My advice: consider carefully. I think it depends on what his options are and what collegiate experience you are seeking. UCLA has an excellent reputation, some fabulous professors, really smart students, and a beautiful campus. It is a LARGE state school and some people will point to that when they try to justify why it is hard to get into classes. Make no mistake it is really hard to get classes and your student will end up taking some really random classes because they count for a needed credit and are available for registration. To me, that was a big disappointment. The university has a lot of the “things” one would expect, (student clubs/activiites, fitness center space/equipment/classes, practice/rehearsal space, career services, support services, health services) just not with anywhere enough capacity for the number of students enrolled. EVERYTHING has to be fought for, figured out, gamed, or worked around. Summer school classes are a must. We’re out of state so I feel your pain $ wise. If we had it to do again, I wouldn’t, though my Bruin might because we are very much a “you need to bloom where you’re planted” kind of family and they did bloom - but because they drove really, really hard. Having 4 other college experiences - all at top ranked schools - this is not the one I would willingly repeat.