The amount of knowledge you will gain during your first year at UCLA will be more valuable than any previous experiences. First, there is the academic aspect. Essentially, the material being taught in college is the same for any school, so self-motivation is a must. Being surrounded by other students who work hard all the time, you can't help but study hard as well and strive to learn and soak up as much knowledge as possible. On top of that, each of the professors add their own flair to their lectures, providing a different and memorable experience to each course. In addition, each course is so unique, the variation in courses offered will keep you interested and never bored. You will also learn a lot of life lessons at UCLA. You will learn a lot about different people, about what passion, dedication, persistence, and hard work truly mean. Most importantly, you'll learn a lot about yourself. The moment you step onto the campus, you'll feel the potential you have inside and instantly gain this I-Can-Do-Anything attitude.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
The dorms are so homey and comfortable. One fear high school graduates have about college is being homesick. The connections established within a floor, a building, the Hill (which is what all the dorms are called) are so personal and genuine that you will be having too much fun with your new college family to even remember you miss having your own room. Every day, the weather in LA is amazing. It is never too cold. There is almost always a light breeze, so it doesn't feel too hot either. This school also offers a wide variety of extracurriculars, for any ethnicity, any religion, any type of athlete. The diversity here is truly astounding, with people from all types of backgrounds, and you truly gain a more global perspective. What's also great is that you are in LA, and everything is so close. In your free time, you could just walk to Westwood and get some Diddy Riese (cheap ice cream for broke college students) or take the Big Blue Bus to Santa Monica to shop or just hang out by the beach. UCLA promises an endless amount of opportunities for its students.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
While the benefits and advantages of UCLA are priceless, having to pay out-of-state tuition is excruciating. As long as you remember to work hard and study hard, you should be able to make this investment worth it.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
- Apply for every type of financial aid, especially if you feel that you won't get any. You never know how many other students feel the same way, and your persistence will show.
- Take advantage of your professors' wisdom. Ask them questions and visit them during their office hours whenever you can.
- Meet a lot of people. Just talk to everyone you meet. Meet their friends. Networking is SOOO important, and you never know who could help you out in the future.
- Get involved with some type of community service. Not only does this look great on a resume, but you also learn a lot about human nature and about yourself through it.
- Make a schedule and stick to it. This will really prove your discipline.
- Form good habits. It takes 21 days to form a habit, and it's always hardest at the beginning, but if you can stick it out, the rewards will definitely outweigh the hardships you went through.
- Study every night. This is the biggest difference between high school and college. You are your own boss. Make sure you spend a large amount of your free time refreshing yourself on that morning's lecture. Even if you don't have homework, the information will start to pile up, so it's good to use that free time at the beginning to ensure you know the course information as best you can.
- This is especially for the girls: take it easy in the dining halls. Be sure to eat slowly and get one plate at a time. GO TRAYLESS! Even though you think you're getting enough exercise going up that hill every day, a couple slices of pizza and a few burgers can add up to the freshman 15.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Students who want to learn more about other cultures; students who have a work hard, play hard philosophy; students who are school-spirited; students with a positive outlook on life; ambitious students ready to learn about anything and everything.
The amount of knowledge you will gain during your first year at UCLA will be more valuable than any previous experiences. First, there is the academic aspect. Essentially, the material being taught in college is the same for any school, so self-motivation is a must. Being surrounded by other students who work hard all the time, you can't help but study hard as well and strive to learn and soak up as much knowledge as possible. On top of that, each of the professors add their own flair to their lectures, providing a different and memorable experience to each course. In addition, each course is so unique, the variation in courses offered will keep you interested and never bored. You will also learn a lot of life lessons at UCLA. You will learn a lot about different people, about what passion, dedication, persistence, and hard work truly mean. Most importantly, you'll learn a lot about yourself. The moment you step onto the campus, you'll feel the potential you have inside and instantly gain this I-Can-Do-Anything attitude.
The dorms are so homey and comfortable. One fear high school graduates have about college is being homesick. The connections established within a floor, a building, the Hill (which is what all the dorms are called) are so personal and genuine that you will be having too much fun with your new college family to even remember you miss having your own room. Every day, the weather in LA is amazing. It is never too cold. There is almost always a light breeze, so it doesn't feel too hot either. This school also offers a wide variety of extracurriculars, for any ethnicity, any religion, any type of athlete. The diversity here is truly astounding, with people from all types of backgrounds, and you truly gain a more global perspective. What's also great is that you are in LA, and everything is so close. In your free time, you could just walk to Westwood and get some Diddy Riese (cheap ice cream for broke college students) or take the Big Blue Bus to Santa Monica to shop or just hang out by the beach. UCLA promises an endless amount of opportunities for its students.
While the benefits and advantages of UCLA are priceless, having to pay out-of-state tuition is excruciating. As long as you remember to work hard and study hard, you should be able to make this investment worth it.
- Apply for every type of financial aid, especially if you feel that you won't get any. You never know how many other students feel the same way, and your persistence will show. - Take advantage of your professors' wisdom. Ask them questions and visit them during their office hours whenever you can. - Meet a lot of people. Just talk to everyone you meet. Meet their friends. Networking is SOOO important, and you never know who could help you out in the future. - Get involved with some type of community service. Not only does this look great on a resume, but you also learn a lot about human nature and about yourself through it. - Make a schedule and stick to it. This will really prove your discipline. - Form good habits. It takes 21 days to form a habit, and it's always hardest at the beginning, but if you can stick it out, the rewards will definitely outweigh the hardships you went through. - Study every night. This is the biggest difference between high school and college. You are your own boss. Make sure you spend a large amount of your free time refreshing yourself on that morning's lecture. Even if you don't have homework, the information will start to pile up, so it's good to use that free time at the beginning to ensure you know the course information as best you can. - This is especially for the girls: take it easy in the dining halls. Be sure to eat slowly and get one plate at a time. GO TRAYLESS! Even though you think you're getting enough exercise going up that hill every day, a couple slices of pizza and a few burgers can add up to the freshman 15.
Students who want to learn more about other cultures; students who have a work hard, play hard philosophy; students who are school-spirited; students with a positive outlook on life; ambitious students ready to learn about anything and everything.