<p>University Of California - Santa Barbara</p>
<p>Academics:
"“Don’t believe all the hype,” students at the University of California—Santa Barbara say, meaning the hype about UCSB being nothing but a hard-core party school. Undergrads want you to know that “UCSB is a serious academic institution” with “outstanding academics” and “opportunities to participate in high-level scientific research,” though it “also happens to be the most beautiful place in the world in which to be stressed out.” Five Nobel laureates (including three in physics) pepper the faculty, and, “Because this school is [mainly] undergraduates, real professors teach you. . . . My ECON 1 professor was President Reagan’s national economic adviser and created Reaganonomics. That is pretty cool.” UCSB is most highly regarded in the sciences. The university’s Marine Science Institute facilities provide “invaluable fieldwork and lab experience with top-notch biologists,” and the school’s multiple nanotechnology centers are “revolutionary.” Programs in physics and material sciences are also highly regarded. Intro-level lectures can be “gargantuan,” but students point out that though “It is easy to complain that the lectures are huge and that it is hard to get into classes,” the experience here “all depends on the amount of effort you put in. There is always help if you choose to seek it.” One undergrad agrees, “There are hundreds of academically challenging classes and amazingly talented teachers at UCSB, but it is up to the students to go out and make the most of their academic experience. Nothing is handed to us.” UCSB has done a good job of moving administrative tasks online: “Grades, registration, communication, transcripts . . . it’s all done on the computer. Financial aid is automatically deposited into my account. There really isn’t a need to stand in line for services because you don’t need to, but if you do they’re generally helpful.”</p>
<p>Student Body:
"The “stereotype of ‘beautiful beach kids’ does exist,” writes one student, who notes that “I have heard the joke that UCSB is the only UC that requires a head shot in the application. However, there are all types of students that attend the school, and anyone can and does find their niche.” Undergrads here are generally “more laid-back and less stressed out about school” than most college kids and “take school seriously, but also know how to enjoy their youth.” They are typically “very athletic and in shape. They love the outdoors.” Oddly, students perceive their campus as “pretty White” even though Chicano, Latino, and Asian populations are relatively high; their perception suggests a campus on which students of different backgrounds don’t often intermix." </p>
<p>Campus Life:
"“Life here is very chill. I mean that in the best way,” a UCSB student reports, adding, “People aren’t freaking out about classes or stressing out. People just do their work and then go hang out at the beach” or “in IV (Isla Vista, the local, mostly student community).” A sophomore brags that “everything I need is on campus or nearby in Isla Vista. I hardly ever need to go off campus or drive anywhere.” The beach is a constant temptation; as one student points out, “UCSB is on the beach . . . literally. As I’m writing this survey, I’m looking out my dorm window and seeing the ocean, just feet from my building.” Surfing, swimming, and sunbathing are all big, as are “hiking up to the waterfalls, rock climbing, spearfishing, kayaking, scuba diving, [and] beach volleyball.” Most parties take place in Isla Vista, where “17,000 19-to-21-year-olds are all jam-packed into this six-tenths-of-a-square-mile community, so you can imagine how the parties are. . . . Every night is wild, but, obviously, Friday and Saturday nights are the craziest.” For some, Isla Vista “can get boring, because it’s the same party every weekend,” but for others, it never grows old. Downtown Santa Barbara “is beautiful and perfect for nights out, movies, or an outing.”"</p>
<p>University Of California - Los Angeles</p>
<p>Academics:
"It’s all about diversity in activities, academics, athletics, race, religion, and sexuality at UCLA; or, as one student puts it, “academically competitive, athletically dominated, and overcrowded.” One of the most vaunted schools in the UC system, Bruins take advantage of the school’s location and opportunities in order to “learn as much as you want in whatever field you desire, while being engaged in non-academic endeavors that are equally as stimulating and interesting.” Students here “have a lot of things going on that are not always academic or on-campus,” and “their outside experiences and passions are reflected in their contributions in class and on campus.”Being a large university can be a double-edged sword, and while those enrolled here are thrilled to be able to “take classes in practically any subject you can imagine,” many do wish class sizes were smaller, and “it’s very difficult to get classes, especially in competitive majors.” “In Chinese, most classes get filled very quickly because econ, business, and everyone else wants to learn Chinese right now,” says a junior. Though there are a few complaints of disinterested professors at lower levels, once students reach upper-division courses, “the professors are extremely knowledgeable and often have written the book, literally, on the topic they are teaching.” With such a wide selection of courses and departments, reviews range from “not always the greatest teachers” to “very smart and make themselves very available.” The curve can be tough, and students begin to think of their learning as “studying longer and getting better scores than the person next to you in order to place higher on the curve.” As far as step-by-step guidance goes, you “do have to be self-driven at UCLA,” but “if you’re determined enough you will be able to accomplish whatever you need (within reason, of course).” “It’s all on you to get your stuff done,” says a sophomore biology major."</p>
<p>Student Body:
"UCLA’s a tough school to get into, and everyone here “was accepted for a reason,” so most students are “well-rounded” and “extremely driven,” whether it be academically, athletically, or dramatically. That being said, they also chose to go to school in one of the liveliest cities in the US, so the typical student “regards academic success highly but does not make studying the central focus of their lives,” and there’s a “balance of work and play.” There’s a “very strong Asian presence,” and most people are involved in extracurricular activities, but beyond that, it’s difficult to find any other common characteristics of a UCLA student, other than that they “study hard and hate USC.” “Everyone, and I mean everyone, belongs here,” says a sophomore, referring to the extraordinarily broad student spectrum. “It doesn’t matter; there will be a group of people who are EXACTLY like you, and they will probably have formed a club for it already.”</p>
<p>Campus Life:
"While at times, the school can seem large, “there are always programs going on in the buildings to help you meet new people,” and most people use some form of club, organization, or sorority/fraternity to narrow down their circles. Since most of the apartments are within walking distance of the dorms, which are all grouped together, “there’s a sense of community. You don’t lose track of your friends in the crowd.” Students here are “really concerned about academics and getting into graduate/professional schools,” but on weekends, many still go to parties at the frats or off-campus apartments. “There seem to be times when no one does work, at other times everyone is busy and stays up studying for days at a time,” says a student. Westwood offers everything a college student could want, from shopping, movie premieres, going to the beach, or attending the “great concerts in the area, most of which are very well priced.” Naturally, sporting events are “a huge part” of the school, and all “take great pride in being part of such great tradition.”"</p>