The Road to UCLA: Navigating UCLA as a Transfer and Commuter Student

Hi everyone! My name is Amy (she/her), and I am a proud first-generation college student majoring in Communication with a minor in Community Engagement and Social Change. I was raised in Torrance, California, (shout-out Torrance!) for most of my life. I am so excited to share my experience navigating UCLA as a transfer and commuter…

Feeling Connected to the Bruin Community

Hi there New Bruins! Congratulations and welcome to UCLA! The next few years are going to be some of the most exciting, transformative, and memorable years of your life, and I could not be more excited for you! My name is Kathryn, and I am a current third-year student here at UCLA double majoring in…

Amiee: Navigating Native Identity in Higher Education

I’m from the Pala Band of Mission Indians and am of Southern Cheyenne descent. I grew up on the Pala Indian Reservation, where I was exposed to the beauty of my Kupa and Luiseño culture. Growing up, I was raised family-dependent, knowing that community was where my support and love came from. My mother constantly…

Dear New Bruin…a letter from a fourth year student

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….

Getting Involved as a Transfer Student

Dear Transfers, Congratulations, you have come so far and are now admitted to UCLA! Take a second to recognize all of the hard work you have put into these last two years. Transitioning to a four-year university is an experience like no other and is by far one of the most exciting journeys you will…

Finding Your Way At UCLA

Hi, new and prospective Bruins! Congratulations on your acceptance into UCLA! I’m Sara, a third-year Communication major and Professional Writing minor. I was born and raised in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, which made me initially hesitant to attend a university so close to home. But from my classes to the beautiful campus to the…

Investing in UCLA

Hey new Bruins! My name is Renato Escobar (he/him), a 2nd-year psychobiology major and part of the UCLA class of 2023. I am from Thousand Palms, California and I am very excited to share my thoughts, feelings, and steps that I took at the time when I was in your position, and hopefully provide you…

From Brazil to UCLA: My Journey as an International Student

Hello everyone! My name is Lucas Yoshida (most people call me Yoshi so feel free to call me that) and I am a 3rd-year studying Business Economics here at UCLA! I was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil and moved to Los Angeles in 2018 to start my amazing journey at UCLA! Before I…

UCLA: Am I Meant to be Here?

Hello everyone! My name is David Franco (they/them). I am a first generation, third year Sociology major from Bellflower, CA. Once again, a huge congratulations on your acceptance to UCLA! You have just accomplished something so wonderful and you should be so proud of yourself! When I learned that I had gotten accepted into UCLA,…

Feeling at Home on Campus

Hi ya’ll! My name is Sanjana (she/her) and I’m a third year student at UCLA. I’m majoring in Political Science and minoring in Public Affairs. I lived in Mumbai, India for most of my life but I now live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As an out-of-state student, I had several inhibitions before coming to UCLA…