UCLA Classes Availability - Info Needed

I'm an incoming freshman at UCLA and was wondering, how quickly do classes fill up over here? I've heard different things. Should I be on tenterhooks about getting all the courses I want?

At large and renowned colleges like UCLA, classes can indeed fill up quite fast due to the high number of students. That includes popular prerequisite, general education, and top-rated professor's classes.

Freshmen are usually given one of the last enrollment periods, so some classes could already be filled up by the time you get to enroll. Now, this isn't to say that you should panic or feel overly worried. In some cases, you might not get your ideal schedule or professor, but you will likely be able to get into a section of the classes you need. And also, keep in mind that there is typically some movement in class rosters during the first few weeks of school as students add and drop classes.

To strategize, consider having a game plan. Identify what classes you want to schedule, prioritize them, and have backup plans ready if your first-choice courses are filled up. If one of your necessary classes is full, get on the waitlist and monitor progress during the add/drop period. The practice of students shuffling around their schedules can sometimes work in your favor.

A further tip: reach out to your advisor or the professor if you are particularly keen to get into a filled-up class. They can sometimes give more insightful advice or, in specific cases, give you permission to enroll even if the class is technically full.

So, while it's critical to act quickly in your class registration for UCLA, remember that there are usually alternative solutions available. The key here is to be proactive, flexible, and patient. Don't let this deter you; instead, see it as a part of the college experience in a large, popular institution like UCLA.