University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

I like that UCSB is it's own environment. Because campus and IV are separated from Santa Barbara, it gives campus more of a small town feel where you know people wherever you go and everyone hangs out at the same places. I think that most people are pretty laid back and nice and don't mind helping someone out. Most people are here to focus on their own studies and have a good time at college.

People complain about actually having to go class, there is drunken school pride, I never see/experience UCSB's administration and I will always remember rushing the week before school started. When I tell people that I go here, they always assume it is because of the party atmosphere. But really, it's not. I swear.

the best thing about UCSB is the atmosphere-everyone is friendly and laid back and there is not the sort of academic pressure/competition that occurs at UCLA or Berkeley, but everyone is smart. I would change the amount f people that are here...i love going to a big school but it frustrating not always being able to get into the classes you want. Crashing works sometimes but not always. When i tell someone I go to UCSB, they usually say "oh wow thats a great school", but they do throw in the fact that it a party school. but it is normally acknowledged that it is an academically tough school. I spend most of my time in IV, not on campus...but when I'm on campus I hang out in the UCEN since it is has a gorgeous view of the lagoon and it is a good study area. Isla Vista is our college town, and it is amazing...I love our college town, everyone here has a lot of pride about going to UCSB. 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the people here absolutley love it. There are a lot of college parties always, especially on Del Playa, our party street. I will always remember my first time walking down DP on a friday night and being overwhelmr by how cool it was. Biggest complaints are not getting into the best section time. Biggest recent controversy? Sigma Chi getting their charter taken away

I believe that my school is just right. It's perfect here. Since I've been here at UCSB, I've felt a dramatic growth within my own personal life and lifestyle. I am more open, more out going, and best of all more knowledgeable of the world which I live in. I have become more involved in certain movements like protesting the war and being involved in campus related activities. I love UCSB and all that it has to offer. The people here are friendly, approachable, and kind. Yes, there are the occasional mishaps, but overall I feel blessed to be here. I am here for one reason and one reason only: to further myself in education and in doing so accomplish all that I have ever wanted to do; thus in the end I will make my parents proud.

It feels like a college town yet there are thousands of students. Surprisingly you still run into people you know on campus all the time. Outsiders looking in judge us a lot on our "party" name and they assume that we're dumb, but when you're here you realize thats not the case. Almost everyone that comes here LOVES it. even the kids who aren't big partiers (like my roomie). Isla Vista is unique but unfortunately the community is going to give it a "face-lift" that many students are against. It looks fine and it will cause SB to lose its' beachy feel. That sucks. coming to SB was the best decision i ever made.

People don't respect UCSB enough when you tell them where you go - I wish the school would become more selective in accepting applicants and try to elevate the SAT and GPA needed to get in. I feel like a lot of people in my classes aren't up to the university level.

UCSB has probably the prettiest campus EVER. From my dorm room, I have a beautiful ocean view that I am going to be really sad to leave at the end of the year. It is a fun school that always has something going on. Having IV right next to campus is so nice since everything is then in walking distance. Being right on the beach isn't too bad either.

the best thing about ucsb: the people, everyone is laidback and chill. isla vista is ALMOST perfect, but it's not a college town per se. ucsb's administration is okay, but they could use some work for sure. juicy campus was sort of controversial.. there's not a lot of school pride, no one really cares about sports.

I LOVE UCSB. UCSB has the ideal location, the perfect size, an amazing atmosphere, and great academics. When I tell people I attend UCSB, they automatically assume I spend all my time at the beach, when in reality I spend most of it at the library or doing other things, I stay quite busy. I spend alot of my time equally in Isla Vista and on campus, for class and extracurricular activities and socializing. So far, UCSB administration is fine. I am not really familiar with them however, I haven't had much interaction with anyone on faculty other than my professors and TAs. I think there is lots of school pride, especially in sports, mainly in soccer. I wish more people would go to more of the other sporting events (myself included) but all in all I feel UCSB is represented rather well in spirit. I love that there is always something going on. If you're bored or not happy at UCSB, something is wrong with you. I think you have to actually TRY to be bored here. UCSB is unique in it's amazing location, awesome atmosphere, while still maintaining UC prestige. One experience I will always remember is joining a sorority - definitely one of the best decisions of my college career. I did not come to UCSB with my close friends, so the Greek system definitely helped me branch out, come out of my shell, and I have met some of my best friends for life through the Greek system.

UCSB is the smartest party school out there. Our incoming freshman have 4.2 high school GPA's and can still go out/drink more than any SDSU student, hands down. Our students are as dedicated to drinking as they are to their studies, and you can find the same person pulling a late night on Sat and in the library all day on Sunday. If you ask me, UCSB is the ultimate balancing act. We do nothing in moderation and have the best experience ever as a result.