<p>pixiedanzer:</p>
<p>You must! It is your moral obligation to keep the UCLA forum's post count high after all it has given to you!</p>
<p>westow said:</p>
<p>
[quote]
can u get business internship even if u arent majoring in it? =
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The short answer is...not really, maybe. Washington, DC is not a business town in the traditional sense because the business is government. Although you could maybe intern for a business related organization, which will give you even better connections than just interning for Goldman Sachs or something similar.</p>
<p>Little'olme said:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Thanks for this post, it made me feel a lot better. What does CAPPP stand for? Is there anyone on campus that can't do internships or study abroad because of other things they're involved in?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>CAPPP stands for Center for American Politics and Public Policy. It was founded by Prof. Joel Aberbach, who is one of America's premier American politics scholars in order to better study American politics. Big stuff.</p>
<p>The answer is yes, I have met people who have claimed that they have soooo many obligations that they simply couldn't leave. Usually, however, those obligations mean "my boyfriend or girlfriend is really f'in clingy. OMG." I really can't think of anything that would come up that would preclude you from doing something meaningful abroad. I even got a semester in and I did a senior thesis for a full three semesters (before dropping it the last one 'cause of crappy data, hah!)</p>
<p>So unless you're working three jobs, supporting your illegitimate love child, and running a secret army, no. You have no obligations at 17-21 that could possibly restrain you from going abroad or doing internships!</p>
<p>Passerby said:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Many thanks for the wise words.</p>
<p>How difficult is it to get an internship that is related to the business world?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The magic 8 ball says: "Not very. Well at least if you're willing to think broadly. Shake me again, I like it."</p>
<p>If you are referring to CAPPP-<br>
Anyway, like I said two(?) posts up, it's pretty easy to get an internship you like, as long as you keep an open mind. I know at least one guy here working for the Republican Governer's Business association or something like that. Another is at a free trade organization, and yet another is at a world trade organization.</p>
<p>If you are referring to the general case-
Not hard. At all. Go to the Strathmore Building and let them guide you along the path of glory. It's really that easy. Just do it early, be persistent, don't give up if you get told "no" (I've been turned down for many things, it's life), and for God's sake, proofread your resume and cover sheet!</p>
<p>fmstyle said:</p>
<p>
[quote]
UCLAri,</p>
<p>Do you knwo the average GPA for poli. sci. majors?</p>
<p>And do you have any information or sheets that are similar to this (from UCSD)...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>A professor once told me that it's like a 3.2 or something in that area. My advice? Don't worry about it. It's not as high as Slavic Languages (highest at 3.8) and as low as (I think) chemical engineering (2.8). </p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, why you wondering?</p>
<p>I just want to find a place (particularly UCLA, UCSB, UCD, or UCSC) where I can possibly get the highest GPA so that I can get into a good law school and/or go to a good public affairs school since the two biggest things they look at are the LSAT/GRE and the GPA. It's not the only thing that I'm looking for into a school...but it's high on my list. As well, I'm looking for schools where most undergrads go to their first choice of grad school.</p>
<p>Well, I know a lot of UCLA students who get into top schools. </p>
<p>Really though, unless you're shooting for a 4.0 or 3.99, anything 3.6-3.8 will get you into a top 15 school. </p>
<p>Nobody gets into Yale anyway, don't worry.</p>
<p>And public affairs/policy schools are, based on my observations, more interested in your work experience than your gpa.</p>
<p>Thanks, again, UCLAri!</p>
<p>A little more about the public policy programs:</p>
<p>Most public policy degrees actually require at least 3 years of work experience. Those that don't, recommend it.</p>
<p>What kind of work experience? Does interning count? Please excuse the ignorance.</p>
<p>Interning will help, but we're talking real, honest-to-goodness work. I'll quote the Harvard Kennedy School: </p>
<p>"While work experience is not a prerequisite for the MPP program, at least one year is strongly encouraged. Because we are classified as a professional graduate school, full time work experience makes an applicant more competitive. For the MPA2 program, at least three years of work experience are required for admission. At least seven years of full time, professional work experience is required for application to the Mid-Career MPA program."</p>
<p>So we're talking going out and getting a job maybe working for a Congressman, working for Goldman Sachs, doing JET in Japan, working as a consultant, etc.</p>
<p>"Is there anyone on campus that can't do internships or study abroad because of other things they're involved in?"</p>
<p>Yes, if you are committed to being a Resident Assistant or Program Assistant (or anything else that requires a year-long commitment), then you won't be able to study abroad that year. </p>
<p>The tricky thing is, if you studied abroad first, then you'll be out of the loop when you apply for those positions. If you plan to study abroad after getting RA... well, it's tough to pass up free room and board. </p>
<p>But then again, that is just about prioritizing what's more important to you. </p>
<p>"Nobody gets into Yale anyway, don't worry."</p>
<p>Bryan Caforio from UCLA got into Yale this year. He's the team captain for UCLA's national champion mock trial team.</p>
<p>I'm a fan of being an RA and all that it entails, but I urge study abroad over it for a million reasons. If I had to go for either working on-campus in a meaningful position or study abroad...I'd go with studying abroad. But that's me. Free room and board is dandy, but I think that study abroad will develop you as a person a lot more than working with ORL. But then again, I worked for OCH, so my opinion is very debateable. </p>
<p>kfc4u, </p>
<p>I meant it as a joke, not literally. Of course some people have to get in. But nobody you know. Bryan lied. In fact, Bryan doesn't exist. Nobody gets into Yale law school.</p>
<p>Hey thanks UCLAri!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>I don't know if this is too specific or not, but do you know anything about the Spanish department at UCLA? Professors, classes, anything? I'm thinking about minoring, but I'm still not quite sure. Thanks. =)</p>
<p>I never took Spanish at UCLA, but I was told that it was very good. If you learn Spanish, you should go study in Spain!</p>
<p>UCLAri I'm a transfer student torn between Cal and UCLA. Which ever one I go to I will get an apt. off campus (but close). I'm 25 so living in the dorms would be weird. What do you recommend doing to get involved in campus social life? Do you need to be in a frat to go to the cool parties etc?? As far as Regents Scholars go... do they have a huge edge in grad school admissions? Lastly, I have five years of military work experience. Will this help for grad school or are they looking more for major-specific work experience? Thanks.</p>
<p>Gattaca,</p>
<p>I hope you come to UCLA, but go to wherever you think you'll fit in better, because it's more important!</p>
<p>Anyway, about your question...yeah 25 might be a bit rough. But, I lived on-campus my last year and did fine. My roommates were all at least 2 years younger than me, one was 3 (I had a suite.) In fact, on-campus there are suites filled with 20-somethings like us, so it's not that rough.</p>
<p>You don't need to be Greek (in a frat) to go to cool parties. I rushed, however, and it was fun just to get free food and meet people.</p>
<p>Regent's Scholars are definitely known as the cream of the crop in UC, but I don't know how far it carries outside of California. It won't hurt, and the benefits are nice. Oh yeah, and a free ride is great, too. </p>
<p>In your case, you've already had work experience (really good work experience, might I add. What branch, BTW?) and you know what your goals are I think better than even I do. I'd say that you're the perfect candidate for going straight to grad school because you'll show dedication that us fresh-from-the-mill types can't. But, another year in the private sector never hurts, you know what I mean?</p>
<p>UCLAri, thanks for taking the time to answer all these questions! I have some more :) Do you think, on a national and even international scale, Cal and UCLA are looked at as relative equals? Or do you think one has more prestige than the other? The reason I mentioned the Regents Scholars is because I was accepted to Cal as a regular student but I am being considered for a Regents at UCLA. I've always had my heart set on Cal but it would probably be foolish for me to turn down a Regents Scholarship at LA. Also, is it hard to establish relationships with professors? Letters of rec play an important role in grad school admissions so it would be imperative to get to know professors that could write letters. Don't hate me, but I am a Republican. Will I be grilled for my viewpoints? Will my GPA take a hit? My friend told me to just pretend to be Libertarian ;) </p>
<ul>
<li>I was in the Navy</li>
</ul>
<p>I think that in terms of sheer prestige, Cal has more. I'm just basing it on my experience with grad schools. There is no doubt in my mind that Cal is just more prestigious. The degree is arguable. </p>
<p>The important question is: Does it matter? I don't think so. I know UCLA students who get into great grad schools, and Cal students who end up at CSUs. It's all a matter of how well you apply yourself. Trust prestige as far as you can throw it, seriously. </p>
<p>I wouldn't choose UCLA soley based on the Regent's. I would, however, heavily consider it. Why? It's nice to get benefits. But don't you qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill? I'm not 100% versed on the subject, but I thought it was 3 years of service and pay reduced to $100 a month for the first 12 months, no?</p>
<p>Everyone tells me how hard it is to get your name known by professors, but I have at least ten UCLA professors who know me by name, so it can't be that hard. As long as you go to office hours, introduce yourself, and just keep yourself around after class, someone will remember you.</p>
<p>And about being Republican, you'd be glad to know that both UCLA and Cal have very large and well-organized campus Republican groups. I have friends at UCLA and Cal who are very happy with their experiences as Republicans. I'm not a Republican (more like moderate to slightly liberal Dem), but I think that in general both campuses are pretty open to their Reps. You get the occasional kooky leftist professor, but that's never been an issue for me. </p>
<p>Oh, and as far as I can tell, unless you're taking Women's Studies or something extremely reactionary/Marxist in its approach, you'll be fine. I've had "conservative" views on issues and it never hurt my GPA.</p>