<p>So I just recently graduated from UCLA about two weeks ago after transferring from a CC in 09. It's my first week of work at a management consulting firm and I just have a lot of downtime right now. As a result, I decided to make a post about my overall UCLA experience.</p>
<p>I came from a small community college with no honors/TAP program. Despite having an overall 3.83 GPA and a 4.0 GPA in my pre-reqs (all of which were completed) I was denied admission as a BizEcon major. I appealed for Math/Applied Science and was admitted. After two quarters I ended up switching into Math/Econ. Being a Math major was definitely better for me. I had absolutely zero interest in doing accounting when I graduated and the math classes definitely helped during recruiting. I really like math too. Furthermore, although I wasn't Bizecon, I still got plenty of interviews with Ibanks, PWM, MC, and blue-chips. I ended up with multiple full time offers after being at UCLA for only a little over a year. Mind you I didn't even have any related work experience! (So don't worry about job prospects if you're a Math/Econ/Actuarial major), My overall UCLA GPA ended up being slightly lower than my CC GPA, but still above a 3.8. I'm pretty happy with that.</p>
<p>UCLA itself was a blast. Great weather, entertainment, sports, food, and lots of eye-candy! I had a ton of fun. Maintaining a good work/play balance is important. If you never kick back or party you're really missing out. I strongly encourage everyone to join Greek Life! It's totally worth it and there are tons of perks. This also includes those of you who are just focused on getting jobs. The connections you'll make can really go a long way in the recruiting process. </p>
<p>Overall my UCLA experience was pretty amazing. For those of you who will be attending, I hope yours is amazing as well.</p>
<p>Awesome! Thank you. How old you were when you transferred? I’m wondering because I really want to rush but I feel as if I might be too old (22).</p>
<p>How much harder was UCLA compared to your community college? Sometimes I feel like my CC classes are going too easy on me, and I’m going to get completely demolished at a UC. My major is Computer Science btw</p>
<p>Question for you sir. I’m actually in the exact same situation right now as you were (waiting to hear back right now)…applied as Business Econ, but considering Math/Econ as alternate.</p>
<p>Also looking to get into finance (iBank, Private Equity, etc.)</p>
<p>I only will have the math prereqs done for Business Econ by Spring’s end (Calc 2). Did you find it difficult to finish up all the math required for the Math/Econ major in 2 years?</p>
<p>Do you think math/econ was just as helpful as a biz/econ degree when applying to jobs?
Do you think math/econ actually helped you more than if you had a biz/econ degree?</p>
<p>Reason I ask is because I chatted with someone in the finance industry and in all seriousness said that a math or science degree is regarded higher than a business or econ degree in ibanking. Opinion on this statement?</p>
<p>@Ella89
22 is not too old to rush. Age is just number. You will have a great time especially since your 21+ :)</p>
<p>@zambon
I asked to be considered for a different major. I spoke about how much I enjoy mathematics and how I felt that the major would be a better combination of my business interests. </p>
<p>@theresistance
CC is definitely easier than UC but you will adjust to the difficulty. Don’t worry about it, if you’re serious about your studies you won’t get demolished. Just go in and do your best! The rest will follow.</p>
<p>@swagger
I actually had all but 2 of the pre-reqs done for math/econ. I finished up to Calc 3, DE, Lin Alg, etc. So I didn’t have to catch up at all. If you’re behind on pre-reqs you can still catch up for sure. It will just be a lot more challenging and require a heavier courseload or more time. Math/Econ may be the easiest “Econ” major to get into but it is definitely the most challenging one.</p>
<p>@MeStudy
Technical courses are definitely a big plus these days in the finance industry. If you want to be a really competitive applicant in the finance industry I advise you take BOTH business-isque classes (accounting, econ, finance, etc) and math classes. A solid understanding of key accounting and economic concepts is a necessity for most Ibanking jobs. The strong math skills will really set you apart from your competition and ultimately be a catalyst for your success in the finance industry.</p>
<p>Bottom line: Math/Econ ftw. Awesome combo for both grad school (both PhD and Business School) and job prospects</p>
<p>I’m just curious as to where you lived while in school? I was in Westwood on Saturday and it is just sooo nice I could never afford to live there. Housing is a big challenge for me because I would be too far to commute (without losing my insanity) and too poor to move out alone.</p>
<p>^ I’m curious about where you lived too ! How does their housing stuff for transfers work anyways ): I’m really worried I’ll be put in a place that is full of freshman/ALL transfer people-- I want a mix~~ All my good friends there are guys (I’m a girl) so I don’t think I can really share a place with them o_o;;;;
): I’m also really really worried about making friends… do they look down on transfers over there? ): And also, is it hard to make good friends there? Since everyone else already made their close friends when they were a fresh/soph :T</p>
<p>Hello Supa_Rampga, thank you for taking the time to make this topic. I’m sure there a lot of other anxious potential transfers who are helped by topics like these.</p>
<p>As a fellow guy who loves math did you ever think about majoring in engineering? I’m currently an electrical engineering major at community college and while I love my math classes and enjoy my physics classes, I have been doubting if I really want to be an EE. </p>
<p>I have recently considered trying to go to ucla for applied math. Was there anything you didn’t like about applied math/science that made you switch to math/econ? Recently I took economics for my social science class and absolutely loved it. That class gave me the idea of changing my major.</p>
<p>Also, do you know anything about AFROTC at UCLA, the air force officer program? My ultimate goal is to transfer to UCLA and become an officer after graduation. Past the military I do see myself being more interested in a business-related occupation.</p>
<p>Thank you again for your time and for making this topic.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, I’m strongly considering continuing my math education as I truly enjoy it. If I do happen to get admitted to BizEcon, would it be possible to also complete the upper division mathematics courses and still be able to finish on time. </p>
<p>I really don’t want to stay at UCLA for more than 2 years, so I’m very concerned with my ability or inability to finish my Math/Econ (if necessary) pre-reqs & major courses on time, as well as the effect of cramming too many math classes together at once will have on my GPA. </p>
<p>Additionally, how large of a factor did your GPA have in your offers from financial institutions?</p>
<p>Is it difficult to switch majors within a department? I applied as a Math/Econ major but lately have been more interested in the physics/engineering applications of math rather than economics. My question is if I get admitted would it be hard/possible to switch (I have more pre-reqs done for Math/Econ then Applied Math, but the classes I’d be missing for Applied Math are not pre-reqs for upper division classes in the major and I think I could manage to graduate in 6 quarters without any crazy course loads)?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help! Fingers crossed I get into UCLA.</p>
<p>@nat and Sunny
I lived in the dorms for my first year. I HIGHLY recommend dorming to all! It’s an excellent way to meet people and you really do get a college experience. People are for the most part really chill. I never encountered anyone who looked down on transfers. No one in my experience ever cared. We’re all Bruins. Don’t worry about making friends. Just put yourself out there and try to get know as many people as possible. Westwood is pretty expensive but it’s affordable if you have people to room with. If you don’t know anyone I recommend dorming first and then getting an apt. You won’t regret it.</p>
<p>@RockOz
I was on the actuarial track for Math/Applied Science. I decided it wasn’t for me and felt that Math/Econ was more geared towards what I wanted to do. Believe it or not, I’ve heard of plenty of people switching from EE to Econ. It may be tough to switch though once you transfer in. Better to decide now. Unfortunately, I don’t really know anything about AFROTC. Though I know there are ROTC programs on campus.</p>
<p>@swagger
If you get into Biz-Econ and choose to stay with it you should primarily focus on completing your major classes. Once you get the hang of the things and feel confident you can start to dip your feet in some more advanced math classes. Don’t let your GPA suffer. Because I didn’t have any related work experience or inside connections my GPA was probably the thing that got me my initial interviews. But once you’re at the interview it’s all based on you. GPA doesn’t matter at that point</p>
<p>@Logic
There are lots of good ones. My personal favorites are ZBT and SAE.
I juat applied on bruinview (UCLA career website), got invited to a first interview at some places, and was able to make a decent enough of an impression which resulted in some offers.
I didn’t want to be an actuary. I can’t say I’m really interested in Econ anymore, but it was useful.</p>
<p>@Ceric
Switching from one math major to another is very easy. It would be pretty easy getting into Physics too assuming you have completed some basic requirements. Getting into engineering might be tougher since it’s housed under a seperate college.</p>
<p>^ thanks. I was actually thinking if I get in that I might try to switch from Math/Econ to Applied Math since Applied Math seems more up my ally.</p>
<p>Thanks for taking your time for making this thread Supa_Ramga</p>
<p>I have some questions:</p>
<p>Do you know anything about the psychology program(activities, internships, how to be involved)?</p>
<p>About the dorms—which dorms/residential halls are best to live in?
do transfer students get placed with just transfer students or are they mixed with freshmen, and other students?</p>
<p>Hey, thank you for the reply! I have a few other questions if you don’t mind.</p>
<p>Do you recommend any extra courses outside of those articulated on ASSIST for math/econ transfer? The required courses are simply the entire math sequence and econ1/econ2. Switching from EE to math/econ (hypothetically) I will have a lot of room left for other courses. Do you recommend taking accounting, business, or even computer science courses even though they’re not required? Would that help for any upper division courses or employment after college?</p>
<p>I’m an economics major, looking to apply to UCLA. I was originally going to apply as an economics major, but based on how competitive it is, do you think I should apply to math/economics? Do you think it would be a huge stretch from the regular economics program? I’m not the biggest fan of math…but I don’t mind it too much…</p>
<p>@Krasher
Sorry I don’t really know anything about the Psych program. I do know that it’s really good here and really easy to get involved in research as professors are always giving things like E.C. to ppl who participate in the labs. As for housing, it really all depends on you. In terms of social level the hierarchy is res hall, plaza, suites. From there it’s Dykstra, Sproul, Reiber, De Neve, Saxon/Hitch etc. (this is from most to least social). There are a few others too. Transfers aren’t necessarily placed with transfers only. I lived in RV and there were transfers. freshman, sophomores and juniors.</p>
<p>@RockOz
It depends on what you want to do / what interests. If you can fit in extra classes, take what you want. Don’t think about what will make you look good. Instead, think about what you like to take. The idea being that if you do enjoy it, it will show (GPA, letters of rec, personal knowledge, etc), and that is what will make you look good. All those classes you listed would definitely be helpful. None are absolutely better than one or another. </p>
<p>@hopeful
Only apply to math/econ if you’re serious about doing the math. Do not underestimate the difficulty/scope of this major. It is much more of a Math+Mathy-Econ major than an Econ major. The hardest part for most Econ majors in their classes is the math. I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but the math in these econ classes is a joke for math/econ majors. It’s a fact. All the Math/Econ majors I’ve met find the upper div econ classes (especially the 106s) to be laughably easy in comparison to upper div math classes like 115 and 131.</p>
<p>Math/Econ is not a backdoor into econ. It really is much more of a math degree than an econ degree.</p>
! How does their housing stuff for transfers work anyways ): I’m really worried I’ll be put in a place that is full of freshman/ALL transfer people-- I want a mix~~ All my good friends there are guys (I’m a girl) so I don’t think I can really share a place with them o_o;;;;