University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

We have a really good academic program, have a great Environmental Studies program and great bio programs. A lot of the classes are good they are big, but if you go to section you get the more personal help you need. You don't normally know your professors really, its your ta that you now.

My favorite classes, of course, have to be my math classes and my art history classes. I am a mathematics major and I am also minoring in the History of Art and Architecture. I love my classes, the way in which each professor interacts with the students and the way in which every lecture they are always prepared and honestly excited about teaching the curriculum. Yes, believe it or not, during these last past two years I have only missed 2 classes; I attend class EVERY DAY, and I am very proud to say that I enjoy waking up and going to class. The students are very competitive, especially in my major classes. I mainly spend time with my TA'S outside of class, they aid me over the material we went over in lecture, and such. I feel that UCSB's academic requirements are very high, and reasonable at the same time. I feel that they are on a level which is demanding, yet at the same time achievable. The education I will acquire at UCSB will set my path towards my future; either going to graduate school, FIDM (fashion institute of design and merchandising), or diving right into my career.

A lot harder than expected. but if you work hard you play hard, and its SO TRUE here. Its not often that professors know anyone but the honors kids, but the ta's can be a great resourse and if you get to know them it REALLY pays off. unfortunately I didn't figure this out till my second year... oh and you get a great education here but only the bus/econ major with accounting emphasis really prepares you to go straight into a job. all the others kinda push you to grad school or don't really give you a good idea about what to do afterwards.

I don't ever talk to professors outside of class

Most of the classes are really big so the professors usually don't know anyone in their lectures. People study at such different levels, some hardly seem to study while others seem to be constantly studying.

classes range from enormous (900) to tiny (10) but it depends on the major. class partipation is rare, especially in sections. intellectual conversation takes place, but you have to look hard to find it. the french department is fantastic. academic requirements are relatively easy to fulfill. depending on the department, ucsb can prepare you for getting a job (econ, bio, etc.), learning (english, music), or neither.

I am an English major and I am planning to minor in classics. My TAs know me well because I email them often and go to every section, however I do not try to contact my professors much, I haven't found a pressing need to. I would like to contact my professors so they know my name, but I just haven't yet. Students are pretty competitive, especially in classes that are required for pre-reqs for majors. My roommate talks about how competitive everyone is in her physics, math, and chem class because they all need those classes for med school. The most unique class I have taken so far (this is very hard to decide because I've loved them all, weird, I know, but true) has been human sexuality because it is such an unusual class that is not commonly taught, but very relevant to the college age group, and quite informative. I feel UCSB's academic requirements are to the UC standards, but not as competitive as other schools, like UC Berkeley for example, or UC San Diego. I feel the education at UCSB is geared more towards learning and expanding the mind rather than job training, but if one is looking to orient themselves toward a specific career, that is totally possible.

Amazing, enlightening classes and everyone works to help eachother out. My study sessions at the RBR will be just as memorable as my time spent at the Study Hall (bar).

Classes are big...most of my classes are lectures where the professors do not know my name. Academics here are harder than you may expect them to be...BEWARE.

The academics are very good and extremely challenging at UCSB. I know the names of all my professors and they make a sincere effort, for the most part, to accommodate and help the students. My favorite class so far at UCSB was Human Sexuality(Soc 152A) and my least favorite class was Chemistry 1A. Class participation usually depends on the teacher. I have taken classes both that have frequent discussion and others that have little at all. I have noticed that studying time of the students varies mostly depending on their majors and their extracurricular activities. Most of the conversations outside of the class are not very intellectual. I have noticed that they usually involve the past weekends activities or the plans for the upcoming weekends. There is also discussion on tests students have just taken and how classes are going. Students are very competitive here and there are a lot of extremely smart people. The most unique class I have taken is Human Sexuality. It was extremely interesting, the professors were a married couple and they received a standing ovation at the end of the quarter. I do not spend time with my professors outside of class and rarely ever attend office hours. UCSB is extremely hard and the academic requirements are hard, but if you put in the effort and focus they can be accomplished. There is also a lot of help available if someone is struggling. UCSB is a research university so I think that it is geared toward learning for its own sake.