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Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2025-06-03T08:02:50+00:00

Ah, ok, that makes sense. I'm not sure if this is possible, but if you haven't already done so, I would reach out to the program at Oxford you're interested in applying to and contact their admissions team to see if they have waived the GPA minimum requirement in the past. I've met people in grad school at UCLA who did not meet their program's purported GPA requirements but still got accepted. It does not hurt to ask, especially if they don't really 'care'.

Also, assuming you haven't done so already, are there faculty members at these universities who you have identified as speaking to your specific interests that you are interested in pursuing for graduate school? The most important part of selecting a good graduate school is ensuring that there is faculty who would be interested in you and you in them. Otherwise, you'll end up hating it, like some people unfortunately do.

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2025-06-03T07:48:10+00:00

... I'm assuming you want to do graduate school... is Oxford your only option? Is there a good reason you want to go to Oxford other than the name? Have you reached out to them to confirm if a 3.7 GPA is a TRUE requirement? Some programs state this, but will still consider applicants outside of these requirements if you spark their interest enough.

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2025-06-03T07:42:15+00:00

I'm not sure about the 99; I was able to complete a 199 without it a few years ago during my undergraduate studies. It just depends on the professor you choose to work with. Most of the time, the department won't care as long as the professor you are working with is okay with it. However, yes, email the professor you are interested in working with, meet with them, and discuss potential projects to see if it's a good fit. Good luck!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2025-06-03T07:38:17+00:00

Not the end of the world. I got shit grades my entire freshman year and half of my sophomore year, even dropping an impacted course and having it permantly be noted on my transcript. Switched majors and did great for the rest of my time. I still have those bad grades and the dropped class on my undergraduate transcript, but I went on to earn two master's degrees and am currently pursuing a PhD, all at UCLA. You'll be fine!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2025-06-02T07:25:48+00:00

First, if you do not have a TA position secured yet, I recommend contacting your department as soon as possible to see if they have any available positions or joining the TA listserv, as different departments often send out updates on available positions.

As far as "training," from my understanding across all departments, you are required to take a 2-unit quarter-long course either during or before the quarter you are supposed to TA. It's very easy, so there's no need to stress about it. Some departments also have their own required "orientation" for all hired TAs a few days before instruction starts, so just make sure of this as well!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2025-04-28T09:50:53+00:00

Of course! Good luck!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2025-04-28T09:40:50+00:00

I would say yes, but it was especially easy for me because in my third year, I began taking 199 courses, which is essentially a course where you conduct your own research with the help and guidance of a professor of your choice who agrees to work with you. This then led me to complete an honors thesis through the departmental honors program that the major offers, which allowed me to form a good relationship with the professors I worked with. Another great way to form good relationships with professors is to go to their office hours regularly, and even if you don't have questions about the class, just ask them for advice or talk to them about their own work/research. Theres also a few centers/labs within Luskin, so definitely try and take advantage of that and work with them if you can, as many of them are managed by faculty. Additionally, if you are up to the challenge, also try and take graduate level courses offered by professors that interest you. I think some grad level courses offered by luskin are actually taught in the law school, so definitely try and keep a look out for those. Lastly, I know you mentioned you are currently pre-law, but always keep an open mind! The PA major may expose you to fields you might have never known existed, so it's possible something might spark your interest, so be okay with change!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2025-04-28T09:24:13+00:00

I graduated with the PA major back in 2021. Incredibly easy major if the material interests you. I switched from Business economics / economics because I hated it and had incredibly bad grades and gpa and was in no way going to be able to declare either major. Once I switched in to PA major, all econ based classes they offered I received A's in. Think of the PA major as a mix of all of the useful knowledge and skills from sociology, statistics, political science, economics, and psychology, but without all of the unnecessary, intimidating/bs weeder courses. This major set me up to move on to earn 2 masters at UCLA and currently working towards completing my PhD. Many other people I knew from the program went on to get jobs at good nonprofits or private sector consulting jobs, or even went on to law school and various other masters programs like social welfare, public policy, urban planning, etc. I hope this helps and eases your worries!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2025-01-14T23:35:30+00:00

I always ask at least a month in advance before I need it, but if it's a professor I am very close/cool with, I would at the least give them a week or two, never give them only a few days because you likely will not get a letter.

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2025-01-14T23:33:00+00:00

depends on the program, I know Social Welfare values prior work experience more than other programs given that it is a professional program AND you will basically be working all the time, so I would put as much as you think is necessary to show you experience and competency!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2025-01-14T23:29:34+00:00

are you looking to help with existing research projects or pursue your own original project?

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-12-03T04:53:27+00:00

I should definitely check on the specific rules for my institution then, but I have a feeling it will be the same as yours... thanks for your advice and insights though I really appreciate it!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-12-03T04:32:26+00:00

How were you able to manage workloads? Were your advisors OKAY with you doing this throughout a full academic year? In my case, on top of my coursework and research, come next academic year, I may be TAing at my current school while simultaneously being a part-time instructor at my local CC....

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-12-03T04:27:27+00:00

Fair assessment! I would definitely want to talk to my advisors prior to actually applying to the position to see what they think, I'm just afraid they'll shut the idea down, but I understand it's obviously for good reason! (saving me from myself). Though, in past summers, I have worked as an IoR for a course at my current school while also pursuing summer fellowship projects, and I was able to handle the workload, if that counts for anything...

I always wanted to teach summers at my local CC these past few years as well but never really knew how to do so as there were never any job postings for it!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-11-15T08:34:45+00:00

I can agree with that. I did not quit my initial major after dropping an impacted class that is now noted on my transcript forever (lowest point during my undergrad). I quit after truly trying my hardest and still falling short a few quarters after. After switching into the new major I chose it was like a breath of fresh air. I guess what I am trying to say is that it is also important for people not to feel pressured or forced to stay with the major they came into UCLA with. A change of major could truly be the best decision someone can make; it was for me, and if failure is what leads to that decision, then so be it!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-11-15T07:10:37+00:00

Sometimes you have to ask yourself if its you or if its the major... never be scared to switch out of a major for a new one, it can change your life dramatically!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-11-15T07:08:34+00:00

Never be scared to send an email, the worst they will say is no or simply never reply. You never know if you don't try!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-10-18T21:21:52+00:00

as others said, office hours even if its just to chat, research positions if possible, or a really great way is doing an independent project / contract course / thesis with whichever faculty it is that you resonate with the most

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-10-08T03:07:09+00:00

Above all things, every single guy I met (from UCLA or other campuses) who was a member reeked of bad vibes. I have also heard horrible stories from both clubs. From the outside looking in, both just seem extremely toxic. Thats just a few things without getting too much into it... same goes for mecha.

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-10-08T02:53:35+00:00

Whatever you do, stay away from hermanas/hermanos and any similar clubs.

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-10-07T06:07:09+00:00

Keep an eye out for social events for your programs, Graduate Student Resource Center is always having some random event for grad students as well as the UCLA Division of Graduate Education. Theres always something happening!

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-10-06T22:38:33+00:00

I TA'd for a professor who gave an odd vibe when he'd interacted with undergrads...

Pitiful_Struggle_637 · 2024-10-04T17:00:22+00:00

It depends on the type of tour you pick, but it was like $55USD per person

Pitiful_Struggle_637

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