DS just got off the waitlist for UCSB

[Anonymous]

Accepted Pitt but UCSB has thrown a wrench in the cogs. We have until May 18 to decide but he hasn't visited yet. Truthfully we added it on a whim with UCLA and UCSD but the biology/ecology looks good for him. Thoughts? I'm hearing lots of over crowding stories in UC system and not worth the price for out of state. As a DC resident everywhere is out of state tho.

[Anonymous]

What’s your housing budget?

[Anonymous]

Also he might have to find off campus housing for freshman year, too.

[Anonymous]

We would pay whatever is needed for housing if he goes out there.

[Anonymous]

UCSB is a great school. It is on the beach (so 5 minute walk from many dorms to the ocean). The infrastructure is mostly dated. The bicycle lanes have the right of way (meaning pedestrians need to treat crossing a bike lane like crossing the street). The shortcoming for my DC was that it was not really city accessible.

We are also DC. Importantly, the tuition and fees are locked in at your freshman rate
For up to 6 years. Also, make sure to knock the cost of health insurance off the price tag if your student will be on your insurance. I calculated the cost (setting aside travel) as around $58K/year once DC tag was factored in.

Most kids live in Isla Vista (the development next door to the school) after freshman year. Smart kids having a lot of fun.

Good luck with the decision, I would say UCSB over Pitt if you can afford it but I am from CA and UC educated so I think it feels less far to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also he might have to find off campus housing for freshman year, too.

This is based on what, the student has not missed any housing deadline yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UCSB is a great school. It is on the beach (so 5 minute walk from many dorms to the ocean). The infrastructure is mostly dated. The bicycle lanes have the right of way (meaning pedestrians need to treat crossing a bike lane like crossing the street). The shortcoming for my DC was that it was not really city accessible.

We are also DC. Importantly, the tuition and fees are locked in at your freshman rate
For up to 6 years. Also, make sure to knock the cost of health insurance off the price tag if your student will be on your insurance. I calculated the cost (setting aside travel) as around $58K/year once DC tag was factored in.

Most kids live in Isla Vista (the development next door to the school) after freshman year. Smart kids having a lot of fun.

Good luck with the decision, I would say UCSB over Pitt if you can afford it but I am from CA and UC educated so I think it feels less far to me.

That's good info. Thx.

[Anonymous]

You need to get on a plane and visit and tour the campus before deciding. It's a great campus, but not for everyone. So do NOT change on a whim unless you visit. And visit on a school day if possible.

[Anonymous]

Have you been to Santa Barbara before OP? Where was this college on his list?

We're in CA and I knew some folks from Bethesda (when we lived there) whose kids went to UCSB and felt it was a great choice.

College quality aside, I really like SB its safe, clean, quiet, a good small town for a college student to spend time.

[Anonymous]

I grew up near there and know it well.

UCSB is an awesome place.

[Anonymous]

Santa Barbara area is so amazing. But it’s oddly insular in the sense that if you didn’t grow up there and go to school there it’s hard to get a job, make friends etc. I would go there to have an entre into living in that area.

The only drawback as I see to the area is the environmental concerns. Earthquakes, mudslides, fire. Not sure how or if those affect the campus. Those concerns have kept me from relocating there. But I would rather go to ucsb over Pitt.

[Anonymous]

If you visit, book your ticket thru LA and have a car rental waiting so you can drive if your flight to SB is cancelled. Or just fly to LA to begin with. Don’t go thru SFO. Too many cancellations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also he might have to find off campus housing for freshman year, too.

This is based on what, the student has not missed any housing deadline yet.

I think they're confusing UCSB with UCSC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also he might have to find off campus housing for freshman year, too.

This is based on what, the student has not missed any housing deadline yet.

The UCs generally don’t guarantee freshmen housing

[Anonymous]

Sounds awesome. Definitely visit and consider!