I graduated in 2000 as a Communication Studies major so I will write specific to my experience which may differ from department to department.

What I Disliked

Including the graduate programs, there are about 36,000 students. More common, classes have 200-500 students in large auditoriums. The professors wear microphones. There is very little or no interaction with professors. During office hours, professors are absent or students wait in lines to see the professor. UCLA is considered a research university, so many of the professors are conducting research and teaching on the side. Their research takes priority, students are often treated like a nuisance. This was the biggest disappointment for me since I thought that a university would nurture my educational and personal growth. Instead, I was emotionally detached from my classes. There were a few, exceptional professors who cared about students such as Paul Von Blum (Communications Dept).

Due to the amount of students, administration may be overwhelmed, but the students suffer. I did receive my parking passes and billing statements on time, but I had to petition for a change of grade. My petition document and letter from the professor were lost. For this one petition, I had to file three times because they had lost all or a part of it during my first two tries.

Parking is a real problem. There is not enough parking so thousands of students must find independent lots or alternative ways to campus. This further contributes to the lack of involvement in campus activities because it’s too much of a problem to get on campus. I was lucky to get a campus parking lot in Westwood Village and take a free campus shuttle onto campus.

When I first started at UCLA I joined the Bruin Democrats. The first meeting I went to had about ten people. The first political rally I attended was crowded but not with students, mostly seniors from the nearby neighborhoods. I stopped going to meetings, but my membership helped me to get a job at the convention in downtown. With so much to do in L.A., students seem scattered. I think college towns such as those in Arizona or in northern California are so focused around the university, that students are more involved with campus activities. This gave me yet another reason to be less attached to my education.

Housing is expensive. High demand and low supply have created a situation where a two-bedroom apartment costs $1,600.00. Many students will pack in two people in a room. I lived a couple miles off campus for $435.00 for a small room and bathroom in a no frills two-bedroom apartment.

What I Liked

Compared to that other university across town, UCLA is located in a nice area right next to Beverly Hills, Brentwood, and in the heart of Westwood. Westwood Village is now a pedestrian-friendly college town with charming shops, dining, and lively bars. The Fox Theater often has movie premiers. Also the campus has art galleries, film festivals, concerts, and book fairs. There is always something fun or of cultural value to do without leaving Westwood.

UCLA has an online system for students called My UCLA. Each student gets their own website where we could register for classes, keep a schedule and calendar, check on grades and units, and get school notices. I used this helpful system daily.

UCLA is a well-respected university especially in L.A. It was very easy for students to get internships with large entertainment companies in the film, TV, and music industries as well as accounting, law, & consulting firms. Upon graduation, many students already have jobs lined up. I was able to get a management position a couple months after graduating and received counter offers by competing employers. Due to the high standards set for acceptance and enrollment into UCLA, employers think we are smart. Unlike high school, almost everyone in class is trying for high grades. It is competitive - some students are devastated at receiving a B or C, but I always kept in mind that five years from now, I’m not going to remember how I did on a particular test. No employer has ever asked for my GPA.

Final Notes
I found my education at UCLA to be unfulfilling but the degree from UCLA has undoubtedly helped me in being considered for good jobs. I didn’t learn much except some cool facts that make me look smart and help me out during conversations with other college graduates with the same knowledge. The most valuable thing I learned at UCLA was how to organize my thoughts and ideas in a more logical, coherent way. My God, I had to write so many papers!


Recommended: Yes