<p>I am considering to start out my U.S college experience at SBCC. Does anyone study / has been studying there? What is it like? Thanks!</p>
<p>Nobody's studying at SBCC?</p>
<p>There's a SBCC thread someplace on CC -- not sure where. </p>
<p>My son went to SBCC and loved it. It offers a manageable size, a sense of community, absolutely gorgeous location, engaged faculty, good transfer services. My son's now a senior @ UCSB set to graduate in June. He chose SBCC because he wanted to go to UCSB so much and didn't get in. </p>
<p>As a parent, I had mixed feelings. When I complained that son dropped a class, he said, "I can't believe you're mad about this -- other people in my (SBCC/UC) dorm have fdropped ALL their classes, and they're just partying." This is not what a parent wants to hear. </p>
<p>However, he seems to have been well-prepared for UC and points out, correctly, that SBCC never gave him the administrative problems UC has (lost records, no advisor -- STILL --, closed classes, even as a graduating senior). </p>
<p>Try to visit and talk to students.</p>
<p>I went to SBCC many years ago. It is a very good school, they say one of the best CCs in the country. It is beyond beautiful. Drawback: no housing and santa barbara is all kinds of expensive.</p>
<p>Actually, a couple UC dorms will house SBCC kids on SBCC-only floors, based on a lottery. There were more until the end of my son's first year ('01-'02) when SBCC was permanently tossed out of one of the big dorms, Francisco Torres. The official story was UCSB crowding. Prospective SBCC students should ask about housing @ SBCC Student Services. And you're so right, ucsbheart, SB housing IS all kinds of expensive.</p>
<p>Is SBCC very popular? Should I apply already now even if the deadline for internationals is in july? If I should choose between Santa Monica College and SBCC, which would be better?</p>
<p>SMC is also a good school. Much closer to the urban life in LA. I guess it depends on what type of surroundings you want.</p>
<p>There's a discussion board for international students at <a href="http://www.sbcc.edu/international/forum/index.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.sbcc.edu/international/forum/index.php</a></p>
<p>
[quote]
Actually, a couple UC dorms will house SBCC kids on SBCC-only floors, based on a lottery. There were more until the end of my son's first year ('01-'02) when SBCC was permanently tossed out of one of the big dorms, Francisco Torres. The official story was UCSB crowding.
[/quote]
Allow me a slight correction. None of the UC-owned dorms will house sbcc students. There used to be 3 private dorms in the ucsb area, and Francisco Torres (FT as it's affectionately known) was one of them. Due to crowding in its dorms the UC system bought FT, so that made it off limits to sbcc students. There are still 2 private dorms in the area, both of which will house sbcc students.</p>
<p>This picture of SBCC is enough to make me go
<a href="http://www.cs.sbcc.net/%7Esimpson/index_files/image003.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.cs.sbcc.net/~simpson/index_files/image003.jpg</a></p>
