<p>Upon view this site and hearing all this bad rumors about drug use and drinking. </p>
<p>So my question is, is it really that bad? Should I look at other schools just because of this problem? How bad is it?</p>
<p>Please some clear this up with me. Hopefully someone on hear attends this school...</p>
<p>News flash: at pretty much every large college, there are students who get stoned and ****-drunk, and have promiscuous, unprotected sex!</p>
<p>If you think you should look away from a school just because of rumors about its drug use, then maybe you shouldn't trust DNA, because Francis Crick was on LSD when discovered the double helix. In any case, many geniuses have used LSD and other hallucinogens, but that doesn't make them horrible people. Not saying that UCSB is dry or that drugs are fine to use - just don't make judgments based on a website with an agenda. UCSB has more substance use than the average college, but there are many more students who mainly focus on their studies. Look into the place more yourself, rather than reading something akin to the South Park Movie.</p>
<p>The thing is that it sounds like a bigger deal. Out of all the colleges I read about this is the only one where I have heard from other sources that they have an issue with drugs and drinking. To me it sounds serious.</p>
<p>The issue with UCSB isn't with UCSB per se, but with Isla Vista, which is a somewhat isolated student ghetto bordering the campus. It's tacky and run down, and reportedly has the highest population density of any spot in the US west of the Mississippi, the great majority of which is between the ages of 18 and 24. Students from both UCSB and Santa Barbara City College live there, as do young non-students. IV has frequently been the victim of overblown sensationalist criticism; how much of the current allegations are accurate I can't say.</p>
<p>I have lived in SB for several years and would not be happy if my children were to attend. While I'm certain there are great, hardworking-students, the amount of drunkeness and stupid behavior is way beyond any college I went to or have seen.</p>
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I have lived in SB for several years and would not be happy if my children were to attend. While I'm certain there are great, hardworking-students, the amount of drunkeness and stupid behavior is way beyond any college I went to or have seen.
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I guess you wouldn't want your kid to attend USC, UW-Madison, Dartmouth, Lehigh, or Penn State either.</p>
<p>Or most colleges in the U.S. (that aren't religiously affiliated)</p>
<p>My son's best friend's brother is going to be a senior there. He has a 4.0 GPA, doesn't live in Isla Vista, has a cute, nice girlfriend, and has never been a real party animal. He likes the school just fine. He has a highly paid internship this summer and already has $60K job offers for after he graduates (degree is econ/business/accounting). A school is what you make of it.</p>
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The thing is that it sounds like a bigger deal. Out of all the colleges I read about this is the only one where I have heard from other sources that they have an issue with drugs and drinking. To me it sounds serious.
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Well, then, I guess it isn't a place you'd be happy. Nobody has ever suggested that any other college campus in the country has kids who drink or use drugs. Only ucsb has those "other sources" saying it.</p>
<p>For your own happiness (and that of the ucsb community) I suggest you look elswhere.</p>
<p>^ I'm trying to determine the true story. I would love to go there. Very strong science school, but all this drug stories and such make me nervous. I don't know if I should make a big deal out of it or not. I haven't been there so I should assume so much.</p>
<p>My son has a friend whose older brother just finished his freshman year at UCSB. He goes to parties and drinks on weekends but never gets falling-down drunk. He's doing well academically and is having a blast there.</p>
<p>UCSB is a major research center with impressive engineering, physics, marine biology, and biotech programs (and those are just the ones I know about). If you know what you're going to major in and have good enough grades and test scores, check out the honors colleges. In addition to smaller honors classes, you can live in the scholars' dorms - a good way to meet like-minded people and avoid the crazy party scene.</p>
<p>Isla Vista is the makings for a party--every night. Think about it--there is a serious concentration of kids living in a beach community-on the water-in very close proximity to one another. Keep in mind, however, that UCSB has had a recent explosion in number of applicants, and they now take a very very solid student. There are city college kids around, but the majority of kids in Isla Vista are SB upperclassmen (freshman are in dorms). We live in Norcal and many of my children's friends have gone there. The school draws a good student/well-rounded/active type. Every child I can think of enjoyed/LOVED their time at UCSB. They thrived academically and socially. Most (not all) were able to balance studies and fun. It is a great school--I believe that it is one of our more well rounded UC's. It will be what you decide to make it.</p>