Hi guys, I recently got accepted to Oxy as a trustee scholar and to UCLA. Money isn’t a huge factor so I’m really wondering about the Economics programs at both and the opportunities each school provides (pros and cons). Thanks!
Economics will be fine at both schools. You should really be focusing on personal fit. These are VERY different schools…
UCLA is a major research university… classes will be large, especially in the first two years… your intro classes will most likely test you with multiple-choice tests… your papers will be graded by teaching assistants… however, there will be a greater breadth of classes to take, many more student organizations… just a lot more choices in general.
Oxy, on the other hand, will provide a more intimate education, more individual attention and advising… classes will generally be small, professors will grade your work… but there will not be as large a selection of courses, fewer choices in student activities, etc.
Only you can know which environment will be best for you… some might feel lost at UCLA… other students may feel claustrophobic at Oxy and limited by the lack of choices and breadth.