Why is it that I couldn't find an active thread for UCLA students? Where is the love?

I'll be going to UCLA for Fall '07 as an exchange student! Aaaand to be quite honest, I really don't know much about where I'm going. On top of that, I will know absolutely no-one. I'm definitely gonna be out of my comfort zone, but hopefully it'll be an awesome experience, and I'm just wondering if there are any other "Bruins" here @ Soompi? Or even anyone in the L.A. vicinity who can give me a rundown of L.A. from a local's point of view --- getting around, hot spots, night life, etc.

Oh yeah, I have yet to organise living arrangements. I realise the deadline to apply for housing was June 1 or something, but I wasn't sent my UCLA logon ID until mid July The email still encouraged me to apply, but I don't know whether I want to live on-campus or off-campus. Which is the cheaper option? Even if I live on-campus, I would like to eat my own food! Are meal-plans the norm, or what? Most college students in Australia still live at home so dorming is a new concept to me.

IF YOU ARE, OR YOU KNOW ANYONE LOOKING FOR A ROOMMATE, LET ME KNOW!

Also, any tips for American campus culture? Hah, I think I've got to join a sorority - that is SO American.

Congrats. You'll love it. And I'm sure you'll meet a lot of people because there will be a lot like you in similar situations. They have a nice bus system people use for like .25. Good places to eat are In N Out and Diddy Reese. It'll be fun.

Living off campus is definitely cheaper. If you live on campus I'm pretty sure they just charge you in full with the meal plan (I think). You can apply, but most likely you will get a triple.
Sign up for sororities during zero week. Buses can get you everywhere.

Have fun

Hi there!

Welcome to UCLA. Hehe.

Anyway, it's a lot cheaper to live off campus. You can cook your own food and such. If you want a meal in the dining hall just find someone with premier and ask them to swipe you in. At our school we have a meal plan system, and if a person has a plan called "premier" it means they can swipe other people in to eat. So just make friends and be social. ;D As for joining a sorority, if you're that type of person go for it. But I heard the pledging process is tough. I've found that this forum is a lot of help:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/forumdisplay.php?f=45


You can post up a thread and ask whatever questions you have. I'm sure people would be more than willing to help.

Do you have facebook with a UCLA e-mail or anything? You can access the UCLA marketplace to look up current listing for housing, and I think that craigslist would work too. => http://ucla.facebook.com/marketplace/?b=

Good luck with everything and feel free to PM me with anymore questions you might have! I'll try my best to help, but again, the links I posted above proved really helpful to answer mine and other's questions about UCLA. =D

Hey fellow bruin. I'm going to UCLA this fall too. I'm getting a triple dorm though. I heard it's more social and a good way to make new friends for incoming freshmen. I'm also from LA :] I think you'll like UCLA because you can go to so many places. There's Santa Monica beach next to it and In-N-Out is a block away! If you like clubbin` you go to hollywood. There's so many clubs there. There's also korean town, china town, thai town, etc.

A triple is so small though. I've never lived in a triple. Can't imagine it. Anyways, it is a good way to meet people and I'm pretty sure you didn't have many options since they're trying to put all the freshmen in triples to provide housing to everyone. Just hope that your two roommates aren't messed up because if you don't get along with them the room will seem awfully small...

yay bruins!!! im gonna be attending ucla in the fall. a bit excited and a bit nervous... ahah. im living in a triple at.. dykstra..? hope its a good experience. i havent decided on my major or classes.......... HELP ME.........

I'm going to be a freshman at UCLA this fall too. And ya I was wondering why there wasn't any UCLA topics on Soompi. Anyways, I actually like the cafeteria food there.. haha. Have you guys attended orientation yet? Mine's session 109 and it starts on August 21st.

UCLA is ranked as the #1 (switch on and off with Cornell University) for having the best college food in the nation. That's what I was told during orientation. Mine was 107. Good luck with yours!

i'm tripling this coming year...a downgrade from my double last year. and the food ain't all that...oh and i also came to UCLA without knowing anyone but don't worry you'll make friends

Hey! i went to session 109 too =]

wow congratzzz~~!!!!
I dont go there but planning in 2 yearssss!!
sorry for my useless post

REALLY!? we might know each other.. haha. well orientation was so much fun, it really got me excited to go to UCLA.

lol yeahhhh same here. i was like "I CAN'T WAIT FOR SCHOOL TO START!"

About time for a UCLA thread haven't seen one around.

Got a triple in Hedrick Hall. Attended Orientation 102 which I think was sort of like the Athlete's orientation or so I heard? (saw lots of recruits there)

Anyways, I'm pretty anxious to start. Just hope the triple isn't too bad

I lived in a Hedrick Summit triple so we had more room. If you're in the res halls, you learn to cope. It's a lot more social though so I guess that part's good. Just wear flip flops when showering. You don't know what lives there...

Welcome 1st years!

oh hey~ what floor are you on vince? I'm in hedrick too =)!~

There's a lot of Hedrick residents here. I actually wanted to get Rieber Hall but I was given Dykstra. Any former Dykstra Residents here? :]

i'm living in a double in Hedrick Summit, but my roommate and suitemates are all sophomores so i'm kind of intimidated haha.

anyways, wow choosing classes at orientation took such a long time. my friends and i sat there for like 8 hours trying to make our schedules. haha

Yeah...I'm a freshman this year so I can't really tell you much...but for housing, I'm living on-campus...just cuz I think it's kinda mandatory (maybe?) and I wanna be close to my classes. Not ready to live off-campus yet haha. I'm living in a plaza in a triple with a private bath. It's like $1000-$1500 more expensive than living in just a dorm but I did not want to deal with being in a cramped space. Yeah I just added you on Facebook...I hope we can meet up...I'm sure you'll make friends fast

Well...you're an example of how well known UCLA is HAHA. I'm excited for school to start. I'll be living in Courtside so ...I have no idea how far that is away from you but yeah, you'll be in the same boat as us freshman kind of... =P

Hmm...American culture. I dunno how different it is from Australian culture. I really think it just depends on the person...UCLA is really diverse so I think you're gonna find a lot of people with different backgrounds. You're just gonna be unique...I wouldn't worry about not fitting in or anything unless you're like REALLY WEIRD...which I doubt cuz you seem nice and stuff. YEAHHH ENJOY SUMMER!

2nd year at ucla.....my first year was sooooooooo crazy (in a good way). seriously. so fun. hahah too many good things to list about ucla and i'm too lazy to list them haha SORRY let's just say ucla is awesome ^^

fakemoomoo, i'm living in Courtside too! whoooa =]

I'm in a double in Hedrick Hall.
I'm glad there are some incoming students from Soompi!

-pokes her fellow hedrick hall mates-

Yay, Bruins! I was wondering where I would get to the UCLA thread and it was on the 3rd page =(

I'm a 2nd year, and I moved out into the apartments, but I think it's just a personal preference.
Personally, I couldn't stand the food (even though it IS really good)..
I need my Korean food =(

Living off campus is waaay cheaper, but living on campus is fun too.. and convenient.

Good luck everyone!
Maybe I'll see you around (even though I wouldn't know)!

Hey girl, my name's Millin & i know what you're thinking as of now...who's this girl & what does she want right? haha ^^ well i hope you can hear me out on what im about to invite you to =]

I'm part of an Asian Interest sorority called Pi Theta Kappa based at Cal State Northridge est.1988. We're currently recruiting new members for our sorority and I'd like to extend my welcome to you. Our sorority is OPEN & that means we have girls from all over So-Cal including USC, UCLA, CSULB, PCC, etc. We have RUSH events coming up & i hope you can come by and meet the sisters of Pi Theta Kappa =] There is no OBLIGATION whatsoever to join and everything including rides, food, etc is FREE ^^ so what have you got to lose right? Being part of this sorority is NOT expensive at ALL because we don't maintain a house like many of the white sororities do. For more information, FEEL FREE to PM me back cuhs i still want to get to know you and stuff ^^;

visit our website at WWW.PITHETAKAPPA.ORG

late response but i'm on 4th floor =)

I'll use this late response as a lil bump too

Ahh~ 3 floors above youuu =) We should meet up sometime! Although it might be awkward...probably would be...but it would still be fun! I think...hehe

Hahah yeah maybe just a little But it'd be cool to meet a soompier.

I'm in 432. Do you have facebook?

[b]You'd better watch out when you step into the city. If you see anyone wearing Cardinal red and Gold clothes, you will get beat up. Nah... im just kidding. Us Trojans in reality like bruins [girls]... we only hate you guys when it comes to sports. Go Trojans, Fight On!

they lied to you.

http://www.princetonreview.com/college/res...&topicID=45

total lies

so i was at UCLA last night with about 25 other sophomores from USC's KCM (korean-american campus mission). we were there to meet with the KCM sophomores at UCLA.

it was a lot of fun, but at the end we were all very hungry, so we decided to go to the in-and-out that is right next to the UCLA campus.

we were a group of about 70 people consisting of about 25 people from USC KCM, 25 people from UCLA KCM, and about 20 random people from UCLA that were headed in the same direction as us.

drunken frat boys and sorority girls were heckling us all night long during the 15 minute walks to and from the in-and-out.

little did they know that 45 of the 70 people they were cussing out, "F**K USC" "GO BACK TO COMPTON" "GET THE F**K OUT OF UCLA" were UCLA students. oh, and they also decided to throw water balloons at us from their 4th story dorms.

meanwhile, the UCLA students who had invited us over were profusely apologizing for the behavior of their fellow bruins repeatedly whenever we'd pass by another group of drunks.

way to show some class.


that being said, i really like UCLA's campus. it's much prettier than USC's campus. however, i think USC's campus is much better to live on, considering that we don't have any hills. but hey, i guess you guys get lots of exercise.

ucla has the best fooddd i think it got its ranking from another list not princeton review

oh wow. there's finally a thread on UCLA....btw HI MILLIN!!! THIS IS SUNGJU from omega sigma tau!
hahahahahahahhaha. i didn't know you use soompi....!
anyways,
hmm...this may be a little late since it's already almost the end of fall quarter and also you're an exchange student so i don't know if you'll be here for winter and spring as well.
but.....

As a whole, I think UCLA is a pretty fun place to be. First of all, it is one of the biggest universities in the nation. There are a myriad of opportunities and activities readily available for you if you are a student here.

Academics:
UCLA differs quite a bit from private universities like USC. You yourself will have to venture out and seize the opportunities; being a university comprised of a gigantic student body, you cannot really expect the professors and faculty members to care for students on a one-by-one basis. Professors here, in general, are much more nonchalant and unconcerned compared to professors at private universities. Most of them are involved in extensive research and care much more about it than teaching their own classes. With many of your classes, you will probably end up having to study and learn the material on your own. Basically, you will either "sink or swim," as most people would like to call it. But in my opinion, just be proactive, and I guarantee that you will have one of the greatest times of your life here - UCLA's size could work to your advantage and offer you pretty much everything that you want out of it.

Social:
<Dining/Outside of UCLA>
Westwood! This place is about 10 minutes walk away from the dorms. Tons of restaurants with great food.
If you want to explore further, you can take the Big Blue Bus or the Metro Bus.
With Big Blue Bus and $0.25, you can pretty much go anywhere you want within Santa Monica.
For anywhere else, take the Metro Bus for $1.25 a ride.
Close places to go for shopping: Century City Mall, 3rd Street Promenade, Westside Pavilion
Close attractions, places to go for entertainment: Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach.

<Within UCLA>
Go to the Bruinwalk, read the Daily Bruins Newspaper.
Everyday at Bruinwalk, there are people handing out flyers about latest parties and club events, activities and events, etc.
Daily Bruins will also keep you updated with the latest happenings around the school.

Also, don't worry too much about being from Australia and not knowing anyone. I myself came straight from high school in Atlanta, GA and did not know anyone at all at the beginning of my 1st year at UCLA. People here are diverse, and they're all really nice and welcoming; to give you an idea, this is only my 2nd year - I've already made hundreds of friends from all over California.

As for the American campus culture and joining a sorority, RUSH (this is when they look for new pledges/members) starts during the 1st week of a quarter at UCLA, as you've probably figured out already. Some sororities hold RUSH every quarter; others, twice, or even only once a year. Pledging for a sorority takes up a lot of time, and even when you are an active member, you will have mandatory events to attend and it will require a considerable time commitment on your part. To put it bluntly, it's definitely not for everyone. But yes, it is definitely is one of the best ways to experience the American campus culture, and it just might be a lot of fun =D

Good luck! =)

completely disagree. I like USC's campus much more. the only things i like about ucla's campus is (1) their library, (2) Royce Hall... and perhaps (3) commons

Hey, transfer student from de anza in cupertino, just transferred in during fall quarter. I live in Delta Terrace.

How expensive is living on campus comparing to living off-campus? In addition, if I joined a frat, do they require that I will have to be an active brother for my lifetime? Is wise to ship my car to school or not? Since I'm planning to transfer to UCLA if I do get accepted!

THANKS so much to everyone who replied. I started this thread a while ago huh?

Anyway I ended up deferring my exchange until Winter '08 so I'm starting school at UCLA NEXT WEEK!! Arghh I am so disorganised it's not funny..

Hey stephen1006 thanks for the info, it was nonsense to me before but now that I'm actually in Cali it makes some sense. I'm also seeing things in real life that I only saw in movies before.. haha! I'm in Santa Monica at the moment, just a short walk from 3rd Street Promenade. Took the Big Blue Bus here on my first night but it's only 25c for disabled and senior citizens right?

I was at UCLA briefly today and it's a HUGE campus!! Compared to any university I've seen anyway. I probably won't be familar with it until I have to leave. But at UCLA I'm going to attend all my classes *note to self MUST ATTEND ALL CLASSES*

Tomorrow's the first day of class! yay.... ...lol
But hey I'm glad you're enjoying your stay here so far...I myself actually flew back from Atlanta just a couple of hours ago.
So is Cali living up to your expectations? haha. I remember growing up and watching movies and MTV dreaming about the "cali life" but figures...my hopes had been too high.
It's still a great place though...!!? I think...

Oh and I'm sorry about the Big Blue Bus; I forgot to mention that you need your Bruincard. Swipe it first everytime you get on the bus. Then you only have to pay 25c even if you're not disabled or a senior citizen

Haha "Cali life" - yeah I pictured a beach down the street from UCLA and SUNNY SKIES! I also imagined Hollywood and LA in general to be a lot more glamourous! I still look at those mansions in the Hollywood Hills in amazement though. I've gotta do one of those movie star home tours and all the other touristy stuff.

Anyway, I am REALLY enjoying my time at UCLA!! You're right Stephen; there is so much to do, so many opportunities available and so many ppl to meet. College life here a lot more social than back at home, cuz over here, everyone lives on or around campus and you have frats/sororities who throw parties every week. So basically it's like a little community in itself. I only wish I didn't have to study cuz I had my first midterm yesterday and that wasn't fun at all =/

Oh yeah I haven't seen USC but the UCLA campus is lovely... except for those damn hills! I live in the dorms and all my classes are on the other side of campus!

I'm going to be a fourth year *shudders at thought* when I come back from studying abroad and I haven't joined any organizations or went to a single frat party. But I don't know if I'm really missing out O_O?

Back at home, I'm not involved in anything at uni, which is probably why I haven't gotten much out of it. I've been more proactive here which is contributing towards a better experience.

BTW, where are you studying abroad? =)

heyyy UCLA students, i have a questionn!!! i just got accepted to ucla for next yr as a freshman andd i was wondering how the academic life in UCLA is like? is it REALLY HARD to get As in ur classes and maintain a 3.8 GPA? (i'm thinking of going to med school haha..)
i'm thinking of chosing between ucla and ucsd so i really need all the advice i can gettt!! THANKSS :]

Hey! Just got ACCEPTED

I've never been able to visit UCLA, so I haven't seen the campus in person ><
And I know this question is going to invite a lot of bias responses, but, if you can, from an objective POV, which housing is the best? And why? Or, actually, any information/impressions/opinions about any of the dormitories would be very much appreciated!!

Please and thank you!

*bump*

If not too much trouble, please help me and crazypilovee out! (see above!)

thanks(:

Well that depends. Do you mind living in a place where you share bathrooms with the entire floor (of course different bathrooms for the boys and the girls). The rooms being small? Being potentially placed in a triple in a dorm room? The school has a tendency to accept a lot of students then runs out of housing space so they make doubles into triples.

I lived in Hedrick Hall for about 2 months. It was alright, I ultimately had some issues with my roommate and moved into Courtside, which is part of Sunset Village (which also has Delta Terrace and Canyon Point). Since these rooms are suites they are more expensive but are generally nicer and you have your own private bathrooms. I know they opened Rieber Terrace and I haven't been inside but I heard it's nice. If you get Hedrick or Hedrick Summit keep in mind you will be doing the most walking to campus and back.

I can't really say which housing is the best, it's based on what kind of experience you're looking for. You will have an easier time making friends in the dorms, probably. It depends what type of people are living on your floor. The dorms aren't really that bad, I probably would have stayed in Hedrick but with roommate problems, and the atmosphere of the floor I didn't feel like staying. You may have a better time in your dorm.
The expensive suites are closed off and everyone stays in their rooms, depending on how social your area is. More freshman live in the dorms, you will find second and third years in the suites.

You should look on collegeconfidential.com boards, look for the UCLA thread. Also, look in the memories in the ucla livejournal, ucla.livejournal.com

I don't know if this was helpful at all ^^;;

Also, take my piece of advice. If you have problems with your roommate and you desperately want to move out, DO NOT go to your RA (despite what everyone says). I sat with my RA discussing why I wanted to move out and he just ran me around in circles trying to figure out a way to make me stay. Go straight to the housing office next to Sproul, ask if there are any available rooms because you want to move out. They will have more spaces in Sunset Village though than in the dorms. They'll give you a form that you will have to show to your Resident Director and you must get it signed.

***
crazypilovee, no, it's not hard to get As. But it depends on how hard you're willing to work for it (obvious answer). Since you want to go to med school (I'm assuming you will be a life science major than a physical science major?) you're going to have to take the requisite classes like math 3a, b, c, life science 1, 2, 3, 4, physics 6a, b, c, chemistry, etc. These classes are all very competitive because every science major has to take them along with the upper division classes tailored to their specific science major. I have had friends who got Cs, a lot of Bs, but my other friend studied hard and hasn't gotten anything lower than an A- in any of her classes. I'm not a science major (I was but I hated the calculus) so I'm afraid I can't go into any more detail. Study, study, study, do a lot of problems, read the book, go to the review sessions (this saved my life when I was taking Chemistry), maybe even study with friends. It always helps to go over things with other people. Good luck!

***
inc_mple..., I'm studying in England right now

You were very, very helpful! Thank you so much for your advice; it was definitely appreciated! ^_____^

I did a quick skim but for housing:

A lot of my friends really seem to love rieber terrace. It's right in the middle of everything and not very dead either. However, I would definitely NOT live there next year because Rieber Hall which is right next to it will be under construction.

In terms of being social, the halls are best for that, specifically Dykstra. Dykstra is located right across from Bruinwalk and is the closest dorm to campus. It is the most social of the halls.

Rieber hall would be best next after Sproul, and Hedrick hall last because it is the farthest. Sproul Hall is very nicely located as although it is not the closest to campus, it is the second closest and is right next to Bruincafe, Covel, and dead smack in the middle of the dining areas. I.E., DeNeve dining hall on the left, Covel on the right, and hedrick and rieber right up stairs on the right and left, respectively. If you are looking for a cheap dorm that's nicely located and good to live in, that would be sproul as it also just finished its reconstruction.

If you want to upgrade from the dorms for a spiffier living place but less social opportunities and a higher price, that would be the plazas. It will depend a lot on your floor, but most of the plazas are dead in terms of socializing. Mmm let's see. Rieber Terrace is nice, but again with Rieber Hall under construction you do not want to be there - same goes for Rieber Vista. Many people like DeNeve because it is close to campus. It's a nice place to live and I would pick DeNeve over Courtside, Delta Terrace, and Canyon Point because those areas are pretty much dead in terms of socializing. I think in terms of being dead, I would rank them Courtside, Canyon Point, and Delta Terrace, with Courtside being the least dead.

Courtisde is really nice because it has a little bamboo area inside of it and benches to sit in.

Delta Terrace has the biggest study lounges I've seen and I really like it there for that.

Canyon Point is...okay. It's rather isolated.

Hedrick Summit is very far, and the Saxon and Hitch Suites are not places you want to be if you're looking to socialize and have a close walk. The suites are farther then Hedrick Hall but are good for silence if that is what you are looking for.

Halls have community bathrooms and it's hard to find a quiet spot. It drives me absolutely insane when I need to study. Sproul has good study rooms, and Rieber has the best but it's going under construction. Hedrick Hall study rooms suck. Small and no internet access.

DeNeve has different buildings to it like Dogwood, Cedar, Fir, etc etc. You get your own bathroom and can have a triple or double. I'm not sure about singles.

Hedrick Summit you have to share bathrooms - that goes for Rieber Vista and Terrace too I think. I think Courtside has their own private bathrooms, but I'm not sure about Delta and Canyon Point.

Um..that's all I can think about for the housing. Sorry if it's spread out - I'm kind of sleepy. PM me if you have any questions. Hope it helped a bit.

Oh, courtside has nice study lounges too - I think there's TVs in some of them. In DeNeve there's a piano in one of the study lounges, and in Covel there's a study lounge upstairs somewhere and empty rooms you can use around past 6pm if they're not reserved.

Mmm...there are also TV lounges in sproul, hedrick, and rieber hall on the ground floors. Not sure about dykstra.

That's all I can remember now. ZzZzz

That was INCREDIBLY helpful! Thank you so much!