You may have clicked on this article to get the scoop on why some measly UC Santa Barbara students think they can match the likes of students who go to the prestigious UC Berkeley. Despite your preconceptions concerning the ‘party school’ and public Ivy, these four UCSB students not only transcend the shady stereotypes of the coastal college, but they prove why UCSB’s students are far cooler than (any) Berkeley students.
Check out 10 reasons why UCSB students are cooler than Berkeley students, according to four scholars courageous enough to confront the cliches:
Humble Brag
First-generation college student Kelly Dias, a second year who studies math at the beachy campus, feels fulfilled from her UCSB student status, but not in the way one might think.
“I definitely do feel pride as a UCSB student—I freaked out when I learned I was accepted,” Dias said. “Santa Barbara was definitely my number one spot because I feel like it has a really good balance of academic and social life. I think my pride comes more from being a college student because I am a first-generation college student.”
Whereas many students garner a sense of satisfaction solely from their school’s name—i.e. Berkeley students—Dias, inspired by her individual accomplishments, garners her satisfaction simply from attending school.
Additionally, if Dias didn’t convince you, UCSB sits right on the coast of Isla Vista, a community in which half the members make up of students. The school receives accolades for its top-tier academics and vibrant student culture.
Life Changing Experience
For second-year physics major Alex Urena, who placed in the 76th percentile for the math II SAT subject test, becoming more well-rounded seemed an unnecessary venture. But UCSB opened his eyes to the knowledge that can be gained from his fellow students and gaucho culture.
“UCSB has emphatically reshaped my life by introducing me to so many different characters,” Urena said. “I feel like I’ve learned just as much from my surrounding peers as I have from my classes—different ways of looking and hearing things.”
Urena, enriched by peers he meets each day, reveals his appreciation for the school’s diversity and the people he meets from all walks of life. Urena provides a glimpse into the radiant and stimulating student culture at the shoreside school.
Cut-Throat Culture? Haven’t Heard of Her.
Urena also commented on his visit to Berkeley during a pretty defining time for every college—the week before finals, also known as “dead week.” Accustomed to the chill nature of UCSB, the Berkeley experience stood out to him.
“When I was there, it was very cut-throat. It was dead week and students were stressed out of their minds; it was just not a pretty sight. I’ve heard stories about students sabotaging each other for, like, better midterm and final scores. I don’t think I could have dealt with the dog-eat-dog nature of Berkeley,” Urena said.
Urena insists that everyone builds each other up. And although it’s lax, UCSB students don’t lack work ethic. Urena feels cared about, not only in terms of academics, but his well-being. That’s the major difference.
Initiative
To provide its students with the best academic resources possible, USCB focuses on establishing an opportunistic environment to grow personally, academically and professionally. Their students recognize this dedication.
Third-year English major Patrick Bello exerts most of his energy into his creative writing; he needed a program that would not only suit his needs as a student but would inspire a sense of pride as a developing writer.
“UCSB all checks the boxes for being academically well-rounded,” Bello said. “We have six or seven Nobel Prize winners, a Pulitzer Prize winner, we’re the first to adopt the environmental science major… I think that UC Santa Barbara does not only have very good academic and social spheres but is laid-back, which encourages everyone to be authentic. Until I attended UCSB, I never thought I could confidently show other people my writing.”
Bello chose UCSB because of their stellar writing program. That’s what intrigued him—he wants to write the right way. He comments that SB’s program provides better training than Berkeley’s: Cal only provides a strict English major without a creative writing major in the mix.
Community
Students at any college create communities through clubs, organizations and other activities—at SB, this comes in the form of popular clubs like Coders SB, a club fit for STEM majors; FACTOR, a female-lead organization whose message is equality for all; and, of course, the cycling club.
“I like the way the community is structured, I like the way the campus is,” said Bello. “I take pride in things like the amount of space in clubs, awards that we receive, student life and how we’re one of the fastest-growing UCs. It’s not like Berkeley or UCLA—there’s no sense that anyone is better than anyone else.”
The Isla Vista neighborhood, another hub of student social life, houses Woodstock’s Pizza, Freebirds and Saigon Noodle House (in Goleta). Students venture out to these places in droves each night.
Beach
Imagine a stressful day in class, feeling a little hopeless about your homework and needing to escape to your happy place. It’s pretty easy to do that at UCSB, where the beach lives about five-minutes away from your classroom.
“I’m gonna be honest here—the beach was a driving factor, it still is,” said Urena. “Climate has always been a big thing for me.”
I mean, who wouldn’t want to go chill at the beach to de-stress after a head-spinning class?
“The beach is a nice place to just relax,” said Bello. “If I want to get out of my head, I can walk to the beach and watch the waves.”
The ocean serves as a natural therapist for many students which is good—although UCSB’s academic atmosphere is not as arduous as Berkeley’s, SB never fails to create a difficult yet engaging environment for its students. The beach provides the perfect place to catch a break from the assignments, exams and even from people.
Bikes, Bikes, Bikes
Biking acts as the primary way to get around UCSB. On an average day, you’ll see dozens of students flying along the bike paths as if the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally migrated to Isla Vista. You are unlikely to meet a student without a bike at UCSB.
“I never thought I could ride my bike as much as I could, like, every single day of the week,” Urena said. “There’s a lot more of a biking culture than we like to admit. I never expected it, but it’s definitely the way to go around here.”
Not only does the biking culture create an opportunity to exercise but from what students say, riding their bikes around Isla Vista feels exhilarating. Bello remarked mentioned that there’s nothing like the feeling of flying down the street either solo or in a group of his peers.
Party
Shawn Biglou, a third-year statistics and data science major who cares deeply about his studies but also likes to kick-back every once and a while comments on the practical balance between partying and studying, debunking the unfair party culture stereotype that unfortunately came to define UCSB for many.
“From the reputation of the school that I heard before, I definitely expected to not be able to avoid parties,” Biglou said. “But once I got here, I realized how concentrated the parties in Isla Vista are and how you have a choice to either go and have fun or be studious. It’s nice to have the option.”
When it comes down to choosing which school you want to go to—if you are thinking about UCSB—the party factor should not obstruct your decision, according to students. Scholars attend UCSB to successfully continue their academic, professional and personal development, not just to up their partying antics to the next level.
Solid Sense of Direction
A safe, unified community creates a foundation from which students can find not only their place on campus but a place in the world; the security promotes a solid sense of direction.
“This place has introduced me to so many people and I’ve been here for what, three weeks?” Dias said. “I only made one friend throughout online schooling so actually being on campus, meeting everyone and attending my classes has made so much of a difference. Until I attended UCSB, I never thought I could seriously think about my future five years from now.”
Many students end up figuring out their purpose while in college, but that opportunity won’t come to the people who don’t work for it. At UCSB, students contend that they feel safe in exploring different subjects, without the threat of competition or academic pressure, enabling the discovery of their interests and passions.
Advice
The single decision of which college to go to determines the whole trajectory of your life; it’s pretty important. Bello and Urena offer their advice to students choosing between UCSB and Berkeley.
“Definitely weigh your options,” said Bello. “Choose whichever school you think is best for you. If you think Berkeley’s the route you wanna go, if you like that competition then go ahead. But if you like the idea of more community around school, then choose UCSB.”
Make sure you take in every factor when exploring colleges.
“Your environment is very much what makes or breaks you, so I would very much consider the environment you’ll be living in,” said Urena. “There’s a little bit of shade here but if you’re more into that dense, cut-throat atmosphere, then go for it! But over here, you’ll definitely have a community that welcomes you and looks after your back.”
No matter the decision you make, you’re (hopefully) going to end up with myriad opportunities for learning. Make the best decision for YOU—your passion will carry you through your academics. Although you must choose a school, a huge part of going to college makes up of simply learning to live out on your own and not just growing into adulthood, but your individuality.
