Ask a Current UCSB Student Anything!

<p>for orientation, the upperclassmen gets first choice as they register first. then it’s by orientation date. there are rumors that they only open a few slots per date so that every orientation date have a chance at getting classes but it’s unconfirmed, so if you have an earlier orientation date, you’ll probably have a better pick of classes.</p>

<p>hey GreNerd,</p>

<p>I’m a future applicant that really wants to be prepared and everything to come to UCSB, i’d greatly appreciate it if you looked at my thread and offered any knowledge or help you have</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-santa-barbara/692120-those-who-got-accepted-few-questions-hopefuly-applicant.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-santa-barbara/692120-those-who-got-accepted-few-questions-hopefuly-applicant.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>thanks for your time man :)</p>

<p>

So it shouldn’t matter which session you attend.</p>

<p>what they say online and what actually happens are two different thing. even though i was one of the first to register during my orientation, there were only a handful of spots open for psych1 which is a popular class on campus (with Fridlund). and trying to sign up for a writing1 class which about 50% of the incoming students test out of was a joke</p>

<p>I was accepted to both UCSB and Slo for bioscience major. Which has a more prestigious science department and would be better if I planned to go to grad school? I like the small town atmosphere at Slo but I like the party scene at UCSB. Im worried about being distracted at UCSB and I think Slo would be a better transition from high school but UCSB has an awesome campus. What can you tell me that could help sway my decision?</p>

<p>So all my serious questions have been answered. (Props to the Internet and this site), so I have a trivial one
How’s interracial dating at UCSB?</p>

<p>I’m a black female that tends to date outside of her race so I’m just curious.</p>

<p>Is UCSB gay-friendly? Is UCSB liberal? I know that Cal and UCLA are really famous for how liberal and progressive their students are. But I don’t really know anything about UCSB. Are students at UCSB more liberal or conservative? Are progressive and liberal ideas supported by the majority of the students? Are minorities such as LGBT and different races generally well welcomed at UCSB?
I am very liberal and I just really wanna get into an open environment surrounded by lots of liberal ppl who would influence my thoughts and way of thinking profoundly. I really hope UCSB could provide that for me.
Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>Is UCLA really famous for progressive people? Anyway, during 1970, UC Berkeley and UCSB had the two largest student anti-war movements in all of California, as memorialized in the Beach Boys song “Student Demonstration Time” (forward to 0:40 for a mention):</p>

<p>[YouTube</a> - The Beach Boys - Student Demonstration Time [Alternate Mix]](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB_77DvA0h0]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB_77DvA0h0)</p>

<p>Google Bank of America burning Isla Vista for lots of UCSB’s past history. As for currently, the school definitely has a very liberal population. However, there are a lot of other people of many different beliefs. However, I’m not sure why that concerns you. There’s nothing that strengthens your convictions like hearing people of opposite beliefs.</p>

<p>I can also say that relations between clubs of different political persuasions at UCSB is very good, unlike some other campuses. Like San Francisco State, where conservative groups are constantly harassed. The Campus Democrats and College Republicans hold an annual debate at IV Theatre 2 which is usually packed and they cosponsor a lot of events.</p>

<p>Ryan-</p>

<p>UCSB, and SB in general is liberal for the most part, and very open to gays. UCSB has a “queer student union,” in fact. I wouldn’t worry.</p>

<p>I’d say a big misconception a lot of people have is generalizing our population. I don’t think any place like UCSB, with 20,000 kids from different backgrounds, can be completely homogenous. There’s party-goers, but there’s also nerds. There are tolerant people, there are not-so tolerant people (although the latter is probably in the minority). </p>

<p>I was kind of addressing the questions about interracial dating and the gay-friendly question. Interracial dating wouldn’t be a problem… I’m not sure if I know of any place where it would be. I’d say UCSB is gay-friendly for the most part - most college campuses are liberal in this way.</p>

<p>are students at UCSB guranteed housing for 4 years?
how does the housing work</p>

<p>^You’re guaranteed housing freshman year, after that it’s on a lottery basis.</p>

<p>Unless you are a Chancellors or Regents scholar. In that case you’re guaranteed all four years.</p>

<p>Thanks, guys.
rc251, I absolutely would listen to ppl that have different ideas. It’s just that sometimes I’m kinda afraid that I can’t find any ppl share the same beliefs with me.
Besides, UCSB’s policies towards LGBT students are not as comprehensive as Cal’s or UCLA’s. That’s basically what I’m most concerned about and what makes me wonder if it’s a conservative school. And that’s why I asked.</p>

<p>The school is definitely liberal. Here’s an article you can read about an annual event it hosts:</p>

<p>[Queer</a> Pride Week Event To Promote Marriage Rights - Daily Nexus](<a href=“http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=16683]Queer”>http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=16683)</p>

<p>How long does it take from IV to sbcc with bus? is it hard to get there without a car?</p>

<p>also wich dorm would u recommend for a SBCC student? tropicana gardens or Fontainebleu? </p>

<p>Thanks / Marcus</p>

<p>There’s a shuttle (15X) that runs between Isla Vista and SBCC and takes 35 minutes:</p>

<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.sbmtd.gov/Lines/Line_15.htm]MTD[/url”>http://www.sbmtd.gov/Lines/Line_15.htm]MTD[/url</a>]</p>

<p>are there “in” crowds that exist? do you have to be part of the “in” crowd to party? what else besides drinking, partying, and going to the beach can you do in UCSB (since its a rather isolated area)?</p>

<p>I would say no. Partying is pretty much available to anyone. I’d say maybe the fraternity/sorority system is somewhat like that (I was a part of it) but in general no. As for other things to do, I made a map here, though I haven’t continued to update it since there didn’t seem to be much demand:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-santa-barbara/688318-map-isla-vista-ucsb.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-santa-barbara/688318-map-isla-vista-ucsb.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>By the way, since downtown Santa Barbara is a really hot tourist destination, there’s a lot more attractions here than the typical amount for a city of similar size.</p>

<p>Do we have to keep up a 3.0 weighted for the whole year or just per semester? </p>

<p>This is the contract …</p>

<p>“# Achieve at least a 3.0 GPA (weighted) in your senior year UC ‘a-g’ coursework and be in “good standing” (minimum 2.0 GPA) in your last term.”</p>

<p>No idea on that one, hopefully someone can answer it. As a 2003 high school grad I barely remember those days :)</p>