The University of California - Los Angeles

We seriously do have everything. Amazing academics, an exciting sports program (we beat USC in football this year! YES we still hold the record for beating them 8 years in a row, they've only beat us 7) our basketball team is currently ranked number 1 and we have 99 NCAA Championships--more than any other university. We have a GORGEOUS campus with soooo many resources and wonderful things available to students. Students really do come first at this school, despite its size. The food is good quality, the dorms are good quality (and you are guaranteed 4 years of housing on campus!) The John Wooden center has an amazing gym and offers wonderful recreation opportunities. The social life is very well rounded (the Greek system plays a prominent, but not dominant role.) There are many ways to get involved with research and internships, right at your doorstep. Westwood is a great college town, it's where everyone hangs out including SC students. The energy of the campus is unbeatable, there is ALWAYS something going on. The students are very friendly and laid back. It's simply a wonderful place and I could not ask for more.

My biggest piece of advice: this is not a place for sheltered people who want to stay in some sort of comfort zone--IE: a small school that would simply be an extension of high school. This is a place where the most ambitious, social, and exciting students thrive most--but to be honest, there is a niche for everyone and the experience is totally what you make of it. The school can be as big as you want it to be and as small as you want it to be. As loud, or as quiet. To do well here you really are at the driver's seat, and only you are in charge of taking the initiative to seek out the endless opportunities you have in front of you. I assure you that if you succeed at UCLA, you are more prepared for the real world than if you were to come out of a small school that hand-held your way through your education. Hold your degree with pride. I know I will. Go Bruins. :)