Hey there! I'm considering applying to UCLA, but I'm worried about the class sizes. Do they have huge classes, or is it manageable? If you're a current student, I'd be grateful if you could share your thoughts and experiences.
Hello! It's true that UCLA does have some large lecture classes, especially for lower-division and popular courses. In these cases, class sizes can range from 100 to 400 students or more. These courses are typically introductory-level classes in subjects such as chemistry, psychology, or economics.
However, it's important to note that as you progress in your major and take upper-division coursework, class sizes tend to decrease significantly. Upper Division courses tend to have 20-30 students, and further advanced courses and seminars may have as few as 5-15 students, promoting a more intimate learning environment and fostering closer relationships with professors and classmates. Moreover, in addition to lecture, every large class has discussion sections led by teaching assistants, where students have the opportunity to discuss course topics in smaller groups (usually around 20 students). These discussion sections can help break down the large class barrier, allowing for better engagement and understanding of the material.
Ultimately, while large class sizes may be a reality at first, know that your educational experience at UCLA will likely become more personalized and engaging as you dive deeper into your academic interests. Many students at UCLA appreciate the range of educational opportunities, resources, and diverse student body that the university offers, and they learn to adapt to the varying class sizes throughout their college experience.
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