University of California--Santa Barbara

Statistics

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Rankings & Lists

Students Say - Academics
University of California-Santa Barbara is "a beautiful, laid-back learning institute on the beach," yet students say it's much more than a great place to get a tan. This prestigious public school is "one of the best research universities in the country," which "attracts many excellent professors" as well as a cadre of dedicated students. Maybe it's the sunny weather, but "professors here are more accessible than [at] other universities," and they are "genuinely interested in helping the students learn." To offset anonymity at this large school, high-achieving students can apply to the school's College of Creative Studies (CCS), "a selective and prestigious small college within the university," which allows students to pursue advanced coursework in their declared major from day one. Within the CCS, "The class sizes are very small, the teachers are experienced and knowledgeable, [and] the program is really great for learning without pressure." Throughout the university, undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in faculty projects or to "do original research," and "The library is enormous and is connected to the libraries of each UC campus, giving students access to the second largest library system in the world." Despite a myriad of resources, prospective students should be aware that, "The UC budget crisis is causing calamity when it comes to registering for the classes you want-especially if you are a lowly freshman."

Students Say - Campus Life
Bordered by the mountains to the north, the ocean to the south, and the college town to the west, UCSB is a veritable paradise. Here, students have the luxury of deciding, "whether they want to go surf or spend the day playing volleyball in the park." "Greek life is not as large at UC Santa Barbara as it is at other universities;" however, the school is "widely known for its massive parties" in the Isla Vista neighborhood near campus. Expressive rather than exclusive, "The parties are as varied as the students, with an emphasis on having fun and not on drugs, violence, or risky behavior. Every person, no matter who they are, can find a party that they will enjoy." In addition to nightlife, students love "exploring downtown Santa Barbara-which is so much more than just State Street-hiking around campus, kayaking in the ocean, or simply spending quality time with friends." On campus, "a cappella groups, orchestras and bands, and theater groups provide outlets for artsy students," and many students "love playing sports with other students, both in intramural games and independently-organized [games]." When describing the campus environment, the word "idyllic" comes to mind. A resident student details, "I step out of my door and am only a few steps away from Carrillo, one of the three on-campus dining halls. Directly next to Carrillo is a swimming pool, and right across the way there is a community center with a piano, televisions, a pool and ping-pong table, and comfortable chairs."

Students Say - Student Body
At this beautiful, beachfront school, the typical undergraduate is a "white kid from California that likes to have fun, go out on the weekends, but knows when to take his or her studies seriously." UCSB has a reputation as a party school, and you'll certainly meet a student or two who "enjoys 'ragers' and [is] failing calculus because they were too busy surfing." But, on the opposite side of the spectrum, many students (especially those in the College of Creative Studies) "are highly driven toward the field that they choose for their major." UCSB does not have the diversity you might find at University of California's urban campuses. Nonetheless, "there are people from all sorts of backgrounds, levels of income, and religions," and "Almost everybody here at UCSB is extremely friendly. Nobody is judgmental or discriminatory." Given the school's spectacular surroundings, it's not surprising that "a general commonality among many people seems to be a love of the beach or at least an appreciation for the beautiful surroundings."

Other Schools To Consider Top Programs