UCLA vs. Wash U? Need to make a decision soon!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
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Hey everyone,

I know I’ve asked this question before, but I am still torn between the two and want to make a decision by the end of the weekend. I am out of state, so the cost is the same. I applied to the School of Engineering for both, but I’m still not sure if that’s what I want to do. If I decide against engineering, it will definitely be something STEM-related or Accounting. I visited Wash U back in October, and just visited UCLA yesterday. Love both campuses, one is small and one is massive. It’s hard to compare the two because they are both so good, just in different ways.

A little about me, I am quiet and introverted, definitely a non-partier. I would much rather chill in my dorm watching TV or playing Xbox than going out drinking and smoking. On one hand, people are telling me that a small school would fit me better because there is less people and it is easier to make friends, but on the other hand, people are telling me that a big school would be better because of the anonymity and the ability to blend in with the crowd. I am laid-back and the polar opposite of “preppy.” On my visit to UCLA, I saw the entire range of students - some dressed to the nines while other barely dressed at all. How preppy/snobby is UCLA, in general? Is there a large contingency of the “frat-bro” personality?

During my visit, on a rather hot day, I hated walking up The Hill, and could not imagine doing it every day. Does it get any better? Also, the housing tour guide said that every freshman this year WILL be in a triple, which kinda sucks. Do you guys have any experience with triples?

I want to live and work in California after I graduate, so UCLA has the clear advantage here. Los Angeles is a superior city to St. Louis as well.

Basically, I want to know whether my concerns about UCLA are valid, and just any thoughts you guys have on this choice. Why did you come to UCLA? What makes a large school better than a small school? Anything you guys could tell me that might make this decision a bit easier would be really helpful :slight_smile:

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I heard this on a housing tour once - “you can always make a big school small, but you can never make a small school big.”

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bump

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@Ariz0na I can’t comment on Wash U as my S was waitlisted there. But for UCLA, which as you have noted is very different than Wash U, I know that the international accounting firms (Big 4), national accounting firms and local firms all recruit at UCLA even though you can only get a minor in accounting at UCLA. Just an FYI, if you are serious about the accounting route.

Obviously people like different types of climates, but walking up hill in 80 degree weather is not as difficult as walking across a wind swept campus during a St. Louis weather. But seriously you have great choices and can’t go wrong with either as long as you make the most of whichever opportunity you choose.

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Sounds like the private school environment of Wash U might fit you better. You can make UCLA small though. I can’t walk down Bruin Walk without seeing a familiar face. I came to UCLA because it offered an amazing engineering education with the social aspect I was looking for in a college. It was something no other school I applied to could match. What’s really great is you can find your “people” with 40k students you’re bound to find a group that you click with. And honestly the people you meet here could very well be your best friends for life. Don’t worry about “frat bros” most of them are just normal students. Hope this helps.