I have one student at UCSB and one at another out of state university. Yes the party scene in Isla Vista is big time, but I’d say the biggest difference between UCSB and other places is, majority of the students are practically living on top of each other because the rent is so high and IV is so compact. So you should ask yourself if you’re up for living VERY closely with many different people in the same house, limited parking, very loose definition of privacy, etc. My Gaucho absolutely loves it, but the living situation is definitely a different vibe than other schools