My Commuity Guide Santa Cruz,CA

8 Responses to “Should I Go To Ucsc Or Ucsb?”

1. Luno, on October 30th, 2009 at 1:21 pm Said:

   If you are set on Environmental Studies, then you really should consider UCSC…
   Sure, overall, UCSB is higher ranked, but the Environmental Studies program at UCSC is ranked higher than at UCSB.
   Here is a little overview of each school:
   The partying reputation at UCSB is fairly true, however, take it with a grain of salt because it mostly comes from the fact that all the parties are in the SAME place (the Isle Vista) so they are basically all concentrated in the same area. As for stereotypes, if you are “preppy” a “jock” one of the “popular” kids or the epitome of a Southern California teenage girl, then UCSB is the place for you. The campus is absolutely stunning and the social scene is booming. Off campus housing is said to be in a “student ghetto” so keep that in mind…(not like, an East LA kind of ghetto..just full of “starving students”) Plus, I believe UCSB only guarantees housing ON-campus for the 1st year…and 2nd year, they will help you find a place off-campus if needed, which is VERY expensive. The school also has its own private beach, which is pretty cool. Most of your lower-division classes will be in huge lecture halls and taught by TAs though…which is a major con.
   If you are more alternative in your thoughts and are interested in art, music, and politics, UCSC is more your style. The people here are more diverse and much more unique from one another. They also have 10 different “colleges” here. While you can take classes at ANY of the colleges, you are assigned to live in the one of your choice. This is intended to make it feel like you are at a smaller school and to give you a sense of community. Each of the 10 colleges has it’s own stereotype…there’s the “hippie” one, the “stoner” one, the “preppy” one, the “jock” one, the “nerd” one…et cetera et cetera. The city of Santa Cruz is a college town, meaning that most of the people around town are from UCSC and it is basically the main focus of the city. This is also a school where you ALWAYS will know your professor, at many of the other UCs, you may never meet or see your professor. You are very close to the city of San Jose and the Silicon valley, so if you are interested in pursuing a career in those fields, this could be the best choice.
   but really, either would be a good choice. People act like UCSC is suuuuch a horrible school and sooooo far ranked behind UCSB, but really, it isn’t…When applying for grad schools or jobs, the difference is going to be apples and oranges.
   Personally, I like UCSC because I find UCSB students to be a bit vacuous and shallow. They are more focused on just getting the degree for the status of it, whereas at UCSC, people are more focused on actually learning something.
   Here are a few jokes about the two schools =]
   UCSB: How many UCSB students does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
   - One, but he won’t do it unless he gets 4 credits for it.
   UCSC : How many UCSC students does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
   - 6, one to screw it in, and five close friends to “experience” it with him.

2. cr.benz, on October 30th, 2009 at 7:04 pm Said:

   definitely UCSB.
   Pro’s:
   Great Social LIfe
   Lots of Parties
   Campus is next to the Beach
   Santa Barbara is a really cool town
   Not is many Hippies as Santa Cruz
   Better Academics than Santa Cruz
   Con’s: don’t get caught up in the partying, other than that, nothing…
   good luck.

3. Emily, on October 31st, 2009 at 1:11 am Said:

   UCSB! It’s by the beach, in a beautiful area, near LA, and even though people say it is a party school, you do not have to hang out with that kind of crowd.
   UCSC is definately…different. It’s like going to school in a forest, it’s primitive. But whatever floats your boat.

4. Yvette, on October 31st, 2009 at 5:52 am Said:

   Im in the same boat as you deciding between the two schoosl and the post from above basically sums up what i’ve heard from both schools
   its a hard decison
   i think you should try to see the schools before may 1

5. raz, on October 31st, 2009 at 9:38 am Said:

   Definitley UCSB. It is ranked (#44 along with davis and irvine) way higher than UCSC…people call ucsb a party school, but you don’t have to let that affect you..it depends on the people you end up hanging out with…

6. kevinfly, on October 31st, 2009 at 11:31 am Said:

   I have friends that go to UCSC. I heard UCSB is a “party” school…

7. Jamalus H, on October 31st, 2009 at 12:58 pm Said:

   i say ucsc

8. starstru, on October 31st, 2009 at 3:57 pm Said:

   SB is just hands down better : )
   answer mine? please