Gensen DeLeon (Current UCLA History Major)
·
The Good, the Bad, and the Bruin: Reflections on Attending a Large University
Large public universities promise endless opportunities: over 1,000 student organizations, world-class faculty, Division I athletics, and extensive undergraduate research programs. But they also come with real challenges—300-person lectures, fierce competition for leadership positions, and the need to proactively seek out connections and resources.
This article examines both sides of the large university experience through the lens of a current UCLA junior. It covers the abundance of extracurricular options and how to navigate them, strategies for building relationships with renowned professors despite massive class sizes, the reality of competition for coveted spots in selective clubs, and practical approaches to securing undergraduate research positions.
Whether you're deciding between schools or already committed to a large university, this piece offers an unfiltered perspective on what the experience actually looks like—and concrete strategies for making it work for you.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
.jpg)
