Daria Doering

My husband and I are both college graduates with master’s degrees. But our son (and we) are having many rude awakenings as he navigates through UCLA. Either times are really different from when we were in school, or UC’s are really different from state colleges (where we went), or both. It’s ridiculous what they do NOT tell you on those BS college tours. Anyway, here are some things we have learned the hard way. This from the prospective of a former high school teacher (me) who thought I knew what was going on with college (our third kid will go next year).

What the UC’s Don’t Tell You (or at least UCLA … other UC’s may be different)

• Far from fearing that your child will not graduate in four years, UC’s WANT YOU IN AND OUT IN FOUR YEARS, PERIOD. THEY WILL NOT LET YOU STAY ANY LONGER IF THEY CAN POSSIBLY HELP IT (at least UCLA and Berkeley). Or they will ship you off to a different UC that is not so popular.
• FORGET BEING “UNDECLARED.” Bad idea. Many majors require you to declare a “premajor” (who ever heard of that?) as you take the prerequisites. Read the college catalog for your potential majors carefully.
• FORGET “EXPLORATIONS” of different classes and majors. If you have too many units, you are screwed, and will not be allowed into many majors. Do any “exploring” AFTER being accepted into your major.
• FORGET “GOING TO COLLEGE PART-TIME” while you work or otherwise have a life. As stated before, they want your ass in and out in four years. While my husband and I took many years wending our ways through San Diego State while we worked, had fun and took interesting academic detours, don’t try it at a UC! You will get slapped with “inadequate cumulative progress,” be required to go to summer school at community colleges, etc.
• MOST MAJORS ARE IMPACTED. That is, anything that might possibly lead to a JOB. The only majors NOT impacted are Slavic Languages, Women’s Studies, stuff like that. It is difficult to get into impacted majors and to get classes.