So I’m an environmental science major and I got into UCSB and was waitlisted at SD. SD was my top choice of college so I was disappointed when I didn’t get in. However, I toured SD first and I loved it and then I toured SB and loved that even better 
About two weeks ago I committed to SB quite happily and I forgot about SD. And today I got accepted into SD and now I am beyond confused. Also when I told people I was going to SB they seem kind of surprised that I would pick a “party school” so if you could speak to that too it would be great!
@Tyevava . . . we may be moved, so just beware. You’ couldn’t have chosen two better schools for having your lab at your doorstep. I don’t think the appellation of party school holds with anywhere near exclusivity to SB. There are deep thinking STEM people; there are honors grads who go to Ivy professional schools, etc. Don’t be afraid of perception which is not going to be applicable from a decade ago as we go forward. It is ascending the rankings.
The biggest difference IMHO is the feel for being a student. Most UCSB students live off campus in Isla Vista, which is a small student-dominated community/slum next to campus. Easy to meet up with friends or go back onto campus for an event, to go to office hours, etc. UCSD has more of a commuter feel with students living throughout the San Diego area, many preferring to live on the beach such as in Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. The freeway can be congested so it can affect your ability/willingness to go back to campus once you’re at home.
But honestly both are great schools and you will get a good education at either.
As for the “party school” reputation, yeah that’s what some people say. And if parties are what you’re looking for, you can find them just as you can at any of the few colleges in CA where students live grouped together in a community (eg Chico, Cal Poly, etc). But there are plenty of serious students at UCSB too. It isn’t like you’re going to be dragged off the street against your will into parties, or that you won’t have any friends if you aren’t a heavy partier. If you want to avoid intoxicating substances entirely you’ll have no problem finding similar friends. If on a Fri or Sat nite you want to walk down Del Playa and listen to some bands, you can find people that like that too. And so on.
See also this thread and others you can find on the forum: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-santa-barbara/821084-how-would-a-non-party-lover-do-at-ucsb.html
Just an update but I’m sticking with UCSB!