In terms of applications, UCLA is the most popular school in the United States. 50,732 hopefuls applied for the Fall 2007 Freshman class at UCLA. Only 11,860 made the cut. If you're one of them you've joined the elite 23.38% that survived the process. Congratulations. Now the hard part begins.
There is a whole list of UC requirements you have to take care of before classes begin. You can find out all about those at the official UCLA website for brand new Bruins.
It focuses on all the basics, logging on to the UCLA website, applying for on-campus housing, getting your Bruin Card and submitting your Hepatitis B information. It's boring and you'll have to enter your name and address a hundred times. It’s a lot to wade through so don't wait.
Next you're going to need a place to live. You have two basic options, live on campus or off campus. There are advantages and disadvantages to both choices.
If you live on campus you're close to classes, surrounded by fellow students, and sheltered from the rest of the city. You'll have roommates, floormates to go along with your classmates. It's a great way to meet new friends.
The DormsAs a Freshman you're looking at one of the four high rise dorms; Dykstra, Hedrick, Rieber, or Sproul. Go for Dykstra Hall. It's the most social of the bunch.
Theme Housing ProgramThis program lets students with similar interests live together and take part in special themed programs. Themes include Academic Enhancement, the Great Outdoors, and many more.
If campus life isn't for you, then you must brave the waters of Los Angeles apartment hunting. I recommend looking close to campus. Suffering a long L.A. commute is not a great addition to your first year of college.
The average rent in L.A. is currently $1,660. Prices vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood. Finding a roommate is a great way to cut costs and expand your social circle.
Find an Apartment:- Start at Los Angeles Apartment Hunter's Guide.
- Also check out BruinLiving.com
Here's two useful sites that can help you find a roommate.
Student Clubs are a great way to expand your circle of friends and find some cool stuff to do when you're not in class. There are a huge variety of clubs on campus. Pick from Bruin Jugglers, Poker Club, New German Review, Kendo, Jazz, Tango, Folklore, Foosball, and many, many more. To find the group for you, check the UCLA Student Group website.
If fraternities and sororities are what you seek, you’ve come to the right place. UCLA is a Pan-Hellenic fantasy camp. There are more than sixty Greek organizations on campus. About 13% of the student body is involved in the Greek system.
RushIf you decide to go the Greek route you'll take part in Rush Week. That's where they decide if they like you enough to invite you to join their group. Don't invent a new personality to please your judges. Find people you like. You'll know some of them for the rest of your life.
For a list of all the frats and sororities on campus check the UCLA Greek Life webpage.
You've got to pay for school somehow. If your family can help you out, thank them repeatedly and with gusto. Not everyone is so lucky. If you have to navigate the financial aid maze start at the UCLA Financial Aid Office.
Another good source of information is the UCLA Scholarship Resource Center
Find a Job In L.A.
If you need to find a job, start looking close to campus. If you get a job in Burbank, you'll spend half of college on the freeways.
Working on CampusSkip the carpool and check these websites to get a job on campus.
Sports Illustrated named UCLA the number one Jock School in the country. The school has a strong claim to that title. in 2007 they became the first school to claim one hundred NCAA team championships. That's a lot.
In addition to the big time varsity teams, UCLA boasts a horde of intramural sports open to one and all. They currently have over 2,200 different teams covering everything from basketball to badminton, dragon boat racing to surfing.
UCLA Sports and Recreation Websites- Bruin Walk: The name says it all. This pathway runs between the dorms and classes. It's the main artery of UCLA life.
- Jimmy's Coffee House: Good spot for caffeine and breakfast.
- LuValle Commons: Kick-back dining.
- The Bombshelter: Great outdoor patio.
- The Kerckhoff Coffeehouse: Popular hang-out and meeting place where you will spend many hours.
- The Reading Room in Powell Library: Study, socialize, and sleep. Those couches are comfy.
- The Sculpture Garden: Sunbathe and plan your future.
Work must be balanced by play. Play responsibly. Plenty of bars and clubs cater to the spending power of UCLA students. Westwood is prime UCLA territory. Most of the bars, restaurants and clubs have Bruins posters hanging somewhere. This is your turf. It’s a warm cocoon of UCLA love.
Keep in mind that when you venture to other parts of the city your experience will change. Especially Downtown, that’s USC territory and the bouncers are less friendly to loud, intoxicated Bruins. Hollywood, Los Feliz and Silver Lake are a sort of no-man’s land in the middle. They’re a wonderful melting pot that welcomes everyone, but belongs to no one. Try and remember that if you decide drinking five margaritas in five minutes is a really good idea.
Westwood Bruin Hangouts- Gypsy Cafe: 940 Broxton Ave, (310) 824-2119
- Habibi Cafe: 923 Broxton Ave, (310) 824-2277
- Madison Neighborhood Grill: 1037 Broxton Ave, 90024 (310) 824-6250
- Maloney's On Campus: 1000 Gayley Ave, (310) 208-1942
- O'Hara's: 1000 Gayley Ave, (310) 208-1942
- Q's Billiards: 11835 Wilshire Blvd, (310) 477-7550
- The W Hotel: 930 Hilgard Ave
- Nine Thirty: (310) 443-8211
- Whiskey Blue: (310) 208-8765
- Westwood Brewing Company: 1097 Glendon Ave, (310) 209-2739
Bruin Websites
These sites will help bring you up to date on all things Bruin.
