Admissions Blog :: UCLA Undergraduate Admissions

I say goodbye, she says hello.

Dear readers of Justine's Blog,

Today is my last day with UCLA Undergraduate Admissions and Relations with Schools (UARS), and consequently, my last day as the editor of this blog. I've decided to venture out into freelance writing, which should be exciting, weird, and really fun. And sad because it means that I have to leave UARS and the blog.

Thankfully, my dear co-worker and pal Stacy Redd (pictured desperately trying to hold me on campus) has stepped up to take over the blog so that you can stay up-to-date on the latest information and miscellany from UCLA. Justine's Blog will be morphing into Stacy's Blog over the next couple of weeks. She has already been an active contributor, and will continue to do so as the blog's editor. I am still an alumna, so I wouldn't be surprised if a few posts from me showed up now and then.

I wish you all my very best as you begin the school year, and good luck to all of those who are getting ready to apply to UCLA for Fall 2008. UCLA, as they say, is truly an amazing place.

Justine

Famous Alumni: Sara Bareilles

It’s no secret that UCLA alums go on to do a lot of incredible things. Some of our most famous alumni include Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Gore Verbinski, and current Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Keeping with the tradition, there’s currently another Bruin making headlines these days: musician Sara Bareilles, Bruin class of 2003. Bareilles's new album, Little Voice, is attracting attention from Entertainment Weekly, People, LA Weekly, and of course, this blog. Her single "Love Song" was featured as a free download on iTunes in June 2007 and she is going to be touring with Maroon 5 this fall.

While at UCLA, Bareilles was a member of Awaken, a student a cappella group, and she says that her first big solo performance was during Spring Sing 2001. In fact, Bareilles partially credits UCLA with her current success. In an interview for UCLA’s "Notable Alumni" webpage, she says, "Honestly, I thank UCLA for providing me with such a strong support system of fans and fellow musicians." We’re happy to do it, Sarah. Keep up the great work.

I’m the newest Bruin inductee into the Sara Bareilles fan club, but I’m sure I won’t be the last. Her clear voice and honest lyrics make her music incredibly listenable, and her sound is somehow both familiar and original. But don’t take my word for it. Learn more about Sara, her music, and her upcoming performances at http://www.sarabmusic.com/.

Life gets sweeter on the Hill

Tasty changes are underway on “the Hill,” UCLA’s residential  community. The quick-serve restaurant Puzzles Café, included as a meal plan option, will soon be converted into a dessert café, complete with  pastries, ice cream, frozen yogurt, and tasty toppings. Delish! Puzzles will also serve  fair-trade coffee and have a tea bar to keep students perky through studying  sessions. Puzzles’ old menu included more traditional fast food fare, and  similar items will stay, including mini-pizzas and evening munchies. I have fond memories of chowing down on Puzzles’ burritos and curly fries when I lived on campus way back when. But now that I'm such a frozen yogurt fiend, I'm happy about the changes. I'll have to make the trek across campus to test out the new menu in September. (I can still eat in the residential and quick-serve restaurants of my student days by loading some cash on my Bruin Card and swiping as I enter the eateries.)

In other food news...There are currently some  Kosher foods offered on the Hill, and quite a bit at Hillel across the street from campus. Students keeping  Kosher can now sign up for a special meal plan with increased options in the  residential restaurants. UCLA Dining Services is also  introducing more vegetarian and vegan dishes in the fall.

But really, who needs to eat meals when there's frozen yogurt to be had?

Watch this space for delicious changes...