APPLY EARLY!!!! Seriously. I didn't take that advice to heart and applied over winter break. I think it definitely impacted me at a few schools. Even if you are retaking, send in your apps ASAP and let them know that a new score will be coming later.

A 164?

Ok, this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to go back and talk to my manager, and see if we can't work something out. I don't normally do this, but I really like you and I really want to see you in the T-14.

Few minutes later....

Ok, the manager told me that, just this one time, we're going to let you take the LSAT again. If you do that, we'll see if we can't bump your score a few points and get you into that shiny, new school!

- Sorry, I just couldn't resist with you mentioning your career. Seriously, just retake until you're like at a 168 or higher and you'll be golden.

How would you characterize the students at UCLA?  Are they laid back or competitive with one another?  Given that it is a larger public school, are the faculty and administrators very accessible?  Do you find it easy to get to know other people there?

One other quick question...how is the housing situation?  Do most students live in graduate housing, in private apartments, close/far from campus, etc.?

Thanks for your help!  I loved my visit to UCLA a few months ago, so I am very interested in learning more about the school.

This is going to sound like a total cliche, but it is nonetheless true: the students at UCLA are very laid-back, supportive, and all around great people. I know you might hear that about other schools sometimes (I certainly did when i visited them) but it is actually true at UCLA. There is no competition with other students. We have a very nice curve and the school doesn't release rankings, and pretty much everyone above a 3.0 can get BIGLAW if they want it. This means that there is really no reason to be competitive. Plus, when it is continually sunny and nice, the competitive edge in people seems to wear down a bit.

As far as being a "big public school" - you'll never notice. Every service you'll need/want is housed right in the law school. No need to stand around with undergrads for financial aid or anything. And even though we have a relatively large student body, remember that it's still smaller than most high schools. Things are very efficient and friendly. Professors are easy to talk to (particularly because our sections are just under 30 people this year). The administration is on a first-name basis with seemingly most of the students. The only real issue is battling undergrads when trying to get food at our commons near the law school - they take over the place at lunch!

Ok, sorry everyone. I just got back from the Rose Bowl to watch UCLA continue their Pac-10 dominance and knock off Cal! (highlighting one of the many non-law school related reasons I chose UCLA - awesome sports!)

Hi Miles,

I just read one of your posts in a LSAT thread and wanted to ask you about how you made your way UCLA. What schools did you look at when you were applying to law schools and did you have to choose between UCLA and any others? What influenced your decision to go to UCLA?

Also, I am curious about the job market prospects in the LA region versus SF, and chances at biglaw. Are LA firms more likely to go after better schools than UCLA like Boalt?

I arrived at UCLA after making some difficult decisions, but I've been very happy with the results! I applied to 14 schools, and UCLA was one of the better schools that I got into directly. But I turned down the T-14 to go to UCLA, as well as some big scholarships from lower ranked schools. Check out the website link on here, or check for flyguyuci on LSN for more info (just updated it too)

As for why? I'm from CA originally, and I'm pretty sure I'll be staying here to practice, so it seemed kinda stupid to spend a bunch a money at schools on the other side of the country when I could stay here, make contacts, and pay a bit less due to in-state tuition.

Which reminds me: *FYI* The Dean sent an email to UCLA law students telling us that some tuition increases have been approved for the next three years. For instate people: 15% rise for next year, followed by two back to back years of 13% increases. Should be increases for out of state as well, but not as large percentage wise. ALSO, they are doing the same thing at Boalt Hall I found out, except it will be even slightly bigger increases there. Apparently, the idea is to bring us closer inline to the tuition at Michigan and Virgina.


As for job prospects. Couldn't be much better in California, and particularly in LA (obviously!) I have not gone through OCI (on campus interviews) yet, but from friends that have, everyone is doing extremely well. We had something like 250 firms here a few weeks ago, and students had their pick. Because UCLA doesn't rank (or at least release rankings) it's very easy to get an interview with who you want. Placement is best in LA because that's where most grads want to be, but UCLA places strongly in SF as well as secondary markets like SD and OC. Also, more students than ever are going to NY, and are getting spots in top firms.

As far as competition for LA jobs from other law schools - not really much of an issue. Because UCLA is the best school in town (and don't let any USC student tell you otherwise!) firms are more than happy to have us. Obviously, the trouble is that there are plenty of other law grads coming here too, but not to the detriment of UCLA students. There are a lot of legal jobs here, so not really a problem from what I understand. In LA, I'd say that UCLA is looked at being on par with Boalt, but of course Boalt still wins out over UCLA in SF.

Well, now that most of you have your LSAT's back (if you didn't have it already) I imagine you can now start looking more closely at where you want to go.

Feel free to ask any questions about UCLA, it's programs, faculty, students, whatever.

I'll get back when I can in between putting off my reading.