<p>I'm in my first year at UCLA and feeling very overwhelmed. I didn't realize how big UCLA really was. I think I may want to transfer, but I'd like to see what else is out there first. Does anyone have any recommendations of smaller schools in CA? I've used college prowler to do some research but its too confusing. </p>
<p>I am an aspiring Bruin and I would be extra happy if I got admitted. How have your experiences been. I want to find out if the school is stressful or its more of a work hard play hard kinda school</p>
<p>It is easy to feel overwhelmed in a place like UCLA. It helps a LOT to join a fraternity/sorority or other campus affiliated organization. It can help shrink your world.</p>
<p>CA Publics that are substantially smaller than UCLA - UCSB, UCSD and UCSC have smaller student populations and aren’t as dense. Of course, UC Merced is smaller still.</p>
<p>CSU Sonoma, Chico, Monterey, Channel Islands, San Marcos. There are plenty of privates too, Santa Clara, LMU, Chapman, St Marys, Pepperdine and Claremont McKenna to name a few.</p>
<p>Most would be a pretty big step down the academic ladder but, you’ve got to be comfortable where you are. I’d try joining something before leaving. </p>
<p>Do you want to stay in Southern Calif.? What is your major? What do you like about UCLA? Use those things to help you find a smaller school that provides the things you like about UCLA, without the overwhelming size. Since you had the grades to get in to UCLA, it shouldn’t be too hard to transfer. Tour some of the small schools in SoCal; the Claremont Colleges and Chapman are good bets for you academically.</p>
<p>Loyola Marymount and Occidental College are near enough to UCLA that you can see both in less than a day. One is a medium sized private with a largely residential student body, while the other is a strong liberal arts college with a student body smaller than most CA public high schools. </p>
<p>Harvey Mudd and the Claremont colleges, but they are more expensive for most. UCSB and UCD have true college towns UCLA kinda lacks (despite Westwood, the university is only ONE thing that is in Westwood, and I found it to have less of a college town, although it is a great place.) </p>