so obviously it isn't effecting our study skills. But this is college, let's get real: people are going to drink. The stereotype about everyone being blonde and fit also isn't true, seeing that I am brunette. But we do live by the beach so people are more health and body conscious then normal. As for the STDs, I don't have one and I don't know anyone who has one.

Nikki

They are but not to the extent that I think most people have in mind. You can definitely always find a party, any night of the week, but there are also lots of really fun, mellow activities going on. There is a lot of hooking up at UCSB because of the huge open parties, both Greek and non-Greek. But it?s also a pretty competitive school environment so I think UCSB kids work really hard so they can party really hard.

Celeste

Because almost all of UCSB's students live in the one-square mile of Isla Vista, parties are easily accessible. However, it is also very easy to stay away from the party scene and still have fun on a Friday night. UCSB students know the appropriate times to have fun and to do work. We take our responsibilities, such as, school, work, and extracurriculars seriously.

Kristin

To some extent, sure! We all live in Isla Vista, one square mile full of 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} college students; of course all the parties are going to be more visible than other campuses, we all want to hang out with our friends and we know how to have fun. But personally, I don't drink and I still have a blast on the weekends, there's tons to do...and even including those that do drink, we all still know how to get our work done. We're just that well-balanced :D

Melissa

Yes and no. I am not sure if UCSB students are bigger partiers than students at any other big university, but there is no doubt that they do and know how to party. Whether its Wednesday night or Saturday night anyone can walk around IV (Isla Vista- the community right outside campus) and find a game of beer pong going down or a full fledged party with kegs, bands, and dancing. BUT... what shocked me most about UCSB was how smart the students at UCSB are, and when how serious they are about their studying when its time to crack down. There is hardly any bike or car parking at the library come finals week. For the most part I would say that students here care about their education and they way UCSB is climbing up the prestige ladder proves it. Yes, there are a lot of blondes, but there are a lot of brunettes and red heads too. Yes, there are a lot of surfers who come running from all angles when the surf is up. But, one thing I love about UCSB is that all students of all types can socialize and mingle together. Surfers don't stick with surfers, and the blondes dont' ALWAYS stick with the blondes. Overall, it iritates me when people view UCSB as the "party" school. It may be one of the hundreds of party schools, but there is so much more to get involved in, be a part of, and participate in at UCSB. I could not say if UCSB is really the school with the most STIs/STDs. Personally, I think there is no way of really knowing that. College students have sex - unfortunately unprotected sex as well - that has not changed. But what I have seen is a stronger emphasis on protected sex. The health center and certain groups go out of their way to hand out condoms, safe-sex resources, and hold support and informative forums about it.