<p>I don’t know much about all the UC’s, but I know that UC Berkeley and its community is very liberal. I have immediate family members that attend the school and they said that there “hippies” and other unusual groups and people there. People are always protesting and the atmosphere is very unique. Also while the academics are outstanding and the campus beautiful, the surrounding neighborhoods are very run down. I have heard that some students carry around pepper spray or pocket knives when they are on and off campus (mostly women but some men too) for safety concerns. </p>
<p>Also I have heard that UCSB has a very nice campus that is near the beach but the school also has a reputation of being a “party school”. The academics are decent and some people love the social scene at the school. Also this is unconfirmed, but supposedly 20-25% of the student body at UCSB is HIV positive, which is very concerning.</p>