@EmZoWe A lot of people just eat in the dining halls. Westwood is relatively inexpensive. Many students have fun right on campus! That’s the perk of living on the hill is there is so much to do. Many students choose to go to parties. Parties in apartments typically cost money while fraternity parties are open to everyone.
- is a ucla degree more attractive than others - like is it easy to find jobs when you graduate because companies like to hire ucla students.
- if you have a ucla degree are you at any sort of advantage to get into the ucla med school?
Hey, thanks for doing this QA! In your experience as a first-year student, how difficult is it for freshman to get research positions? Have any of your freshman friends or yourself been able to do research? One of my goals for wherever I go next year is to have a research position by winter quarter, so I’m wondering if that’s at all feasible at UCLA.
Neuroman,
Here’s a link to a survey of the employability prospects of graduates of various top schools. Check out the methodology if you agree with it. I think it’s pretty legit. UCLA ranks high (#2) on this list.
@neuroman I can’t really speak for east coast colleges, but UCLA seems to have the prestige that you’re probably looking for. Since you still have decisions from Ivies still, I wouldn’t make too many preemptive judgments until you consider all your options:) If you’re looking for premed, UCLA has good programs, but I can’t say the same for business:/ Berkeley Haas or USC (with their huge alumni network) would be better for business I’d say (though not sure if you applied to those haha)
@EmZoWe I don’t think you have to worry about not graduating tbh because UCLA did accept you! However, given that your GPA is on the lower side in high school, you might find it difficult to get a higher GPA in college unless you change something. If you’re considering grad school (like law or med), I would recommend going to a place where you know you can excel.
@EmZoWe If you want a friend group, you really have to put yourself out there, but there’s tons of places to do that! Your dorms, classes, and clubs are where most people meet their friends. Really make that initial impression when you first get here because that’s when everyone is looking for friends haha.
@neuroman I’d say that going to UCLA is a major perk, but I wouldn’t say it’s going to make a significant difference in med school just going off the name. While a 3.5 UCLA GPA is more attractive than say a 3.5 UCR GPA, it won’t make or break. I can tell you that UCLA has a ton of opportunities to boost that premed resume:)
@amijai21 seems like you’re really driven:) Umm I don’t personally know any first years involved in research at UCLA, but I know quite a few who have come to UCLA with prior research experience. I wouldn’t say it’s incredibly difficult to get into research, it’s just they recommend you start your second year. First year is really for getting used to UCLA and college life, but if you’re really gunning for research, I don’t see why you can’t find something. Keep in mind it takes a lot of time to apply and look for that, which means you’d have to start REALLY early. But if you have prior experience in research, I’m sure you’re already familiar with the process haha
What’s your experience with grade deflation/down-curves? (In regards to social science/humanities courses 
@armsai hmm I haven’t really taken many social science/humanities courses, but going off of the common belief that North Campus (ie humanities) is much easier than South Campus (ie STEM) courses, there’s unlikely to be harsh grade deflation. I haven’t experienced deflation in my science courses yet, so I doubt that any humanities courses are deflated.
@armsai There tends to be a down curve with engineering classes or with math classes. I’ve taken a history class and they don’t really have any grade deflation. Humanities and social sciences are different because they don’t need to have an average grade, whereas STEM classes here have an average grade of B-.
@EmZoWe My classes are pretty packed and crowded but you will find a way to get them, Just not in the quarter or placement that you ideally wanted.
I didn’t come from an academically strong high school. But I’m doing well in my classes here and that’s because I work hard. There’s a lot of resources that you can utilize to ensure that you have the best grade and the best understanding of the material.
I definitely struggled finding a friend group during my first week and I was somewhat a socialite in high school. However, through going through classes and meeting people in my dorm (which is deemed to be an antisocial dorm), I was able to make such a tight friend group. If you put yourself out there and you’re genuine with who you are, you’ll make great friends! I would recommend joining clubs or activities that interest you!
How does applying for housing work? Do I say I want a specific building or just the type (i.e. Plaza vs. traditional residence hall)?
aside from the obvious pros and cons of different dorms (bathroom type, etc.) are there any things to take not of when looking at dorms? For example, are any the “antisocial” dorm or too far from the action?
@10s4life
@helpmegetinlol All freshman are in triples so you’ll want to put triples first. Classics and plazas and suites are pretty much the only types a freshman can get.ie no deluxes. Classics are the most social. Suites are the least. You can also try and find roomates through the class of 2022 Facebook page which is what I personally did when I was a freshman.
Thanks for your answer! I’m also wondering how hard is it to balance getting A/A-'s while volunteering/shadowing/researching. Do you think it’s harder to do this at UCLA vs a different UC (Davis/Irvine)?
Lastly, how hard is it to get the classes you want when you want them? I know that it can be stressful registering for classes with so many people on campus, but can you still get all the classes you need to graduate in 4 years without needing to get too lucky?
@amijai21 Currently I’m doing research in a lab right now while volunteering for several organizations. I got A/A-'s while doing that; it’s honestly all up to you. I wouldn’t say it’s harder at UCLA than other colleges because I feel that it depends on how well you adjust to the college lifestyle.
It’s pretty difficult but I guarantee that unless you fail or don’t take classes when you need to take them, you will graduate in four years. There’s a lot of students who graduate in four years (outside of engineering/CS majors but even then it’s still possible) and it’s because you set up a planner for your classes. You can do that while at orientation, no need to stress out about it now. But you’ll find a way like we all did!
I know that UCLA is a rigorous school, but how hard is it really? Also, how difficult is it for a biology major. Lastly, how difficult is the pre-med track. Thank you!
@neuroman UCLA is tough but you can say that about any school. When you’re among other people who were top of their class and brilliant, it’s pretty difficult. Added to the fact that there is a curve to these classes, it’s definitely challenging. Ultimately though, it’s up to how you handle it to determine how hard UCLA really is. As a life science major here at UCLA, things are challenging but I’m still able to be social while maintaining a good grade and researching. Pre-med is tough because you need to get like a 3.8 GPA, but it’s not impossible. Keep in mind you have to take other classes to be pre-med but that info you can get later on.
UCLA is as hard/easy as you make of it, but I would say that this is a challenging place to be. But there’s a lot of positives about that. Without struggling, you won’t grow, and I can say that this arduous, yet supportive environment we have here at UCLA helped me to grow immensely as a first year at UCLA.
@amijai21 registering for classes is difficult because you obviously want the good times and good professors. While you might not get your ideal schedule, you should be able to get all the classes you want. If it fills up, you always have the following quarter, so it’s not a big deal:)