<p>So I recently got in as a freshman English major to UC Santa Barbara , which was basically my least favorite college choice along with Irvine (which I haven't heard from), and I was rejected from all the other UCs. Now, I've been a complete nerd my entire life--I don't party (at least not in the way most "normal" people do), I play video games and watch Star Trek, I'm online for hours a day, I'm kinda anti-social and awkward when it comes to new people, and I like reading and writing sci-fi etc. Plus I'm a girl heh :)</p>
<p>Right now, it's looking like SB is where I'll end up going. I know it is a HUGE party school, and I don't want to completely hate choosing it, as much as I don't want to go to SLO or Irvine. I just really doubt I'll feel "at home" there. Anyone have similar issues with SB, or know what kind of people/lifestyles to expect?</p>
<p>everyone seems to think that because you’re attending UCSB you have to drink and party every weekend and that’s untrue. There are plenty of people who choose not to drink and/or party and they still have a good time at UCSB. You’ll just have to find something else to do when between the hours of 9-12 friday and saturday night cause that’s when most people are out getting drunk and partying. </p>
<p>The people are very laid back at UCSB and very easy to get along. It is quite simple to make friends.</p>
<p>Its very likely I’m going to UCSB too(unless Berkeley hands me an acceptence, very unlikely).
I’ve pretty much been like a computer nerd for my entire life to and it’s unlikely that I’ll be part of the party lifestyle, so don’t think that you’re alone in your dilemna. There must be plenty of others like us.</p>
<p>well it looks like im going to UCSB too kinda unless i get into UCB
im mexican, pretty well rounded, played football 3 years in HS, soccer 1, track and field 1, president speech and debate club, co-chair of M.E.Ch.A, community service, etc.
just describing myself to see what other people that might go to UCSB are like, any new UCSB students want to myspace or facebook? haha</p>
<p>Well, it seems like the general response is that SB throws the craziest parties, but doesn’t necessarily have the most party-goers Which is sort of a relief, I suppose. Long as I don’t get screwed over and have some psychotic stoner chick for a roommate haha XD</p>
<p>@Nite_owl…maybe we should room…seriously…I’m trying to find a roommate ahead of time who is not a stoner/alcoholic/basically straightedge so I can feel safe about not being framed for drug possession/who also understands the importance of quiet time. </p>
<p>Sure I like to have fun too, pool parties/going out to eat/whatever, but I did that in high school and now I have to get serious. I feel nerdy/prudish, but I really cant help it, because I have goals to pursue. I want to be a lawyer when I grow up, and I’ve had this dream for quite some time, so I know I’ll have to do a ton of studying.</p>
<p>I’m going to UCSB as well and have thought about the party school reputation. After talking to people and visiting the campus, I’m becoming convinced that’s just a huge stereotype. Yes, it’ll be a huge party school for those who want it to be, but for the rest of us, it’s a normal school, where we’ll find our niche and likely stick with it. My high school was considered by a bunch of bitter people to be a “preppy” school, but the truth was, you could easily avoids the preps. Was just an excuse to hate on things.</p>
<p>I saw a wide variety of people when I visited UCSB. I honestly saw the same variety I’d see at any other school; it wasn’t a whole bunch of partiers in one area. With 20,000+ kids there, you will definitely find others like yourself. Everyone had at least some friends in my high school, and that place only had about 2,000 kids. See what I’m saying?</p>
<p>You might even be correct that “it seems like the general response is that SB throws the craziest parties, but doesn’t necessarily have the most party-goers.” I wouldn’t know myself, but I hear most of the crazy partiers are out-of-towners and kids from other nearby colleges. They come here to party it up, leave, and then tell all their friends what a crazy party school it was.</p>
<p>My best friend is a freshman english major at UCSB. She absolutely hates the constant party scene. But I’m sure there are amazing professors there just looking for interested students.</p>
<p>Went to Santa Barbara last weekend & stopped by open house but it was boring, so we went to check out Isla Vista where my friend lived. Something bad must have happened at the beach bc police cars and helcopters were headed that way and they kicked ALL the students off the beach. So we were driving thru and there was hordes of half naked college ppl drunk walking back to apartments. It was hilarious and also kinda sad bc it was only 2:00 (pm) on a Saturday, and alot of these ppl were wasted! My bf isn’t the party type so we left and did our own thing & he said he wanted to cancel his transfer application to UCSB which was one of his safty schools. </p>
<p>I obviously know that not everyone who goes there is a crazy party person, but this really surprised me at how man ppl were like prepartying, I can’t imagine what it was like later that night! So I think the party school image is pretty real… hope this helps.</p>
<p>Of course, I’m not trying to ask you to believe me over your ‘lying eyes.’ UCSB students probably are more inclined to do stuff like this (over, say, a UCSD student) due to the kind of students who come here as well as the location.</p>
<p>*and they kicked ALL the students off the beach. *</p>
<p>They didn’t kick anyone out, they were just their to insure safety.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine what it was like later that night!</p>
<p>They probably went back to hitting the books. Seeing as how UCSB has the second highest 4-year graduation rate in the UCs (first is UCLA), they need to get some studying done :)</p>
Which is sort of a relief, I suppose. Long as I don’t get screwed over and have some psychotic stoner chick for a roommate haha XD</p>