UCLA is the number 1 public university in the United States. It has a beautiful campus with an extremely diverse faculty and student body. The university's location in California is a great bonus for students like me hoping to start a career in tech due to its proximity to the Bay Area and Silicon Valley. The university has a vast, well-connected alumni network and provides tremendous opportunities to learn and grow via clubs, events, and career growth opportunities. The campus community is also as incredibly warm and welcoming as the weather in Los Angeles. I could not recommend UCLA highly enough.
Course Curriculum :
The Computer Science course curriculum offers several electives to explore the diverse applications of the subject. Certain courses such as Physics are currently mandatory for degree progression. This is perhaps unnecessary for students seeking careers in tech. Introductory computer science courses provide students with a solid foundation in programming principles. Later courses and electives allow students the opportunity to learn multiple new languages and work on projects that simulate certain industry requirements. Most professors are involved in interesting research projects. Students may search for open research positions under different professors using the Undergraduate Research Portal.
Exams :
The UC's had a separate application portal from the US Common Application. You submit this application and specify which UC's you are interested in applying to and for which programs. I had to submit 4 essays and was not required to submit letters of recommendation. There are 8 essay prompts provided of which only 4 need to be answered. Each essay prompt required personal insight. Recounting relevant experiences from your past is the best way to write a strong and convincing essay. The UC application also required us to fill out our academic history, extracurriculars, and other honors. Ensure you present yourself accurately in every regard and demonstrate your passion for your high school extracurriculars. The UCs follow a holistic application review and, therefore, look for more than just academic excellence. No, I did not have any rounds of interviews or university-specific tests.
Placement :
UCLA has a number of campus career fairs and industry information events to facilitate networking with top companies in the United States. The college career center hosts a number of educational events and workshops to prepare students for interviews and industry opportunities. The student alumni association organizes a number of alumni networking events. However, the onus is on the students to make use of such events to obtain job referrals and advance their career prospects.
Internship :
Interned at: ChargePoint (Software Engineering Intern) - Applied via referral - 3 rounds of interviews (1 behavioral, 2 technical).
Events :
Campus life at UCLA is incredible. Despite the large student population, the campus is not extremely large in size. Thus, the campus is always bustling with energy. There are hundreds of student organizations that span fields covering almost every possible interest. Sports, artistic, and educational facilities are available to these organizations for any event. The only drawback of a smaller campus is that it may be hard to book a space for your organization before another club.
Fees :
Tuition Fees (International student): USD 43000; Total Budgets: Approximately USD 62000 a year including tuition, accommodation, transportation, food, and educational materials.
Scholarship :
No, I have not received any scholarship.
Faculty :
UCLA has a recorded faculty to student ratio of 1:18. However, a number of the lower division courses will see up to 250 students in a single lecture. Professors are easy to approach during their scheduled Office Hours. A large body of teaching assistants also ensures that students can get more personal attention if required. Every engineering student is assigned a faculty advisor on joining the university. These advisors can really help guide and shape a student's aspirations and goals.
Hostel :
I lived in campus dorms during my first 2 years at UCLA. The rooms are sharing. All freshmen usually stay in triples. As a sophomore and above it is possible to stay in doubles or singles. The rooms are well maintained with good infrastructure. There are multiple room types. Some include a private bathroom, some a shared bathroom (between 2 rooms), and some a communal bathroom (shared by residents on a given floor). Every dorm building has laundry facilities, multiple lounges, shared study spaces, microwaves, and vending machines. There are no kitchens in the dorms. UCLA dining is ranked number 1 in the United States. The food is incredible and offers a number of diverse options for vegans, vegetarians, and non-vegetarians. On-Campus accommodation costs roughly 15-18K USD depending on the room type and meal plan a student opts for. Off-Campus apartments are in very close proximity to campus. However, they vary greatly in price and size and it is up to the student to find the best fit for themselves.
