Diveristy and You

Introduction
UCLA is a very diverse campus. I don't think there is just one basis on which you should decide to attend or not attend. No two people have the same experience here, and I think that is one of the biggest selling points. This school is what you make it. The only high school students that should think twice are those that do not motivate themselves or struggled to earn good grades. UCLA does not hold your hand, students must take the initiative in everything from making friends to planning careers to choosing classes. This doesn't mean that there are not resources here to help you, but that you have to find those resources they don't come to you. If this sounds scary, this school probably isn't for you. If this sounds like a great opportunity to express and find yourself, you are a Bruin.

Campus Life and Social Life
To have a successful career at UCLA you MUST GET INVOLVED. Make friends in the dorms, go Greek, join a club, volunteer, work on campus... There are millions of ways to get involved at UCLA, but there is only one way to have a good time - get involved. This school is really big and that can be overwhelming, so you must find a core group of friends that become a new family. Luckily there are a number of ways to do it. When you get involved at UCLA, the campus comes alive; you have things to do, people to meet, and places to go. Without this connection, you will feel unattached. The biggest criticsms I have heard about UCLA is this lack of attachment, and it always comes from students that have not made the effort to belong to something. The athletics at UCLA are world-class: we have the most NCAA championships of any other school, ever. One of our teams wins the national title every year and we produce more Olympic athletes than most countries. And of course there's the rivalry with USC. There are also great Intramural teams and club teams that you can join.

I would not recommend choosing a college based on partying, but partying here is what you make of it. There are people here who have never gone out and others who go out 5 nights a week. Who you are and who your friends are will determine the party scene for you. I've had a great time partying and not partying. Academics
UCLA is competitive, definitely as competitive as Berkeley and any other public school. No school in the top tier is better at everything than another school. Research your potential major to see where it ranks nationally. If you don't know what you want your major to be, then check out other academic opportunities like studing abroad or research.

The Quarter System is great if you don't like lame assignments. Everything is fast-paced and to the point. If you need help, very few professors or TAs will flat-out turn you down, but you must reach out to them. I've had TAs that have been incredible and others who are lacking to say the least...quality TAs are not concentrated in one department. The same goes for professors. Yes, this is a research university, so the professors do not get paid to teach alone. I think this makes the education you receive at UCLA more relevant and interesting. I have never had a problem contacting a Professor for help, but I realize that they are not around 24 hours a day for me and me alone.

In terms of workload and difficulty, the challenge you face depends on the major you choose. The Econ Department here is notoriously difficult. History not so much. Sciences are hard, Ethnic Studies easy. Ask around and visit www.bruinwalk.com to get a good idea of professors and their difficulty and teaching style.

My only criticism of UCLA is that they do not provide career programs: for instance, there is no Business major or pre-Law progam and you can't get a degree in Public Relations. And the career center is noticeably lacking compared to other major universities. You have to seek out internships and jobs on your own...but at least the degree you receive givesyou an edge.

Student Body
There is no typical student at UCLA. Most students are from California, but I have friends from Nor Cal, So Cal, and San Diego equally. That is where homogeneity ends. Everyone is into something different. All types of music, skiing or snowboarding, volunteering and activism, politics, sports, a career in Accounting or Science. The best thing about UCLA is that you pick what to get involved in and find the people that bring out the best qualities in you and share your interests. Check out all the different clubs and you will see what I mean. I've been to movie screenings, political debates, charity events, basketball games, social mixers, and cultural nights. You name it, we have it.

In Closing...
One thing I have learned from the "research-only concerned professors" at UCLA is that this is a self-selected survey. I for instance felt the video clip on UCLA on this website was misleading and unresearched, so I responded. The only people that would take the time to write a review are those who feel strongly, so take that into consideration when reading reviews, especially the bad ones - this a forum for them to voice their bad experiences at college which may have nothing to do with UCLA. I've had friends transfer in and out of UCLA in my four years here. Anyone who left was not prepared for UCLA or had a bad college experience (which would have happened anywhere, not just UCLA). You take from UCLA what you put in to UCLA, more so than private or small schools. Make the effort and UCLA will be a wonderful experience.