UCLA is my soulmate.
At first, I was debating between optometry and dentistry.
Optometry has always been interesting to me because it is a well-respected, high-paying job that seems to have little stress and very few "gross" encounters (I'm kinda squeamish sometimes).
Dentistry seemed pretty good as well, but I had my doubts because mouths can be kinda gross, and I don't really want to do certain procedures involving blood (tooth extraction and the like). However, dentistry has always had one MAJOR thing that optometry doesn't: it has UCLA.
My parents didn't grow up in the United States, so they really had no idea what they were doing when it came to colleges for their first child - namely, me. (Okay, technically I'm my dad's second child, but he doesn't live in the US so whatevs.) Therefore, I also didn't really know anything about colleges, especially the UC system, which is where I figured I'd end up. Heck, I didn't even know that Cal and Berkeley were two different schools - and probably didn't know that until junior year of high school. I remember Cheryl talking to me in freshman year about how her and her sister both wanted to go to UCLA, and that's what first sparked my interest. I actually mentioned UCLA and UC Davis (I kinda wanted to be a vet) in my diary that Teresa gave me in freshman year. Anyway, I'd always had it in the back of my mind, and throughout the years my interest in it grew. Sophomore year, however, my grades weren't too great for Mission standards and I wasn't really doing any extracurriculars other than soccer and track, so I figured I'd never get in...so I kinda decided to settle for UCSD (no offense to UCSD or anything, their bio programs are amazing).
My junior year, though, I had Mr. Richards for CPUSH. Our very first assignment in our scrapbook was decorating a page with pictures of the college we wanted to go to. I was going to put UCSD, but then I figured, why the hell not, I'll just put UCLA. After all, both of Mr. Richards' daughters went there, so at least he'd like me.
After that moment, though, I decided that I REALLYREALLYREALLY wanted to go to UCLA. I have no idea why, because I'd never seen the campus or anything. All I knew about it was that it seemed like a good balance of academics and a social life, and it was in LA, which is full of celebrities, warm weather, and clubbing. (I've only met one celebrity since I've been here, Adam Sandler, but a bunch of my friends have met others, especially NBA/NFL players. The warm weather has been great, but it's really not THAT different, to be honest. I've only gone clubbing once, though.) But because it seemed so balance and I'd heard great things about the location, I figured it would be perfect for me, because balance has always been the most important thing to me. In high school, I spent much more time hanging out with people than my other friends did, and therefore got slightly worse grades, but I feel that it was worth it. Anyway, my junior year, I kicked it up a notch. I took 4 weighted classes (about average for a Mission kid) and ended up with a 4.0 both semesters, got a great SAT score, and got involved with volunteering at the Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (which was so much fun). I also took 2 classes at Ohlone over the summer and got A's in both.
Even before I ever visited the campus, I knew I would come to UCLA if I got in. It was easily my top choice. I had a plan, it was attainable, and so I was content. I visited the campus and fell in love with it even more. I didn't even need to take a tour - my mom and I just drove and walked around and I knew it was the place for me...beautiful buildings, social but hardworking students, a great athletic program, excellent weather, high ranked academics - what more could I want?
UCLA is my soulmate when it comes to college. It's absolutely perfect for me, and even when I've been unhappy, I've always appreciated the fact that I'm here. Just walking to and from class, I consciously think to myself: "Wow, I'm so freaking lucky. I love this place SO MUCH." There has never been a time where I've regretted choosing UCLA over Cal or any other school. There's never even been a moment where I've just been annoyed at the school, even during midterms and finals and such. I always love it and always will!
So here's the problem: now that I know I want to go to optometry school, I have 3 choices for California, and I'm far more interested in 2 of the schools: Southern California College of Optometry and Berkeley School of Optometry. Both have their strengths: SCCO has great weather because it's in SoCal, it's a private school so there are more resources and newer equipment, it's been around for over 100 years, it's prettier, etc. Also, it's easier to get into than Berkeley, and I know the director of admissions (I don't think she knows me very well yet but I've introduced myself and emailed her several times so at least I'm headed in that direction). Berkeley is close to home, way cheaper, and is much bigger (not the optometry class size but the school/surrounding area in general). Both are great schools, but I don't find myself dying to go to either one, unlike when I picked UCLA for undergrad. I think I'll be half as happy at either of the schools I go to, especially including the fact that optometry school is WAY harder than undergrad.
So, I just really wish UCLA had an optometry school. I'd love to spend an extra four years here.
I guess I'll just enjoy UCLA as much as possible with 2 years I have left here, but I won't be able to appreciate it as much because I'm going to be so busy just trying to get into optometry school.
Oh, well. At least I get to spend 4 years of my life in an amazing place like this :)
Optometry has always been interesting to me because it is a well-respected, high-paying job that seems to have little stress and very few "gross" encounters (I'm kinda squeamish sometimes).
Dentistry seemed pretty good as well, but I had my doubts because mouths can be kinda gross, and I don't really want to do certain procedures involving blood (tooth extraction and the like). However, dentistry has always had one MAJOR thing that optometry doesn't: it has UCLA.
My parents didn't grow up in the United States, so they really had no idea what they were doing when it came to colleges for their first child - namely, me. (Okay, technically I'm my dad's second child, but he doesn't live in the US so whatevs.) Therefore, I also didn't really know anything about colleges, especially the UC system, which is where I figured I'd end up. Heck, I didn't even know that Cal and Berkeley were two different schools - and probably didn't know that until junior year of high school. I remember Cheryl talking to me in freshman year about how her and her sister both wanted to go to UCLA, and that's what first sparked my interest. I actually mentioned UCLA and UC Davis (I kinda wanted to be a vet) in my diary that Teresa gave me in freshman year. Anyway, I'd always had it in the back of my mind, and throughout the years my interest in it grew. Sophomore year, however, my grades weren't too great for Mission standards and I wasn't really doing any extracurriculars other than soccer and track, so I figured I'd never get in...so I kinda decided to settle for UCSD (no offense to UCSD or anything, their bio programs are amazing).
My junior year, though, I had Mr. Richards for CPUSH. Our very first assignment in our scrapbook was decorating a page with pictures of the college we wanted to go to. I was going to put UCSD, but then I figured, why the hell not, I'll just put UCLA. After all, both of Mr. Richards' daughters went there, so at least he'd like me.
After that moment, though, I decided that I REALLYREALLYREALLY wanted to go to UCLA. I have no idea why, because I'd never seen the campus or anything. All I knew about it was that it seemed like a good balance of academics and a social life, and it was in LA, which is full of celebrities, warm weather, and clubbing. (I've only met one celebrity since I've been here, Adam Sandler, but a bunch of my friends have met others, especially NBA/NFL players. The warm weather has been great, but it's really not THAT different, to be honest. I've only gone clubbing once, though.) But because it seemed so balance and I'd heard great things about the location, I figured it would be perfect for me, because balance has always been the most important thing to me. In high school, I spent much more time hanging out with people than my other friends did, and therefore got slightly worse grades, but I feel that it was worth it. Anyway, my junior year, I kicked it up a notch. I took 4 weighted classes (about average for a Mission kid) and ended up with a 4.0 both semesters, got a great SAT score, and got involved with volunteering at the Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (which was so much fun). I also took 2 classes at Ohlone over the summer and got A's in both.
Even before I ever visited the campus, I knew I would come to UCLA if I got in. It was easily my top choice. I had a plan, it was attainable, and so I was content. I visited the campus and fell in love with it even more. I didn't even need to take a tour - my mom and I just drove and walked around and I knew it was the place for me...beautiful buildings, social but hardworking students, a great athletic program, excellent weather, high ranked academics - what more could I want?
UCLA is my soulmate when it comes to college. It's absolutely perfect for me, and even when I've been unhappy, I've always appreciated the fact that I'm here. Just walking to and from class, I consciously think to myself: "Wow, I'm so freaking lucky. I love this place SO MUCH." There has never been a time where I've regretted choosing UCLA over Cal or any other school. There's never even been a moment where I've just been annoyed at the school, even during midterms and finals and such. I always love it and always will!
So here's the problem: now that I know I want to go to optometry school, I have 3 choices for California, and I'm far more interested in 2 of the schools: Southern California College of Optometry and Berkeley School of Optometry. Both have their strengths: SCCO has great weather because it's in SoCal, it's a private school so there are more resources and newer equipment, it's been around for over 100 years, it's prettier, etc. Also, it's easier to get into than Berkeley, and I know the director of admissions (I don't think she knows me very well yet but I've introduced myself and emailed her several times so at least I'm headed in that direction). Berkeley is close to home, way cheaper, and is much bigger (not the optometry class size but the school/surrounding area in general). Both are great schools, but I don't find myself dying to go to either one, unlike when I picked UCLA for undergrad. I think I'll be half as happy at either of the schools I go to, especially including the fact that optometry school is WAY harder than undergrad.
So, I just really wish UCLA had an optometry school. I'd love to spend an extra four years here.
I guess I'll just enjoy UCLA as much as possible with 2 years I have left here, but I won't be able to appreciate it as much because I'm going to be so busy just trying to get into optometry school.
Oh, well. At least I get to spend 4 years of my life in an amazing place like this :)