<p>Anything that is important and would help an applicant to understand before applying.....</p>
<p>I am aware of the other post, but this is like a snapshot or an add'l info thread that people can read and use right away before going through the other long thread.</p>
<p>Could be something very specific or general, like differences in Majors/Faculties/options/synergies etc - depends on what you want to share, thanks!</p>
<p>I can help you with that.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>There is no “X engineering” building, etc. All engineers get lumped into a huge complex that was probably built in the civil war era and leaks when it rains. EVERYTHING in this building is dirty.</p></li>
<li><p>The classrooms are old, the chairs are uncomfortable, and all the little tables have gum under them. </p></li>
<li><p>There are several labs with decent computers (nothing fancy), but they all close at ridiculous hours like 6pm on some days. </p></li>
<li><p>Your classmates will be largely international students with hygiene issues. You will have to sit uncomfortably close to them. I’m not kidding, this is the worst problem for me so far. </p></li>
<li><p>I’ve only had two courses so far. One of them is good. But the other one? The instructor just doesn’t give a crap. He shows up to lecture ten minutes late, mumbles through the slides, then before you know it, you’re on your own to do an impossible homework assignment. Impossible unless you congregate with all your peers and work together, because the questions are so unclear and ambiguous that its not clear where you should even begin.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Point No.4 sounds like a racist statement. </p>
<p>= Alexandra Wallace.</p>
<p>This post will be rather disorganized, as I’m just posting ideas which may or may not have any relation to one another.</p>
<p>The school of engineering admits applicants by major and is generally more competitive than L&S. If the prospective student has a major in mind, I recommend applying for it to start with, rather than starting undeclared and switching in. Unlike Harvard (which makes students plan everything out), indecisive students often end up spending taking than 4 years to graduate. The list of majors is here: [Majors</a> - School of Engineering and Applied Science - UCLA Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/Majors/enmajor.htm]Majors”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/Majors/enmajor.htm)</p>
<p>Despite the fact that people can take longer than 4 years to graduate, it’s not difficult to do so. As long as you don’t switch majors multiple times and take enough classes per quarter, it’s very doable.</p>
<p>Most departments within engineering are well-ranked (top 25), though some are stronger than others. You can find that information from various sources online. It’s not clear how the current budget issues will affect those rankings, though. Course offerings have decreased and class sizes have increased. Enrollment has become more competitive, though if you’re close to graduation, it’s not terribly difficult to enroll.</p>
<p>Unless you’re a biomedical engineer (in which case you “live” in Engineering V), the facilities leave something to be desired. The main building is Boelter Hall, which was built in the 1960s ([an</a> architectural dark age](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbsdlSpA2GU]an”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbsdlSpA2GU)). However, it’s not something that necessarily hampers the quality of education.</p>
<p>Some general advice:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Students should try to get involved with engineering student organizations. It’s the best way to make connections with industry. Speaking from a former CS major’s perspective, industry recruitment has been increasing at UCLA despite the decrease in funding.</p></li>
<li><p>Professors generally like meeting with students. Be sure to arrange to talk to one or more, especially if their research sounds interesting. This is also a good way to get letters of recommendation for potential graduate/professional school applications.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Responding to the post above:</p>
<p>
Actually there are buildings specific to different departments (e.g. Engineering IV and V). However, undergrads won’t work in those buildings too often. Boelter’s much-needed replacement has been planned, but definitely don’t expect it anytime soon.</p>
<p>
From my experience, YMMV. I had a few classes in the Physics & Astronomy Building, which was excellent. Undergrads take classes all over the campus, and there are definitely some rooms that are in better shape than others. I won’t deny that many of the classrooms are as you describe, though.</p>
<p>
That’s only Fridays for the first halves of quarters. Most people don’t work on Friday nights anyway.</p>
<p>
YMMV on class quality too, and this isn’t a UCLA-specific issue. In the CS department, most of my classes were reasonably well-taught.</p>
<p>Finally, I go to Stanford now, so I can comment a little on the differences:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Most of the engineering buildings look and feel new and are named after famous co-founders of technology companies (e.g. Gates Building, Hewlett Teaching Center, etc.). </p></li>
<li><p>Career fairs here attract all the big names, as well as the industry’s hottest startups. It’s incredible the amount of effort companies put into recruiting here. The university even dictates things like how much time companies must give students to consider offers. The Silicon Valley location and alumni network are probably big reasons for this.</p></li>
<li><p>There is a real entrepreneurial spirit here, and professors encourage and help their students get started with new companies, if they so desire.</p></li>
<li><p>There are more classes, no enrollment caps, and fewer students.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you! But I am confused ^ about the latter portion, are you talking about Stanford or UCLA?</p>
<p>I am a parent - son is interested in EE, ME or CSE not sure, I am really wondering cause we have no Engineers in the family.</p>
<p>I was talking about Stanford.</p>
<p>Just for clarification, are you going to Stanford for grad school, or did you transfer there for undergrad?</p>
<p>Grad school.</p>
<p>A couple things I’ve thought of that I miss about UCLA:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Being able to walk from one side of the campus to the other.</p></li>
<li><p>Seasnet (specifically: multiple engineering-specific computer labs in a single building). Most people here just use their laptops since computer labs are a bit of a walk. Also, 2 cent printing at Seasnet was awesome.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>In Boelter Hall, there is no 1st floor. For some reason, the people that built this building forgot to build a first floor and just started building from the 2nd floor up to 9th floor. Don’t believe those crazy people who say that they’ve been to the 1st floor, because they’re lying.</p>
<p>Yes there is 1st floor at Boelter. But you have to walk in from the side that faces Westwood Plaza. Or just take the elevator down to floor No.1. </p>
<p>You probably are a new freshman. But then, it shouldn’t take more than a few days to figure out.</p>