<p>Okay, so I got into UCSB for bio, which I didn't think would happen. I am SO excited because I've gone down to that area for concerts and I absolutely fell in love with it. Also, one of my best friend's mom went there and she really loved it, and she always encourages me to consider it. But my mom basically says NO because of it's reputation as a party school, and she said that if I don't get into UCI then I can just go to UCSC or UCR. How can I convince her that I won't go crazy and drop out (even though I've always been responsible) so that I can attend my top choice?</p>
<p>Explain to her that UCSB is only classified as a party school because of one big bash it has once a year(and promise her you won’t go), it’s ranked higher academically than either SC or R, and that drugs and alcohol are widely available at UCSC and UCR anyway.</p>
<p>Hmm. Well, there are drugs and alcohol at any college. However, UCSB really is a party school.</p>
<p>Perhaps you could type up a contract, that you will maintain a certain GPA at UCSB, and if you don’t, you get cut off of funds/you transfer to a different school.</p>
<p>Just try and convince her best that you can that you understand you will be going there to study and not to party.</p>
<p>I personally wouldn’t recommend mentioning bad things about the other schools though, I mean, she might decide she doesn’t want you going to either of those…</p>
<p>Maybe try going on the tour? My parents didn’t really want me going to UCSB because it’s pretty far away (6 hours) & they heard it’s a party school, but we went on the tour during summer and now they’re fine with it.</p>
<p>You can use me for an example. I go to UCSB now and I almost didn’t because of the party reputation, but I felt like it was where I needed to be. I was choosing between UCSB and UCSC and when I look back at it, I am SO happy that I made my choice of UCSB. Yes there is a party reputation, and maybe justifiably so as there is a pretty big party scene in Isla Vista. But with 2/3 of the year over with, I am yet to even go to a party. I have been in IV on a Friday night and on Halloween, but everybody has there own thing. Just being around parties doesn’t necessarily mean that you will party. Most the friends that I have here have the same mindset as I do, as we don’t party or do the whole drinking and smoking scene. I really believe UCSB is a place for everybody. If you want to party, there are plenty of opportunities for that, as with nearly every school. But if you just want to go to a beautiful and relaxing place to focus on your studies, this place is perfect for that as well. You will only get absorbed in the party scene if you choose to. There is more to do in the Santa Barbara/Goleta/Isla Vista area than just party, and its simply up to you and what you are interested in getting involved with.</p>
<p>Feel free to ask me any questions about this as well.</p>
<p>I know that UCSB is a party school, but I firmly believe that if you are not interested in that type of stuff, you will not do it. I have had friends who have gotten in that scene (drinking, partying, eventually going to independent study, drugs, etc) and believe me, I’ve been offered every drug and been invited to all of those types of parties. But I have NEVER chosen to go/participate. I know I have very strong will power but since I am the baby of the family, my parents believe otherwise. I live 3 hours away from SB, and I don’t think I’ll be able to convince them to take a tour (my parents are very Asian and will probably complain about gas, time, money, etc) but I’ll give it a try!</p>
<p>I am interested in Santa Barbara because of the area/music scene. I love how there are indie artists playing there all the time and that it’s right there on the beach. I am confident that I’ll be able to find friends who share my interests, and I know that I pretty much get along with everyone anyway. Plus, I will do better academically if I am more focused on my education than my peers. Regardless of it’s label, I really think that it is a good fit for me.</p>
<p>My parents also stopped my sister from going to Berkeley, and made her go to UCI to stay close to home. Since she’s the first child though, I’ve convinced my parents to allow me to do a lot of things she couldn’t (prom, overnight trips, going to NYC for field trips, etc) but this a life-altering decision which will need more persuasion! Has anyone else had to deal with their parents worries?</p>
<p>Thanks, chasen! I knew there’d be people like me. 
Did you have to convince your parents to let you go?</p>
<p>Well, honestly, if one of the main points that attracts you to it is the indie music scene, you might actually prefer UCSC. It is also right on the beach.</p>
<p>However, it might depend on what you classify as “indie music.”</p>
<p>Really, I didn’t know UCSC had an indie scene too! That definitely is a plus.
UCSC is SO far though… over 6 hours compared to 3 hours. UCSB is only 2 hours away from my best friend.
I want to be away from my parents, but not so far that I couldn’t come down for weekends, etc.</p>
<p>Well, UCSC is more of the “true” indie scene…bands that are really independent…not really bands like Death Cab For Cutie, etc etc. </p>
<p>UCSC is almost the epitome of indie though.</p>
<p>Haha, no, I don’t like bands like that, actually I am more of a folk/indie person, but I’ve gone to SB for a lot of concerts and I’ve always wished I lived down there so I wouldn’t have to travel 3 hours and beg my parents to go.</p>
<p>That’s really good to know though, now the only downside to UCSC for me is the distance and (only slightly) the academics…</p>
<p>Haha, yeah, if you like folk/indie, UCSC is absolutely perfect. There’s a pretty good punk scene too. So yeah, if your parents don’t let you go to UCSB, I’m sure you’ll still be happy at UCSC…however, I would recommend against UCR. I live in Riverside and spend a lot of time at UCR…it’s a little depressing there.</p>
<p>Yeah, UCSB is slightly higher ranked, but according to my college counselor, when applying for jobs and grad school, the difference is apples and oranges.</p>
<p>The distance is obviously something you can’t change though. </p>
<p>Hopefully your parents let you go to UCSB…</p>
<p>Yeah, I don’t want to go to UCR (sorry UCR people)… mostly because it is very hot and I HATE hot weather. Another plus for UCSC. </p>
<p>If I get into UCI I’ll go, but I applied for music there, and I wasn’t as prepared for my audition as I would have liked because it was right after my concerto competition. I know that if I go there then my parents will let me go anywhere I want for grad school, and I’ll be close to my best friends so I’ll still have fun. But if it gets down between UCSC and UCSB… then I have a problem! :(</p>
<p>Show her the rank</p>
<p>and just be like</p>
<p>“Don’t screw me over @#!@$!”</p>
<p>oh yeha</p>
<p>Visit UCSC and take your parents downtown. They might look more kindly on UCSB! Downtown Santa Cruz is definitely different.
While UCSC is a beautiful campus, it is isolated up on the hill. The town gown relations are improving, but still not great. Our slogan is “Keep Santa Cruz Weird”
UCSB has IV next to it, and Santa Barbara very close by. Take your parents to downtown SB. It’s much more parent friendly.</p>
<p>Hello, I am a parent . My D has got in to UCR,UCI ( Engg) and UCSB (College of creative studies) for fall 2009. We too felt it was a party school but after visiting the campus , meeting the prof. we are convinced it is the school best suited for her. BTW we are from India . We would be happy to talk to ur parents about our experience at the campus.</p>
<p>Wow, orange, that’s great. My parents are Asian and traditional, so I’m glad it worked out for her since we’re in the same boat. I’m going to try to convince my parents to go down there and take a tour with me to check it out! Hopefully it’ll convince them, do you have any suggestions on where I should take them and such?</p>
<p>^^Possibly to the Museum on State Street? Maybe the SB mission? Stearns Warf? THE BEACH! haha</p>
<p>I’m from SB so I know a lot of places.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, I’ve seen that museum and that might be good.
I had a long talk with my mom last night and she said, “Wow. I really know now that you’ve grown up a lot.” so I hope that is a good sign!
The more I hear about UCSB, the more I think it would be a good fit. It has good academics (and is better ranked than the other schools my mother would prefer me to go to), but the people are still laid back and fun for me. </p>
<p>I’m planning to major in Bio and study music, do you guys know if SB is good in these areas?</p>