UC Los Angeles
UC Los Angeles is a large research university located in the wealthy, primarily suburban Westwood area of Los Angeles, near Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The 419-acre campus is based at the foot of the Santa Monica mountains, five miles from the Pacific Ocean and just minutes from the Getty Art Museum, Los Angeles' Chinatown and the downtown business district. Southern California mountains, beaches, lakes, deserts and more ethnically diverse communities are also within a short drive of campus. UCLA offers ethnic diversity and strong academics in an urban environment and, along with UC Berkeley, it boasts some of the most diverse campus clubs and organizations of any UC school.
Student Body
UCLA is the largest of the UC schools, with approximately 24,000 undergraduates and 10,000 graduate students. About 95 percent of students come from California and half from Los Angeles County. UCLA is one of the most diverse universities in the United States – it ties with UC Berkeley as having the highest percentage of African American undergraduates of any UC school. According to recent figures from the University of California, underrepresented minorities (blacks, American Indians, and Latinos) account for approximately 15.8 percent of the student body.
Academics
Introductory classes at UCLA tend to be large, and getting into classes is sometimes difficult. Professors at UCLA can be hard to reach, but being assertive pays off. A major research university, UCLA has a program, the Student Research Program (SRP), that allows undergraduates to work one-on-one with faculty on leading research projects. The largest program of its kind in the United States, SRP now includes almost 2,000 students each year. Students can also receive stipends to fund independent research.
Although math and science classes tend to be large and challenging, tutoring is available to all students. UCLA's ethnic centers also offer tutoring. In addition, UCLA has the broadest array of undergraduate ethnic studies programs of any UC school, including Chicano and African American studies programs.
About 94 percent of freshmen return for a second year and 71 percent graduate in five years. UCLA has a 92 percent retention rate of students of color.
Health Opportunities
UCLA has excellent biology and chemistry departments and good science facilities. Science majors are popular in spite of the large classes, and good research opportunities are available. UCLA has an on-campus School of Public Health, School of Dentistry, School of Nursing, medical school and teaching hospital. Because of the urban setting, there are many opportunities to work at clinics or hospitals in the area.
As well as offering a traditional medical degree training program, the medical school at UCLA offers a special Medical Scientist Training Program (a combined M.D./Ph.D. training program) and various continuing education opportunities for health professionals.
Financial Aid
About 73 percent of freshmen and 85 percent of upperclassmen receive some kind of financial aid, 74 percent of which is need-based. Generally, the school meets all demonstrated need. 76 percent of students take out loans, and, on average, students receive about half of their aid in scholarships and grants and half in loans. There are good opportunities for part-time work off campus.
Transportation
A good public transportation system serves the university and the city. However, because the city is so spread out, to be truly mobile in Los Angeles, students need cars. However, it can be difficult to find parking in the campus area.
Housing
Freshmen are guaranteed housing at UCLA, and about half the student population lives on campus. Housing in the area and on campus can be expensive. Many students find housing through the school's strong fraternity and sorority system, in which about 25 percent of students participate.
Student Life
UCLA offers many opportunities to students who are motivated and actively seek them out. The school features more than 500 varied clubs and organizations. Strong ethnic organizations offer good support and tutoring programs. The school is more politically conservative than UC Berkeley but nonetheless offers ample opportunity to get involved. UCLA students are active in community service and have access to a wide variety of cultural offerings through campus theater, film and dance productions and at local museums and galleries. Students need to be aware of safety in the urban area around campus.
Athletics are strong at UCLA, and most students participate on sports teams. In the past decade, no other school has matched UCLA's combination of team and individual championships, football bowl games and men's basketball tournament appearances. Women's sports teams have also distinguished themselves in championship play and by earning titles in gymnastics and water polo.
UCLA May Be for You If....
You enjoy the Southern California lifestyle and a city environment and are looking for a variety of activities on campus. You are willing to take initiative to seek out social and academic experiences, and are looking for a diverse college community.
Go to http://www.ucla.edu to learn more about UC Los Angeles.