Dear New Bruin,  

First, HUGE congratulations on your admission to the University of California, Los Angeles! My name is Emerald, and I am a fourth-year majoring in Human Biology & Society with a minor in Public Health. I am originally from Daly City, California, and I am so proud to be a UCLA Bruin. Every experience I have had at this school has only positively shaped me, and I have had countless opportunities to grow and lead.  

Graduating from high school in 2020, I did not have the most traditional experience. My last few months of high school were filled with late-night Facetime calls, drive-through graduations, and wondering what was next. I needed to decide where to attend college, but how can you be sure you are making the right choice in the peak of a global pandemic? The time between now and May 15^th is so special, and I wanted to share why I chose UCLA, without ever stepping on campus. Opening the letter from UCLA was a dream come true, but I didn’t know if I should choose a school I would not get to physically be at for another year.  

It wasn’t until I heard current students speak about their experiences that I knew I wanted to be at UCLA. I did all of the standard things: attended a virtual campus tour, joined Instagram Lives, and even watched the vlogs people posted on YouTube. Each of these had one thing in common: the students spoke about their experiences with so much passion and love. Whether it was practicing in a parking lot for their dance team or hosting a dance marathon fundraiser for HIV/AIDS research, every single student I interacted with had at least one thing they were passionate about and could talk for hours about what they were working on. I always knew that I wanted to go to a school surrounded by people who wanted to create positive change, and I was finding that at UCLA. I wanted to be able to speak about something that I was proud of and had ownership of, and UCLA has provided me with exactly that.  

That didn’t change when I got here. I love hearing about the organizations that my friends are a part of and the cool things they are working on. Some of my friends work to reduce medical waste and coordinate donations with hospitals in other countries. I know someone involved in the Lettuce Club, and she’s coordinating their annual event, which determines who will lead the club next based on who eats a whole head of lettuce the fastest. Another friend coordinated a UCLA tradition called Dinner for 12 Strangers, where alumni host students in their home for a meal. My roommate was even an actor in a cultural night held at our very own Royce Hall.  

Four years later and over 300 miles away from home, I don’t regret a single thing. As I am reflecting back on my time here, I wish I could do it all over again. I’ve met some of my closest friends, worked three on-campus jobs, joined a few clubs, interned at really great companies, and seen more of the world than I ever thought I would have. I was able to conduct research, tutor, and volunteer. I am proud of what I have achieved, and a large part of that is because of the community of fellow changemakers that exists here. I’m sad to be graduating, but I am also ready to take on what’s next in life for me because of everything that I have learned here.  

In my last few weeks, you can find me working as a Bruin Ambassador for Undergraduate Admission, sitting in at meetings for the Student Alumni Association, giving tours to young students who visit the campus as a Cub Tour Guide, volunteering at the hospital as a Patient Health Advocate, and saying goodbye to the place that has been my home for the last four years. I’m very jealous and excited for those of you that still have time left at UCLA.  

I hope I’ll see you at Bruin Day and don’t be afraid to say hello. In the meantime, celebrate your accomplishments and keep up the great work you have already been doing. Go Bruins!  

With so much love,  

Emerald