<p>I have heard people say that it is hard to get classes at UCLA, and have even seen this written in college guide books, so I imagine there is some validity to it. But what does this actually mean? Hard to get into small sections? Hard to get into big lectures? Intro classes or more advanced? Would this impact a Computer Science major? Does this mean one should expect it to take 5 years to graduate?</p>
<p>My son would be an out of state student here. Since tuition will be astronomical (we will be full pay), I want to know if getting into the necessary classes is a genuine, sustained problem throughout one's undergraduate education. ie I don't intend to pay 50k/yr so that he can take filler classes while he waits for a chance to get into the class he wants or needs. </p>
<p>What is your experience out there?
Thanks</p>
<p>Well, higher education IS an investment, but I completely understand your point. I personally haven’t had any problems getting into the CLASSES I wanted – the bigger problem is getting into the SECTIONS/TIMES you want. Obviously, classes/sections later in the day will be the most competitive whereas early morning or late classes/sections are more likely to have spots open. Intro level and lower division classes tend to have more availability, but are consequently more competitive. For example, Chem 14A is required for the beginning of the 14 Chem series and it’s a requirement for EVERY life science major. There’s no possible way they can offer a spot to EVERY incoming life science major in the fall quarter. I couldn’t get it this quarter, but I know that I can take it next quarter.</p>
<p>I have never had difficulty getting classes and I’m a second year so I’ve been through 4 enrollments now. I sometimes have bad discussion times though (8am Friday morning). But after enrollments are all over there are always classes with spots, and I have never known anybody to not get classes they needed.
I had heard about those problems before I attended, but after attending I always joke about how that’s really not an issue at all because there are definitely more than enough available classes and subjects to satisfy anybody’s interest.</p>
<p>Thank you, both. That is very helpful. We’ll have to take a second look.</p>
<p>What majors are you, Pastalover and jafar1020?</p>
<p>I am a sociology major, but I’m also doing pre-health. So I balance between north and south campus classes. I will say that I ALWAYS enroll in south campus (chem, ls, physics, math, etc.) classes first because I have to compete with every other life science and pre-health student out there. I use my second pass for my sociology pre-reqs and GEs.</p>
<p>Thank you all for answering this question because I been worrying about not getting the classes I needed and how it might take me more than 4 years to graduate college. lol</p>
<p>@CuriousJDG9513 With the right planning and some sacrifices here and there, you can do it. Most things are pretty doable if you’re willing to put in the extra effort</p>
<p>It depends on the class. Sometimes the better professor’s lecture fills up quickly and you’re stuck with the bad one. This has happened to me on more than one occasion due to terrible enrollment times.</p>