University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB, UCSB UC Santa Barbara) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

The University of California (UC) is one of the world’s largest centers for higher education with a total enrollment of approximately 220,000 students spanning 10 different campuses, namely: Irvine, Santa Barbara, Berkeley, San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Davis, Merced, San Francisco, and Riverside. Santa Barbara was originally a small, independent teachers’ college. In 1944, it joined the University of California system and since then it has grown considerably. The University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) is one of the leading research institutions of United States and is a member of the Association of American Universities. The U.S. News and World Report for America’s Best Colleges has ranked the University of California-Santa Barbara at 10 among all public universities.

The faculty of the University of California-Santa Barbara includes 5 Nobel Prize winners and winners of Guggenheim and Fulbright Fellowships. The university has a total enrollment of 22,000 students and offers more than 200 majors and degrees. The university comprises five schools, namely: College of Engineering, College of Letters & Science, Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, and College of Creative Studies. The campus of University of California-Santa Barbara is spread over an area of 1,055 acres at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

The University of California- Santa Barbara is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

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Information Summary

Ranks 15th in California and 182nd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	93.1
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$36,659
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	33 / 1460
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	25 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	92% / 71%
Enrollment Total (all students)	25,976

Academics

The University of California-Santa Barbara offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs.

Undergraduate Degrees

The undergraduate degree programs offered at University of California-Santa Barbara are: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Music (B.M.), and Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs. The Bachelor of Arts degree program is available in different areas of study such as Art, Literature, Music—Composition, Biology, Asian Studies, History, History of Public Policy, and Theater. The students opting for the Bachelor of Science degree program can specialize in areas such as Biochemistry, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Ecology and Evolution, Pharmacology, and Mathematics.

Graduate and Doctoral Degree Programs

The graduate degree programs offered at University of California-Santa Barbara are: Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Music (M.M.), Master of Environmental Science and Management (M.E.S.M.), and Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.). The doctoral programs available at University of California-Santa Barbara are Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.).

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Admissions in the University of California-Santa Barbara are primarily granted on the basis of academic excellence, number of college preparatory courses completed, the level of achievement in these courses, Advanced Placement, and college courses completed. Other factors influencing the chances of admission include the high school grade point average for the specified subjects and the standardized test scores. Another important evaluation criterion is the student’s personal achievement outside the classroom.

The application procedure involves submitting the admission application form, official high school transcripts, and ACT/SAT (Reasoning Test) test scores. After the applications are screened, candidates are intimated about their status. Students are then required to return a Statement of Intent to Register.

International Applicants

International students are required to submit the international application form, original secondary school transcripts/national exam score report, and certificates/provisional diplomas. They are also required to provide evidence of their proficiency in English by submitting their TOEFL/IELTS scores. Students are supposed to provide a certificate of finances to demonstrate availability of funds to finance the education and living expenses for a year.

Financial Aid

University of California-Santa Barbara provides financial aid to students to help them meet their educational expenses. The basic objective of providing financial aid is to bridge the gap between family resources and annual educational expenses of the students enrolled for various programs at University of California-Santa Barbara. Different financial aid programs available for the students are: grants, work-study opportunities, scholarships, and student loans.

Scholarships, Grants, and Loans

The need-based grant options include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B, Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, TEACH Grant, and UC Grant. Students can avail various loan options such as Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Student Loan (subsidized or unsubsidized), Federal Direct PLUS loan, and Graduate PLUS Loans. Students can also apply for work-study programs wherein they can seek in-campus and off-campus work-study positions. The merit-based and need-based scholarships offered to the students of University of California-Santa Barbara include Regents Scholarships, Global Scholarship, Departmental Scholarships, and Private Scholarships such as Ventura County Community Foundation, Santa Barbara Foundation, Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, Gates Millennium Scholarships.

FAFSA

To apply for financial aid from University of California-Santa Barbara, students are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education. To be eligible for financial aid, students must be U.S citizens or eligible non-citizens. University of California-Santa Barbara recommends a priority deadline of March 2 to apply for the financial aid.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4296th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in California.

Students

University of California-Santa offers many opportunities for students to make their college experience meaningful. Academic advising services are available for the students to provide guidance in areas such as major selection, degree requirements, program planning, and academic difficulties. The Campus Learning Assistance Centers (CLAS) offer services such as one-on-one tutoring, group instruction, and academic skills improvement. The Career Center provides valuable guidance to the students to assist them in career decision-making, career planning, applying for jobs, and preparing for interviews. The Counseling Center organizes workshops to address interpersonal, developmental, and cross-cultural issues. Childcare services are available for the children of the students, staff, and faculty of the university at Orfalea Family Children’s Center and University Children’s Center.

University of California-Santa Barbara: Housing and Dining

The University of California-Santa Barbara offers various housing options for the students. These include residence halls, sorority and fraternity houses, apartments, and a housing cooperative. There are eight residence halls featuring single and double occupancy rooms.

Dining facilities are available for the students of University of California-Santa Barbara throughout the campus. The dining facilities include a delicatessen, Jamba Juice, a gourmet coffee-house, Dominos, Panda Express, Wendy’s Hamburgers, Chilitos Mexican food, Woodstock’s Pizza, Subway, Coral Tree Cafe and Courtyard Cafe.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

University of California-Santa Barbara athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I and California Collegiate Athletic Association. There are 20 athletic teams including men’s water polo, cross-country soccer, basketball, track and field, baseball, swimming and diving, volleyball, golf, and tennis. The women’s teams include softball, tennis, swimming and diving, track and field, cross-country, volleyball, indoor track, basketball, water polo, and soccer. The intercollegiate athletic teams are known as the Gauchos. The school colors are blue and gold.

Bibliography

University of California-Santa Barbara. UCSB Admissions. Web. 17 December 2011.

University of California-Santa Barbara. A Campus Like No Other. Web. 17 December 2011.

University of California-Santa Barbara. General Catalog UC Santa Barbara 2009-2010. 2009. Print.

University of California-Santa Barbara