What's the undergraduate enrollment like at UCLA?

I’m planning to apply to UCLA, but I want to understand more about the undergraduate enrollment. Is it a huge school, and how does that affect class sizes or the campus vibe? Any thoughts from current or past students?

UCLA is indeed a large institution, with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 31,000 students. This size gives the school a lively atmosphere and provides access to a wide array of resources, opportunities, and diverse peer groups which can foster a rich and engaging college experience.

However, the larger student body can also mean larger class sizes, particularly for introductory lecture courses, which can often accommodate hundreds of students. However, it's important to note that as you progress into more specialized coursework, class sizes tend to reduce significantly. In many cases, you can expect to see a shift towards smaller, seminar-style classes in your major.

The size of the student body might initially seem overwhelming, but many students find that the extensive network of clubs and organizations helps to create smaller communities within the larger university. Students often find their "home" among these groups, whether it's a sports team, cultural organization, academic club, or service group.

Despite its size, UCLA has a student-faculty ratio of around 18:1, which suggests a decent amount of access to professors given the large student population. Many students also report that despite initial fears of feeling lost in the crowd, they found the faculty and staff to be accessible and supportive.

The larger student body means you'll see a wide variety of perspectives and experiences at UCLA, allowing rich opportunities for learning from peers both in and out of the classroom. Accentuating the positive aspects, like diversity and opportunity, can help you maximize your experience at a large institution like UCLA.