Frequently Asked Questions

How much time will my student spend in class? How much time will they spend studying?

A full-time student will take at least 12 or 13 units per quarter, which translates to at least three courses per quarter. Students in the College of Letters & Science may take up to 19 units per quarter, but this is not recommended – especially in the first year. Unit limits for other schools can be found here.

Generally, one unit corresponds to an hour in class per week, and a student will spend 3-4 hours studying for each hour spent in class.

Choosing a major: How can I assist my student in choosing a major? What are the most common majors? Is it a problem if my student is undeclared?

Choosing a major is one of the most important decisions a student will make at UCLA, but it can take a bit of time to make the best decision given there are over 125 majors to choose from. In fact, the average Bruin changes their major 2.5 times!

An undeclared student is by no means disadvantaged as a UCLA student. However, by the end of their second year these students should generally be aware of what major they would like to declare. Students can identify what majors they are interested in by exploring classes and academic areas of interest, speaking to academic counselors, and using resources like the Alumni Career Engagement program and the Career Center. Students are much more likely to succeed when they study subjects they are interested in.

How large are classes?

Classes at UCLA vary in size. Many of the lower division classes and introductory classes will have 300 students in one lecture. These classes tend to be filled with first- and second-year students who need to take these classes to fulfill major prerequisites. All large classes also have a smaller (approximately 15-25 students) mandatory discussion session to provide an opportunity to discuss the material in a more intimate setting and ask questions of a graduate student who can support comprehension of the course.

Once students begin to take the upper division classes for their major during the third or fourth year of study, class sizes decrease to anywhere from 15-50 students depending on the style of the course. In general, 2 out of 3 UCLA classes have fewer than 30 students.

What is “the quarter system?”

A quarter is a 10-week term; the UCLA academic year is divided into three academic quarters: fall, winter and spring. Summer is also considered a “quarter,” but is not part of the academic year, and is not mandatory.

Students typically enroll in three or four courses per quarter. Three classes per quarter is recommended for incoming freshmen so they can acclimate to the rigor of the quarter system.

What resources can my student utilize for academic counseling?

At New Student Orientation, students are paired with highly-trained peer counselors called New Student Advisors who can answer questions about your Bruin’s academic career at orientation and beyond. However, there are several other resources to help your student beyond their orientation session.

Those studying engineering, nursing or the arts (including the School of the Arts and Architecture and the School of Theater, Film and Television) are assigned an individual counselor or small group of counselors. These programs are more narrowly focused, and therefore require a narrower academic focus. Also, many of these departments require students to follow a specific set curriculum throughout their time at UCLA.

Students whose majors fall under the College of Letters and Science – which includes social sciences, humanities, and life and physical sciences – make up most of UCLA’s student population, and have a variety of academic advising options. Academic Advancement Program (AAP) students are assigned an adviser within AAP, Honors students within Honors Programs, and athletes within Athletics. Students who do not fall under any of these categories will pursue guidance from the Center for Academic Advising in the College.

How often should my Bruin visit an academic adviser?

We recommend visiting an adviser at the beginning of each quarter. It can be helpful for students to seek academic counseling to catch problems early on and set themselves up for success. By meeting with an adviser, students can gain valuable information about course suggestions, scholarship opportunities and graduate school advice.

Additionally, for most general academic questions, the Center for Academic Advising in the College (CAAC) offers Remote Engagement and Advising in the College Hub (REACH), a virtual advising hub that enables students in the College to access academic advising more easily. Through REACH, there are also undergraduate College Academic Counseling Peer Counselors and graduate Counseling Assistants readily available to assist students with advising questions and concerns.

The quarter system moves quickly. By the time your student hits mid-quarter, it is already time to select courses for the next quarter. Academic advisers are invaluable in partnering with students to make the most of their careers at UCLA.

What if my student is struggling academically?

Students at UCLA have many opportunities to seek out assistance when they feel that they are struggling. Professors and teaching assistants are frequently available to assist with specific course-related questions or concerns. Academic advisers can help students make the best use of their time at UCLA by advising course choices and degree planning. CAC also hosts many academic workshops offered throughout the year.

Additionally, academic departments often have lists of private tutors, often recent graduates or graduate students, who they can recommend. If your student is having trouble getting the support they need, please call the UCLA Parent & Family Association to get them connected with the appropriate department.

Is it difficult to get in classes? Will my student get the classes they need?

Though UCLA has a large student population, there are many ways for students to get the classes they need. For example, many departments place restrictions on certain classes so that students with certain majors will be able to enroll in those classes first. A student may also make changes to their schedule through week two of each quarter with no fee, if needed.

Also, students’ course registration date moves up as they progress in their academic career and earn more credits.

Are professors easily accessible?

All professors offer office hours especially set aside for students to come and ask questions. This gives students a chance to have one-on-one interaction with the professor to discuss class material, difficulties with coursework, or have friendly conversation. Many professors will also allow students to make appointments with them ahead of time if students cannot make the set office hours.

What are the best places for Bruins to study?

Studies show that changing the environment in which a student studies actually increases retention of material. Some students prefer to study in their rooms. Others enjoy the quiet of the residence hall study lounges. The beautiful campus itself provides an ideal study ground, with wireless internet access abound, rolling hills, and plenty of benches and tables to spread out.

UCLA also has several libraries on campus. For a complete list of hours and locations, click here. Most students find the library to be quiet, relaxing and conducive to studying. Many bring headphones to accompany them, or even take quick naps in the library between classes. Students can use or rent computers, print assignments, use copy machines, watch films for class in the Instructional Media Lab, work with librarians on research projects and reserve space for study groups. For a complete list of services and resources, visit the UCLA Library online.

For students that like the bustle of the city, West Los Angeles is filled with coffee shops and cafés, museums with beautiful courtyards, and natural environments such as the beach and public parks. Encourage your Bruin to step away from campus and enjoy the California sun to do some reading or other schoolwork.

What is Honors?

UCLA offers several types of honors:

• Honors Programs (College Honors) offers a variety of programs for students enrolled in the College of Letters and Science to pursue more academically rigorous and intellectually challenging coursework while completing their degrees. Honors also offers scholarships, specialized Honors counseling, the individual major program and the opportunity to graduate from UCLA with the distinction of “College Honors.”
• Departmental Honors are awarded to students who pursue theses or specialized research projects and are available to those majoring in specific areas of study (departments should be contacted individually for more information). Students usually decide to pursue a thesis during the end of the third year and complete the research and coursework during their final year.
• Latin Honors are awarded at various levels to graduating students who meet certain standards of academic achievement. The levels of honors are summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude.
• Honors Societies, coordinated by the Office of the Dean of Students, provide high-achieving students an opportunity to join service and excellence organizations on campus.

Do all students graduate in four years?

The average UCLA student remains enrolled at the University for approximately four years, and it is not uncommon for students to graduate within this time frame with a double major or minor. Of the 2018 freshman cohort, 84.8% spent 12 or fewer quarters at UCLA. Of the transfer cohort that entered in 2020, 73.2% graduated within 6 quarters or less. Students may decide to stay at UCLA for an extended period of time when they choose to dedicate time to out-of-classroom campus endeavors or take on a heavier academic load.

There are, however, regulations to prevent students from remaining enrolled indefinitely. For more information regarding academic rules and regulations, click here.

How can I access my student’s grades?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (also known as FERPA or the Buckley Amendment) is a United States federal law that protects students’ rights to access and control their educational records.

According to FERPA, college students are considered responsible adults and are allowed to determine who will receive information about them. While parents understandably have an interest in a student’s academic progress, they are not automatically granted access to a student’s records. Parents are encouraged to consult with their student if academic information is needed.

Your student may give permission for a third party to access their records by setting up an authorized user account for their parent or family member. UCLA does not provide private information or restricted public information (even with consent) over the phone or by email. To learn more about parent access to student records and accounts and setting up Third-Party Access, click here.

Where can my student go for help with career planning or internships?

The UCLA Career Center is dedicated to offering UCLA students opportunities to make thoughtful and deliberate career choices. Through the Career Center, students can search for jobs and internships, schedule appointments for career counseling, learn how to build a resume, and prepare for interviews and career fairs. Students can log into Handshake to access hundreds of online job and internship postings, as well as several other more specialized career websites in the field that they are interested in.

UCLA Alumni Career Engagement (ACE) offers programs and resources for both current students and alumni at every stage of their career including new grads, early career, mid-career, and late-career. ACE offers a networking platform (UCLA ONE), an Alumni Mentor Program, the Bruin Success podcast and much more.

What is Handshake?

Handshake is a gateway to online Career Center services and sign-ups, exclusively for UCLA students and eligible alumni. Handshake grants one-stop access to hundreds of jobs and internships as well as access to other essential employment, internship, and graduate school resources. Your student can submit their resume to one or more of 14 resume books, RSVP for employer information sessions and view career fair directories. Students can log into Handshake here.

What is UCLA ONE?

UCLA ONE is the official online networking platform for Bruins. Your student can browse job and internship opportunities and get professional development support for every stage of their career from alumni who are willing to help. Encourage your student to sign up to start making valuable connections with other Bruins. Parents may also create their own UCLA ONE profiles.

What is BruinBill?

All students are assigned a BruinBill account which records all charges and payments associated with registration, housing and transportation charges, as well as other service charges like health insurance assessed to students. Log-in through MyUCLA to manage your BruinBill. You can find information on important dates related to billing here. There are a number of ways to pay your student’s BruinBill, including:

eCheck: This is a free and convenient way to have payments post instantly, avoiding delinquent fees, holds, and dropped classes. A student just needs a U.S. checking or savings account to submit an eCheck payment through BruinBill. International students may consider setting up an account with the University Credit Union if they are in need of a U.S. bank account.

BruinDirect: This is a fast, secure process to deposit financial aid refunds directly to a student’s checking or savings account. Students will get their refund within 2-3 days and avoid waiting for mailed checks. It’s easy, free, and automatic—students can sign up through MyUCLA.

BruinPay Plan (BPP): Students can nroll in BPP to spread their term tuition into monthly installment payments. Check here to see if your student is eligible for the plan.

OneBill Initiative: The new OneBill Initiative has consolidated student regular-term tuition, housing, and parking and transit fees into a single BruinBill account called Regular Term Bill. Learn more about OneBill here.

Where can my student look for scholarships?

UCLA students have access to many scholarships to make college more affordable. The UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships Office is a good place to start the scholarship search, and learn more about eligibility and the application process. The Scholarship Resource Center is also a great place to find UCLA scholarships sorted by major or department, as well as external databases for undergraduate and graduate scholarships.

How does the housing lottery work?

All newly admitted freshman who submit their housing application by the deadline will be eligible for a guaranteed four consecutive years of housing. Similarly, all newly admitted transfer students who submit their housing application by the deadline will be eligible for a guaranteed two years of housing.

UCLA Housing Room Sign Up (RSU) is an online process that provides eligible returning undergraduate residents the opportunity to select their housing for the next academic year. All eligible students interested in housing for the upcoming academic year must submit their application and participate in RSU in order to receive a housing offer. Students who do not select a room during RSU will not be extended a housing offer. This process typically begins in March each year.

How can my student change rooms/roommates?

Undergraduate students who wish to change the room they were offered first need to accept their initial housing offer, and then they can submit a Change of Assignment Request (CAR). This process can also be completed for a change in roommates. Change of Assignment Requests are typically only open through mid-July and are not guaranteed and are based on space availability. If the request can be accommodated, students will be notified the day the change is made. If the request cannot be accommodated, students will be notified their request was not able to be completed.

When is move-in?

Move-In takes place over 4 days in mid-late September, prior to the start of the academic year. Students are assigned a specific date and time in late August (depending on what building they are in). If students need to make travel arrangements that differ from their assigned move-in date and time, they can contact the Housing office once they receive their assignment information.

What are the different meal plans?

Meal plans are included in the on-campus housing contract rate for residents. Meal plans are selected at the time students accept their housing offer and make their initial contract payment. The meal plan options for On-Campus Housing Residents can be found here.

If my student lives off campus or in off-campus University housing, can they still purchase a meal plan?

Currently University residential restaurants are only open to students living in the On-Campus residential halls located on the Hill.

With that said, there are many grocery and dining options directly on campus and within Westwood that do not require a meal plan. Some of those options include:

• • Grocery stores: Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Ralphs, Sprouts, Target

• • Dining: Ackerman Union (Epicuria, Veggie Grill, Rubios, Panda Express, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Taco Bell, Carl’s Jr., Kikka Sushi), Anderson Café, Cava, In-N-Out, Subway, Diddy Riese, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sweetgreen

How can I send packages to my student?

The mailing address for on campus housing is:

Student’s First & Last Name (as registered at UCLA)
Building, Room#
330 De Neve Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90024

The central mailroom is located in Sunset Village on the Hill.

What transportation options are available to my student?

Most students walk to and from campus, especially if they live on The Hill or in nearby apartments. Students have several other transportation options, including the complimentary BruinBus shuttle service.

How does on-campus parking work?

Student parking on campus can be limited. Parking permits are not guaranteed and are offered through a prioritization process based on class standing and whether a student is a commuter or residence hall tenant. To learn more about applying for parking permits, click here.

Visitors can purchase all-day or hourly parking permits at pay stations in parking structures and lots across campus (exact cash or credit cards only). All-day permits can also be purchased at various Information & Parking Booths around campus (cash only). Accessible parking for individuals with disabilities is also available. Click here for more information on visitor parking.

Can first-year students bring their cars to campus?

Students are required to have a parking permit if they wish to bring their car to campus. Parking permits are offered through a prioritization process based on class standing, so upperclassmen students would take priority over first year students. With that said, first year students are still welcome to apply for a parking permit though it is not encouraged except in extenuating circumstances.

How can my student get to the airport quickly and conveniently?

There are many options your student has to navigate from LAX to or from UCLA. Historically, UCLA Residential Life has periodically offered shuttle services to LAX, usually during the end or start of the quarter. Students can find out if there are upcoming shuttles by visiting their website. For alternative options, visit the UCLA Transportation website for a full list of resources.

Where can I find more information about New Student and New Family Orientation?

UCLA’s New Student Academic Programs office is home to New Student Orientation and Family Orientation. Students and families can learn more about Orientation here.

When can I visit my student?

While parent and family visits to campus are always welcome, we encourage you to communicate with your student about how often visits should take place, and allow space for your student to grow their independence while at UCLA. With that said, parents and family members are invited to attend Bruin Family Weekend, which takes place every Fall around the end of October or start of November. Information regarding event registration typically comes out in late summer. Other great opportunities to visit campus include events through organizations your student may be a part of, sporting events, Spring Sing and more!

What are some of the local hotel accommodations near campus?

There are several hotel options in and around Los Angeles; and you an even stay directly on campus at The UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center or the UCLA Guest House.

What is the contact information for important campus departments?

Generally, parents and families should be aware of and know how to get in touch with the following campus departments:

• • Parent & Family Association: We are your “first-stop” office at UCLA . Contact us when you have a question but you aren’t quite sure where your student can go to get the answer.

    • • Phone: 310-794-6737
    • • Email: mybruinis@ucla.edu
    • • Facebook: UCLA Parents
    • • Instagram: @UCLA_Parents

• • Counseling & Psychological Services
    • Email: info@caps.ucla.edu

    • • Phone: (310) 825-0768

• • Housing
    • Email: uclahousing@housing.ucla.edu

    • • Phone: (310) 206-7011

• • Student Finance
    • Financial Aid
      • Message Center
      • Phone: (310) 206-0400

    • • Student Accounts
        • Message Center

        • • Phone: (310) 825-9194

• • University of California Police Department (UCPD): The UCPD is a resource for parents and families if they ever have safety concerns for their students.
    • Email: info@ucpd.ucla.edu
    • Non-Emergency Phone: (310) 825-1491
    • Anonymous Reporting Line: (310) 794-5824

    • • Parent & Family Association Campus Safety Refresher