Sara
Greek life is getting pretty big here. People are into our soccer and basketball games, and some of our water polo games. I am involved in ADPi, so our greek system. UCSB greek system is great, everyone is close, its getting big, but it is still small enough that we are all friends.
Brittany
The most popular groups on campus mainly are within the Greek system. I personally, am a member of one of the 10 esteemed sororities on UCSB's campus. People are very friendly and welcoming in the Greek system. Athletic events are very popular, at least in my eyes. I love attending them and showing my school spirit. I personally am dating someone who goes to Cal Poly Slo, so the dating scene has never really been integrated within my stay here in Santa Barbara. If I am awake on a 2am on a Tuesday, I am normally either studying, hanging out with friends, or on the computer (like I am right now haha). Last weekend, I actually went to visit my boyfriend in Slo, and it was actually my birthday weekend, so I had a lot of fun up there, visiting old friends.
Jennifer
frats and sororities are awesome but not necessary. other kids drink and have fun too and there is definitely some mingling. people drink anywhere from 0 nights a week to 7. in the greek system though i would say people average anywhere from 3-5. dating scene is a little tricky as a lot of guys think they can just get you drunk, fuck you and bounce in the morning. But there are definitely great guys out there, just look. For those who don't drink there are always movies playing and improvability which is funny as hell. and during the day ppl bum around iv, go to the beach, and a lot go to state street.
Laura
People party a lot. Possibly too much. Downtown is too far away to get the motivation to go down there. I wish there was more of a club nightlife closer by.
Leah
Partying is a big deal here. On any given night you can pretty much find some party to go to, even if it is just a few people drinking or smoking. The greek system isn't that important, but it is a good way to meet people for those that are interested. Dating is very limited, espeically in the greek system. People are more interested in hooking up then dating.
Andy
greek life is strong, but not essential.
people party every night of the week, but not everyone parties all the time.
soccer is popular but no other athletics have a strong following.
guest speakers and theaters are GREAT.
dating is comprised of casual hookups or serious relationships. there's really no in between.
Ryan
I am involved in a sorority here on campus, and I absolutely love it. Although one need not be involved in the Greek system to find fun on any given night of the week, I find it a great experience. Many people are in the Greek system, but many more are involved in countless other activities. What I enjoy is that the Greeks who I know do not discriminate against non-Greeks or deem them "not as good;" I am friends with non-Greeks as well as Greeks. Every night of the week is pretty different for me, and I can be found doing anything from spending all night in the library, turning in early, or partying until the wee hours of morning when I have to wake up for class soon. People here party often, but it's really up to the individual. Some traditions and events include Floatopia and recently the Undie Run, as well as throwing tortillas on the soccer field during games.
The dorms are great. I love my floor and everyone is very friendly. I play intramural soccer with my hall mates and it's alot of fun. People here leave there doors open and unlocked many times, and I feel I can totally trust my neighbors. Plus my RA is awesome.
Vanessa
Joining the Greek system is not necessary to have a good time here, but i highly reccommend it. People party regardless, but the greek system offers so much more. also, probably because it is a beach town, people work out a lot here and the gym is usually really crowded.
Tate
Most of the social activities here center around partying. There is a party to go to every night if you so choose, but you can also choose not to drink. It is rare to find people that do not drink and go out, but I have met a few. Greek life is pretty significant; 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student body is involved in Greek life.
Lauren
I do not really know what the most popular groups on campus are. For me, the most popular is the Greek system, but that is only because I am a part of it and almost all of my social events are associated with Greeks. I am involved with the sorority Alpha Delta Pi. It has been one of the best decisions I have made. I have met so many good girls and made so many close friends through the sorority. It was an amazing way to meet people fast and form friendships when the college experience seemed intimidating. Students did leave their doors open a lot in the beginning of the year to make friends and meet new people, but as the year progressed the doors stay closed but unlocked. Soccer is the most popular athletic event along with basketball. Besides that sports is not too big a part of our campus. The dating scene at UCSB is pretty much non-existent. I do not know if it is due to being Greek, but it seems as though the dating scene consists of just "hooking up." I met my closest friends on my floor and through my sorority. At 2am on a Tuesday, I am usually in my room on my computer or watching a movie. Floatopia is an event that occurs each year on campus. It is where a bunch of people go down to the beach and hang out and swim for the entire day. People party a lot here. Usually every day of the weekend and some weekdays. Frats and sororities are only 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the campus social life, but being involved with them it is a huge part of my life here. Last weekend, i went to a frat both nights, drank, and then watched a movie with my sorority sisters. If you do not want to drink on a Saturday night going down to State Street for shopping dinner and a movie can be extremely fun.
Vanessa
I think that the Greek system is one of the most popular groups, but that's because I'm a part of it. Sorority life is great. Besides from all the stereotypical partying that goes on, there's a lot more to it. You can really find a group of friends that you can trust and know will be there for the rest of your life. Students used to leave their doors open at the beginning of the school year but after about a month, doors closed. There really isn't a big dating scene. People kind of just let to go out and hang with new people. Usually I'm lying in bed chatting on instant messenger to my best friend who lives four doors down because my roommate is asleep. Athletic events aren't popular with everyone. People come out for the big games, and for a lot of the soccer games, but its not as popular as other campuses. There's an event called Floatopia that happens at the beginning of every quarter. Everyone heads to the beach and gets rafts and hangs out in the water and on the beach. There's an Undie Run, that happens the last week of winter quarter to relieve stress during finals week.
Katie
Greek life is great.
Parker
I am in the sorority Alpha Phi and I really enjoy it:) I also live in the dorms and the people on my floor are extremely friendly and doors are all open! UCSB is a very social campus and is known for its party scene and I also enjoy it for that reason!
Mary
Greek life is big at this school. Students either love it or hate it! Athletic events are semi-popular, but not events that everyone attends. I met my closest friends through the dorms and my sorority. Sororities are extremely important to those involved and considered stupid to those uninvolved. Off campus we go to the beach, drink in IV, and ride our bikes.
Casey
Really, really, rowdy!
Jessica
the dorms are the best social starting point. then GREEK LIFE is the next!!! greek life is AMAZINGGGGGG. the best thing i have ever done! good connections, best friends, and AMAZING memories. if you dont join, DP and all of IV is a good social scene as well!! there is ALWAYS something to do in IV!!! not everyone drinks, but alot of us do! there are some people who get out of hand, but most of us know how to control ourselves. DATING? no way. not here. most guys take these four years as "the last four years they have to screw around" so trust me, you do NOT want to date an IVer, ESP a FRAT GUY!! ha
Kelsey
Always guest speakers, plays, and concerts on campus. Sororities and Fraternities aren't a huge population but they are growing. Some traditions are floatopia, undie run, and many others. The beach parties are huge. Dorm life is amazing. State Street has excellent shopping downtown.
A typical weekend for me:
Friday- Open frat party I got home very late
Saturday- wake up around 9:30 go to a BBQ, spend the rest of the day at the beach for Floatopia, go to dinner in town with friends, go party on Del Playa for the rest of the night
Sunday- wake up around 11 go to brunch with my whole hall, go shopping downtown with my sorority sisters, stay up till two am doing that weeks homework.
Dale
Frats and sororities are pretty big but you don't need to be in one to make friends or to have fun. Currently i am the art director for the daily nexus which is pretty chill, i draw and get paid for it. I also am involved in intramural sports and attend the gym regularly. Everything is pretty close by so it's easy to get to. It's easy to go downtown to the clubs or bars during the week and on the weekends. House parties are all over the Isla Vista Community. In a nut shell SB is a great social atmosphere.
Casey
The social life is awesome. Lots of people are in the greek system, but you definitely don't need to be in order to be social. I am on the cheerleading squad and that is also a really good way to meet people, along with all the other sports teams.
Charlie
guest speakers arent really promoted that well, in my opinion, but there are just so many things going on here at all times, so its hard to be interested in every event that occurs.