University of California - Los Angeles Reviews

  • 296 Reviews
  • Los Angeles (CA)
  • Annual Tuition: $43,473
94% of 296 students said this degree improved their career prospects
95% of 296 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

Isiah
  • Reviewed: 3/23/2023
  • Degree: Sociology
"If I can give this school 0 stars I would. THE WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. First off, as a Sociology major.There is NO DIVERSITY in this campus. Students think they dominant than others, just because they come to this university. Absolutely RIDICULOUS!! You have to fight for your classes, your given First or Second Pass. To register for classes. Being a senior and yet still I have a Second pass date to register for classes, making me fall behind and getting the worse timing classes."
First time grad
  • Reviewed: 4/22/2021
  • Degree: MBA
"Terrible experience for my first graduate program in this country. I am an international student and this school left me with bad taste. I was looked down upon by both students and program staff for my language fluency and my job. Professors are overrated. Every professor has their own personal agenda and is there to look for their own career. Some professors are flirty. Beautiful people get an easy pass and more marketing and personal branding opportunities. The staff lack ethics and integrity. Shameful for a public school! They teach topics that are of no use to the real tech. world. We are students trying to make a break into our careers and the MBA program does not give us the necessary tools for us to go into the world with confidence. There is no career help or guidance too. Once we graduate, professors and alum staff drop us like hot potatoes, which says a lot about the culture. If a student speaks up, they get targeted and the door is shut on their faces - meaning, they will not get any more help, guidance from the over-rated professors, who think they are Gods. Please ask the alums. Go to a private university like USC. You will be treated better."
Jeff DeFazio
  • Reviewed: 11/30/2019
  • Degree: Mechanical Engineering
"My experience at UCLA was nothing but positive. I loved everything about it: the culture, the location in the center of Los Angeles, the beauty of the campus, the people, and the high quality education. I majored in mechanical engineering. I was tough! This is not a school or a program for those looking to cruise through school. You need to work hard your entire time you are there. UCLA was on the quarter system. The great part of this system is the variety of classes you took. Every year, you had three sets of classes not just two as with a traditional semester system. The downside of this system was that you constantly felt like you were studying for a test. With each quarter only 10 weeks long, your first midterms could be as early as three weeks after classes started. UCLA is a very large school. My number one piece of advice is to make it small. Join a club, go to sporting events, generally just find people you enjoy being around. For me, my outlet was a student engineering project organization. This program became a second educator for me. Supplementing my intense theoretical studies in engineering school, was the Society of Automotive Engineering and their Mini-Baja project. I learned real world applications for all the theory I was learning in class. I learned how to machine, how to weld, practical applications of stress analysis and most importantly how to work in an engineering team, a skill critical to success in a professional environment. Leadership and teamwork is critical to success outside of a school environment and the combination of in-class theory and practical training through engineering projects has helped me to become the successful professional I am today."
Bethany
  • Reviewed: 8/9/2019
  • Degree: Psychology
"I attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and majored in Psychology and minored in Education Studies and Chicana/o Studies. I will first start off with UCLA in general. UCLA is a beautiful campus with many coffee shops to do your homework in. One of my favorite things at UCLA was the facts that libraries become open for 24 hours during finals week! This is helpful if you can't concentrate at home/dorm/apartment. UCLA also offers a free laptop loaning program for students for a certain number of hours. You need the laptop for a little longer? Renew it online! One thing about UCLA is that it also runs on the quarter system. This means you have classes for 10 weeks only. It goes by pretty fast and I personally prefer it over the semester system (which feels like an eternity to me). The services that you get at UCLA are pretty dependent on the program you are in. Advisors in the Education and Chicana/o Studies departments were very sweet and helpful! They created an environment where you can always ask them questions about your schedule, minor/major classes, and advice. On the other hands, advisors in the psychology department were always busy. Sessions were 15 minutes only."
Sarah
  • Reviewed: 6/19/2019
  • Degree: Political Science
"UCLA is a wonderful school that is committed to making significant strides in the field of research. This school is very academics driven and you will definitely put work in. This school is not a walk in the park, but the skills you learn through your classes are something you will take with you for the rest of your life."
Jacqueline Cowan
  • Reviewed: 6/6/2019
  • Degree: English
"UCLA is one of the top Universities in the world and offers a variety of courses that allow students to discover their true passion. I initially went into UCLA as a pre-med student and after taking some of the pre requisite courses I found myself in agony. Thankfully, UCLA offers great guidance counselors to help students figure out the right path for themselves if they aren't on it initially. I also highly recommend UCLA's AAP program. AAP offers free tutoring to those who are registered to it, as well as an entire community that will be by your side from the start of your degree to the end. I enjoyed every moment of my undergraduate studies there and could not think of a more diverse and stimulating college. In addition, the campus holds little to be desired as it has gorgeous architecture and sculpture gardens and fountains to name a few."
vvessels
  • Reviewed: 5/30/2019
  • Degree: Cultural Studies
"UCLA is an exceptional school filled with phenomenal students. Sometimes, however, that can make one feel really small and insignificant. Everyone there was valedictorian or at least in their Top 10. Everyone there had UCLA as their dream school, or their backup school because they had their sights set on Harvard or some other Ivy League (me included--I wanted to go to University of Pennsylvania). With everyone being so smart and trained to study well already, it is common to feel like a small fish in a big pond. I took both "north campus" (Humanities) and "south campus" (STEM) classes, so I feel as though I have a pretty good idea of the entire campus (with the exception of specialized majors like the Arts or Engineering). With that said, each class and professor varies. Most professors are incredibly tough graders and expect you to understand everything much quicker than maybe one is ready for--but that does not mean that they're bad professors; as a student a couple of years out of undergrad, I realize that UCLA is tough on you so that anything in the real world (work, graduate school) is so much easier than it is for others. Honestly, I had an awful time at UCLA. It is hard to balance classes, a social life, work, lab, and extracurricular activities. I was frustrated and depressed at times. But now that I'm out and about to start a new master's program, I feel so well-equipped for whatever the program is going to throw at me. I have been working as a lab manager/research assistant for the past two years, and even that job came to me much easier than I thought it would (and from what I've been told, I have been one of the better lab managers for this professor over the last 10 or so years). This school is extremely competitive, but it will really kick you into gear to make sure you can do anything once you're finished. In hindsight, I really appreciate everything UCLA has done for me."
My-Linh Le
  • Reviewed: 5/14/2019
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"The years I spent at UCLA are still some of the best years of my life. I was lucky to have studied there when I did, when Dance was still part of the World Arts and Culture Department. The faculty was filled with brilliant, inspiring people, the students I had classes with were very smart. I enjoyed the balance of competitive and fun/relaxed environment. There was always new and exciting things to do at UCLA."
Charles
  • Reviewed: 4/28/2019
  • Degree: ESL
"This was the best school that I have ever attended. UCLA's system of delivery worked perfectly for me while I was living in Japan. There was a nice balance between papers, quizzes, lesson plans, and technical assignments. The professors were top-notch, professional and always available. I worked hard on my assignments but I still had time for my job and family. I found the interaction between the students and the professors to be fascinating."
Valerie Powers
  • Reviewed: 3/4/2019
  • Degree: Religious Studies
"UCLA was a fantastic experience! It's amazing to be surrounded by so many talented individuals, who are brilliant, driven, and have a big vision for changing the world! I would highly recommend UCLA for many reasons. 1. The campus is absolutely beautiful. Nestled in the hills of Westwood, it's off the beaten path of the craziness of LA, but still in the heart of a vast array of internship, research, or mentee opportunities. 2. You are learning from professors who are literally the top 1% of their field! Sometimes they are so intelligent that it can actually complicate the way they communicate material, so lean on your TAs, classmates, and sometimes supplemental material. 3. Having UCLA on your resume is very beneficial when job searching (unless you're interviewing with someone who went to USC)! :)"
Daniel Lewis
  • Reviewed: 3/1/2019
  • Degree: Electrical Engineering
"UCLA was an amazing school with awesome professors. As an engineering student, I learned not only the theory but had many opportunities to practice my skills in the lab, on various projects, and in groups with others. Although many of the lower division class sizes were large, once I got further along in my engineering degree, I got to know the professors better and experience their mentoring as it helped me grow into my career. The nice thing about UCLA outside of academics is that there are so many programs available for students to get involved. I had been in the marching band all through high school and I was excited to be able to continue that opportunity in college. Since engineering was so cerebral, music was my creative outlet (and, really, who doesnt like the high energy excitement of a stadium full of fans cheering!). It was fun to be part of a culture of comradery and friendship. Although UCLA is located in the greater Los Angeles area, it is definitely in a nice area. Westwood has great shops, restaurants and bars and fun things to do. I worked in Westwood and always felt safe walking from my apartment to work no matter what time of day. It is located close to the beach (unless you try to leave during rush hour), close to the mountains, and close to all types of city life. It has been a long time since Ive been to the campus so there has probably been a lot that has changed. But, the name of the school travels far and wide when it comes to getting jobs! I had so many offers when I graduated, it was hard to decide. Go Bruins!"
AthenaNeelkesh
  • Reviewed: 10/31/2018
  • Degree: Engineering
"One of the worst schools to get your Master's from. The graduate program has professors who absolutely do not care if students are learning and getting a value for the money they invested in the program. People from inferior colleges get better jobs than someone graduating from this university in this program. The program is ridiculously difficult when nothing that they teach, except Steel Design, gets applied unless you get into a firm designing tall buildings but not many firms do that. Not diverse enough, professors are biased. PhD students will have an unfair advantage in getting a full GPA."
GopherBruinAnteaterKnight
  • Reviewed: 8/29/2018
  • Degree: Project Management
"Completed the Project Management Certificate thru UCLA Extension. Classes were very well put together however I would've liked to have a bit more interaction from the Professors. Fundamentals course was pretty easy while the Project Risk course very enlightening"
Athena Do
  • Reviewed: 6/20/2018
  • Degree: Architecture
"I transferred from UC Santa Barbara to UC Los Angeles to complete my undergraduate in Architectural Studies. At the time, the architecture program was relatively new, and the curriculum was undergoing changes. My time at UC Los Angeles remains influential in my professional and academic year today. As an undergraduate the education quality that UC Los Angeles provided adequately prepared me for my current career at UC Berkeley. The richness of the courses available, in tandem with the faculty at the time, was a great balance between challenging its students and fostering a healthy learning environment. Furthermore, I appreciated the effort taken to showcase student work and engage the local community that came out of Perloff Hall. Nonetheless, as a student because of the prestige of the school, the expenses are high in addition to costs of supplies and model making. Logistically, the class was fairly sized during my academic career here, and instructors did a great job of connecting and integrating with students. However, because of the nature of studio and set course schedules, life outside of Perloff Hall is difficult to maintain. Nonetheless, I would say that fostering a healthy and good relationship with your cohort is key. These can become your lifelong friends so enjoy the journey!"
Paula
  • Reviewed: 4/25/2018
  • Degree: Psychology
"UCLA has a diverse community of students that definitely made me a better human being and student. I interacted with people from all over the world, and participated in very interesting classes. Most professors are knowledgeable and friendly, but the one problem UCLA has is that most professors in the science fields are there for research and not for teaching. That means some are very bad at teaching and their TAs end up doing most of the work. Also, as a pre-med student, there are no counselors to help you find your path to medical school. There is no pre-med or pre-health committee, and you are absolutely on your own, which can be overwhelming. If you happen to already have a mentor that can guide you through the medical school process, then UCLA will be a great school. If you don't, you should find one so that you're not completely lost when it comes time to apply to medical school. As for the facilities, UCLA is a gorgeous school that has everything and anything you might need. The gym is greatly equipped and available to students almost all day long. There are free psychological services if you require that. There are thousands of student groups, so you can find people with your same interests no matter what those might be. There are D1 sports and intramural sports for you to participate in. There are millions of quiet study places, both indoors and outdoors. The library is also fantastic! You can study, sleep, rent books, computers and print documents. Overall, I am extremely happy with my experience at UCLA and I would encourage everyone to become a Bruin!"
Lauren
  • Reviewed: 4/24/2018
  • Degree: Economics
"Have you ever wanted to feel like your life was a movie? Well at UCLA you can! Dozens of movies and television shows have been filmed at the school. And for good reason -- the picturesque campus is filled with stately Italian Romanesque-style buildings, stretching green lawns, a total of six swimming pools, and a year-round sunny climate. Aesthetics aside, UCLA is really known for its academics and diverse student body, with high-achieving undergraduates and graduates from all over California and the rest of the world. Boasting top medical, law, business, and architecture schools, as well as a myriad of innovative STEM programs, UCLA attracts outstanding professors, including nobel-prize winners, MacArthur Genius fellows, and world-class teachers like author Jared Diamond and even actor James Franco. UCLA also has a distinguished athletics program, consistently ranking first or second nationally for most NCAA titles and has won more olympic medals than most countries. The campus, which is nestled in cosy Westwood, is in the heart of a thriving and progressive metropolis bustling with arts, culture, delicious food, and an amazing coastline. Artsy folks can visit the Hammer museum on campus, stroll the sculpture garden, or visit the sprawling world-renowned Getty museum a few miles away (its free!). Hike or rock-climb in the canyons of Malibu, head down to the beach for a sunset surf, or stroll the promenade in Santa Monica for entertainment and tasty dining. If you attend UCLA, the opportunities as a student -- and in your future -- are never-ending!"
Sara Sithi-Amnuai
  • Reviewed: 2/24/2018
  • Degree: Music
"If you're looking for a big university with many resources, a wide variety of general education courses, strong connections to the professional community, and scholarship support, then UCLA fulfills that criteria well! UCLA is a school suited for a student who doesn't require constant one-on-one guidance and attention, but is able to seek the right mentors and find opportunities for themselves. UCLA's Ethnomusicology department is unique in that it has the Ethnomusicology Archives and has many leading researchers and educators giving lectures to the students. The Ethnomusicology degree is research heavy."
Eden F
  • Reviewed: 2/14/2018
  • Degree: Biology
"Beyond being one of the best schools in the nation, UCLA really felt like a home away from home. The academics are superb and I get to learn in an environment with other individuals who are seeking to thrive. Also, Los Angeles is a wonderful location to learn because you get all the excitement and distraction of city life without feeling cramped."
Maccabee Shelley
  • Reviewed: 1/19/2018
  • Degree: Fine Arts
"The MFA program at UCLA is something like a private art school operating inside of a large public research university. Many of the faculty are established an showing artists that are also generous with their time and energy when it comes to the students."
Shiao-Po Tsai
  • Reviewed: 11/14/2017
  • Degree: Electrical Engineering
"UCLA EE PhD program has three tracks, PWE (physics and wave electronics), circuit design, and SS (signal and system). UCLA EE's PhD program has nearly toughest preliminary exam, with around 40% of passing rate, which is already hard to be seen in other schools. The way of the exam is that 6 professors will be chosen partially according to your preference, and he can ask any questions and score you based on his impression. This form is a copy from Stanford, although Stanford has nearly 100% passing rate. For the research part, funding for UCLA is decreasing recently, and students are facing issues such as project and TA shortage, as a result advisors here expect their student to find their own way to pay the tuition and life expenses. Still if the students can conquer the difficulties mentioned above, UCLA EE has some best professors especially in the circuit design track, and surely if you can graduate from UCLA EE PhD program, nothing might stop you since you have experienced great difficulties as you pursue the degree."