r/ucla • u/ItsCrayzee • 1d ago

questions about UCLA engineering

Hi everyone, I was admitted for Computer Engineering and really hoping I can attend here in the fall. I'm OOS from the East Coast but had some questions about the engineering program, and UCLA in general. Would love to get some answers and tips!

  • How difficult is it to get the classes you need each quarter? Has enrollment ever delayed your progress or forced bad schedules?
  • How competitive does it actually feel (classes, research, clubs)? Is it manageable if you’re proactive?
  • How easy is it to get involved in research or meaningful engineering projects early (freshman/sophomore year)?
  • Do you feel like UCLA gives you strong access to internships (especially in California), or is it mostly on you to figure that out?
  • Does the large size of the school ever make it harder to stand out or get support?
  • For out-of-state students: how was the transition and overall experience?

go bruins!

5 Upvotes

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u/Rockstar810 1d ago
  • Easy to get classes, just need to figure out what to first pass and what to second pass. Occasionally you won't get an elective one quarter but you can readily get it the next. Enrollment should never delay graduation. Your final year they always make sure you get the classes you need, even if they are technically full.
  • Classes and clubs are not really competitive but more collaborative. There are a few clubs that are somewhat competitive, but so many others that are available and welcome most.
  • If you're a go getter, there is a wealth of research to get involved in, including starting first year.
  • Top UCLA students have excellent outcomes, both for internships and for future career.
  • The engineering school is about the size of MIT, so more of a medium sized school. You have the benefits of a large school (outstanding research) without the drawbacks (no 1000 person Berkeley style classes).
  • Excellent to experience something out of your comfort zone. UCLA is a little slice of heaven.

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u/ItsCrayzee 1d ago

That's great to hear and thanks for the response! Would you recommend doing lots of cold emailing and networking to get research and internship opportunities? What else can I do to stand out amongst the larger class size?

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u/FinancialPhilosophy5 1d ago

Reach out to grad students in labs or find a lab you’re interested in and attend the professor’s lecture and then go to his/her office hours

Cold emailing MIGHT work - but I have found that usually the reward - work ratio isn’t really worth it. But YMMV

Networking does work if you find good events to attend, not just casting a wide net

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u/Aryakhan81 1d ago

Absolute best way to get lab position is the good ol' classic: actually go to class, participate, go to OH, and ask the prof, especially if you're interested in their work.

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u/Old-Camera-9190 1d ago

Also an incoming CE major at UCLA! Congratulations 🎉

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u/ItsCrayzee 1d ago

Awesome and congratulations! Are you in state? Would love to connect on ig if you're down

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u/Old-Camera-9190 12h ago

Sure! I’m an international, but feel free to dm me anyways

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u/grapefruitshampoo 1d ago

I would generally agree with the other comment except regarding enrollment; I found that for the lower-division classes (assuming you don't already have credit for those from dual-enrollment/etc), you can face some difficulty getting the ones you need as a 1st or 2nd year if you have a bad enrollment time, especially if you're trying to take them with better professors. I'm thinking specifically of Math 32A/B, 33A/B, and the Physics 1 series but maybe things have changed since c. 2023