Resources for New Bruin Families
WELCOME! An informed and supportive family plays an integral role in a student’s educational success. The Parent & Family Association collaborates to help you understand the student experience, support student learning, and empower your students to take personal responsibility for their social and academic choices. Think of us as your first stop for everything you need to help your student thrive on campus and beyond.
Vea esta página en español.
Bruin Family Insights
Bruin Family Insights is a podcast focused on topics parents and family members want to know about the most. Listen to our latest episode below via Spotify or visit our podcast landing page to discover other ways to listen and hear our other episodes.
Before there was a podcast…there was a YouTube Live series! Check out some of our past discussions* that may be helpful for new families:
Financial Wellness in College
First-Generation Students & Families
Going Greek: What to Know About Fraternity & Sorority Life
Navigating Housing & Residential Life
Transitioning to UCLA
*Please note: All YouTube Live discussions linked above were recorded prior to the pandemic.
Parent & Family Guide and Brochure
Looking to learn more about how to navigate the University and its resources? Check out two digital reading materials:
- Parent & Family Guide: This guide thoroughly outlines important topic areas that parents and families of college students should be aware of including communicating with your student and the University, academics, finances, growing independence, campus safety, personal wellness and much more. This is a great resource to review before your student begins their time at UCLA.
- Parent & Family Association Digital Brochure: This brochure summarizes the UCLA Parent & Family Association (PFA) and its major resources and programs for parents and families. Learn more about getting involved with PFA, resources specific to parents and families and more.
Bruinlink
Bruinlink, our digital newsletter, includes perspectives from
UCLA faculty, staff, parents and students. It is designed
to inform families of university trends, special events
and topics related to supporting a college student.
Helpful Bruinlink articles for new families:
Parenting an Out-of-State College Student
Quick Tips for International Scholars & Families
Transitioning to College for Families of First-Generation College Students (Para leer en español ingrese aquí.)
Understanding UCLA’s Commonly-Used Acronyms and Phrases
What If It Doesn’t Go as You Hoped?
Parent & Family Helpline
Chat with a staff member about your questions/concerns, and receive curated resources to help you and your student navigate the transition to UCLA. The Parent & Family Helpline is available Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. PT.
Phone: (310)794-6737 | Email: mybruinis@ucla.edu
Ask A Current UCLA Parent
Still have questions about UCLA? Want to talk to a current parent who has walked in your shoes? Use this form to share a little bit about yourself and we will connect you with a parent volunteer who can help you best support your Bruin as they prepare for their UCLA journey.
Get Involved!
There are many ways to participate at UCLA. Parents and families can attend events on campus and in your region. There are also opportunities to volunteer at events throughout the academic year.
Become an Ambassador
Apply to become a member of the Parents’ Council!
This is a great opportunity to create your own Bruin
experience. Representing families at UCLA, council
members engage with current and prospective families
and build partnerships with the University. Applications have closed for the 2023-24 academic year, but will reopen in April 2023 for the 2024-25 academic year.
Parent & Family Volunteers
Each year, volunteers assist with campus initiatives,
participate in outreach to fellow Bruin families and host
regional events. Annual programs and events include:
Bruin Day & Transfer Bruin Day
Coffee Socials
New Bruin Send-offs
Move-In Weekend
Bruin Family Weekend
… and more!
Learn more and sign up to join the community here.
UCLA Alumni Association
As a Bruin, your student is a member of the UCLA Alumni Association. There is no need to wait until after graduation to benefit from the global network of over 600,000 living UCLA alumni. Students and families alike can access a plethora of resources to support any stage of development. From learning about and celebrating UCLA traditions to building out a professional network, the Alumni Association has you and your student covered. Encourage your student to join UCLA ONE (sign yourself up, too!) and find an alumni network near you to begin building your Bruin community.
Our Proud Partners
