East Coast students at UCLA

[Anonymous]

Our son just got into UCLA and we seem to have already lost him to the California sunshine. He had some other good acceptances at the "Public Ivies" but he seems to be laser focused on UCLA. I'd love to hear from other parents whose kids went to UCLA or any of the UC schools. Did your DC have a harder time settling in since the UC schools have a much lower percentage of OOS students than a U Mich or UVA? Did your DC make new friends from college from the DMV area that they could hang out with over breaks when they come home? Or were all their friends from California who stayed there after graduation.

Sorry for all these questions but DS also got into U of Mich and UVA and we know that those schools have a big East Coast community and a lot of those kids come back to the area and hang out together after graduation. You can't go a few minutes in D.C. without seeing a UMich sweatshirt or hat. Our concern is that if he goes to UCLA he won't have the same network when he comes home for summer vacations or even after he graduates.

UCLA costs about the same as Mich and UVA so cost is not an issue. The flights home will be more expensive but compared to the overall cost that's not a deal breaker. It's more the social aspect that I am concerned about.

Any other stories about the good, bad and the ugly about UCLA would be welcome.

I guess I'm having a hard time letting go On the flip side, I'm excited to visit him during his time there.

[Anonymous]

What is his major? If I were him, I'd get a job in CA after he graduates. It's the best time to be in CA - young and single. He can come back when he is ready to settle down.

When he comes back for summer, why can't he hang out with his former HS friends?

-signed a former CA resident of 40 years now live in DC

[Anonymous]

Ok so this is a slightly left field response - but we lived in LA, specifically in Westwood where the UCLA campus is based, for some years until recently.

He is going to have no trouble at all meeting friendly people and getting to know his fellow students. LA generally is a very open and friendly place and UCLA is in a safe part of town.

Its an excellent university and very prestigious.

I have heard parents say that when their kids went to college in California they basically lost them forever to the West coast because they all loved it so much. But everyone is different.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't worry about the network - big schools are not like small schools where everyone who went there feels deeply connected and willing to help each other. More succinctly "Fellow UCLA grad now also in DC" is much more likely to get a reply around here than "Hey we both went to UVA!"

I went to school in LA (not UCLA) and there are not many better geographies for a college experience. Studying outside year-round...ahhh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't worry about the network - big schools are not like small schools where everyone who went there feels deeply connected and willing to help each other. More succinctly "Fellow UCLA grad now also in DC" is much more likely to get a reply around here than "Hey we both went to UVA!"

I went to school in LA (not UCLA) and there are not many better geographies for a college experience. Studying outside year-round...ahhh

beach volleyball year round, campfire at beach at night. That was me

[Anonymous]

I’ll admit that I would find it slightly odd to hear that an instate student in VA or MI chose UCLA over the state flagships. But that doesn’t apply to this circumstance, it seems.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. I do want to have DS be happy and it sounds like UCLA will be a great environment for college.

13.00 - I'm sure he will hang out with his HS friends also but sometimes those friendships drift apart during college so its nice to have "local" college friends also.

13.11 - we are MD residents so UVA and U Mich are also OOS for us. That's why the cost of UCLA doesn't matter compared to the other two schools. They are all in the low 60s.

Beach volleyball and campfires at night - he's never coming back. Oh well, I guess we'll have to do our bit and visit L.A. then

Thanks everyone for your positive thoughts and responses.

[Anonymous]

Echoing that there is a not insignificant chance he is never coming back. I am from the west side of LA, UCSD undergrad, UCLA Law. I had so many friends from the east coast stay out there.

[Anonymous]

Definitely go visit for admitted students day. My DS chose not to go to any of the UCs he got into because he didn't want to live in a triple room in the dorm and he'd heard that it could be difficult to register for classes he needed. The budget cutbacks and overcrowding of UCs is having an effect.

[Anonymous]

It's really great to visit SoCal in the depth of winter...might as well take advantage of your child being there!

[Anonymous]

Dear OP - I'm a former Californian now in D.C. I know UCLA well and, frankly, would go to UVA over UCLA because of the size Kids just get lost at UCLA. Your child may disagree and really want California but mine didn't. We flew out and did the tours - also SLACs and LACs but my kids hated LAX, the driving, the smoky fog, the sheer number of cars. So they never applied to any CA schools. IMHO students at UVA get far more attention from the profs. My second year at UVA has sterling letters of recommendation already from two famous profs and is using them to get an internship here in D.C. The cost and unpleasantness of travel would be for me a deal breaker. I know some UCLA and Berkeley moms from this area (also Pomona, and Scripps) who really hate the hassle and cost of flying out to set-up their kids, the flights back and forth for vacations and then graduation. At first, they were excited but it became wearing. Also, you must have a car in LA. and that adds significant expense. For UVA DC uses the train or HomeRide buses. This also may not mean anything to your child, but because we have kids in Virginia universities, we were able to continue our family life on into college years. The kids come home (different spring breaks) and we go on vacation. Or we pick them up and go on vacation. It's much more difficult to do anything like that if your student is at UCLA or Berkeley. I understand the lure of So. Cal for an east coast kid but it is not what it was 30 years ago. Also, if you think you can get to the beach easily from UCLA you are mistaken. You couldn't pay me to drive on the Santa Monica freeway. It's madness out there now. But, as they say, your results may vary. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

The main bad thing that I hear from engineering and similar students is that grading on a curve means 99% is a B now. While it's not 100% true, it does happen.

[Anonymous]

I would be wary of the budget crisis in California and the major funding issues of the UCs. The system is very financially unstable which can lead to major difficulties in stuff like getting classes, majoring in the subject you want, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be wary of the budget crisis in California and the major funding issues of the UCs. The system is very financially unstable which can lead to major difficulties in stuff like getting classes, majoring in the subject you want, etc.

This. I am from California and the reason I did not encourage my children to apply to any UC school.

[Anonymous]

Following: My DS in 10th grade now really wants to attend UCLA. Keep the comments coming!