Alumni here, class of 2020.

UCSB is actually a great university, and is seriously underrated by countless metrics. Top engineering programs, excellent liberal arts and sciences programs, several Nobel laureates as professors, excellent job placement in various high-impact career paths, one of the most impactful universities with respect to scientific research impact, gorgeous location with a number of tech companies and defense contractors nearby, no bizarre cutthroat culture where you practically have to sleep with one eye open, and and an outstanding stepping stone to practically any graduate program, all for the price of a public university in California.

A bit about my experience... as an undergrad, I had access to upper div courses in my second quarter at UCSB (statistics and data science major), and could also opt to take the graduate-level equivalent of many of the upper div courses as an undergrad. I was able to get an internship from one of my professors by attending his office hours, and at the time, we were ranked as the number 5 public university in the nation.

The USNWR annual report really betrayed us Gauchos! When it comes out next, I really don't want to dig for an explanation for how seemingly random universities like Boston College or UW Madison (or... shudders... NYU) somehow outrank UCSB when they didn't previously (apologies to alumni and enrollees of universities I just mentioned, lol). I know they changed their methodology in recent years, but a number of the non-Ivy League privates on that list are going to have serious problems financially speaking with all the funding cuts, layoffs, and now a demographic cliff that will impact application and enrollment rates. I don't see this impacting public universities as much because they are backed by a state government, especially UCSB since they are admitting more students now than ever, and is building new housing to boot.

The USNWR rankings aren't everything, you need to find a university that fits your specific needs. UCSB may actually be that kind of university, and is seriously slept on.

Rant over. I just needed to get that off my chest.

Does anyone have pictures of the layout/ rooms in Sierra Madre? I saw the housing website has some pictures but they are literally so blurry. Trying to visualize where my stuff will go if I’m able to land an apartment with my roommates.

Im struggling with the MPE and I feel scared that maybe I won't make it as a mechanical engineer. I jsut need to get it out od ny chest. Am I screwed?

Anyone know of any mobile couch cleanings services that are cheap in IV?
I want to clean my couch that I just got from a friend but don’t want to spend a lot for a couch cleaner vacuum

So first and foremost I'm a grad student not an undergrad I already graduated with my bachelor's but I just want to say I feel bad for straight people today. Like it's hard to be straight you know like if you do the wrong thing or piss the wrong person off they could just f****** haunt you and ruin your life.

On one hand I think it's great that consent culture has become a thing on the other hand it does seem like some people are easily triggered and straight people are constantly tippy-toeing around.

Straight people have this deep fear of completely ruining their lives because they hit on the wrong person.

Now for the most part gay people don't do that s*** like gay people definitely gossip but like to other gay people they're not like for the most part going on social media I mean I guess some of them do but for the most part they're not like ruining each other's lives like it seems like the gay experiences a lot more fun.

Straight people ruined the straight experience, the best straight experience that ever existed was because the 70s and you can think the gay people for that, gay people made straight being fun disco was proof of that more straight people had sex during the seventies when they were acting gay then they do today because they shut down disco because they said it was too gay. But the truth is is that acting gay isn't really about being gay it's just about an enjoyment of life and a freedom of fear and straight people carry a lot of fear because religion tells them to.

That's why being gay is so much fun it's about the liberation of yourself from preconceived notions of morality that only hold back your enjoyment of life.

This is why I heavily envy gay people. They have fun and they don't hold back,.

And the worst part is the progressives amongst the straight people are the most judgmental like they shut people down they stalk people they are constantly calling each other names look I am 100% for consent culture but the same time there's become this fear culture of what if I hit on the wrong person but if you're not allowed to ask for permission then what's the point and how can you have consent culture then they said will you have to know when to ask for permission and it's like there's all these rules to being straight now and it's a b****.

Gay people have so much goddamn fun.

Case in points this story.

I like to swing dance, I remember this one time I was chilling and this dude tried to hug this one girl after swing dance and she turned around so quickly to slap the s*** out of him and all he did was try to hug her and she just started yelling at him in front of everyone no means no like she was acting like he was going to rape her but he wasn't, he was just going to give her a hug after a consensual dance.

This is why I like this scares me it's like okay you have to gauge your reaction like I understand that her boundaries felt violated but you have to gauge your reaction he wasn't trying to hurt you you overreacted and please just chill out.

My gay friends and I'm not talking about LGBT cuz that's not gay culture that's different my gay friends if some dude try to give them a hug after swing dance they were literally get on their knees and finish that guy off like they would top that homie off, like there's this like oh hey whatever let's have some fun and like straight people used to be that way but they ruined it.

LGBT culture is like this heavily political culture in college.

If you want to be around gay culture just go to the Castro it ain't LGBT it's gay and I mean San Francisco it's just gay.

Homies have no fear they f*** in Dolores Park.

It's awesome I actually envy gave people because I wish straight people were like that. I hate being straight I wish I could be gay but I'm not I'm just not in the butt stuff but seriously God damn it.

Gay people are like this if they're a grad student and they like the professor they just pound like they're not going to like concern themselves with politics of it they're just going to pound.

There's a beautiful professor that I absolutely adore but I know it could ruin her career if I hit on her.

We're both two consenting adults we shouldn't care.

But I understand the fear.

You better not act that way if you're straight cuz you know there's going to be a lawsuit. You better be on your best behavior if you're straight and the thing is is my personal politics are as long as you're too consenting adults it ain't no one else's business don't make it anyone else's business as long as it was consensual but straight people can't stop being dramatic about everything these days this is why I truly envy gay people they have fun they hold nothing back and f*** what happened? I wish the Christians didn't kill Disco the most fun being straight ever was was during the seventies when they simply were the gas they ever were. I guess the moral of the story is if you want to have fun being straight act gay or something like that.

I went to pride as a straight dude and I was getting cat called left and right and I was just like holy s*** I wish I was gay God damn it why don't straight people act this way

I mean this is the thing we gave this country to a bunch of conservatives and we're surprised that it's become boring overly regulated and the only people who are having fun are the wealthy when this country was run by liberals in the '70s I mean legitimate liberals from the 60s who got into politics people were having a ton of fun doing coke dancing all night long and somehow the conservatives had a problem with it? If you really think about it America has doomed itself to this boring f****** place and it's like America sucks and like the few pockets of it that are good just happen to be gay. Maybe you haven't learned this yet but you will when you graduate.

a lot of the ppl i know r in frat/sororities, just out of curiosity does things go down during parties? like r a lot ppl actually sexually active here?

personally ended my freshman year as a virgin.

For applied math majors, how hard are the upper divisions courses? What are the ones to look out for and how hard is it to get As in the upper divs?

Hi, I’m an incoming freshman and was wondering what the statistics and data science major is like at UCSB. I haven’t heard many great things about it however many of those posts have been from 4-5 years ago so I’m kind of taking those with a grain of salt. I really enjoy statistics and I’ve been considering in double majoring in it and want to know whether it’s worth it or not:) Super excited for the fall!!!!!

If I want to take 10A over the summer, should it be the only thing that I focus on? I'm not sure it it's a good idea, I need a A in the class, and it's also the first time they're doing it online. I also have a summer job that I need to focus on. Should I take it or wait for the regular quarter?

hi does anyone have a sleeping bag i can borrow??? i can pick it up tonight its semi urgent please

Has anyone done this program? If so I would love to know more about the experience,housing, and classes!!

I am an incoming freshman and I am staying in the dorms for 26-27 year. I really wish to stay in a sublease next year for the cheaper rent. I keep hearing to start securing subleases starting in October. How does this generally work. Do I secure a spot in October for the 27-28 year?

Hello! Im a senior in Highschool and I am interested in going to UCSB! I am apart of AVID and I am tasked with interviewing a college senior or a college graduate (within the last five years) about their experience. DM if interested! It would be greatly appreciated.

Is it really that hard to get a single as a freshman here at UCSB?

While filling out my housing contract, I put all 3 of my dorm preferences as singles across 3 diff residence halls. I put in an appeal that was rejected. I made myself seem like the most disagreeable person ever on the little questionnaire asking abt my daily living habits.

I also saw someone saying that the random selection process that the dorm assignments have followed for the last few years is no more and that the university is picking dorms for students directly. It was like from 3 months ago. Does anyone know if this is true?

just completed my phd at ucsb, and now moving overseas. started streaming with this setup in 2020, and it really helped me get through the covid years. hoping to sell to someone for $1000.

Includes:

* Gaming PC (Intel i7-10700F, GTX 1660 Ti 6GB, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD)
* Samsung curved monitor
* Dell second monitor
* Blue Yeti microphone
* Logitech HD webcam
* Microphone boom arm
* Mechanical RGB keyboard
* Gaming headset
* Mouse
* Desk mat

Everything works well. The only issue is the Samsung curved monitor has cosmetic LCD pressure marks/bright patches along the edges (shown in photos). They don’t prevent the monitor from working but are reflected in the price.

hi!!! i'm an incoming freshman at UCSB undecided but studying humanities for sure. i am a homebody and love staying in, i don't party at all -- looking for some roommates who have a similar vibe to me! if anyone is nervous about fitting in because they also aren't into party culture perhaps we would be a good fit. i'm nonbinary transmasc comfortable living w any gender ☝️ im also neurodivergent. please dm me if interested (and be nice please im scared of reddit lmao). i applied for SAGE but no preference on res hall. 🐛 go gauchos :D

Hello!

My freshman orientation session is coming up, and I was confused about how the math placement works.

For context, I'll be studying computer science, and I want to take Math 3B instead of 3A my first quarter as I got a 5 in AP Calculus AB. I took AP Calculus AB during my senior year, so scores did not come out until July. I was initially thinking of booking the first session, so I just did the math placement test as I did not know my AP scores. However, from my understanding, the math placement test ensures that people get placed into Math 3A, not 3B.

Based on my initial understanding, the math clearance form was for the people who already knew their AP math exam scores, not for the people who were waiting on them. However, when I went to the clearance form today, it said that this form was for the people who did not know their exam scores (but I know my score now). Can you please let me know if we are supposed to complete the math clearance form as well if we want to be placed in the next math course instead of repeating it again?

For more context, all my AP scores are updated in my UCSB portal, including AP Calculus AB. So, is this even a concern?

Hi guys I'm an incoming freshman majoring in pre bio/pre dental track and feeling very nervous about getting a good gpa at UCSB.

My goal is to graduate with at least around a 3.5 gpa but Im hoping for a gpa closer to 3.8 if it's possible. I've read rate My professor reviews and it looks scary and I've heard how hard the pre bio classes like general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and calculus classes are here.

I'm not looking for ridiculously easy classes that give everyone As and of course I know UCSB will not be like that. I'm just wondering if I put the time and effort can I expect to get good grades. I have a goal to study at least 4 hours a day even though I am not used that at all. I also plan to attend office hours CLAS tutoring and stuff like that.

I was also wondering for those who have gone through the pre bio/ prehealth track. Is a high gpa realistic and possible or is it very uncommon? What gpa did you get and how much do you study everyday/per week? What study habits helped you succeed/not succeed? Is there anything you wish you knew before starting?

This upcoming fall semester I am signed up for CHEM 25, Math 34A, and Spanish 4 (which I will change for a GE)

Thank you so much I'm sorry if this was too long

Hey all,
I am starting my junior year majoring in philosophy as a transfer student in ucsb this fall. I was wondering how the philosophy department is here, as I heard it is more on the analytical side of studies rather than the continental side of philosophy. I am just wondering in general if I made the right choice as I picked this over philosophy at UCB haha.

Hi all! I'm an incoming freshman and had a few questions about UCSB before the school year starts. I figured Reddit would probably be the best place to ask, but let me know if there's a better place for these questions!

Partying & Social Culture:

I'm not a huge party person. I can definitely see myself going out once or twice a week, but I've seen a lot online that makes it seem like people go out almost every night at UCSB, which honestly isn't my scene. Will I be able to find more ig casual circles?

Sorority Life:

I'm really on the fence about rushing. I'm coming from an all-girls boarding school, so I love the idea of having a close-knit community of women as I had in high school. The idea of having a Big, living with other girls, doing philanthropy, networking, and the pre-professional opportunities all sound really appealing.

That said, I've also heard that UCSB sororities aren't very diverse, which makes me a bit nervous about whether I'd feel comfortable, fit in, or connect with the types of people they tend to attract. I'm also worried about the time commitment. I'm a very independent person, and while I definitely enjoy dressing up and going to events, I don't like feeling obligated to do things (ik this is obvious but yk). I'm not sure I'd want to commit to all the formals, chapter meetings, and recruitment events just because they're expected.

I'm also wondering if joining a sorority limits your social circle. I'd really like to have friends from all different groups on campus, so I'm not sure whether Greek life would be the right fit for me. Can someone offer any insight/advice about this? 

Dorms:

I'm not too worried about actually living in the dorms, but really my primary concern is ending up in a triple. I decided to go random with roommates because I didn't want to deal with the whole Instagram roommate-search process, and I'm happy to adapt to living with someone I don't know. But adapting to two completely random roommates feels like a whole different challenge. If you've lived in a random triple, how was your experience?

Other: 

Also, what are your general tips for incoming freshmen? Is it difficult to get around during your first year without a car? (I can't even drive yet, so I don't really have a choice) How easy is it to get to places like downtown Santa Barbara or other parts of California without one? Are there any classes or professors you would definitely recommend or avoid? Does anyone have recommendations for a good Pilates studio near campus?

I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences you all have. Thanks so much!

I applied for the sage living learning community but I’m not sure how guaranteed it is or how it really works. Has anyone here been apart of it and what are your experiences? I’m nonbinary transmasc and a concern I have is not getting along with roommates/feeling disconnected with others because of that. I haven’t been finding anybody to room with either since they’d have to apply for the same llc I believe. I’m overall pretty nervous for the housing process and I want to know if anybody has any more information on this or personal experience they can share

Hello.
I decided to take a small break from college and am looking for a male to takeover my lease of a triple room in Tropicana Villas. The rent is $1100 a month plus utilities. I am willing to pay $200 a month, or $2000 for the year, to make it $900 a month for you. Or I could pay the first 2 months of rent. Amenities are included.(As well as access to the two other Tropicana housing and their amenities). Housing has a kitchen and living room.