One Student's Perspective:

"I have been more than satisfied with the quality of academics here at UCSB. I have especially enjoyed the General Education program because it allowed me to take classes that I would not have otherwise taken. Some of my favorite classes have been ones that I took to satisfy the General Education requirements, such as AIDS/Immune system (MCDB 21), History of Jazz (Bl St 14), and Appreciation of World Dance (Dance 35). I feel I have truly gained a well-rounded college education. "

Myth:

If my son/daughter decides they want to switch their major after the first year at UCSB, it is all but guaranteed that they will be at the University for more than four years.

Fact:

Many students decide after their first year to change their original major. Many students find of the General Education courses they take their first year to be enjoyable and decide to excel in a different field than the major they were admitted under. The good news is that many classes during a student’s first year overlap from major to major because of the General Education intensity of most students’ first year course loads. Hence, many classes taken in one major can be applied to most other majors at the University, and General Education requirements between different types of degrees, and between the different colleges, are usually very similar. Undeclared students also determine their majors in a similar manner, usually after the first year of courses. Also, if a student does find that he or she is behind in coursework, Summer Sessions are always a great option for completing more requirements toward any major if desired.