UCLA--thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a massive university that will have less personal attention, less readily available resources, and more bureaucracy than small and private colleges. It rewards students with initiative and hustle, but may not be a great fit for more passive kids. D1 sports are fun but play a lesser role than in schools in the Midwest and South. Housing is more complicated than rural and semi-rural schools, and most non-affluent kids will probably have to share a room all four years, whether they live on campus or off. I'm sure most alumni are willing to help UCLA grads, but it doesn't exactly have a rabid alumni network.

Nonetheless, UCLA rates extremely well in student satisfaction, retention, and outcomes. For all the online cavils from concerned parents, Bruins tend to love their school and experience. Some UCLA students may be find themselves lost in the masses, but most find their community fairly quickly. This is subjective, but I think the campus has a a more vibrant energy than the vast majority of colleges. Among the T20, it is more social and work-hard/play-hard than most of its peers. Its international reputation exceeds its domestic reputation, if that matters to you.

FWIW, I'm a UCLA grad from the late 90's. I am definitely not an LA person, but I still loved my time there! Whatever criticisms I may have of Los Angeles, it was a great place to spend four years (minus the year I studied abroad). I can't advise on whether it's better than this or that university, but I have no complaints.

The cons listed here and in the post above this reply are fair. Those were too much for my DC and they transferred out.

where did they go?

[Anonymous]

The tour we had at UCLA and the students we met were so impressive. They were not just intelligent and driven, but also seemed to really be enjoying themselves. Quickly went to the top of DC's list. Doesn't hurt that it's in LA and has a gorgeous campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UCLA receives more applications than any other college or university in the world.

Great location--safe & beautiful.

Lots of very attractive students.

Outstanding reputation here & abroad.

Boredom is prohibited.

Just on our visit - a lot of homeless on the benches.

Huh? Where? Westwood? Not on campus

On Campus - not saying on every bench but towards the entrances.

USC to contrast in a bad neighborhood but walled with guards at every entrance.

I was just there and walked around the campus several times over the course of three days. Didn’t see a single homeless person on campus, nor in Westwood. The rest of LA however….much worse than SF, where I visit often.

[Anonymous]

Have a current out-of-state freshman at UCLA. Being there has definitely increased her independence and drive. Obviously there are great academics—all classes taught by professors with TAs/discussion groups for the big 200 people intro courses. Students do have to go to office hours if they want to speak with a professor—the professors aren’t going to reach out to students. The overall student vibe isn’t competitive—there is much more of a “we’re all in this together” mind-set.

Students really have to strongly go after what they want at a big public like UCLA—there is no hand holding. She has gotten all of her classes except the freshman cluster they hype so much, joined four clubs (two of which required applications), met with an advisor, gone to sporting events, the beach, the Getty Museum, etc. Got a summer internship. This has taken quite a bit of hustle though. Students have to be organized and proactive to make the most of all the opportunities there. I think this will serve her well when she enters the working world. With all that said, UCLA can feel over crowded and it would be very easy to get lost in the shuffle there if they don’t push themselves to get involved.

This year school has really cracked down on any protests—there is nothing allowed overnight, no encampments, nothing blocking students way, no pro-Palestine/Hamas (a couple pro-Palestinian clubs were banned). It is a public school though so there are people who stand on Bruin walk to pitch whatever they believe in as students walk to class (religion, pro-Trump/anti-Trump, free food samples, clubs, etc)—it is regulated so not too many at the same time, and students can ignore them, but they are there and can be annoying. And yes there are occasional homeless that wander on to campus from Westwood. There is also a lot of UC security presence.

The food on campus is great—the quality is good and there are tons of options. There have been a few 1-2 day food service worker strikes this year but school makes sure several places are still open even during the strikes.

Definitely give some thought to the housing—it’s great they guarantee four years and have a lot of options from dorms to suites and apartments, but to offer that guarantee, they cram students into triples. And not just freshmen. Fortunately unlike some schools, students don’t have to plan their housing in the fall for the following year. Continuing students submit housing requests in Feb that are confirmed in April. And there are a bunch of independent apartments in walking distance to campus that are full of students so eventually those that can afford it may choose to at least go for a 2 bedroom/4 person apartment. This also doesn’t have to be planned that far in advance, but may have a 12 mos lease.

Logistically UCLA is easy out-of-state. It’s a reasonable distance from LAX with plenty of flights and hotels near school so you don’t have to book too far in advance.
Hope this helps!

Good luck with your decision!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UCLA receives more applications than any other college or university in the world.

Great location--safe & beautiful.

Lots of very attractive students.

Outstanding reputation here & abroad.

Boredom is prohibited.

Just on our visit - a lot of homeless on the benches.

Huh? Where? Westwood? Not on campus

On Campus - not saying on every bench but towards the entrances.

USC to contrast in a bad neighborhood but walled with guards at every entrance.

I was just there and walked around the campus several times over the course of three days. Didn’t see a single homeless person on campus, nor in Westwood. The rest of LA however….much worse than SF, where I visit often.

Like I said it wasn't rampant and maybe it was because I saw the place shortly after Christmas. I suppose LA County wont let it's pride and joy go unkept nor the campus police. It is a nice campus and the outdoor sculptures were an unexpected nice touch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have a current out-of-state freshman at UCLA. Being there has definitely increased her independence and drive. Obviously there are great academics—all classes taught by professors with TAs/discussion groups for the big 200 people intro courses. Students do have to go to office hours if they want to speak with a professor—the professors aren’t going to reach out to students. The overall student vibe isn’t competitive—there is much more of a “we’re all in this together” mind-set.

Students really have to strongly go after what they want at a big public like UCLA—there is no hand holding. She has gotten all of her classes except the freshman cluster they hype so much, joined four clubs (two of which required applications), met with an advisor, gone to sporting events, the beach, the Getty Museum, etc. Got a summer internship. This has taken quite a bit of hustle though. Students have to be organized and proactive to make the most of all the opportunities there. I think this will serve her well when she enters the working world. With all that said, UCLA can feel over crowded and it would be very easy to get lost in the shuffle there if they don’t push themselves to get involved.

This year school has really cracked down on any protests—there is nothing allowed overnight, no encampments, nothing blocking students way, no pro-Palestine/Hamas (a couple pro-Palestinian clubs were banned). It is a public school though so there are people who stand on Bruin walk to pitch whatever they believe in as students walk to class (religion, pro-Trump/anti-Trump, free food samples, clubs, etc)—it is regulated so not too many at the same time, and students can ignore them, but they are there and can be annoying. And yes there are occasional homeless that wander on to campus from Westwood. There is also a lot of UC security presence.

The food on campus is great—the quality is good and there are tons of options. There have been a few 1-2 day food service worker strikes this year but school makes sure several places are still open even during the strikes.

Definitely give some thought to the housing—it’s great they guarantee four years and have a lot of options from dorms to suites and apartments, but to offer that guarantee, they cram students into triples. And not just freshmen. Fortunately unlike some schools, students don’t have to plan their housing in the fall for the following year. Continuing students submit housing requests in Feb that are confirmed in April. And there are a bunch of independent apartments in walking distance to campus that are full of students so eventually those that can afford it may choose to at least go for a 2 bedroom/4 person apartment. This also doesn’t have to be planned that far in advance, but may have a 12 mos lease.

Logistically UCLA is easy out-of-state. It’s a reasonable distance from LAX with plenty of flights and hotels near school so you don’t have to book too far in advance.
Hope this helps!

Good luck with your decision!

This is great info. Tysm. My dc who is struggling w the SAT has added it to her list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UCLA receives more applications than any other college or university in the world.

Great location--safe & beautiful.

Lots of very attractive students.

Outstanding reputation here & abroad.

Boredom is prohibited.

Just on our visit - a lot of homeless on the benches.

Huh? Where? Westwood? Not on campus

Lived in Westwood for two years. There are definitely a lot of homeless in the village and on campus. It’s a big issue for LA generally.

[Anonymous]

DC got into ucla for undergraduate but also got a full ride to UMD. What’s the chance of ucla matching or providing merit scholarship? We will be visiting during spring break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC got into ucla for undergraduate but also got a full ride to UMD. What’s the chance of ucla matching or providing merit scholarship? We will be visiting during spring break.

Zero, UCLA does not give oos merit.