The University of California - Los Angeles

UCLA is the type of place that provides opportunities, but will not necessarily present those opportunities to you easily.

Strengths:
Diverse research, artistic, social, community-service activities that are readily available to all students. The community service organizations at this school are particularily outstanding. The scientific research here, particularily in the biomedical sciences are also excellent. If you are the type of person that is self-motivated and hard-working, you will find an unlimited array of career-building and character-building activites. If you knock on enough doors, you will find faculty and graduate students that are more than willing to teach and assist you in your educational goals.

Weaknesses:
The size of UCLA creates a lot of bureaucracy that needs to be negotiated. There are long lines for counseling and financial services. Often, office hours will be crowded. You will need to be aggressive in order to get things done. No hand-holding here. The reputation of this school nationally is very good, but not outstanding. However, it should not hinder you career development and at times may help.Overall, this is a good school with a diverse array of opportunities for the aggressive go-getter.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

This is the most over-rated university ever. All the cliches about UCLA being so big, that you're treated like a number, that professors only care about their research and not teaching... ARE ALL TRUE. And don't expect not to feel the effects of it -- because you will. You practically DON'T learn thouroughly and comprehensively. The only positive thing about this school is the look of the campus and the surrounding areas. If you have to attend UCLA -- do so for your Master's, Doctorate, PhD, MD, JD, MBA, whatever -- but NOT for undergrad. You'll just be lost and unprepared.

4th Year Female -- Class 2002

Campus Maintenance: A, Faculty Accessibility: F