University of California Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is the ultimate sun-drenched powerhouse where elite public prestige meets the high-octane energy of Southern California. Sitting right in Westwood—sandwiched between Bel-Air and Santa Monica—UCLA consistently ranks as the nation’s top public university, offering undergrads world-class research, direct access to LA’s entertainment and biotech hubs, and legendary campus dining that routinely ranks #1 in the country. Now competing in the Big Ten, Bruin spirit is at an all-time high across sports and campus life. However, life in Westwood moves at a dizzying pace thanks to the relentless quarter system, where 10-week terms make midterms feel constant and class enrollment can feel like a high-stakes battle. Combined with massive lecture sizes for lower-division courses and the high cost of off-campus LA life, it requires serious self-reliance. It’s an ideal fit for driven, multi-talented go-getters, but you’ll definitely want to ask a current Bruin how they actually land their required classes and stay afloat during quarter-system midterms.