University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
UC Santa Barbara is a noted institution located on the edge of the Pacific, a perfect natural environment for research. The serene atmosphere is conducive not only to academic success, but also many outdoor and recreational activities.
Get to know University of California, Santa Barbara
College Highlights
FRESHMAN SEMINARS
Incoming first-year students at UCSB have the opportunity to participate in freshman seminars, the class sizes of which are capped at 20 students to allow for a small-group setting that fosters student-faculty interaction. These seminars cover interesting topics that challenge students to explore areas of study outside their “declared” major. Below are just a few examples of the freshman seminars that have been offered at UCSB:
- Eye on the Prize: Nobel Prizes in the Sciences
- Close Looking: Examining Works of Art
- Death, Revenge, and Madness in Icelandic Literature and Culture
- Latin America in Film
- The Creationism, Intelligent Design, Evolution Controversy
FIRST-YEAR RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE
The First-Year Residential Experience acts as a comfortable introduction to university life. UCSB strongly encourages first-year students to join one of these communities so that they are more easily taught how to access university resources, receive counseling from academic advisors, and bond with their classmates.
SECOND-YEAR RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE
The Second-Year Residential Experience, an extension of the first-year experience, further engages students through leadership- and citizenship-building activities. Many who participate in the SYRE work as mentors to guide students living on the first-year residential floor, sharing all they themselves have come to love about UCSB.
UCDC
The UCDC program is a partnership between schools in California and Washington D.C. Though this program, students from UCSB and other California institutions are able to work, study, and intern in the nation’s capital. UCDC is open to junior and senior students looking to expand their educational and hands-on experience. Some elect to do an internship, which requires 32 hours of work a week, while others choose to complete a research seminar and take elective courses for credit.
UCEAP
The University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) provides UC students a range of global education and internship opportunities. There are 393 programs available in 43 countries, providing students with plenty of options to choose from. Some of the most popular destinations include: Australia, France, Hong Kong, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, Singapore, and Spain.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 13%
Hispanic/Latinx: 25%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 2%
White, non-Hispanic: 30%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 18%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 9%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 3%
EUREKA! UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
EUREKA! is a one-of-a-kind, hands-on program that introduces first-year STEM students to the greater science community. Students involved in EUREKA! have the opportunity to explore career options and network with faculty and peers within the program. EUREKA! also offers opportunities for undergraduate research, a privilege most often awarded to upperclassmen.
UCSB SUSTAINABILITY: SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM
UCSB Sustainability gives interested students the chance to learn about smart environmental practices in and around the campus and community. Students gain hands-on experience working as interns on projects aimed at creating a more sustainable world. There are two projects in connection with this Service-Learning Program: ECOalition and Partners in Environment.
- ECOalition is a network of shared information regarding student-led organizations and projects.
- The Partners in Environment is based on three foundational values: environmentalism, volunteerism, and collaboration. Members of this project focus on recruiting volunteers for organizational events.
LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Living-Learning Communities are a great way to engage with other students who share similar interests and academic goals. UCSB offer several different LLC options, all of which foster personal and intellectual growth and support.
Culture & Identity LLCs
- Global Living Experience: This LLC is a collaborative environment that brings together members of all different nationalities. Best suited for students interested in studying foreign language or international studies, this LLC is represented by its vast diversity and overall respect for different customs.
- Asian & Pacific Islander Scholars
- Black/African American Scholars
- Chicano/Latino Scholars
- Multicultural Experience
- Rainbow House
- First Generation
Lifestyles LLCs
- Outdoor Adventure: Participants of the Outdoor Adventure community enjoy fun activities in and around nature, including skiing, climbing, camping, and much more. The LLC takes advantage of Santa Barbara’s proximity to the mountains and ocean!
- Substance-Free
- Serenity
- Wellness
Special Interest and Academic LLC’s
- Women Science & Technology House: This LLC option is for women pursuing careers in the STEM fields. It’s a known fact that men dominate positions in science, technology, engineering, and math, but this LLC is out to put a dent in that reality. The women involved in the Women Science & Technology House are part of a tight-knit community that encourages success among peers while providing both academic and personal support.
- Creative & Performing Arts
- First-Year Residential Experience
- Second-Year Residential Experience
- Transfer Living
- Green Living
- Scholars Floors
- College of Creative Studies House
INTERNSHIP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
An internship is a great way to get hands on experience and gain industry-related knowledge. Many employers consider internships a necessary first step to choosing a career and securing a position, as experience demonstrates that a student has truly applied academic theories and concepts a working setting. Some positions are paid, while others for not. But while unpaid positions can turn away talented students who cannot financially bear the experience without compensation, the Internship Scholarship Program awards hard-working students with financial support as they work.
SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT INTERNSHIP, UC CENTER EDINBURGH
The Scottish Parliament Internship is an amazing and unique opportunity to gain an up-close look at the political governing body in Edinburgh, Scotland. Students enrolled in this program serve as full-time interns and work side-by-side with a member of the Scottish Parliament. The program’s language of instruction is English, and students from all disciplines are invited to apply.
UCCS
The University of California Center in Sacramento (UCCS) is an awesome program that helps coordinate and support internship and coursework opportunities for students in the University of California system. Because the center is located in Sacramento, California’s state capital, students can even use UCCS to help them observe public policy processes as they happen. The two programs offered by UCCS are Public Policy and Summer Journalism. In order to qualify for either program, students must be in their sophomore, junior, or senior year.
Admission
TEST SCORES
Required
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 620 | 75th Percentile: 710
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 610 | 75th Percentile: 750
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 28 | 75th Percentile: 34
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 26 | 75th Percentile: 31
ACT English
25th Percentile: 26 | 75th Percentile: 34
Tuition & Cost
Tuition (in-state): $11,442
Tuition (out-of-state): $41,196
Fees: $2,964
Room & Board: $15,903
Contact University of California, Santa Barbara
Contact Admissions
admissions.sa.ucsb.edu
(805) 893-2881
Campus Location
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
(805) 893-8000