Here at UCLA, each quarter only lasts 11 weeks (10 weeks of instruction and 1 week of finals). In these short quarters, it feels like information is being constantly crammed into your head by three or four different professors. Most of the time, it isn't enough just to attend lecture; it takes a lot of studying throughout the week to make sure that you understand the lecture materials. You really need to make sure you have a good grasp of the concepts because professors really like to check that you do via midterms and finals that make you rack your brain. While difficult, these examinations really help you gauge where you are in the class and how much more time you should be spending reviewing that material.
Most importantly, I am learning how to study and how to be a student at a bustling research university, not just facts about organic chemistry or equations and steps to solve differential equations.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
While most of the classes that I take for my engineering major tend to make me miserable during the day, the rest of the day is absolutely enjoyable. There are plenty of club and intramural sports to partake in, and if sports aren't your thing, there are even more student organizations to be a part of. I am personally involved in an organization called Grace on Campus (GOC), and it is absolutely amazing. The number of good friends (as opposed to acquaintances) that you make is astonishing. This is because of how easy it is to get together during the week since everybody lives on or around campus.
UCLA's proximity to Santa Monica is also a big bonus. Beach trips are the highlight of my week, especially when you take them with a large group of friends. The fun you can have at the beach and at the mall afterward is unmatched.
While getting off campus has its merits, fun can be had while staying at UCLA. You can play badminton, volleyball, and other sports in the John Wooden Center (our gym). The gym also offers a myriad of classes such as hip hop, surfing, and hiking adventures.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Unfortunately, the cost of attending UCLA (even for California residents) is on the rise. The worst part is that they charge you outrageous fees and you have no choice but to pay them. If you do decide to protest a certain fee, expect your account to be put on hold. There are a lot of executives getting paid astronomical amounts while a lot of students are taking a hit to the wallet.
Another aspect that detracts from this Bang for the buck category is that you're paying to take classes with professors that barely speak English. It's frustrating and absolutely annoying, but it's the sad reality. Especially if you're an engineer, expect to take classes with professors that only picked up English after they graduated from their respective universities.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Apply for external scholarships aplenty! Your chances of getting awarded from the financial aid office are pretty low since there are a lot of students enrolled.
It also helps if you already have good study habits established. I didn't establish them until the end of my first year, and it's reflected in my GPA. It's best if you can study the material throughout the quarter and spend the time before the tests reviewing. The best students aren't the ones that memorize the most, but the ones that can draw connections between the concepts they learn in class and use these connections to recall the facts they need to know.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Great for the dedicated student--a lot of classes you will be taking in your first/second years will be weeder classes. A determined and dedicated student will tough these out and it'll be smooth sailing.
The student who wants to have fun on the side: if you're really uptight and set on graduating in two years, UCLA might not be for you. There are many other schools in the nation where you'll be surrounded be people such as yourself. However, if you're the kind of student that can study hard and play hard, UCLA is where you want to be.
The undeclared majors: UCLA excels in so many fields, that it's okay to be admitted as an undeclared. When you finally do make up your mind, UCLA will pull through and you'll still have an awesome experience. It's also nice because you have two years to declare your major, and until then, you can go around the board and get a taste for them all.
Here at UCLA, each quarter only lasts 11 weeks (10 weeks of instruction and 1 week of finals). In these short quarters, it feels like information is being constantly crammed into your head by three or four different professors. Most of the time, it isn't enough just to attend lecture; it takes a lot of studying throughout the week to make sure that you understand the lecture materials. You really need to make sure you have a good grasp of the concepts because professors really like to check that you do via midterms and finals that make you rack your brain. While difficult, these examinations really help you gauge where you are in the class and how much more time you should be spending reviewing that material. Most importantly, I am learning how to study and how to be a student at a bustling research university, not just facts about organic chemistry or equations and steps to solve differential equations.
While most of the classes that I take for my engineering major tend to make me miserable during the day, the rest of the day is absolutely enjoyable. There are plenty of club and intramural sports to partake in, and if sports aren't your thing, there are even more student organizations to be a part of. I am personally involved in an organization called Grace on Campus (GOC), and it is absolutely amazing. The number of good friends (as opposed to acquaintances) that you make is astonishing. This is because of how easy it is to get together during the week since everybody lives on or around campus. UCLA's proximity to Santa Monica is also a big bonus. Beach trips are the highlight of my week, especially when you take them with a large group of friends. The fun you can have at the beach and at the mall afterward is unmatched. While getting off campus has its merits, fun can be had while staying at UCLA. You can play badminton, volleyball, and other sports in the John Wooden Center (our gym). The gym also offers a myriad of classes such as hip hop, surfing, and hiking adventures.
Unfortunately, the cost of attending UCLA (even for California residents) is on the rise. The worst part is that they charge you outrageous fees and you have no choice but to pay them. If you do decide to protest a certain fee, expect your account to be put on hold. There are a lot of executives getting paid astronomical amounts while a lot of students are taking a hit to the wallet. Another aspect that detracts from this Bang for the buck category is that you're paying to take classes with professors that barely speak English. It's frustrating and absolutely annoying, but it's the sad reality. Especially if you're an engineer, expect to take classes with professors that only picked up English after they graduated from their respective universities.
Apply for external scholarships aplenty! Your chances of getting awarded from the financial aid office are pretty low since there are a lot of students enrolled. It also helps if you already have good study habits established. I didn't establish them until the end of my first year, and it's reflected in my GPA. It's best if you can study the material throughout the quarter and spend the time before the tests reviewing. The best students aren't the ones that memorize the most, but the ones that can draw connections between the concepts they learn in class and use these connections to recall the facts they need to know.
Great for the dedicated student--a lot of classes you will be taking in your first/second years will be weeder classes. A determined and dedicated student will tough these out and it'll be smooth sailing. The student who wants to have fun on the side: if you're really uptight and set on graduating in two years, UCLA might not be for you. There are many other schools in the nation where you'll be surrounded be people such as yourself. However, if you're the kind of student that can study hard and play hard, UCLA is where you want to be. The undeclared majors: UCLA excels in so many fields, that it's okay to be admitted as an undeclared. When you finally do make up your mind, UCLA will pull through and you'll still have an awesome experience. It's also nice because you have two years to declare your major, and until then, you can go around the board and get a taste for them all.