jonnynZ

Hey guys and girls

I'm a 3rd year New Zealand Uni student looking to travel over over and study in one of the UC campuses for a semester. I am not too fussed on the academic side of things and am just going purely for the experience. Essentially, partying, drinking, adventures etc etc..

I cant seem to find much info on the differences between the unis other than the obvious facts like Berkeley superior in academics and UCSB being party central.

If someone could please provide me with a QUICK and simple blurb on each of the UC campuses that would be wicked. So far UCSB sounds like the one, but I will need some backups.

Also - I will need to sort accomodation and don't want to be stuck in some international's halls of residence which is boring as hell. Is it possible to just join up with a frat? Whats the usual deal with halls of residence? are they normally rowdy (drinking and partying wise)? or what are my other options?

Thanks a mill for any help that is provided, will check this thread reguarly

Jonny

SuperPippo

Why Califorinia??? People are pretty lame there and UCSB doesn't even have a football team. You'll be missing on the true college experience, not to mention California beaches are not that nice, and the water is freezing cold.

I recommend Florida, University of Miami in particular:

http://playboyu.com/playboy-party-schools

I doubt anything even needs to be said about South Beach.

pierre0913

UCSB may be party central but it is a top 50 school in the USA and has excellent academic programs. My pick would be UCSB out of all the UC schools. I will send you a short blurb on each of the UC campuses via a private message

ctyankee

It's just like a American going for one semester abroad to New Zealand. You'll be in with that group. If you are in a frat with a chapter in one of these colleges, that may be a possibility. If not, no shot whatsoever. Another option is to get on facebook and find someone that is in an apartment with other upperclass students who will be abroad for one semester and wants to sublet his quarters. That is a really good option to mix with those that know the local scene and get you away from the one-term international students.

SuperPippo

You are also WRONG about the International Groups being boring. They are the ones having the wildest times in college since they are "studying" abroad.

lockn

It's not a UC, but look at the University of Southern California.

SuperPippo

UCSB academics are far from excellent.

I have met several graduates while I was living in California. I would not consider it a top 50 school by any means. More of a solid Tier 2.

dc2014

If you can get an apartment in Isla Vista, the parties will come to you.

UCBChemEGrad

Berkeley: Oldest UC campus, Greek Revival architecture, top academic departments in most disciplines, Pac-10 sports - football on-campus, on a hill overlooking SF Bay Area/Golden Gate bridge, area accessible via public transport (BART), urban, "crunchy granola" vibe.

UCLA: Nice campus, top academics, Italian Renaissance architecture, Pac-10 sports - football not on-campus, L.A. glamour, better weather, better looking women, public transport an issue - more difficult getting around.

UC San Diego: Overlooks beach in La Jolla, top academics - esp. biological sciences, 60s modern architecture, confusing residential college system, not as much campus spirit - lack of major sports.

UC Santa Barbara: Campus overlooks beach in Santa Barbara, great academics - esp. physics, engineering, less commuterish feel than UCLA, Irvine and San Diego, Isla Vista party central

UC Davis: inland campus north of the Bay Area, not far from Sacramento, great academics - esp. veterinary, agricultural, bikes prevalent, college town, only UC (other than LA and Berk) with a football team.

...

Those are the campuses I would choose from for a visiting international.

UC Santa Cruz is smaller, beautiful wooded campus overlooking ocean in Santa Cruz, CA. (south of Bay Area), liberal vibe.

UC Irvine and Riverside are more commuter-type campuses but have great academics.

SuperPippo

Riverside great academics is an oxymoron.

UCBChemEGrad

^ What's your issue with the UCs?

Good academics, great academics...what's the diff? Where do you draw the line?

pierre0913

IMO for undergraduates

Excellent Education: UC-Berkeley, UCLA, UC-Santa Barbara
Not Excellent but good education: UC-Davis, UC-San Diego, UC-Santa Cruz
Poor education: UC-Riverside

UCBChemEGrad

^ You obviously know little about the UCs.

pierre0913

no I think I know enough to make a decision myself.....

schee410

SuperPippo obviously has a grudge of some sorts against CA/the UC system. I wouldn't listen to him/her.