<p>Hey guys and girls</p>
<p>I'm a 3rd year New Zealand Uni student looking to travel over over and study in one of the UC campuses for a semester. I am not too fussed on the academic side of things and am just going purely for the experience. Essentially, partying, drinking, adventures etc etc..</p>
<p>I cant seem to find much info on the differences between the unis other than the obvious facts like Berkeley superior in academics and UCSB being party central.</p>
<p>If someone could please provide me with a QUICK and simple blurb on each of the UC campuses that would be wicked. So far UCSB sounds like the one, but I will need some backups.</p>
<p>Also - I will need to sort accomodation and don't want to be stuck in some international's halls of residence which is boring as hell. Is it possible to just join up with a frat? Whats the usual deal with halls of residence? are they normally rowdy (drinking and partying wise)? or what are my other options?</p>
<p>Thanks a mill for any help that is provided, will check this thread reguarly</p>
<p>Jonny</p>
<p>To begin with all the UCs have solid academics, but of course some are stronger than others. Same with the partying and social life. You can find parties and friends at all of them, but some crank it up more than others.</p>
<p>Berkeley - Top academic school. Plenty of social life. Plenty of athletics. Interesting town. Lots to do in the Bay Area.</p>
<p>UCLA - Huge athletic school with outstanding academics. Plenty of partying. Hollywood.</p>
<p>UC Davis - Great small college town - the true “college town” experience. Something of a crunchy granola vibe but still has plenty of frats and parties. Started as an ag school so there is still something of a moo factor on campus. Located half way between the ski slopes of Tahoe and bright lights of the Bay Area. (My alma mater in case you can’t tell).</p>
<p>UC Santa Cruz - Hippie School. Beautiful campus and surrounding area.</p>
<p>UCSB - Party central. Beach and surfing vibe. Also in a small college town.</p>
<p>UC Irvine - Suburban Orange County. Good all round but doesn’t stand out in anything in my mind. Something of a commuter school.</p>
<p>UC Merced - Located in the middle of nowhere. Too new to build much of a reputation.</p>
<p>UC San Diego - Great school in a good location, but has a “no fun” reputation. Serious academics.</p>
<p>UC Riverside - Harsh location. Hot and it catches LA’s smog.</p>