So I got accepted to UCSB and I was so freaking excited because I didn’t expect it! The only thing that bums me out is that I’ve heard really bad things about this school. From rape to hard drugs to arrests. It just scares me 
I don’t mind parties but I dont do drugs at all. I don’t drink either but I don’t think its awful to drink in college so I might eventually on occasion (responsibly). I know all of this stuff is found on every college campus but I’m worried I’ll hate it at UCSB because I’m not a crazy partier. Should I not go because of this reason?
I was wondering the same thing. Although I am 99% sure I will still go to UCSB. I am in an engineering major however, so maybe it will allow me to avoid the party scene more easily.
can anyone at UCSB right now please give some input? thank you
A lot of the bad rap comes from kids who don’t actually go to ucsb like the people at sb city college and out of towners who party in IV. Also keep in mind that UCSB has basically the same admit rate as UCSD (ucsb is 36% ucsd is 33%) and these students don’t just manage to study hard but they also have a good time.
Wondering the same. Uncle who lives in California (I myself am an international) totally prefers UCD and don’t agree with my going to UCSB for the same issue. 
All those you-tube videos certainly color the perception of the school. Their safety concerns aren’t completely unfounded. The truth is, you can find crazy parties at nearly every college in the country. At UCSB, you don’t need to look as hard. The real craziness is pretty well contained in a couple blocks in IV. There are a lot of places to live where you won’t be at ground zero. The average UCSB student is bright, motivated and works pretty hard. You can avoid the scene if you want - but, there’s no denying it exists. Then there’s the beach… another distraction.
Your friends in HS are not the best source of info about what its like to be a UCSB student. You have until May 1st to accept your place. I strongly suggest taking a day off from school and driving down to visit. Take the tour, talk to some current students (the tour guide, chat with a few people at lunch in the line, go to the student store to buy a t-shirt and talk to people around you, etc). If you’re thinking of spending 4 years at this school (or any other) isn’t it worth 1 day now to visit and kick the tires?
Nobody is going to force you to do any hard-core partying, or any partying at all if that’s what you choose. You can find parties, you can avoid them. But I don’t want you to take the word of some anonymous internet person for this; I think if you go down there and look around in person, talk to some kids, you’ll get a real gut sense of whether these rumors are true or not.
You can find stats on the number of arrests, and on what they were for.
I would imagine that would clarify things for you.
And the advice of visiting the school is good. Pick up a copy of the school newspaper while you’re there-- it will tell you what sort of things concern the student body.
I’m an alumni of 2014, my year was the craziest it’s ever been, I don’t think it will get worse though. The community has really come together in times of tragedy. I see UCSB as a social school, UCSB students love meeting new people and they are really friendly. UCSB is invested in their campus life and having a supportive, nice social life. There are events put on everyday that do not involve partying, you don’t have to drink or party to go to UCSB. I had a couple of foreign friends who never drank and still managed to have lots of fun and a great social life. IV does attract some out of towners or community college kids who think that IV/UCSB is all about partying, so they tend to get out of hand. But it is a nice place to live and UCSB students do work/study hard and they definitely encourage each other to. UCSB ranks really high academically and you should not focus on the partying aspect so much. Anyone who doesn’t go to UCSB because of the party reputation, are people who are going to miss out on a complete, great college experience.
lol the post won’t let me edit, I know I’m being repetitive but I feel strongly about this school, haha.
Trust me,
DO NOT let this party reputation discourage you, you will have lots of fun whether you party crazy or not. Personally, I went to check out big parties my freshmen year and went a few times occasionally to big parties throughout my college experience, but most of the time I had kickbacks with my friends every weekend never anything crazy, just to chill. I did not intend to party a lot either, but I went with the flow and had a great time. Never had any bad party experiences. It really depends on the friends you make too, and it’s not hard to make great friends, like I said it’s a social school. UCSB is probably the best decision I’ve made in my life. I honestly, feel sorry for anyone who didn’t go to UCSB.
The idea of visiting the school is great if you are not an international as I am And yep, I get what you guys say, and agree that it all depends on you. And I really like Santa Barbara, the scene and the campus specifically. But the reputation is so bad, my uncle JUST says Davis is the one and not Santa Barbara. Do any of you know which one’s academic ranking is higher? I couldn’t figure it out.
Rankings are pretty useless since each agency ranking schools use different criteria. UCD is ranked higher for Bio than UCSB, but UCSB’s Physics is ranked higher than UCD. One average UCD is ranked higher but not by much. Since you are International, it is hard to get a feel for the campuses. There are some legit Utube videos availabe on each campus. What I mean about legit, videos that are more a campus tour than ones made by some students highlighting their great parties.
My older son is a 2nd year at UCD. One of his roommates is an International student whom picked UCD, sight unseen. He is trying to transfer to NYU since he finds UCD boring. My son on the other hand loves the school. If you want big city excitement, UCD is not for you. UCSB will definitely have more excitement, but also not big city but there is always the beach. See if you can find some video that help. Good Luck.
I honestly think your uncle is exaggerating, I guess some parents are scared of ucsb but lots of parents love it. I got two job offers in California for civil engineering companies three months before I graduated, and they were very impressed that I went to ucsb. I’m not all that special either. Lol Most of my ucsb friends had no problem getting great jobs either. I don’t think you have to worry about the party reputation. I think it’s important to make this decision for yourself.
Then Davis is the right choice for you. Both great schools, IMHO, but sounds like Davis would be your better pick. Don’t go to a school where your uncle is going to be telling whole family you made a big mistake. Listen to uncle!!
Don’t let your uncle rule your life. Both Davis and Santa Barbara are very good schools. As a senior, I have friends at both schools who absolutely love them.
With that being said, yes, Santa Barbara is known as a party campus, but that DOESN’T mean you have to party. The kids are amazingly friendly and outgoing (heard lots of stories), and my friends at Davis haven’t echoed that response as much as those at SB. Hell, even the app for new freshman recently admitted into UCSB is all good vibes and fun!
If you live in California, visit both schools. They’re both magnificent, but I prefer the campus vibe of SB to Davis.
Bottom line - YOU’RE living 4 years at this next campus, so listen to your heart and examine each campus - it isn’t your uncle’s job.
Agree with going with my heart. Yep, I AM the one living it, and fortunately my mom cares about MY DECISION more than my uncle’s LOL
Anyway, I have no problem with small city or not much vibe, actually I might even prefer it since I’ve lived in a big city all my life and don’t like it really.
Both campuses are great -I have done my homework searching on YouTube and watching tons of videos I’m already dying from excitement HAHA.
Thanks @Gumbymom @aarlover20 @mikemac and @theeberk
@theeberk Hahaha yes the app is really fun.
@TiffP4 and @Sa1naaa
Hi guys! I actually went to UCSB…I loved the adventure and fun, but I actually left because of the partying…Maybe I just wasn’t ready for the “college experience”, but because I do not drink or smoke, I found it extremely irritating when I was trying to do homework and my roommates were selling alcohol from our room. The RA didn’t do anything and EVERYONE was drunk on the floor. I had to legit hide to get my homework done…It just wasn’t comfortable at all.
@swimmer123456 weren’t there substance free halls?
@swimmer123456 Oh thanks. I would definitely consider this when making up my mind. 