<p>In researching/comparing schools, we're mainly bombarded with all the pros a school has to offer, but what about more of the cons? </p>
<p>Why should someone choose not to attend UCLA, aside from the often-heard news of budget cuts, and the size of the school? Would you say certain departments within the school are... lacking/not as strong as they ought to be in a top school? I guess another way to frame this question would be what kind of things do you think can be improved at UCLA?</p>
<p>Unlike other top universities, UCLA doesn’t have a reading week before finals. Schools like UC Berekeley, on semester, and Northwestern, on quarter, have a dead week before finals. Personally, I’d rather get it over with and not have to wait, but I know some people who would appreciate that week to study.</p>
<p>Our football team can’t score a touchdown to save their own lives</p>
<p>Lots and lots of traffic and congestion in LA.</p>
<p>^^totally agree with the above poster…traffic is such a pain it takes me 30/40 minutes to travel a 12 mile trip when traffic is at its peak. Another con is if you have meal swipes, they can’t be used on campus.</p>
<p>UCLA is great on every aspect except traffic and parking.</p>
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<p>That’s not true. You can get meal vouchers that pay $2.45 or $3.70 (getting the latter is just a matter of luck unfortunately) at ASUCLA stores. It’s not enough for a full lunch except at Taco Bell, but as it’s more money than you’re paying for the swipes it’s a good deal.</p>
<p>Surprisingly, UCLA is a lot less “flawed” than I imagined it to be, now that I’m taking summer classes here. But the main con is not being guaranteed into the classes you want to take in a specific quarter (unless you’re regents). Most private kids don’t have to deal with this BS. It’s the con that ****es the hell outa me -__-</p>
<p>^I’m glad your perspective has changed overachiever92.</p>
<p>The regular school year is even better when the student body is back.</p>
<p>@gatos good to hear</p>
<p>Well I know you can get vouchers for meal swipes…what I meant is that you can’t swipe for meals on campus (you must get vouchers). Sure the vouchers may be more money than what you are paying for the meal swipes but you get more food on the hill dining facilities than you would for 2-4 dollars on campus. My friends at LMU and other schools can use their meal plans at any restaurant on campus and they can even use them to order pizzas from Pizza Hut or Domino’s.</p>
<ol>
<li>The student body is pretty competitive</li>
<li>Can’t comfortably bike/long board to class</li>
<li>Admitting too many less cute people…WHAT?!</li>
</ol>
<p>The only major con I can think of is the expense and lack of availability of parking. Also, apartments tend to be pretty expensive, but that’s a result of the fact that we’re in a nice neighborhood.</p>
<p>Very expensive area to live in after you move out of the dorms, getting the right classes is kinda hard, classes are often bigger than ideal. Pros outweigh the cons obviously (or I wouldn’t be here!) but the cons are pretty annoying.</p>
<p>Getting into the classes you really want can be difficult.</p>
<p>The traffic! Omg it’s brutal.</p>
<p>I have to agree with most of the replies, UCLA is definitely not a commuter/traffic friendly campus. Aside from that, it’s a great university given that one takes the time to research and utilize all of the resources and opportunities the school has to offer (Career center, career fairs, alumni base, internship and name recognition among major players in various industries within LA and abroad).</p>