University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

NO student would feel out of place at Ucsb. very liberal place, maybe its because i was a sociology major, but there were MANY very open conversations surrounding religious, lgbt, and socio-economic issues. if anything, i felt out of place being a caucasian middle-class sorority girl. students mostly wear sweats to class i'd say. bathing suits and tank tops when its hot. definitely beach attire most the time.

It has been said that ucsb is predominately white. Mostly blonde hair, blue eyes, caucasian. While I find that somewhat true, I feel that there is a lot of activity and more of a niche for minorities.for example, there is hermanas unidas and hermanos unidos for hispanic people.that is a large very united group. They all know each other. It is very easy for a minority to find their home in sb. However, it is not the most diverse school.most are middle,upper class, from either nor cal or so cal.

Anyone that isnt white would feel out of place at UCSB. People wear different things to class. There is not just one style that everyone has. Different types of students react but there are still groups of people that always stick together.Most UCSB students are from northern cali.

UCSB is largely a white campus; students wear sweats and jeans to class; most are well-off; most are left-wing; most are idealistic

I have become a lot more tolerant and try to support those groups. Minorities: blacks, hispanics, asians, etc. Jeans and T-shirt. Yes, usually. Blonde women, white surfer men, minorities, rock lovers. Orange County. Very rich and very poor. YES! Predominantly left. Sometimes.

UCSB is predominately white with a good portion of the people being from a pretty stable socio-economic background. Minorities might feel a bit out of place at UCSB especially blacks because there are so few people of the same race. People wear everything from pjs to jeans to dresses to class, it depends on the time of day and what the weather is like. It seems like people interact with people of similar interests just like you'd see in any other facet of society. Most students seem to be from California. I feel like this is a pretty liberal campus. I've never really heard people talk about how much they'll earn one day, but i'm sure there are those who do.

I think that extroverted people thrive at UCSB. People are pretty casual when they go to class. You can really find any group that you would in high school at UCSB. Most kids are from Cali. There is a decent amount of political awareness on campus, but you kind of have to get yourself involved and be proactive about it.

Quiet non-partying students have a hard time finding a niche, I think. There are lots of ways to get involved and you don't have to party, but it's easier if you do. Yes, all kinds of majors and students interact-I live with a transfer student philosophy major, 2 film majors, an exchange student from Sweden, a Texan in the college of creative studies, and a bio major from Florida. Some are in Greek life, some work, others don't. We all get along pretty well and learn a lot from each other.

I was part of the Campus Democrats on campus and other socio-economic groups. There is somehting for everyone at UCSB. Straight edge people might not like UCSB so much though. Anything from PJ's to designer clothes. Yes. Mix of different people. People from all over come to UCSB. UCSB is the "richest UC" so students from upper class families are most prevalent. There is a degree of political activness, not like Berkely in the 60's, but some. Most students and professors lean to the left. Some do.

Racial, religious, LGBT, and other groups are very visible on campus. I think they are respected and supported. Although I am not involved with any of these groups I have attended events they have put on. Students on campus that may feel out of place are those we choose not to drink or 'party'. Unfortunately, many of the social gatherings revolve around alcohol. Most students wear flip-flops and shorts. The weather is nice year round, with the exception of a few rainy weeks here and there. For the most part, the dress is very casual and laid back, despite a few girls who think they are coming to class straight off the runway. In the dining hall the only division, if any, would be halls sticking together or dorm buildings. There is absolutely no "nerd" or "athlete" tables. The only exception to this is that there are special interest floors in the dorms, there is an Asian and African American special interest floor. These halls may sit with each other, but I think its because they live with each other, just like other non-special interest floors sit with each other. Most students are from California with an affluent background, relative to the entire population in States. College is expensive, therefore most students who attend have parents or family who can support them. Although there are scholarships I dont think they are awarded enough. I think that most students are predominantly left or center. Our campus has a moderate amount of political activity, but not as much as you may see on other campuses. At one time UCSB in teh 60's and 70's was known for its political activism, however today it is far from that.

definitely a homogenous student body. white kids from suburban areas in california. uggs and miniskirts, weathered high heels... you get the picture. students tend to be middle class, both financially and in taste.

I think that the school is very diverse in most aspects, besides race. With 2 percent African American and 60 percent white, it's a very harsh difference from my high school.

we are a pretty white washed campus that is fairly liberal, but not ridiculously so. most of my good friends are actually registered republican, but i believe the majority of the campus is democrat or independent

people here care about politics, religion, etc and voice their concerns... its not totally liberal or conservative but a good mix. people speak their minds, but it doesnt get out of control or turn into a huge stage for debates aka, berkeley.

Santa Barbara/IV is laid back and fun. Students wear whatever they want and have ample opportunity to speak their minds and become active in community development with organizations on campus, like associated students.

ASUCSB has always been doing a great job at raising awareness on different issues on campus. Students who don't very much socialize would feel out of place at UCSB. Normal SoCal fashion. Different types of students do interact. People who only comfortable with people in their own race, Nerds (regardless of race), Partygoers, Chill People. (though people play different roles with several groups of people they are friends with.) California. Middle class families. There is a quite good portion of students who are very politically aware and active. Center. Yes, all the time.

I'm completely open to all races and groups on campus. I enjoy listening to what they have to say. I would say an EMO kid but I have seen them here, so everyone fits! Most wear blue jeans and a tshirt. Yes different types of student interact, atleast I do, but some others don't. One table full of drama sorority girls and the one guy that's thanking God he is there, other mix of boys and girls havin a good time, other surfer dudes, other athletic table. 1/2 of students from nor cal 1/2 from so cal. most are middle class american. I would say a good majority are politically aware. Majority are left. I'm republican.

Different types of students interact, especially based on major and interest. Students are very politically aware.

groups promoting the above categories are very active on campus but almost never pushy or obnoxious. Most students wear jeans and sweatshirts to class. Also girls wear leggings and sweatpants are really popular with guys and girls. Most UCSB students are from southern california. Students seem pretty politically aware/active. Most of the people I know voted in the recent election. Coming from all parts of the state and all different backgrounds, the students are left, right and center.

The campus is friendly to everybody although it is mostly caucasian. Nobody really judges others based on skin color. Most of the students here do come from rich families. UCSB is probably one of the msot politically active campuses in the nation and is extremly liberal.

I don't think any student would or should feel out of place at UCSB. It is welcoming and diversified to the point where comfort is the only option. I think the students of UCSB are extremely politically aware and active. When Hillary Clinton came to speak at the Rec Cen, there were mobs of people outside and a number close to 3,000. UCSB also has the highest amount of registered voters in the entire UC system. I think those numbers should speak for themselves. I think most students are predominantly left, which is to be completely expected.

I joined the Filipino club and dance team freshman year which was awesome because I’d never had Filipino friends before. But as the end of the year came, I came to realize that they only hung out with each other! I wanted to expand my horizons and get to know other people but I would get a guilt-trip from them. It was kind of weird because I’m the type of person that needs a few circles of friends, not just one that I’m with all the time. I eventually stopped going to the club. It seems like most cultural and religious clubs on campus are like that – united, welcoming but also really dependent on one another. A typical student UCSB is open-minded, intelligent and outgoing. Someone who is narrow-minded, shy and awkward would definitely feel out of place. Also, the student body is pretty physically fit – the Rec Cen, or gym, is always packed. In class, most kids wear jeans, t-shirts and flip flops. On warmer days, you’ll see people that have come straight from the beach or laying out in sundresses, cut-offs and board shorts. Different types of students interact in class and for academic reasons but outside of class, you usually stick to your group of friends, whether it’s your fellow athletes, people in your sorority of fraternity, club, etc. It’s not that there’s tension or animosity among groups, there just isn’t much mixing.

Most students who go to UCSB are from California. Only a very small percentage of the student body is international. Most of the students come from middle class backgrounds and are paying for school with student loans, but there are also good portions of the student body on scholarship or paying without student loans. The student who would feel out of place at UCSB is one who enjoys a more fast-paced academic atmosphere. UCSB is fast-paced because it is on the quarter system, but the students are very casual when speaking about their studies and this makes the students seem laid-back and relaxed about everything. UCSB does have a majority of white students and at times this lack of diversity limits the students' ability to expand their knowledge of others. In general UCSB students are not very politically active, but we do have student groups for both left and right political sides.

Since my freshmen year I have been involved in Real Life which is part of a national Christian organization called Campus Crusade for Christ. As someone who had just become a Christian, I wondered if UCSB had anything to offer me in this area. I soon realized that Real Life had a great community (over 200 students) of people who believed in what I believed in but also cared about reaching out and loving the UCSB campus too. Yes, Real Life is a close community that leans on each other but they are in no way exclusive. Weekly meetings on Thursday night are a great way to meet new people and experience a personal connection with God. There are other spiritual/religious groups as well. Hillel, the Jewish student group, is another popular and active one. One of the things that shocked my most was how active UCSB students are politically. We are known for being the school, or one of the top schools, with the highest amount of voters at the election polls. The overall feel is a liberal one, but which public campus isn't? For the last two years there have been marches against the war and active campaigns for social justice. But the best part is seeing how political groups, religious groups, sororities/fraternaties, and different ethnic groups can all co-exist. Most of the UCSB population is open-minded.

We definitely have a very active campus at UCSB. However, it really is what you make out of it. If you don't want to be involved, there is no pressure to, but on the other hand if you do want to be involved there are hundreds of clubs here on campus that our students actively particpate in. I love how the majority of our campus bikes around and there are no car-streets across campus (they have to go around). It makes it really easy (and fast) to get around and I feel a lot safer.