College application & essay help for UC Santa Barbara applicants

Work with advisors who have real experience with UC Santa Barbara and will help you stand out in the application process.

Find an advisor who’s helped students get accepted to UC Santa Barbara

These advisors have direct experience with UC Santa Barbara as alumni or admissions professionals and have helped students gain acceptance to UC Santa Barbara.

Applying to UC Santa Barbara

Applying to University of California, Santa Barbara is highly competitive, and the strongest applicants go beyond grades and test scores. They clearly demonstrate who they are, what they care about, and how they see themselves growing at UC Santa Barbara.

Although no two applications are identical, schools like UC Santa Barbara tend to look for similar things: academic strength, meaningful engagement with interests, intellectual curiosity, and a genuine connection to the school’s culture. Understanding how these come together at UC Santa Barbara can help you build a more focused and intentional application.
Advisors who know UC Santa Barbara well can help you think through how your application comes across and where to focus your effort. At Sundial, you can work with advisors who either attended UC Santa Barbara or have helped students get accepted to UC Santa Barbara.

How Sundial helps UC Santa Barbara applicants

I’m working on my UC Santa Barbara essay — is it good enough to get me in?
UC Santa Barbara essay review
From UC Santa Barbara supplemental essays to your personal statement, get targeted feedback from advisors who know exactly what UC Santa Barbara admissions looks for!
I have questions — I need to talk to someone that knows more about UC Santa Barbara!
1:1 advising meetings
Book UC Santa Barbara admissions advising to map deadlines, refine your essays, and prepare for interviews with someone who knows how UC Santa Barbara evaluates applicants.

FAQs about applying to UC Santa Barbara

Essays are one of the few places UC Santa Barbara can see who you are beyond grades and test scores. For competitive majors and selective programs, strong essays aren’t just helpful, they’re often what differentiate students with similar academic profiles. The best essays don’t sound generic; they show clear thinking, self-awareness, and fit with what UC Santa Barbara actually values.

Uc Santa Barbara looks for students who’ve taken their interests seriously over time, whether academically, creatively, or through leadership. Beyond raw achievement, they want to see intellectual curiosity, initiative, and evidence that you’ll contribute meaningfully to their campus community. Your application should tell a clear story about how your experiences connect to your goals.

A strong UC Santa Barbara application essay goes beyond summarizing your résumé or activities. Admissions officers want to understand your motivations, values, and fit with the school. Focus on writing with clarity and intent, and make sure your responses connect your personal experiences with why UC Santa Barbara makes sense for your goals.

Yes! Many Sundial advisors have direct experience with UC Santa Barbara, either as alumni or through years of helping students get accepted. Their insight helps you avoid generic advice and instead focus on what actually matters on your UC Santa Barbara application.

If you’re looking at this page, that’s a pretty good sign you might want to get started! Ideally, planning for UC Santa Barbara begins several months before deadlines so you’re not rushing major decisions or submitting first-draft work under pressure.
Ready to get help with your UC Santa Barbara application?
Choose an advisor who understands UC Santa Barbara and can help you with both strategy and essays.
Need help? Contact us at support@sundialessayreview.com