<p>Is anyone familiar with what CCS @UCSB is REALLY like? I've read all the formal printed info but still feel like I can't get a grip on how it might be to be a CCS student vs. opting to be in the general population. Is it really rigorous and intellectual? Organized? Good reputation?
I am an art student if that helps... and definitely NOT intellectually inclined though I do well in all my classes. Anyway, it looks like I'll likely be admitted so now I'm panicking as I don't know whether I should accept or not. PROS/CONS would be really appreciated!</p>
<p>The difference between being a CCS and a L&S/CoE student are if I may be blunt, minor. If you’re in CCS, you get priority registration and graduate student privileges (borrowing books from the library for a quarter). </p>
<p>Other than that, almost no difference. You still take classes in L&S like any other student, but you have the opportunity to take classes in CCS which usually has smaller class sizes = more face time with the professor. However the classes are not graded the same. When you take classes in L&S, you’ll get a letter grade. But when it’s in CCS, you’ll get a pass or no pass and you’ll get units based on how much work the professor thinks you did. Therefore, your entire GPA is mostly calculated on classes you take outside of CCS.</p>
<p>Also, you must do research in your field. I have no idea about the specifics due to the fact I’m not in CCS (my friends are), but this is what they’ve told me. </p>
<p>If you’re up to the challenge, CCS is an amazing opportunity; you’ll get your name published as an undergrad develop relations with your professors, and generally have a great experience.</p>
<p>If you have a great passion for art or one of the eight fields in CCS, then apply to CCS. If not, then CCS is probably not for you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, guys. Really helps. More questions:</p>
<p>Priority registration for CCS students certainly seems like a HUGE plus with the budget cuts at UC. Does this include classes outside of CCS? I have been told it can be really hard to get the classes you need as a “regular” UC student. Does this seem to be the reality @ UCSB or do you think each UC campus is individual in this regard?</p>
<p>Also, the no grade for CCS classes and prof. deciding how many units you deserve makes me a little nervous. What if you get a prof you don’t get along with? Seems like they would have a lot of power to make your life miserable.</p>
<p>Lastly, if there are any CCS ART students out there, or people who really know the dept. please post your experience with CCS specific to Art. Thanks!</p>
<p>
Of course. Only CCS students can enroll in CCS specific classes without instructor permission, so “priority registration” would be meaningless if it only was for CCS classes.
What happens in the workforce if you get a boss you don’t get along with? </p>
<p>HS isn’t a microcosm of the real world, since in the real world there are no promises of “fairness”. And in fact the only reason people can assume HS is “fair” is because there is so much reliance on multiple choice and short answer tests; you get the question right or you don’t and no matter who grades it they’ll come to the same decision. But for any classes (HS or college) that require judgement in grading art works, essays, etc, a teacher that has it in for you can easily do so. This is nothing specific to CCS. </p>
<p>If you feel more comfortable behind standardized “fair” testing then you might prefer regular classes at whatever college you attend that are more likely to rely on objectively scored tests, although since you’re an Art major it seems the bulk of your grades are going to be earned in subjectively graded classes no matter where you go. </p>
<p>Occasionally faculty and staff from CCS read this forum, and in the past they have encouraged prospective students to visit and see for themelves. Given that you’re talking about 4 years of your life and participating in an unusual program, I really suggest that you take a day off from school and visit the school.</p>
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<p>Priority registration doesn’t SEEM a huge plus – it IS a HUGE PLUS with all these budget cuts here in UCSB and limited choice of classes for a huge number of people. </p>
<p>It is wonderful here to have the freedom of choosing your classes without hassle ahead of everyone else instead of going through the hectics and disappointments of crashing classes or what not. </p>
<p>Much more often than not, I want to sign up for a certain class, only to see the class gets filled to capacity. disappointment. -___-</p>
<p>Really.</p>
<p>Thanks Mikemac for your response…good “food for thought”. Agreed. Art is very subjective by it’s nature and i have actually grown the most as an artist when paired with an instructor who has a different “viewpoint”. Sorry if I came across as a whiner. I will be attending the CCS reception in San jose this weekend and plan to visit over Spring Break so hopefully,
full clarity will come to me by then!</p>
<p>And “Hairy” Lemon (your name always makes me smile)…thanks for the heads-up on difficulty in getting classes. My folks are convinced that it takes students 5 yrs. (instead of the usual 4) to get thru the UC system due to inability to get needed classes…they are not thrilled about footing the bill for the extra year. Do you think it’s possible to get done in 4 yrs. if you really put your head down and work hard?</p>
<p>Thanks artsymom. . .I’m glad I can make you smile. :)</p>
<p>No. . .the class situation isn’t THAT dire to the point where majority of students graduate in five years. . .yep its possible to graduate in four years (I’d be extremely surprised if you can’t), so don’t worry. Plus, you have to take in account all the AP/IB and CC classes you took in high school. . .depending on the scores, and if you passed the classes. . .its actually easy for the credits from those courses/exams to transfer over to UCSB.</p>
<p>I mean, I only passed five AP exams, and only took about 4 or 5 CC classes for the duration of my high school years, and as of now I am a first-year with a sophomore standing.</p>
<p>Folks shouldn’t worry THAT much about it lol.</p>
<p>But yes. . .I’m not thrilled at all to foot the bill too. -_________-</p>
<p>It would be very helpful, if you folks can come visit UCSB, contact the department advisors and arrange to attend a class. I had been a CCS math major before I transferred out of CCS. And a lot of math majors decided to come here after they had sat in the some math classes. I’m not sure if this would apply to art majors as well. </p>
<p>As for grading, it’s mostly based on your performance. For most classes I’ve taken, it’s more about showing an effort and challenging yourself. Most people would get the fully designated credits (lower division classes are normally 4 units). Rarely do students get docked on credits. Often times, they will be awarded for extra credits for some excellent work they’ve done. Most professors are very professional and fair in grading, when it comes to their work. So things like conflicts between professors and students hardly happen. At least I didn’t observe any during my time at CCS. </p>
<p>And also as a CCS student, you’re required to have an exhibition of your art work or publish some research work before you graduate. So you’ll definitely have a solid portfolio prepared for graduate school and other professional work. </p>
<p>As for class availability, it’s definitely a very critical issue across the whole UC system. But even without the budget cuts, a lot of people aren’t able to graduate in 4 years. So you’ve only heard one side of the story. A few ways to avoid staying for a fifth year:
- do not change major too frequently. Different majors have different requirements, so it’d be hard to graduate within 4 years, if you decide to change your major 4 times throughout your college career.
- apply for the Honors programs, if you have an eligible GPA. The Honors programs is essentially the same as CCS in that they both have priority registration that is equivalent to a senior standing. However, CCS students don’t need to fulfill prerequisites when registering for Letters & Science classes.
- utilize pass 1 wisely. Nobody can get all the classes they want or need during pass 1, which is the earliest pass time you get, because it has a 13.5 unit cap. So often times, even Honors students and seniors can’t get all the classes they need. Therefore, only add classes that are most important to you during pass 1.
- waitlist. A tool that is very useful in terms of UCSB is the waitlist website. Many departments have started adopting this site to maintain class waitlists.
- (in addition to waitlist) actively crash classes, if you can’t get the classes needed during pass times. A lot of my friends complain about not being able to get the classes they want. But I’ve noticed that they haven’t been active on crashing classes. I’ve had a lot of success crashing classes as opposed to the general perception. Out of the 11 classes I’ve crashed so far, I was lucky enough to get 10 of them.
- use summer time effectively. I’ve used and am planning to use all my summers taking classes, working a job, and doing internships (preparing for looking for jobs after graduation). All at the same time. Summer is a great time to get classes that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to take during the regular academic year. It’s absolutely the best way to knock your GE’s or pre-majors classes out of the way. Most importantly, you can enjoy the beautiful Santa Barbara in summer time on weekends. :)</p>
<p>The tips on getting classes here might be too early for you now. But they’ll be useful, if you do choose to come to UCSB.</p>
<p>^listen to ryan.</p>
<p>Ryan-wow…thanks for all the great advice. It’s SO appreciated. You said you were a math student in CCS. Were you there long and may I ask why you transferred out? Were you unhappy there? Also, did you meet any of the art students and if so, how did they strike you? Probably my biggest concern is that the program may be SUPER intense (or not?) with only super intense people. i am told I am “very talented” (whatever that means) and I am a hard worker but not sure that I want art to be my whole world. I like a somewhat balanced life. And yes, I AM planning on visiting soon.</p>
<p>I was in CCS for two quarters. Even though I’m good at math, but I figured out that it’s something that I wanna do for the rest of my college career, let alone the rest of my life. That’s why I changed my major. Aside from that, everything about CCS was positive, great professors, small seminar classes, and lots of privileges that L&S students don’t have. </p>
<p>The only impression that I have for the art students at CCS is that they’re always working and painting. Never really met any of them though. I just always see them in the CCS backyard working. </p>
<p>You should definitely visit. I chose UCSB because I had a great time here when I visited.</p>
<p>Ryan–went to the SJ reception on Saturday on was told (unofficially) that I am in @ CCS.
The breakout session certainly made an impression on me. The student panel struck me as uber-smart and VERY FOCUSED on their work…I think a couple of them were published already and they were only juniors! A little intimidating. Just don’t know if I’m “one of them” as, like you, I’m not SURE what I want to do professionally (be an artist though it’s definitely a possibility). Seems like they want you to be SURE. So it’s got my head spinning a little. A question: was it easy to switch out into the general population after two qtrs. ? And did you run into any problems because CCS is pass/fail? Maybe I’m overthinking this and should just give it a try. I’ll be down soon to do the dorm sleep-over bit and will check it out further.
Thanx!</p>
<p>It’s fairly easy to switch to another major, as long as you fulfill the new major’s “declare to major” requirements.</p>
<p>I had no problems with CCS’s grading at all, because you’re also required to take classes at L&S for your GE’s (which is very little). And CCS is NOT on the pass/fail system. You’re graded based on your work. For example, your art symposium seminar is worth 4 units. If you do little work for the class and the professor is not very pleased with the work you do, she/he would assign you 2 units instead of the full 4 units. If you do okay and are about the average in class, you’d get the full 4 units. If you do excellent work and stretch yourself to the limit, you’re probably gonna get 5 or 6 units for that one class. From what I’ve heard from my professor, it’s extremely rare to have a student retake a class. It almost never happens, unless you never show up to class and don’t do anything for it. Consequently, you’ll most likely “pass” the class.</p>
<p>This school is the jewel in the crown of UCSB
Students who are accepted to the CCS art program (you have to fill out the CCS application and submit a portfolio) are lucky beyond belief. You have access to all the art and art history classes in the university as well as the inspired small (7-12 students) studio classes at CCS itself. You get a key to the school as a freshman so that you can work in the studio any time of the day or night…you get to register for classes when the graduate students do, you get your own (shared) studio at the latest by junior year (sometimes even freshman get studios!). Because all of CCS is thought of as a ‘graduate school for undergraduates’ most of the general education requirements are set aside as you, with the input of your adviser, chart your way through the university. The staff and the professors are skilled and kind, available to teach and challenge and at the same time completely expect you to be an independent, self motivated, productive artist.
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