University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

The best things about UCSB is Santa Barbara (the beach, the weather, the palm trees) and Isla Vista (one square mile of fiends, parties, and fun). If I could change one thing, I would take the oil rigs of the coast. The size of UCSB is just right, not too large, not too small. When I tell people I go to UCSB, they challenge me to a drinking game; and I usually win. I spent most of my time sitting in the sun on campus or shopping at the University Center. COLLEGE TOWN ALL THE WAY. The administration is great. Biggest controversy on campus while I was there was the Iraq war. There is A TON of UCSB school pride. Everyone uses acronyms (FT, DP, IV, btw, wtf, ect.) I will always remember Cinco de Mayo freshman year, the friends for life that I made in the dorms (FT 03'!) and the shenanigans we shared. Most frequent student complaints is being hungover in class.

Hands down, the beach is the best thing that UCSB has to offer. Take any afternoon in spring quarter, and wander down Del Playa beach, where you will find thousands of hott, young, college students. Nothing else to say to that. The one thing that I think the school could do better about is somehow provide better parking structures on campus...finding parking can be such a bitch.

i like the beachy, laid-back vibe, but it can get overwhelming sometimes, especially when you start to concern yourself with world events- the rest of the world seems much more productive. as an out-of-state student from a major city, moving to sb was a really big challenge, and it still is. sure, i've found great friends, but i'm used to more hustle-and-bustle. and i hate having to drive everywhere, or at least being dependant on a car, just to do something as simple as getting your nails done or going to the art museum downtown. when your friends can drive home on a whim, it really sinks in how far away from home you are. people often think ucsb is actually IN santa barbara, but that's not the case: it's about a 15-20 minute drive to state street. also, coming from a small, private school was really strange. i really am a number at ucsb, and there is a ton of administrative bullshit that you have to deal with. and academic advisors? what academic advisors? it's pretty difficult to get anything done around here, especially in comparison to my friends at private (or at least smaller) universities. i'm abroad right now and had to figure out EVERYTHING myself. you're really only helped if you go through EAP (the uc-sponsored abroad program). i had to withdrawl from the university, petition my classes (which takes weeks), and i still don't know if i'm getting credit for everything. when i saw one of my friends from bucknell actually had a checklist devised for the study abroad students by the university, i was definitely angry. when i tell adults i go to ucsb, they usually ooh and ahh. and i usually say, "rough life," with a laugh of course. adults are taken by the beauty of santa barbara (they definitely have no idea we live in the shithole of isla vista), but students my age react differently. on my abroad program, whenever i say ucsb, guys look at me a little longer and usually want to buy me a drink. so that's that. isla vista, as i said earlier, is a shithole with mostly bad 70s architecture. parts of DP (del playa drive) are a dream, so at least they have that going for it, but the IV bubble can get pretty tiring after awhile. there is school pride, but not very much in the sports sense. our soccer team is amazing, but wouldn't it be more fun to watch football? we also don't play very athletic schools, so that takes a lot of the fun out. everyone has sb sweatshirts, which are worn on cold days.

Best thing: right on the beach. I'd change: the way the lagune smells- bird feces and oil rigs make it stink. School too large. People react to the stereotypes about partying. I spend most of my time at the Dining commons and my res hall. IV is a college town, Santa Barbara not really. UCSBs admin is not helpful, too bureaucratic, students just numbers, too consumed with money, not with students or education. I personally hate dealing with admin because it is so difficult, there is a lot of run around, and they are generally rude and not helpful. And the regents decide a lot with out input or consideration of students. Biggest controversy: raising fees to $10,000, and UC funding war in iraq. not a lot of school. Nothing too unusual. I will always remember my experiences volunteering and as an RA. Most frequent complaint: raising fees

UCSB is awesome. There are a million opportunities and services that can make you're college experience more than worthwhile. Though idiots make it by, there are many respected majors at UCSB that can launch you into any career you want. Research opportunities are available to basically every student, and the career center is rated as one of the top in the nation. Isla Vista is probably one of the safest, funnest college towns in existence. Overall, people are down to set up study sessions, their willing to come hang out on the weekends, and I really can't imagine a better place for a social scene.

iv is definitely a college town, which is awesome because you always see people you know and everyone understands the college culture. there's not too much of college pride tho. maybe this has to do w/ the lack of a football team... people do get into soccer, and some into basketball, but the main pride of ucsb is in drinking/partying the academic advantage to ucsb is that there are some smart ppl around, but not an overwhelming amt. you have the opportunity to be intellectual if u so choose, but the classes arent so competitive that you cant get good grades if u want them.

ucsb is the perfect school.. not too big, not too small, right on the beach, great party and social atmosphere, respected as being a UC school, caring administration, tons of school pride and the best college experience i could ask for.

I love the campus and the people at UCSB. The campus is gorgeous and the people are friendly and easygoing. Isla Vista has it ups and downs, but living off campus in an apartment is just as close (if not closer) than living in the dorms.

Isla Vista is a bubble. You will probably never be able to afford property this close to the beach later in life. Take advantage of this city, go hiking, go swimming, learn how to surf, and soak it all in. It's a lovely area, the campus is beautiful and will continue to be updated.

Best thing: the campus is RIGHT on the beach. One thing I'd change: the environment of Isla Vista. School is just right. People are a bit surprised when I tell them I go to UCSB. Most of my time on campus = Lab where I have my internship College town = Isla Vista. Yay! :D UCSB's administration = sucks. Biggest controversy on campus = possible increase of minimum class units School pride = yes but not in the same sense like UCLA. We're just proud to be Gauchos Unusual about UCSB = not that I can think of One experience you'll always remember = First time getting drunk the most frequent student complaints = cost of textbooks