I don’t know exactly when UCLA became the dream school in my head. Maybe it was the field trip in middle school when someone told me it was good luck to rub the Bruin Bear’s paw. Or maybe it was that one drive through campus in high school, Frank Ocean’s Blonde was playing in the car, I was half daydreaming in the back seat, and everything just kind of… clicked. I didn’t know how, but I had this quiet feeling that I’d be here one day. 

What I didn’t know then is how unpredictable the path would be. I actually got waitlisted. I had already committed to UC Davis (shoutout to them, still a great school) and started telling people that’s where I was headed. I was cool with it. But then, completely randomly, I got an email from UCLA – no warning, just a “Congratulations” screen. I stared at it for way too long before it felt real. A couple days later, I withdrew my Davis SIR and committed to UCLA. 

We knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I’m not gonna lie – we had no clue how much it would cost. Like a lot of families, we figured we’d “make it work,” but that doesn’t mean we understood what we were signing up for. I remember Googling things like “UCLA cost of attendance,” watching YouTubers talk about “sticker prices” and “subsidized loans,” and just getting more confused. It was overwhelming. 

So I sent a message to the Financial Aid office. Honestly, that one message changed everything. I got connected with someone who walked me through what my aid letter actually meant. Turns out, between the grants and scholarships, I’d be paying a lot less than I expected. It was like someone turned on the lights. I could actually afford to be here. That was a turning point – not just in terms of money, but in feeling like I belonged. 

Once I got to campus, I made it a goal to try everything. I joined the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club and started learning how to throw people (safely). I took hip hop dance classes just because I could. I went to football games at the Rose Bowl, danced at salsa nights in front of the Bear, and pulled last-minute cram sessions at Powell during finals week. I even did the Undie Run once, which, if you know, you know. 

And the cool thing about UCLA is that you don’t have to be involved in just one thing. There are over a thousand student orgs – literally something for everyone. You want to do pre-law? Join a cultural club? Build a robot? Volunteer for food justice? You can do all of that here. Even if you just want to find a quiet spot to chill, there are secret corners of campus like the sculpture garden or the rooftop of Broad Art Center where it feels like time slows down. 

One of the most meaningful parts of my UCLA experience has been working as a Peer Advisor in the Financial Aid office. I never thought I’d end up working in financial aid, but here I am, on the other side of the counter. Now, I get to help other students who were just as confused as I was. I’ve had conversations where someone walks in super anxious, and by the time they leave, they know exactly what their grants mean, how to reduce loans, or even how to find scholarships. It’s a full-circle moment every time. 

If you’re a new admit wondering if UCLA is worth it, I’ll say this: it’s not just about the name or the rankings. It’s about what becomes possible because you’re here. It’s the people you’ll meet, the risks you’ll take, the things you’ll try and fail at and try again. It’s learning how to budget, how to make a meal out of whatever’s left in your fridge, how to ask for help when you need it – and believe me, you will. But you’ll also find that UCLA has support systems: peer advisors, Basic Needs resources, emergency aid, mental health services, and more. You’re never as alone as you think. 

Being here has made me more curious, more confident, and honestly, more compassionate. Everyone’s path to UCLA is different – some people had this school locked in from day one; some of us got in by surprise. But what we all share is that we made it here, and now we get to make it our own.