Academics

The classes at UCLA differ in quality according to the department. The science departments have 300-student introductory classes that all the pre-meds must take. While this may seem intimidating, the professors are always available for office hours, but it becomes easy to fall behind in these classes because the student must be very responsible about staying on top of homework. The humanities and social sciences often have much smaller classes with a more interactive structure. The professors and TAs are often very liberal and outspoken, and this creates an uncomfortable environment for those who disagree in class.

Athletics

The D-I athletes here are like gods. They get amazing privileges, like priority enrollment and priority housing sign-ups. Besides getting to take the easy classes to keep their GPAs up and having their own training facility, they get away with things normal students never would. Some of their special treatment is understandable, but other parts are a bit excessive. Intramural sports are somewhat neglected to the point of the fields not being set up until the game should have already started and the refs showing up late.

Campus Dining

We have some of the best on-campus food in the entire country. There are a lot of options for food at different times. The dining halls are the basic places to eat. There are vegetarian options and different foods at some sections each day. Bruin Café is open until 2 a.m., so you can get food late at night. Rendezvous has Mexican and Asian cuisine. These places are near the dorms, and you can use your meal swipes. On campus where most classes are, there are places to eat where you can pay to get different types of food.

Campus Housing

The dorms are reasonably good, but Sproul is far superior. The plaza options on the Hill—Sunset Village, De Neve Plaza, Rieber Vista/Terrace, and Hedrick Summit—are popular for their private bathroom option, but the social aspect of a floor drops in comparison to a res hall. The suites—Saxon and Hitch—give people expanded living options and the greatest sense of living autonomy within the dorm system, but the separation from other residents is increased. Suites are generally populated with UCLA's many athletes.

Campus Strictness

On-campus drugs and drinking policies are very strict and are no joke—they mean what they say: absolutely no exceptions. I learned this the hard way. Before classes had even begun my freshman year, I had already lost my on-campus housing privileges. One afternoon, I had decided to smoke a few joints in a dorm with a friend that I had met at orientation. We thought that we had gotten away with it; about an hour later, however, we were sitting there in his room, chilling, listening to music, when a knock came at the door. The RAs said they smelled marijuana coming from the room. They took a look around and found no hard evidence that we were smoking pot, aside from the smell. Two weeks later, both he and I were asked to leave campus housing. If you want to keep your housing, then there are plenty of opportunities to party off campus.

Computers

It's the fastest internet you will ever have, and you can connect from anywhere on campus, including the big grassy hills in the middle of campus! There are also a lot of places to print a paper quickly. Bring your own computer—you'll feel left out if you don't. And it's a technology driven academic environment, so the convenience of it is totally worth the cost of it. I recommend a laptop, so that you can take it with you.

Diversity

The campus is pretty diverse economically, with a variety of students from different economic backgrounds on different plans through college. Ethnically, it is mostly Asian and Caucasian, with a variety of other backgrounds after that. Politically and ideologically, it's mostly very liberal, but not devoid of other views.

Drug Scene

The drug scene is not so obvious, but I think everyone smokes pot. I think it’s another story if you’re in the school of Arts and Architecture, though. I hear the students and professors enjoy doing a ton of drugs.

Facilities

UCLA has great facilities that cater to every student's needs. The gym has all the cardio and weight-lifting equipment you could ask for and a rock wall! There are plenty of libraries on campus, so finding the "perfect" place to study is simple. I really like all the coffeeshops on campus and the outside seating because they are conducive to hanging out and studying.

Greek Life

I'm not personally involved in the Greek scene, but I have been to one frat party, and I have some friends in fraternities and sororities. It's not a big deal if you're not part of such an organization, but it's not bad, either—it depends on your personality. I say rush to see if you enjoy it, pledge if you do, and continue on if you don't. And, if you don't join, there are still many ways to have fun.

Guys & Girls

Pretty much everyone at UCLA is geeky, but I guess you kind of have to be to get in here. Most students, especially the science majors, are all extremely focused on their studies, and, since all they do is study, most of them are pretty asocial because of it. As for race, I'd say at least 75 percent of all science classes have Asian and Middle Eastern students, so, if you're blond, you'll stand out!

Local Atmosphere

Los Angeles is a huge city. There are many different sections, though, so it's hard to generalize about it. There are cultural areas, upscale residences, beach towns, and more. It's fun to go to Santa Monica (the Pier and the 3rd Street Promenade,) and it's easy to get to. You can go to Hollywood and see Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Wax Museum, the Kodak Theatre where they film the Oscars, and much more. There are places you should stay away from at night—especially alone, which is basically anywhere—and maybe also in the day, just like any large city. Our rival is the University of Southern California, also in Los Angeles, but in a different part of town. Some people take the rivalry seriously, but others do not.

Nightlife

Party night here is usually Thursday, but there is stuff on Fridays and Saturdays sometimes, too. There are many frats, and different frats have parties on different nights. It depends on how good the party is, but going out with friends is almost always fun. There aren't many bars and clubs near campus, but there are some in other parts of the city.

Off-Campus Dining

There are fantastic restaurants around UCLA. Have you ever heard of Westwood Village? Well, UCLA is famous for it, and every other university tries to copy our setup. There is everything you could ever want there—stores, food, movies, and coffeeshops.

Off-Campus Housing

Getting an apartment is competitive, just like everything else on campus. Truthfully, the apartments around the campus are owned by a total of four owners—no joke—who have capitalized off the area and the students. In that way, the apartment system has become a monopoly, and the cost is outrageous. For instance, parking has stopped being included into the rent, and now we have to pay an extra $100 a month just for parking alone! But, nonetheless, apartments offer you space and the chance to pick your own roommates. Personally, I think it's a lot better than living in a crackerbox-sized dorm room with filthy roommates who don't respect your stuff.

Overall Experience

UCLA is amazing. There's so much to do, so many people to meet, so much to learn, and so many great times to be had! It can be hard to juggle one's social life with one's academic life, especially depending on the major you're in. I like how there are so many choices of what to do, whether it involves what to do in my academic life, what to see around LA, or simply what to eat in Westwood.

Parking

Most people don't get parking unless there's a genuine need, like for an off-campus job or for commuter students. Otherwise, parking is a real pain. Freshmen probably won't get parking unless they join an organization that has special needs for it or get it from a special qualification.

Safety & Security

Most people don't get parking unless there's a genuine need, like for an off-campus job or for commuter students. Otherwise, parking is a real pain. Freshmen probably won't get parking unless they join an organization that has special needs for it or get it from a special qualification.

Transportation

Traffic is insane in LA. Try to avoid peak traffic hours, and avoid taking the 405 Freeway. If you want to take the Redline, our little subway, it’s doable. There are pamphlets on bus routes and times in the Parking Services office. If you want to go to Santa Monica, use the Big Blue Bus. It’s free for students except during summer, but even then, I think the charge is less than what others pay.

Weather

Well let me tell you, there is nothing like Southern California weather. I love it. Because the campus is located so close to the beach, you get a nice little cool sea breeze every once in while, even when the sun is beaming. Once in a while it will rain, but very rarely. In summer, the weather can get up to 90 degrees, but you get that little sea breeze, and it feels very cool. At night, it gets a little chilly, depending on the season. During spring, it’s very nice, usually ranging from 70 to 80 degrees. Fall and winter can be a little cold. But living in Southern California, you can never tell from one day to the next.