UCLA v. Tufts

decisionmaking
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:38:36 +0000

For a bit of background: I’m a prospective IR and/or political science major (pre-poly sci at UCLA) from California. I go to a small, competitive private school and while I’ve found its educational opportunities (i.e. small classes, great teachers, etc.) great, my social life has been lackluster at best the last four years, so I’m looking to make up for it during undergrad.

Educationally, I think that Tufts’ perks - particularly access to great professors, smaller class sizes, and a renowned IR program - are a bit better than UCLA’s. I’ve heard that it’s really hard to get the classes you want at UCLA, and that getting to know your professors is extremely hard. However, I do qualify for the Honors program at UCLA (not sure how much of a help that’d be), and if I go there I’d put effort into building relationships with professors (if at all possible) rather than dozing off in lectures.

Socially, UCLA’s larger-than-life atmosphere, sports culture, school spirit, and name recognition (at least around CA) are hard to pass up. I’ve considered rushing at UCLA, but the process seems a bit intimidating. At Tufts, is it true that they’re pretty strict about drinking? It’s not my number one priority by any means, but I’d prefer campus unity around social events to taxiing into the city for fun every weekend (I’ve heard scattered complaints of a “commuter campus” about both UCLA and Tufts).

I’m visiting both schools this month, but I’d appreciate any anecdotes about experiences at either school, especially regarding UCLA’s poly sci department or IR at Tufts. I’m planning on hopefully going to law school or getting a master’s in public policy, so any reflection on grade inflation or grad school counseling would be excellent as well.

Thanks in advance for your help!

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