I was admitted to my first choice major (Biopsychology), but I’m debating whether or not I should go to UCSB. I’m thinking of going to a CCC and transferring into UCSB under TAG, but also applying to UCLA under TAP.
Only UCLA and UCSB offer this specific major, although I’m sure other schools have very similar majors (neuroscience, behavioral neuroscience, etc). I was a bit shocked I was admitted at all, as I was waitlisted at UCI and UCD, rejected to UCSD and UCLA. I guess my main concern is whether or not I’ll like it there, but I have that concern for nearly every school. I am a pretty introverted person, but I come from an agricultural area, so I guess I wanted to be living in a large city, but I will admit that the whole concrete jungle thing going on in LA seems a but depressing. So I guess I’m just worried that I’ll be making the wrong Choice by going to UCSB, that I won’t be happy there, and that I could “do better”. Thoughts?
My thought after reading your post is that you ought to go away to college instead of staying at home and attending a CCC. Frosh live in the dorms and everyone around you is new and looking to make friends that 1st quarter. If you sit in your room with the door shut it won’t happen, but if you make any kind of effort you can build a set of friends. When you xfer from a CCC you go to a school where the other juniors around you have, in many cases, been with their friends for 2 years already and aren’t really looking to make more. It isn’t that they’re unfriendly, but it will take more of an effort to build a circle of friends as a xfer student. UCSB does have a bit of a “vibe” though and you ought to at least visit and see if the campus feels right for you. Maybe it will, or maybe in 15 minutes you’ll realize you could never be happy there.
You could also accept UCSB and still sign up for the waitlist at Irvine and Davis and switch if you get off it, although the numbers don’t seem great from what I’ve heard.
@mikemac could you elaborate on the “vibe” at UCSB? My daughter is seriously considering going there, but when she toured school was not in session.
@searchingmom that’s why its better if possible to go when school is in session. Any way to make another trip down there before the deadline? Most HS kids would be happy to miss a day or two of school at the end of 12th grade 
If she has any friends with siblings that attend ucsb that’s another good source of info. And looking online at the UCSB calendar they are on break right now, so if she knows any kids who graduated last year and attend UCSB this might be a good time to see if they’re in town and can meet for coffee or something.
I’d describe UCSB as casual & laid-back with a beach vibe. The weather is moderate most of the year so dress is pretty casual; for guys if you have shorts and a t-shirt you’re good to go much of the year. So a kid that wants a preppy campus is probably looking somewhere else. The image many kids want to project is easy-going and not stressed; they may be very competitive, but many try to avoid coming across with an in-your-face attitude. To characterize a different campus, kids from Cal tend to come across as really smart but also often display a cynical/sarcastic attitude in my experience. Back to SB, there are local businesses in Isla Vista catering to students, as well as some budget eateries in Santa Barbara itself although much of SB business is for well-to-do tourists from LA and not students. A kid looking for the excitement and offerings of a larger city might find SB too slow. People tend to be social and helpful because the social distance tends to be low with everyone living in the dorms and then right off-campus; you meet another student, odds are good you can find a friend in common. A lot of generalizations here, I guess, but most attending really like the school and there are some who know right away it isn’t a fit for them.
@searchngmom I totally agree with mikemac’s description, especially the part about the people being social and helpful. That extends to both the students and the administration from what we’ve encountered. We’re very happy with the experience our kid has had there.
If you get a chance to visit again, go into IV and get a bite to eat. It will be a part of the experience, if just to go to a class in the IV Theater or get a burger/burrito/pizza, and you should take that into your consideration.
Good advice. I’d add one word. Freebirds! Or maybe Woodstock’s pizza.
BTW when you are walking around IV keep in mind that for some reason stop signs are invisible to bicyclists.
Thanks Mikemac & youcee. That is all good to hear and good suggestions.
@youcee & Mikemac, My daughter & I attended the Spring Insight event this Sat. There are many wonderful things including people and food to be found there! And yes, bicyclists don’t stop at stop signs even when you are driving! We had a scare and got a serious dirty look. Maybe it was in fact our fault, but she was riding so quickly that we didn’t see her when we started to go.
Yes, bikes have right of way over everyone in Isla Vista and on campus (although it’s not the law, technically), but it does make for a lot of very cautious drivers!