<p>UCLA is indeed an excellent school. I think what your son should consider is how his personality fits with going to a large university. The answer to "why" for CA residents is most easily answered by noting the excellent education offered for such a relatively low price tag.</p>
<p>For an out of state resident, that argument obviously doesn't hold. UCLA is a place that offers lots of exciting opportunites in terms of course selection, extracurricular activities, and even research opportunities. The thing to keep in mind is that one needs to be quite proactive to fully exploit these opportunities. For those who are outgoing, opportunities to get involved in activities are abundant given the sheer amount of activity on campus. However, if your son is the type that would do better with a bit of hand holding and who is less given to aggresively pursuing his interests, then he may want to consider the benefits of attending a smaller school. </p>
<p>At UCLA, one can anonmously go to class, take the exam, and never have any meaningful interaction with professors. This is in fact a common complaint often voiced by students. However, there are smaller seminars, that undergraduates can take where there is the oportunity for more quality interactions. As an undergrad a few years ago, I remember registering for a few seminars with less than 20 students and getting to know more than one professor. I even worked as a research assistant for one after college.</p>
<p>Aside from the academics, another advantage of UCLA is its location in such a large city. Again, this can cut both ways, depending on your personality. I personally like the diversity of people and ideas that one is exposed to in large cities, and the student population at UCLA is certainly representative of the cultural diversity that exists in the US. There is also a very large international student population on campus. Interacting with these people can be enriching and certainly broadens your perspective. So, less tight knit, but a great diversity of people. Again, it depends on your preferences.</p>