<p>I think it's hard to judge housing prices. For example, the areas directly around LA and Berkeley are very expensive as well.</p>
<p>I really can't compare UCSB to Irvine because I've never been to that campus nor do I have any experience with it.</p>
<p>That is very interesting about the out of towner kids who are the ones really mucking around. Thank you for that statistic, I will tell my family about it.</p>
<p>Fantasy05, USC is a better school than UCSB. But is it worth the money? Maybe, maybe not. It depends on your major, your bank account, and your personality. If UCSB is a perfect fit for you why spend $45,000 a year at USC? The only reason I can give for going to USC is if you fall in love with the school and can look into the future and see USC as being an investment for a job through the alumni connections. </p>
<p>I am a USC student and I was able to perceive the school to be a catalyst for my profession--business. The undergrad is 9th in the nation and even though it is a lot of money to go to school, I figured it would pay off later. This is a risk I have taken.</p>
<p>Yeah, USC is considered to be a better school, and of course it is more well known, so the decision is up to you. I think you said you live near Irvine, so it wouldn't be too far for you to visit both schools and talk to counselers and really get to know both of the schools.</p>
<p>Anyway, like I said, I really enjoy UCSB. We are in a bit of a massive reorganization/building stage, so the campus will look even better soon. We have the Center</a> For Film, Television & New Media coming soon, which got kicked off by a $1 million donation from Michael Douglas. We have the new Autism</a> Research Center that should open in two years (and the architecture of the buildings will be nicer!</a>)</p>
<p>This winter quarter, we have one of the biggest professors from Dartmouth transferring</a> to UCSB to head a new Center for the Study of the Mind. This guy was so big at Dartmouth that many are upset to see him leave. See [url=<a href="http://www.thedartmouth.com/article.php?aid=2005100702020%5Dhere%5B/url">http://www.thedartmouth.com/article.php?aid=2005100702020]here[/url</a>] and [url=<a href="http://www.dartreview.com/archives/2005/11/07/why_won_t_the_faculty_stay.php%5Dhere%5B/url">http://www.dartreview.com/archives/2005/11/07/why_won_t_the_faculty_stay.php]here[/url</a>]. UCSB has a relatively small proportion of graduate students, so I think with the completion of the graduate student housing and addition of these new centers, UCSB will gain more prominent graduate programs that will help bolster it's image.</p>
<p>And yeah, UCSB has always had the problem of figuring out how to deal with out-of-town trouble makers. The dorms have an extremely strict ban on guests (this year Halloween was on a Monday, and we could not have ANY guests, except those that lived in dorms, from Thursday night to Tuesday morning, and UCSB tries to restrict parking).</p>
<p>i know UCSB is very good
but what i wondering is, the party scene
ok say tomorrow ive a big midterm final, tonight, my dorm roomate party w/friends at dorm, rap song all night long
what can I do? a pistol is necessary at UCSB?</p>
<p>My dorm is pretty quiet. There's a lounge room and a study room. I've spent pulled 2 all nighters this quarter and had no problem working in my dorm all night. Near my dorms, there are also study rooms in a building close by available that are open until 2am, and you could also go to the Library which has a 24 hour study room.</p>
<p>The party scene I feel is completely over blown and overrated, except for Halloween. I'm speaking as a third year who has been to a fair share. I've had some friends study abroud at Washington DC and exclaimed that they make our parties look completely lame because theirs is so massive in comparison to ours. The parties are simply hype. </p>
<p>I admit though, it did get pretty loud in dorms my freshmen year, but that's because everyone was excited about being in college. My second year and now third i've never had trouble with noise. And even if you had trouble with noise, you could just complain to your RA about the noise level, and they'll shut them up promptly. If you have trouble with your roommate, simple, talk to them. My first year roommate and I didn't really have anything in common. However we were both understanding to each others privacy, study habits, and guests.</p>
<p>I'm Asian myself, most of my friends back home were Asian. The transition to UCSB where the general population is of caucasian didn't really bother me, in fact, it made me feel a bit special since I was of minority. I had no trouble making new friends, and in fact, I even met my now girlfriend there who is also of Asian decent. </p>
<p>I suggest you visit each school. I was accepted into all the UCs except for UCB and UCLA, so it was pretty much down to choosing UCSD, UCI, and UCD for me. UCSB wasn't even in question for me because everyone said it was a "party school" ravaged by STDs. However after a visit, I fell in love with the place and i've never looked back on my decision. (The STD thing is a myth also, we're below average nationally.) UCSD had a very cold feeling, and their staff wasn't really friendly. UCI's Engineering presentation turned me off because their advisers had no clue what they were talking about. UCSB seemed to do everything right. They were beyond friendly and welcoming during orientation and was very informing about what I was getting into as a Computer Science major. I was sold.</p>
<p>It troubles me a little bit that I work so hard to get the grades, and yet most people just dismiss the school as a "party school." So just be prepared for that if you do decide to go here.</p>
<p>Aside: The beach is awesome. You've no clue how many times it has cleared my head just by jogging around there at midnight. I even asked out my girlfriend there with a ton of shooting stars that are clearly visible over head. There are times during summer where the moon hits the water just right and gives a scene that's just undescribable.</p>
<p>UCI has a much larger Asian student population. Your first year at UCSB you will probably be in a dorm, but then you'll end up in an overpriced dump of an apartment in Isla Vista. Consider UCI first; nice area close to the beach (not as close as UCSb)</p>
<p>hey so, yen, how is the asian population at SB?</p>
<p>As a first year, first quarter student here, I like it very much. </p>
<p>I'm not much of a "party person" and it's easy to avoid if that's not what you're into. </p>
<p>People only assume it's a party school, because that's the repuation it's had. It's a self-fulling prophecy.</p>
<p>As well, it was rated ~ 35 in the US News and World Report on the best public schools in the nation, proving that UCSB students work hard, and play hard. </p>
<p>There are alternatives to partying, including an Improv show every Friday as well as many plays and shows. State Street is also popular form of entertainment, with shops, food, and many movie theaters.</p>
<p>I was an AP/IB student in HS, and I find the classes equally challenging. There are many opportunities for help if you need it, too. CLAS offers a wide variety of tutoring services, some of which I have found useful and helpful. Professor and TAs have office hours and are there by email. </p>
<p>Activity - wise, there is every possible club you can imagine. Anything you're interested in, they have. </p>
<p>I have visited other schools since I've been here (for various activities) and am confident I made the right choice. </p>
<p>I'm here if you have any questions. :)</p>
<p>
hey so, yen, how is the asian population at SB?
If I remember correctly about 11% out of incoming freshmen this year were Asian. It doesn't seem to be that much, but it's definitely enough to be noticeable. If you really like to be around asians, and you feel uncomfortable without them, I can suggest that you apply to San Nic 5th floor (API), it's an all asian/pacific islander floor.</p>
<p>man i really cant decide now
ok, im a transfer student from community college
now i have two options:
1. UCI as psychology major, then change major to political science to law school
2. UCSB as biochem major, then go med school</p>
<p>i cant decide now!~</p>
<p>I just flew home yesterday from a trip to CA. My son toured UCSB, UCI and UCSD. In order of preference it went UCSB, UCI and UCSD. He's interested in "new media" whatever that is and also looking for a campus that is walkable or bikeable in an area where there is good public transportation. Although we both agreed the architecture at UCSB is not pretty, the campus had spaces and places to study, to be alone,to be in groups etc. The campus has a very good feeling and everyone at UCSB was very enthusiastic. Santa Barbara is a great place to be "young" in. My son said the campus felt "just like me". Our reaction to UCSD was too big, too spawly, he would need a car to "get away" or even get around, La Jolla isn't really for young people. The people we met were intense and seemed in a hurry or stressed and if there were kids tucked away studying or having intense conversations we didn't see them. UCI has a nice campus, but felt very commuter-ish. People felt like they were on there way "in" or on their way "out". Academics aside, I do believe you have to find a place that fits you, too, so take that into consideration. You need to find classmates and professors that you can engage with...Socratic dialogue and all that stuff. Hard to tell from rankings or a book what will work. Do go visit the places you're thinking of. Talk to someone in the department you're interested in. Talk to the folks you run into...</p>
<p>I decided to go to UCSB over UCD and UCSD, both of which also accepted me. I loved the idea of living in a college town, and in such a beautiful area by the ocean. I have family in San Diego, and had wanted to go there partly because of that. The campus though, is situated in of La Jolla, a very wealthy area, and not very student friendly. I really wanted to be surrounded by students and not have to commute to college. I could not be happier with my decision. As far as partying goes, there is always something going on, if you're up for it. At the same time though, the intellectual nature of the campus and the students impressed me more than I had imagined it would. And as for the party rep, we guachos do know how to party and Halloween was the most fun I think I've ever had in my entire life. I also think however, that the party reputation has an undeniable contribution from the large percentage of Santa Barbara City College students that make up Isla Vista....</p>
<p>And as for the architecture....yes its pretty ugly, but the Santa Inez Mountains and the ocean frame the campus, and you can't really ask for more than that. Over the years Santa Barbara has become more competitive due to the location and desirability of the campus, and is now known for much more than its party reputation. I mean where else can you go to school where the people are happy and friendly and you're constantly surrounded by other students, the area is beautiful, you have intellectually stimilulating and challenging classes, and top-notch professors?</p>
<p>you're still deciding? the SIR deadline already passed for winter quarter.</p>
<p>I couldn't ask for a better school! The campus is awesome, and we are LAID-BACK, relaxed people, and very diligent students! You won't find someone trying to "knock you over" at a competitive, constant fame game like you'd find at UCLA (ugh), because we are relaxed! The beach is what makes us so chill. And people said the campus is "ugly", I find that highly untrue, I've been to USC twice and I like UCSB's campus A LOT better because it isn't "medieval" or "old" style with huge buildings all over the place, which in my opinion, can be intimidating.</p>
<p>The buildings are very MODERN looking, and there are those 1920's street lights all over the place, which makes it look elegant.</p>
<p>AND, the school is known for it's awesome symbol - almost everywhere you go on campus (the school is huge) - you will see the bogus "Storke Tower" (190 feet tall structure which rings cinderella bells every hour, including night) - the hallmakrk of the school!</p>
<p>Check out Storke Tower here!: <a href="http://ucsb.publishedphotos.net/Photos/UCSB031-002H%20Storke%20Tower%202H.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://ucsb.publishedphotos.net/Photos/UCSB031-002H%20Storke%20Tower%202H.jpg</a></p>
<p>Soccer and Basketball are both VERY BIG here!</p>
<p>I am an urban guy as well, but you know thew phrase, "change is good" - living in a suburban campus/life is actually awesome and lets you experience some change! </p>
<p>And, if ALL OF THIS doesn't suffice, then, how about this notion?</p>
<p>::It's the only school in the nation which has it's own beach:: !</p>
<p>You got it! 1 cm. away from campus! GO GAUCHOS!</p>
<p>Can any of you tell me what San Nick Hall is like? I just got where I'm supposed to live and it's there. Is it like Santa Rosa Hall or is it a high rise apartment style kind of thing? Also, how are the dorm rooms there?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Can any of you tell me what San Nick Hall is like? I just got where I'm supposed to live and it's there. Is it like Santa Rosa Hall or is it a high rise apartment style kind of thing? Also, how are the dorm rooms there?
[/quote]
San Nic is a high rise, there are 8 floors. So no, it isn't like Santa Rosa. You may have seen some big towers next to it during your visit. Two of those is San Miguel, the other is San Nic.</p>
<p>I actually go there everyday because my gf lives there on the 8th floor. It's not bad, and she has an incredible view. Each floor has a kitchen and study lounge area, however there is only a common lounge. In the common lounge, on the first floor, there's a big screen tv, pool table, fooz ball table, air-hockey, and ping-pong table. On the other side of the common lounge is more of a formal lounge where most studying and meetings go on.</p>
<p>Also for your convenience, ResNet's help desk is right on the first floor next to the front desk if you're having internet problems (common issue this year after Clean Access Agent was introduced.) </p>
<p>The bathrooms are common, you share it with your floor. </p>
<p>The overall cleaninless is very good and having it built much more recently than San Miguel it has a newer feel. Well, the elevators become crapped with ice cream sometimes, but either than that it's ok.</p>
<p>If you live within the first 2 floors above ground floor, please, I encourage you to just walk up the stairs.</p>
<p>Thanks Yen; that helps a lot. I'll be staying on the third floor so I guess I'll just flip a coin to decide whether I should take the elevator or not.</p>
<p>"AND, the school is known for it's awesome symbol - almost everywhere you go on campus (the school is huge) - you will see the bogus "Storke Tower" (190 feet tall structure which rings cinderella bells every hour, including night) - the hallmakrk of the school!"</p>
<p>It is a phallic symbol and familiar to so so so many schools. Get over your tower already. UCSB is not known for a tower. It is known for the beach, especially campus point and devereux (sands). It is on pristine ground overlooking an almost always placid and cerulean sea. The architecture at UCSB is irrelevant when one has the awe of the pacific ocean.</p>
<p>Well, it supposedly is the tallest building in Santa Barbara county (heck, probably some of the surrounding counties too), so that's gotta be worth something.</p>
