I attended UCLA for grad school, and had friends who went to both UCLA and Santa Barbara for undergrad. I'm sure you already know that UCLA has a better academic reputation overall, but that's more dependent on which major you choose, and at the undergrad level there's not really enough difference to make a difference. You can challenge yourself intellectually pretty much anyplace, and there are good people everywhere. It's really about quality of life. Though I grew up in LA and am sensitive to common LA stereotypes, I found UCLA students were pretty, shall we say, image-conscious, and many were so deluged with other things to do (commuting, nightlife, etc.) that class seemed secondary. Folks at Santa Barbara were mellower and seemed to be having a purer college experience. Some embraced the party-school aspect of Santa Barbara, others the surf and beach lifestyle, but most actually studied ;). Night life in Santa Barbara is pretty much absent; it's definitely a more relaxed feel up there. It's all in what you want. I went to Berkeley for undergrad, which was great in many ways but definitely not a relaxed experience. Many times I wished I'd gone to either of the two schools you're considering instead (along with UC San Diego). Best of luck with your decision--you really can't make a bad one.

I happen to know that there are lots of cuties at UC santa barbara, and UCLA has a better academic rep. I'd do UCSB for the ladies.

Lucky you, m'dear. My son went to UCLA and as far as I know his experience was very positive. I attended UCLA many many years ago, but only for a month. I think Santa Barbara is a beautiful place and my guess would be that the pace might be more conducive to study despite it's location so close to the beach. Either way, good luck to you! Education is a wonderful thing..I applaud those who chose to do the work, because it won't be easy-peasy..but at the end you will have achieved something great and hopefully had some fun along the way! :) Happy Thursday! :)

Absent nightlife?! I don't know where that came from. Playboy magazine named UCSB the #2 Party School in the country. You don't get that by having an absent nightlife. UCSB Class of '07 here. I know you have made your decision by now but I had to represent here, I got into UCLA, didn't even go visit the campus once I saw UCSB. You want the football games and the bigger reputation then UCLA is your choice but I would not turn down UCSB without a visit first. It's beautiful, it's relaxed and I think you will get a college experience that you can't get anywhere else. But don't get me wrong, both schools are awesome and either choice you are going to get a great education. Just one you aren't living in downtown LA. :) http://www.playboy.com/girls/coeds/features/top10partyschools/ http://www.ucsb.edu/

Since UCSB sits directly above the beach, I would choose that. I lived in Santa Barbara from 1965- 1982. I am prejudiced against UCLA, because when I lived near there (1960 - 1965) it was like the very worst a city had to be afraid of. That was many years ago, and maybe it has gotten better since then.