Breaking Down the Crowd at UCLA

Although school has been out some time now, the UCLA campus is still in an energetic buzz very much like it is during the regular school year, however with a completely different kind of crowd than usual. The summer faces here break down into five different kinds of crowds.

First, are the summer schoolers—high school, transfer, and other university students who come from different areas including locally, all over California and the country, as well as some international students from all over the world!  They have all come here to experience UCLA first hand and take a few classes towards graduation requirements as well as get a feel for what it’s like to attend a large public university. 

Second, are the regulars—of course you can’t count out those current Bruins from sticking around wanting to get ahead on their degree requirements.  Aside from taking summer classes, the students who don’t want to leave UCLA for the long summer are doing other things including: working, interning, doing research, or simply staying to enjoy the fine Los Angeles weather and atmosphere.  The regulars also include the staff and faculty who continue to work year-round to make sure UCLA is running smoothly, as well as getting started early in planning for big events that happen during the school year. Aside from school and work, there is plenty to do at UCLA and in Los Angeles.  Some of the popular places to explore during the summer include Santa Monica and Venice Beach, Downtown LA, theaters, parks, shopping malls, museums, sports stadiums, Disneyland, etc.

Third, are the campers—passionate and driven students of all ages here for various programs ranging from sport camps to SAT camps, all here with shared hopes to improve their craft.  Usually led by experienced UCLA students or a campus department, the summer camps spend hours of quality time dedicated to improving the campers' skills. In the end, they have a rewarding experience and undoubtedly are well on their way toward reaching the next level.

Next are the wannabes—prospective students who come from far and wide to visit the UCLA campus.  Equipped with questions about admissions and student life, their goal is to get a personal feel of the campus.  Usually those competitive students can’t find time in their busy schedules during the school year to visit colleges, but the summer is a completely different story and it’s usually the ideal time to take college campus tours.  August is the busiest time of the year for the UCLA Campus Tours program for prospective students. So get your reservations in early! Many students want to get a good look at their prospective college choices before they begin the application process in the Fall.

Finally, there are the newbies—the incoming students of UCLA.  They are here for a completely different purpose. It is well known that UCLA is built on many wonderful traditions; one of those for the students at UCLA is attending your UCLA Freshman/Transfer Orientation session:  where incoming students learn all the ropes on what it means to be a Bruin.  From detailing the intricacies of academic policies and enrollment to navigating the social scene and developing personally, new students get all the new information to start their UCLA journey.  Along with appointments with department counselors and your own Orientation counselor (a current UCLA students) to help hammer out all the school stuff, you get to sample the variety of clubs, organizations, and opportunities that await you on campus when you return in the Fall.  Included also are many different social activities and discussion on topics that will help ease your transition to your new life as a Bruin. The grand finale includes a world famous campus tour, a rite of passage intended for students who attend Freshman Orientation only. It is very essential to attend Orientation as you will begin to build relationships and knowledge on how to tackle the challenges that will come during your time here at UCLA.  Not to mention, it’s also when you sign up for classes for your first quarter. No doubt after Orientation, you will be ready to hit the ground running when you move to campus in September.

So contrary to the perception that summer is a break from the hustle and bustle of normal school operation, UCLA is a clear exception to the rule. This energy is what it takes to jump start the school year and doesn’t go away until September. Whether your purpose is academic or social, summer is a great time to be at UCLA. Which one are you? In the end, it doesn’t matter which crowd you are in, because no doubt they all share one thing.  They all leave as big fans of UCLA.

Comments

[elvina]

Very interesting post about UCLA. I wish I would be the student of UCLA!