UCSB is an amazing university located in beautiful Santa Barbara, California and is surrounded. UCSB will provide any student with great academics, a healthy social life, ways to get involved and most importantly a degree that you can be proud of. I wouldn't trade my experience here for anything.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Don't focus solely on good grades. Our admissions counselors look at 3 main things in regards to applications--grades, test scores and extra-curricular activities. While grades may seem the most important, you're more likely to get admitted if you have a combo of all three of these values.
Don't be afraid to apply undecided as far as majors go.Undecided is our most popular major for incoming freshman and you have up until the end of your second year to pick a major.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
UCSB is ranked as the 10th best public university in the United States (US News and World Report)!! Classes here are challenging but definitely manageable!
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I actually quite enjoyed dorm life at UCSB. We are very spoiled in that many of our residence halls have ocean views. It may be the only time in our lives we'll have the opportunity to live on the beach! The view from my room freshman year was beautiful! About 98% of freshman live on campus their freshman year. I would highly, highly recommend living in the residence halls your first year because its great way to meet people and really get to know the campus. It's quite common that you'll end up living with people you met in the residence halls during your subsequent years at UCSB. The RA's also put on a lot of fun events during the year (we had a Superbowl party, pancake party, movies, etc).
UCSB students are also very spoiled because our bathrooms get cleaned every day and our rooms get cleaned every two weeks. The cleaning staff empties your trash, vacuums and cleans your mirrors. Pretty awesome.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
There are four different dining commons at UCSB and each has its own specialty. De La Guerra (DLG) specializes in Mexican food, Ortega always has sushi at lunch and dinner, Carillo's specialty is Mongolian barbeque and Portola always has different types of bars (chili bar, burger bar). There are also always vegetarian and vegan options at every meal. Ortega provides take-out sack breakfasts or lunches for students who don't have time to sit down to a full meal in between classes (or if you want to have lunch on the beach after class with friends!). DLG also has late-night dining from 9pm to midnight on weeknights and serves everything that is not very healthy for you like burgers and fries (but that's all you really want at 9 o'clock at night anyway!). It's fun to take a break from cramming for finals to grab a bite to eat.
The dining commons post their menus for the week online, which is nice because you can check which dining commons has the best food for that evening. Also, if you have certain allergies (nuts, gluten, milk, etc) or a food lifestyle (vegan or vegetarian) there is an online program where you can see what options fit your needs at each dining commons for that meal. All dining commons have a salad bar, fruit, breads, cereals, stuff to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and pizza.
The quality of the food is actually quite good! I was expecting average cafeteria-style food and was pleasantly surprised with how good the food is.
As far as meal plans go, students have several options. If you live on campus you are required to have a meal plan. Students can choose from have 10 meals per week, 14 meals per week, 17 meals per week or unlimited meals per week. I would recommend 14 meals per week because it keeps you covered by the dining commons meals, but is flexible enough that you can go out to eat with friends if you want. By meals these are meals you are allowed to use in the campus dining commons. You also have the option of adding $300, ...
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
The real question is what isn't there to do? UCSB is one of the only universities in the country with its own private beach and given the lovely California weather, you'll definitely find students on the beach on a sunny day! Students also like to go on picturesque hikes in the Santa Ynez mountains, a mountain range that frames the campus on one side. UCSB is also a short bus ride from downtown Santa Barbara which has tons of stores to shop in, movie theaters and restaurants!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Given the recent economic times, college is definitely not cheap. However, I'm paying the same amount as students who go to other big public schools and am getting more out of it. I live on the beach, I'm involved on my campus, I can get personal attention from my professors and TAs, I'm able to get help when I need it, I get the classes I need and I don't feel like I'm being overwhelmed by ultra-competitive students (not to say our students aren't competitive; it's more like everyone likes to help each other succeed). Some students from other public schools just can't say that.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
UCSB is obsessed with our soccer team! At soccer games, one of our quirky traditions is to throw tortillas onto the field--when ref's make bad calls AND when ref's make good calls!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Students looking for a school that has the total package: academics, great location, friendly student population, school spirit and fun and tons of ways to get involved.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are over 300 student organizations on campus with a wide range of interests (from career-oriented to volunteering to culture-centered to just-for-fun!). You'll definitely find a club for you! There also is an intramural sports program with almost any sport available, where you can get together with your friends and create a team and compete against teams of friends. Our campus favorite is intertube water polo!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are about 10 sororities and 10 fraternities that have actual houses and there are also a handful of interest-based (pre-med, pre-law, culture-centered) sororities and fraternities. Our Greek life is large enough that if you want to participate you will find a house that fits your needs, but at the same time it is small enough that if you do not want to participate, you don't feel pressured to do so.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Our campus is pretty safe and I've never felt in danger. Our biggest crime on campus is bike theft and I like to think that says a lot about the safety of our campus, since the main concern is whether our bicycles get stolen, as opposed to vandalism or threats. There is also a handy 24-hour escort service that you can use in case you are leaving your library late or have a late class; an official escort can walk you or ride next to you on a bike until you get to your destination safely.
UCSB is an amazing university located in beautiful Santa Barbara, California and is surrounded. UCSB will provide any student with great academics, a healthy social life, ways to get involved and most importantly a degree that you can be proud of. I wouldn't trade my experience here for anything.
Don't focus solely on good grades. Our admissions counselors look at 3 main things in regards to applications--grades, test scores and extra-curricular activities. While grades may seem the most important, you're more likely to get admitted if you have a combo of all three of these values. Don't be afraid to apply undecided as far as majors go.Undecided is our most popular major for incoming freshman and you have up until the end of your second year to pick a major.
UCSB is ranked as the 10th best public university in the United States (US News and World Report)!! Classes here are challenging but definitely manageable!
I actually quite enjoyed dorm life at UCSB. We are very spoiled in that many of our residence halls have ocean views. It may be the only time in our lives we'll have the opportunity to live on the beach! The view from my room freshman year was beautiful! About 98% of freshman live on campus their freshman year. I would highly, highly recommend living in the residence halls your first year because its great way to meet people and really get to know the campus. It's quite common that you'll end up living with people you met in the residence halls during your subsequent years at UCSB. The RA's also put on a lot of fun events during the year (we had a Superbowl party, pancake party, movies, etc). UCSB students are also very spoiled because our bathrooms get cleaned every day and our rooms get cleaned every two weeks. The cleaning staff empties your trash, vacuums and cleans your mirrors. Pretty awesome.
There are four different dining commons at UCSB and each has its own specialty. De La Guerra (DLG) specializes in Mexican food, Ortega always has sushi at lunch and dinner, Carillo's specialty is Mongolian barbeque and Portola always has different types of bars (chili bar, burger bar). There are also always vegetarian and vegan options at every meal. Ortega provides take-out sack breakfasts or lunches for students who don't have time to sit down to a full meal in between classes (or if you want to have lunch on the beach after class with friends!). DLG also has late-night dining from 9pm to midnight on weeknights and serves everything that is not very healthy for you like burgers and fries (but that's all you really want at 9 o'clock at night anyway!). It's fun to take a break from cramming for finals to grab a bite to eat. The dining commons post their menus for the week online, which is nice because you can check which dining commons has the best food for that evening. Also, if you have certain allergies (nuts, gluten, milk, etc) or a food lifestyle (vegan or vegetarian) there is an online program where you can see what options fit your needs at each dining commons for that meal. All dining commons have a salad bar, fruit, breads, cereals, stuff to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and pizza. The quality of the food is actually quite good! I was expecting average cafeteria-style food and was pleasantly surprised with how good the food is. As far as meal plans go, students have several options. If you live on campus you are required to have a meal plan. Students can choose from have 10 meals per week, 14 meals per week, 17 meals per week or unlimited meals per week. I would recommend 14 meals per week because it keeps you covered by the dining commons meals, but is flexible enough that you can go out to eat with friends if you want. By meals these are meals you are allowed to use in the campus dining commons. You also have the option of adding $300, ...
The real question is what isn't there to do? UCSB is one of the only universities in the country with its own private beach and given the lovely California weather, you'll definitely find students on the beach on a sunny day! Students also like to go on picturesque hikes in the Santa Ynez mountains, a mountain range that frames the campus on one side. UCSB is also a short bus ride from downtown Santa Barbara which has tons of stores to shop in, movie theaters and restaurants!
Given the recent economic times, college is definitely not cheap. However, I'm paying the same amount as students who go to other big public schools and am getting more out of it. I live on the beach, I'm involved on my campus, I can get personal attention from my professors and TAs, I'm able to get help when I need it, I get the classes I need and I don't feel like I'm being overwhelmed by ultra-competitive students (not to say our students aren't competitive; it's more like everyone likes to help each other succeed). Some students from other public schools just can't say that.
UCSB is obsessed with our soccer team! At soccer games, one of our quirky traditions is to throw tortillas onto the field--when ref's make bad calls AND when ref's make good calls!
Students looking for a school that has the total package: academics, great location, friendly student population, school spirit and fun and tons of ways to get involved.
There are over 300 student organizations on campus with a wide range of interests (from career-oriented to volunteering to culture-centered to just-for-fun!). You'll definitely find a club for you! There also is an intramural sports program with almost any sport available, where you can get together with your friends and create a team and compete against teams of friends. Our campus favorite is intertube water polo!
There are about 10 sororities and 10 fraternities that have actual houses and there are also a handful of interest-based (pre-med, pre-law, culture-centered) sororities and fraternities. Our Greek life is large enough that if you want to participate you will find a house that fits your needs, but at the same time it is small enough that if you do not want to participate, you don't feel pressured to do so.
Our campus is pretty safe and I've never felt in danger. Our biggest crime on campus is bike theft and I like to think that says a lot about the safety of our campus, since the main concern is whether our bicycles get stolen, as opposed to vandalism or threats. There is also a handy 24-hour escort service that you can use in case you are leaving your library late or have a late class; an official escort can walk you or ride next to you on a bike until you get to your destination safely.