UCSB-Best decision ever made...

Introduction
I went to UCSB for a basketball tournament one summer and fell in love with it. I didn't realize how much fun it would be until I actually arrived. The environment is great for both strictly academic minded people and those who want to have some fun while getting their academics done. The only people that might want to stay away is someone who has trouble saying know and setting priorities for themselves. One can get caught up in the party scene and lose out on the great academics UCSB has.

Campus Life and Social Life
UCSB is obviously known for its party scene. As long as you are respectful of peoples places, you can have a great time partying. True, there isn't a football team, but UCSB makes up for it with its Men's Soccer program. Also, Men's basketball, Women's Volleyball, and others are big, even thought soccer takes the cake now. The great thing is, if you choose to tailgate, you can do it in your dorm/apt and just walk over with friends. The goal at UCSB is to get all your work done before the weekend, so you can enjoy it to its fullest. Believe me, you will enjoy it. For those who don't like the party scene, there are plenty of clubs and events that happen on campus that people have a lot of fun at. So if you're not a partier, don't worry, UCSB has you covered. Advertisement
Academics
UCSB academics are hard. It is a UC school and in the top 4 of the UC system. The workload can be demanding since it is on the quarter system and you have a new set of classes every 10 weeks, but once you get a hold of it, you're set. Everyone that I know love their major/department. We have 5 Nobel Prize Laureates spread throughout that you know you will get a great education. Professors love their students and TA's are willing the help when needed. There are three seperate colleges: College of Letters & Sciences (Psych, Soc, Econ, etc.), College of Creative Studies (more for Art Students), and the College of Engineering (one of the top programs in the nation with Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, etc). If you go in Undeclared, you will have no problem finding where you belong.

Student Body
The student body gets along great. We figure it is because we live in such a beautiful place that we have no reason to hate one another. It is a very relaxed atmosphere. We were once voted #2 Best Looking Campus do to our work out and healthy habits. Yes, you can party and drink those empty calories, but you can go to the gym or go running on the beach the next day. There is a group/club/sport for everyone.

In Closing...
I was able to get out of UCSB in 4 years with my degree in Psychology and a minor in Sports Management. Along the way I was very involved (still am) with our student fan base The Gaucho Locos, I did sports broadcasting for KCSB (the radio station on campus), I partied every weekend, and I still got my academics done. You get to try so much if you want to, and the great thing is you learn time management without even knowing it. You also get to spend your college life in a paradise right next to the Pacific Ocean. How many people can say that? I bleed Gaucho Blue and Gold, and I indeed am a Gaucho 'Til I Die.