The University of California - Santa Barbara

Date: Feb 16 2008
Major: Economics (This Major's Salary over time)
The University of California Santa Barbara has a lot to offer. It is an amazing mixture of rigorous academics, amazing geographic location, and a great college atmosphere.

The academics are challenging and provide a strong foundation, not only in your field of study but in a broad background. You are required to take many general education requirements in the areas of math and science, social science, culture, arts, history, language, and literature. So despite the fact that UCSB does not offer a liberal arts type of degree you will still get a broad general education background. Majors here are broad as well, for example there is not marketing or business admin major, rather they have business economics which offers a background in economics, accounting and business so you can apply it too a wide range of jobs. UCSBs reputation has increased tremendously in recent years, it is the 44th best national university, 13th best public and is number 4 in amount of applications received in the UC system.

The campus is beautiful. It is situated on a peninsula type area which is surrounded by water. There is also a large man made lagoon adjacent to the UCEN and the ocean. The campus buildings are not consistent. Aside from a few old buildings and the dorms the rest of the campus has modern architecture everywhere. Many of the old buildings also have been remodeled for a more up-to-date interior and exterior. The campus is well maintained and is constantly expanding. There is always some construction project but this just indicates the future growth and reputation of the campus.

The college atmosphere is one of the best in the country. The college is not actually located in the city of Santa Barbara. The downtown is a ten minute drive from campus, but there are free busses that can take you back and forth. Downtown is a beautiful is full of places to eat and shop, it is expensive. The town adjacent to the campus is called Isla Vista. It is a one square mile town full of mostly of apartments. The town is also adjacent to the beach with numerous parks and stairs leading down to the ocean. The town is comprised of 75 % college kids from UCSB and SBCC, this account for the party atmosphere that is attached to UCSB. This reputation is defiantly accurate. The party scene here is intense. I have had many friends who have visited here and say that they have never been to a place that parties like us. The partying is fun but it does get old, the partying will subside and wont be as constant as freshman year once you grow out of it. The partying is fun but it is not a sole reason to pick UCSB, I know kids who only choose UCSB to party and they left after one quarter or the first year cause they failed out. As long as you can find balance between school and your social life it will all work out fine and you will have the best time.

Overall, UCSB is the best. Some take the relaxed beach and academic atmosphere and social life as a sign that student here arent serious about school or their future, this is an over exaggeration. Yes, some students arent serious but some are too serious, just like any other university. To be sure you like it here you should defiantly just visit and talk to students, dont go off of stories youre here about UCSB from high school rumors like extremely high STD rates.