Just trying to figure out if the classes there are huge or if you really get a chance to interact with the professors. Any current UCLA students have some input on this?
UCLA, like many public universities, has a relatively larger student-to-faculty ratio. As of the last statistics, it's approximately 19:1. However, this ratio can be a bit misleading as it doesn't always directly correlate to class size.
For instance, general education lectures, especially in popular subjects or for lower level classes, can indeed be quite large, sometimes accommodating hundreds of students. However, these courses are usually supported by smaller discussion sections (15-20 students), led by Teaching Assistants, which provide more opportunities for students to ask questions, engage in discussions, and dive deeper into the material.
On the other hand, upper-division and major-specific classes tend to be smaller, with more direct interaction with professors. There are also plentiful opportunities to engage with faculty through office hours, research projects, or just by reaching out directly to them.
It's also worth noting that many students have reported positive experiences with their professors, stating that despite the size of the school, the faculty are generally approachable and invested in student success. Ultimately, the type of interaction you have with professors can be heavily influenced by your own initiative in such a large university environment.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.