University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

I think fraternities and sororities are one of the most important part of social life. This is where I met most of my friends, where all the parties are too.

The Greek system is a great way to make friends. Even though only about 8{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of campus participates in the Greek system, there still are so many people to get to know. Greek life is also a great way to network in the future when you're out of college. Students do leave there dorms and go to other ones or go to Isla Vista (I.V.) One thing you'll learn about UCSB is everything has a mini-name (whatever that's called) for their actual name. Isla Vista is IV, Del Playa is DP, and all the buildings around campus have that too, i.e., Humanities and Social Sciences Building is HSSB. If you don't want to join a sorority or frat., which I advise you give a try, there are tons of clubs to get involved with too.

The Greek System is a popular organization that many people are involved in. Most students in dorms do not leave their dorms open. I met my closest friends through my sorority, who I hang out whenever I have free time. Last weekend I went out into IV and hung out at my friends house and went to some fraternities.

the most fun thing to do is be in a frat or sorority if you want to have a good time doing philanthropy and partying and just hanging out

Go Greek! Or at least try it! Although this social scene isn't for everyone (and not even for me anymore), but joining a Greek organization is without a doubt the single best thing I've ever done in college (second only to coming to UCSB). Within a few months, I had hundreds of friends and phone numbers. Many of my closest friends are also Greek, but are not in my house. Joining the Greek system introduced me to life-long friends, and as such, I have nothing but good things to say about the Greek system. But be warned, the Greek system centers on alcohol. I did not drink in high school, but I got way out of control in college. There is a lot of peer pressure to drink, but that isn't to say that you HAVE to drink. I personally know members of the Greek system (both within and outside of my house) who don't participate. These members are not judged or scorned, but many have a tough time understanding their stance.

Because I'm so involved with Greek life, it's my main form of socializing! You meet great people in the Greek system who are so much fun and I've made my closest friends through it! Being in a sorority, you always have something to do and people you can count on. The dorms are also a great way to meet people. I've met some great guy friends on my floor who will probably stay my close friends throughout my four years here! You don't have to drink to have fun though! You can always find a group of people who are willing to watch a movie with you on a Saturday night or go bowling or see a movie at IV theater!

I am in the greek system here and I looooove it. Even though the percentage of people in it isnt huge, it definitely has a presence on campus. UCSB isn't the best school to go to if you're looking for a boyfriend or girlfriend. People here are pretty into the random hook up scene and not being tied down. I guess I understand it, I mean there is a ridiculous amount of good looking people here.

Plenty of sports or activities you can join. Costs are around 50 dollars a quarter which isn't too bad. The Greek system is nice but you don't have to be in it to have a great social life. Dating scene kinda sucks since there are plenty of pretty girls and boys around and no one wants to settle. There are a few nice guys but most are just trying to get in your pants, sorry. I feel like that is similar in every college environment though. If your not much of a partier there are always movies playing in IV theater or Arts and Lecture events you can attend. Downtown if perfect once you are 21, there are a variety of clubs and everyone goes Thursday night. Soo much fun!

Social life seems to happen mainly in IV. All the Greek houses are in IV, all the parties are in IV, Magic lantern films are shown in IV. While people do go to on campus shows, theater or dance performances, or music performances, these are usually because they are required for a class that people are taking to fulfill a GE. I think students really come together in the fall for soccer games with our very proud Gaucho Loco section.

Many students leave their doors open, but I do come from a very close floor - I'm sure not all the dorms are like this. Athletic events are only really popular when the sport is popular or when the game is crucial. So far, I've been to a few baseball games, almost all home soccer games, and zero basketball games, though I know a lot of people who've gone. If you wanted to, you could probably something to do almost every night of the week. To not involve drinking on a Saturday night, you could go out but not drink, go to a friend's place and watch movies, go to one of the Hub's dances (the school puts them on sometimes), etc. If you're off campus, you're probably in downtown Santa Barbara, which really is cute, or else you're taking a drive to L.A. or something. Santa Barbara's small, but it's a good bubble. :)