<p>Anyone here that is a physics major at UCSB? I could really use some help </p>
<p>Ill be transferring to either UCSB or Davis to get a physics degree but I do not know much about UCSB physics or UCSB in general. Both are offering me really good financial aid. I think that UCSB is suppose to be better at physics but is that for only grad school and not necessarily undergrad? How easy is it for undergrads to get into research (my number one concern)? What are the size of the classes? Female vs. male ratio in the classes? Is UCSB really a party college for rich people? I did not know it had that reputation when I applied. I have always been fairly low income so it might just be too awkward. On the other hand, this probably is just an exaggeration And how hard is it to get a double major? Also anyone know anything about the math at UCSB?</p>
<p>UCSB is not "a party school for rich people". There's all kinds of students at UCSB. I'm sure the same thing is true of Davis. Don't paint the entire school with the broad brush of a "reputation." UCSB's physics department, in particular, has a very good academic reputation.</p>
<p>Cronus, don't be so defensive. My D is a junior at UCSB, (and I am an alum), and I'd say that there IS the perception that a lot of kids with money go to UCSB. I remember 30 years ago being amazed at the cars some kids drove (my freshman roommate had a brand- new Firebird, another had a Jaguar XKE). Take a look around IV, and you'll still see plenty of BMW's Mercedes, etc-- nicer cars than I drive now! But there are also plenty of working-class kids who attend UCSB, and appreciate the value of a dollar.
The physics department is top-notch, including some Nobel prize winners. I don't know about research opportunities for undergrad, but maybe someone in that major can let you know.</p>
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and I'd say that there IS the perception that a lot of kids with money go to UCSB. I remember 30 years ago being amazed at the cars some kids drove (my freshman roommate had a brand- new Firebird, another had a Jaguar XKE).
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Wish I knew your friends ;) I didn't know anybody when I was at ucsb that had a new car, let alone a fancy import. Not even fancy bikes, for that matter. Living 2 people per bedroom in over-priced apartments and with bookshelves made of bricks and boards, I think the atmosphere was pretty egalitarian (at least in my experience).</p>
<p>i noticed that too. there is nothing "rich kid glamorous" about the atmosphere here at all. in fact it appears quite opposite. every bike looks like it was pulled from the garbage can, the whole town of IV is crappy and ghetto, shady looking apt buildings, bums, the works. </p>
<p>the above posters seem like they're mistaken with Santa Barbara itself where wealthy ppl own homes and drive their Porches and Mercedes around. nothing like UCSB, where poor college students have to cram into cheap little housing complexes and eat easy mac every night...</p>
<p>Keep in mind that apartment prices in Isla Vista are ridiculously high-- over $500/month to share a room, and much higher if you want to be near the beach. By comparison, students at Davis or Chico pay much less ($350/month?) for their own room. IV may not be pretty, but it sure is expensive!</p>
<p>I just looked up apartments in Davis near campus, catering to UCD students. A 2-bedroom townhouse rents for $1225, 3 bedroom for $1550. In comparison, my D's 3-bedroom apartment rents for $3300 (and it's going up next year)-- nowhere near the beach, but close to campus. That's a significant difference in cost-of-living betweens UC's.</p>
<p>that may be so, but that doesn't mean you should state davis and chico are $350. You can easily move 5 minutes off campus in goleta and get your own room for $525</p>