Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Reviews

Santa Barbara City College

Courtney from Goleta, CA

a current student here
15 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
From On-Campus Tutoring in every subject you will be taught to Volunteer Tutors through the Phi Theta Honor Society, you will have no reason to ever get less than a B. The school's Gateway Program will ensure you a gateway to success with tutors also inside your classroom as well as in the Gateway Center from 9-5 everyday of the week. The teachers are immaculate when it comes to their teaching and down-to-earth when it comes to understanding you.
Am enjoying being here
Whether you are from San Francisco, Orange Country or even out-of-state or -country, you will feel welcome here. With State Street directly south and the infamous Isla Vista to your north, you should never run out of something to do. Going out to the movies or out with your friends is always an option, but having the scenery is what always takes everyones breath away. Located right on the beach, tanning, surfing, and reading on the sand is highly encouraged to relax after studying. Palm trees, beautiful weather, and an amazing variety of life will allow you to never see the same thing twice.
Bang for the buck
Being a community/city college, Santa Barbara City College is much cheaper than a university or state school, but you receive all the same benefits. From EOPS to the MESA center, book grants and scholarships are given out to those in need. SBCC resides at the University of California, Santa Barbara's old campus and so the students are blessed with the real college feel at the community college price.
Tips for prospective students
1. Visit the campus. If you need to go to community college, whether it be for financial issues or low grades, it will be your first choice.
2. Remember, college is easy to do, you just need the will, and Santa Barbara City College is here to do that for you.
3. The school has an open admissions policy, so apply when you can and know that it is there for you. You can go, you can get good grades, you can afford it, and you can make your dreams come true.
Great for these types of students
This college is great for ALL types of students. Who ever you are, you fit it. Santa Barbara City College wants you, and we know you want it to.

jessica from Carlsbad, CA

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The professors at SBCC are excellent! The class sizes are much smaller than those at a 4 year university, so the class settings are more intimate. Your professors are more willing to work with you individually to make sure you really understand what you are learning. At a university, the professors don't have time to do this because they have way too many students. At SBCC the classes will really prepare you for a 4 year college, if you choose to attend one, and you really learn and comprehend the material presented.
Am enjoying being here
I LOVE SBCC! The campus is amazing, its right on the ocean. The view is amazing! They offer really cool classes if you have time to take some electives. The professors are great, so intelligent and helpful.
Bang for the buck
SBCC definitely gives you more bang for your buck. The units are so cheap compared to what you will pay elsewhere, and the classes are just as good, if not better! I would say they are better, because you're getting smaller class sizes which helps you fully learn the material. Plus, the teachers actually care about their students and want to see you succeed. Honestly, you will do better in classes at community college, and you are paying less. So you are paying less money, to do better in school, than you would if you were to take the same classes at a 4 year university. Honestly, I was going to transfer after two years, but i've decided to stay an extra year, take some of the classes I would have been taking at UCSB, here at SBCC instead, because they will cost me less and I know I will be more successful in them here. Then I can transfer with more classes completed and have to spend less time and money at the UC.
Tips for prospective students
To all prospective students, I would definitely recommend attending Santa Barbara City College. A lot of people have a negative connotation associated with a community college. They think it's where people go who can't get in to better schools. Well, that is false! I am proof of that. I got in to UCSB and Cal Poly SLO right out of high school. But I chose to attend SBCC first because I knew that I would be saving money, and receiving an equally, if not better, education! Santa Barbara City College has so much to offer its students.
Great for these types of students
SBCC is great for all types of students! They welcome anyone and everyone! However, I would especially recommend SBCC to those who may need a more one on one learning environment because the class sizes are much smaller, plus they offer special services for the learning disabled. It's also really good for those students looking to save some money on tuition.

Daniel from Santa Barbara, CA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Santa Barbara City College is a beautiful place to start off your education. It is located next to a beautiful beach and it has an earthy feeling. Great teachers and great opportunities to succeed .
Tips for prospective students
Keep on track with homework. Study the necessary hours needed. And the most important have the necessary rest time.
Academic Rigor
Santa Barbara City College is very challenging, but if you get help from tutor it will be easy. Do not give up.
Dorm Life
I have not experienced dorm life. Some of my friends says that its pretty awesome. And its also a little bit expensive.
Food and Dining
The cafeteria has a great variety of food, but its always repetitive. They have great snacks and sandwiches.
What to do for fun
Sometimes when I want to distract myself I go near by the edge of the campus and just admire the view of the ocean.
Bang for the buck
Mmm well, money in this college is pretty high. So i recommend you get some savings to your bank, or ask for a loan.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
At the end of each semester the music department throws a big concert for the students and it gets epic!. Each club at SBCC has its own traditions.
Great for these types of students
SBCC is for everyone. You will find all kinds of people. There is people from all around the world.
Clubs and Activities
There are a lot of clubs at SBCC. The ones that I'm attending are EOPS and TAP. These two clubs do trips all around U.S.
Greek Life
The Greek life is great. I'm not part of it right now. but when I was in it was great.
Campus Safety
Its great. There is security almost in every corner. So, its a safe place to be in.

Christy from Goleta, CA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
SBCC's class rooms are about 40 students which makes it very easy to get time with your professors. I am learning a lot here especially in my English 110 class which includes college essay research skills.
Am enjoying being here
I really enjoy attending such a beautiful community college. The scenery is just lovely and between classes you can eat one of the many cafes overlooking the beach or bring your surf board along and take in a few rides.
Bang for the buck
SBCC is really a good school if you are thinking about saving some money. The units are pretty reasonable for a college but the books are the ones that will eat your money, ranging from $40-$280 per book, depending on your classes. But even with the cost of books its pretty good because you could get into EOPS program which they will cover all of your books if you qualify for financial aid and be enrolled in 12 units. Along with the BOG which will cover the cost of units.
Tips for prospective students
My trip for prospective students is to make sure you don't over work yourself and sign up for like 12-18 units because when it becomes to much it will bring down you GPA if you can't handle it. Along with using the tutor center if you need help with anything or especially if you need help with an essay because by going you could probably bring your grade up by a full letter. Just make sure to take advantage of all the opportunities that SBCC has to offer.
Great for these types of students
Santa Barbara City College is great for any type of student. The over achievers because they have gate classes, students who don't know what they want to major in or career because you can just take all general classes and then decide in a year or two, etc. I would recommend SBCC to anyone.

Lani from Montecito, CA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
a beautiful campus with courses that meet the needs of the students interest and the community. i consider sbcc a college that gives not only in education, also cultural development.
Tips for prospective students
reading, writing and communication are a key to perform in academia and also learn more about diversity in culture. the college environment opens the door to the world. when choosing your major listen to your intuition and what you are drawn to. you will hear the voices of other students, parents, teachers, and advisors on the best thing to do. in the end you are the one creating your life and deciding what makes you happy.
Academic Rigor
academia is a rigorous activity and prepares one for the world. one must learn the balance of rest and activity to keep a balanced mind, body, and spirit. eating right is a daily activity and needs just as much attention as the studies. along with this is physical activity for releasing stress from hours of study. in the end the idea is to develop your mind, at the same time be strong to carry out your vision of what you wish to contribute to the world. how you manage your health will reflect on the way you manage your relations with work, home, and relationships. at santa barbara city college, there is a strong emphasis on wellness at the same time growing in ones career path.
Dorm Life
dorm life is not an activity i'm familiar with. it would seem to manage this type of environment would require a sense of respect for each person one is living with. much like having a roommate or sharing a home. what's most important is that one has their personal space or room to reflect and rest undisturbed. there will need to be respect for each other when one is in this mood. also while in studies, speaking to oneself while around others is disturbing and a distraction. academia is about absorbing and containing information. it takes strong mental focus and a willingness to apprentice to fully understand ones studies. when sharing in dorm life, the key is to support each other in these activities. when personal life becomes a challenge, find ways to take care of personal needs outside of the dorm life. one thing i've noticed about the dorms is that they are close to the school and not far from the beach. the campus offers a variety of activities and opportunity to meet others and explore career choices.
Food and Dining
santa barbara is known for it's fine dining and food international food choices. there are more restaurants per thousands of residence than most small cities. i call it a city, although locals consider santa barbara having a small town feel where it's not unlikely that you would see someone you know in one of the restaurants and dining patios on the streets of santa barbara. most often dining is accented with great music from local artists. a romantic city visited every weekend from neighboring cities and tourists. being a seaport like city, the bay is also visited by tourist cruisers. this is a wonderful city to visit for food and dining, especially during the many festivities offered throughout the year.
What to do for fun
most often the fund in santa barbara begins with walks on the beach, roller blading, or riding a bike along the boardwalk. the beautiful paths by the beach offer amazing views for photography, especially the magnificent sunsets on the pacific coast. my specialty is photographing flowers. there are more flower species in the santa barbara area than any other place in the united states. other than my personal time of fun, it's shared with family and friends at fun places like the santa barbara zoo.
Bang for the buck
santa barbara has a variety of stores to shop from. from the most expensive to the person who needs to budget. shopping offers a variety of style and labels to please any shopper in santa barbara. the malls are beautiful and pleasant offering other activities of dining, movies, and entertainment. local restaurants also offer amazing food at great prices.

Rodolfo from Santa Barbara, CA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The Santa Barbara City College has many programs that would help you to be ready to transfer to an university. In addition, its teachers are really good, and the campus is also as well.
Tips for prospective students
Do not stop reaching your goals. Keep on track. Never give up, and remember that all the effort you put will become in succeed.
Academic Rigor
You can always be helped from tutors and teaches to keep on going with your classes and homework.
Dorm Life
I have not experienced dorms, although some friend say that they are pretty good but a little expense.
Food and Dining
The food that Santa Barbara City College brings to the students are delicious and also healthy such as vegetable soups, sandwiches and many others. They also have drinks such as water, coffee, juice and soda.
What to do for fun
There are many thing to have fun. Some of them is to play with friends in the fields that the campus has, and also go to the edge of the college and walk near the beach. There are also some rooms to play video games as well.
Bang for the buck
Classes used to be cheap, until now that the classes are a little expenses but they are worth. The food is okay with that price and the materials that are required for the classes are also okay. However, SBCC help you to get grand for book and many others.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
One of the traditions that SBCC has is that every year there is a concert made by the music classes. Its a relly apic time. There are also restaurants next to the college of sea food. In addition there are not many colleges that have a really beautiful view of the beach and mountains.
Great for these types of students
These City College is perfect for every student that want to succeed. Ist really comfortable because there is people fom all the world and you get to meet them all.
Clubs and Activities
The clubs are really enjoyable for the student. There are not only sport clubs but also others that help you with your homework. to transfer and many others that are very helpful.
Greek Life
I have heard that are pretty good, unfortunately I'm not in to it, I wish I would. Hopefully soon.
Campus Safety
Santa Barbara City College is a safety place to be. You would feel like if you were home.

Aaron from San Luis Obispo, CA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This is an absolutely great school. From student life to academic life the school is excellent. SBCC has a wide variety of classes all of which teach important life long skills. The teachers here are great and want you to succeed. Most of the teachers have their Ph.D's and are really fun to be around even outside of class. Within the past two years of being here I have learned a great deal.
Am enjoying being here
As for an enjoyable school, you can't get any better than SBCC. For one, the school campus is amazing. It has wonderful lush hills, awesome water fountains, and an amazing view of the ocean and mountain sides. Practically all of the teachers are student friendly and awesome! There is also a wide variety of student vibes, so your more than likely to find a good fit of peers. This school is very enjoyable.
Bang for the buck
Is this even a question? First of all it is a community college, so it is a lot cheaper than a lot of other schools. Plus the services you get is absolutely great. With tuition you get a bus pass, student health care, counseling, on-campus tutoring and a lot more. Not to mention it's right on the beach, which creates a great ocean feeling every day. A lot of people I have talked to, including myself, feel that a lot of the teachers are over qualified making the learning experience great.
Tips for prospective students
Get to know the school, the teachers, and the services. The student health care system is free, don't be afraid to use it even if you have a small cold, the nurses are great there. Teachers are awesome, communicate with them. I see a lot of my teachers even outside of class, they are all great people. There are also lots of student clubs. So I guess what I am trying to say is, just get involved.
Great for these types of students
All students are great for this school. I have had fresh out of high school kids in my classes all the way to disabled war veterans. This school works for anybody.

Edward from Indio, CA

researching this school
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I really just can't wait! This school is for kids who yearn to go to a University or University style school, but either can't do it based on academics or money. This is one of the top 10 city colleges in the nation and it lives up to that being atop the ocean and having that university style feel!! Literally am anxious to go to college now.
Tips for prospective students
Have fun and take it easy.
Academic Rigor
Seems like it won't be that tough, but will get you working nonetheless.
Dorm Life
I will not be living on campus I am going to get my own place with friends, but if that was the only option available to me I would live there no problem. Seems perfectly fine.
Food and Dining
Im hungry!
What to do for fun
Well first off there's a dang beach! And Santa Barbara has the one whole street of night fun.

Brandy from Santa Barbara, CA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
it is such a great community college! all the staff are really nice and helpful, and really want the best for you. and there are a variety of things to do/ going on all the time.
Tips for prospective students
you should really take advantage of all they have to offer. and try to join as many clubs as possible. but not too many that will end up making you procrastinate, because its really hard not to.
Academic Rigor
all the staff are very helpful! they each have their own way to teach but it is all understandable.
Dorm Life
there is no dorms for this community college, but college life is great!
Food and Dining
something new everyday! the students are great cooks!
What to do for fun
there is always something going on around campus, and the ocean right across the street!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
the hidden benches facing the ocean! they help you relax and focus on work.
Clubs and Activities
they all reach out and are always up to something.
Campus Safety
security is seen everywhere! they take their job serious, and make the campus feel safe.

Eduardo from Carpinteria, CA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
this college is very helpful, it has provided a second home for me. the staff and professors are some of the best at what they do. this college is ranked in the top colleges and coming here is one of the best decisions i have made.
Tips for prospective students
get involved in the programs and with your professors, it has changed my education completely for the better.
Academic Rigor
we are one of the best ranked colleges in the country and it shows.
Dorm Life
i do not personally live in santa barbara but my friends do, seeing their living areas i can honestly say they are very nice.
Food and Dining
the cafe has better food than some of the universites that i have been to which is always great.