Questions for upperclassmen in political science

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>I'm a new transfer student who came from Irvine, and I'm starting to have serious doubts about whether I made the right choice in transferring here. Maybe I'm just missing my old campus, but I'm starting to seriously think about dropping my enrollment at UCLA and applying for readmission to UCI (yeah, I know its the second day of school and all, but my concerns are very real).</p>

<p>This year, I've noticed that UCLA typically offers only 28-30 upper division classes per quarter, and all of these classes are jam-packed to the brim and fill up very quickly. At UCI, they typically offer 40-45 upper division political science classes per quarter, because UCI appears to have more classes taught by full time faculty rather than part time lecturers and visiting professors (the hiring budget apparently got axed). Classes at UCI are also smaller and much easier to get into (most are still open).</p>

<p>I'm going to graduate in two years, and I'm doubting whether UCLA is capable of giving me the quality of education that I want. I'm on the verge of applying for readmission to Irvine. So onto my questions.</p>

<p>Upperclassmen, how difficult is it to get into upper-division courses? UCLA uses a two-pass system that appears to benefit underclassmen and punish upperclassmen (UCI uses a simple one-pass system that simply screws freshmen, so it seems that I got the worst of both worlds). Will I be able to consistently enter upper-division political science classes on both my enrollment passes, or are juniors/seniors waitlisted out of classes by second pass?</p>

<p>I'd be willing to give UCLA, looking past the ridiculous class sizes, a try if I can consistently get into the classes I want as a Junior/Senior. But if I'm just going to get locked out of everything and barely take any upperdivs with 50-100 people, then I'd consider trying to gain readmission to Irvine. </p>

<p>Sorry for the giant wall of text and GOOD DAY!!</p>

2

<p>This is a common transfer experience, but it’ll get better. I don’t know how much better considering the budget cuts this year, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be as bad.</p>

<p>I was a transfer last year, and I went through the horrible experience of not having any classes to enroll in. My first quarter at UCLA, I took ZERO poli sci classes because they were all full. (But it worked out, since I ended up in Comm, Soc, Public Policy, and Philosophy classes and I loved all of them.)</p>

<p>Winter and Spring quarters will still be a little tricky, but definitely not as bad. I’m a senior now, and I had absolutely no trouble getting the classes I wanted.</p>

<p>Give UCLA a chance. We have fantastic professors - look into taking Pagden, Ross, and Bawn (especially if you have to take Pol Sci 30). The faculty and the experience are well worth the hassle, IMHO.</p>

3

<p>I’m an incoming transfer this fall as well, and am surprised. I’m not a poli sci major. Even though I didn’t get into my desired courses at enrollment(back in July). The week before classes started, I had been enrolled at all courses, (i waited on the waitlist). You just have to stay on the waitlist? I’ve also noticed that even if the class is closed or there is still a wait list, all my professors this quarter have accepted them in.</p>

<p>What is extremely disappointing, I feel, is the large lecture classes. I don’t know if its any different at other research universities, but had I the money, I think I would have opted for the private institution that also accepted me this fall.</p>