Honors
Majors and Minors
At UCLA, there are over 140 majors to choose from, each saturated with its own coursework, experiences, and directives. Finding a major that is perfect for you can be difficult, and maybe even impossible. Here at UCLA, there are multiple paths to help ease the process of your uncertainty and growth, whether it's being undecided, changing your major, double majoring, declaring a minor, or even designing an individual major.
UCLA’s Undergraduate Admissions houses resources and information to navigate your academic path and the majors offered across the different schools, but even then, it can be hard to know what's right for you. We have compiled a series of interviews and answers from various students at UCLA to gain transparent insight into their declared major
Michelle Wan ★
Applied Mathematics, Economics
"Don’t let the hard parts scare you—it’s totally normal to feel stuck or confused sometimes. That’s just part of the journey. The key is to stay curious, keep learning, and get excited about the little things you figure out along the way. If you do that, everything else will eventually fall into place."
name
major
one-liner quote
Katherine Valencia ★
Biochemistry
"I chose this major because biology and chemistry are relevant everywhere, and while being a physical science major seemed daunting at first, I’m very excited as it gives me a solid foundation that can be applied to pharmaceuticals, medicine, and even the engineering industry.
★ Individuals in College Scholars
◆ Individuals in College Honors
Angela Song
3rd-year, Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
Why did you choose your major?
Initially I came into UCLA as a Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Genetics major purely because, at the time as a senior in high school, I was interested in the classes I could take and choose from. However, when I began classes and started learning more about the electives and required major classes from both MIMG and MCDB (since these classes are so similar), I became more interested in the core classes offered to MCDB majors. I was more intrigued by learning about molecular systems and processes at a cellular level, compared to virology and immunology – courses MIMG majors are required to take.
What do you like about your major?
As a pre-medicine student, my major classes are very relevant to the field I want to pursue – I am able to apply what I learned in classes to the clinical setting. At the same time, I generally enjoy learning about molecular and cellular processes as well as different experimental methods and how we can test different hypotheses scientifically.
What do you not like about your major?
If you don’t have priority enrollment, it is pretty difficult to enroll in major courses, but this is less of an issue.
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
MCDB M140 (Cancer Biology: John Colicelli (he retired after my quarter though)
MCDB 146: Michael Lough-Stevens or Andrew Goldstein
Dr. Diana Rigueur is not a great lecturer because she’s disorganized but students generally do pretty well in the end
Have you changed your major? What was the process like?
I changed from MIMG to MCDB during my new student session. I simply asked my NSS lead to switch my major for me so it was pretty simple.
What is a hardship/challenge you faced in your major, and how did you overcome it?
Sometimes I had scheduling conflicts but most lectures are not mandatory so I can hop around classes when I feel like it.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about switching into your major?
It’s a really fun major and is probably only considered “easy” if you’re genuinely interested in the material because it can get pretty hard to understand at times. There will also be a lot of reading when you get into upper-division classes because you have to read papers and discuss with the class about the findings so that’s something you would also have to take note if you’re deciding on switching into MCDB.
Anna Peterson
3rd-year, Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences/Mathematics
Why did you choose your major?
When I was in high school, I couldn’t choose between studying science and studying math. I applied for almost a different major at every school for college applications since I couldn’t pick one field. When filling out my UCLA application, I noticed that Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences/Mathematics was a major that combined both my interests. Along with a childhood love for the ocean, I thought pursuing this major would allow me to study all my academic interests, so that I’m not neglecting a possible career path.
What do you like about your major?
I like two main things about my major. First, it is broad but specialized. My major technically covers multiple research topics, including math, atmospheric sciences, oceanic sciences, and more. While there are a lot of different areas for study, there are tracks organized with possible classes that set you up for the realm of science you want to pursue a career in. For example, in the AOS department, there is a list of classes that if you complete, you get a National Weather Service certificate upon graduation. There are similar paths for oceanography, climate change, math, and other parts of my major. Secondly, because the major is so niche, our department is super small. This means most of my upper division classes are under 100 people, with the average being 30-40 people. The past quarter, I was only in classes with under 20 people, and right now I’m in a class that is only 8 people. Since class sizes are so small, I’ve been able to form personal connections with almost all of my TAs and professors. This has been useful for research, job networking, letters of recommendation, and in general, better class experiences. One of my professors knows I like a certain hockey team and will always talk to me about them every time he sees me. Having a more personalized experience at UCLA has been helpful, especially when facing any sort of academic or personal challenge that impacts your school work.
What do you not like about your major?
Since my major is Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences (AOS) / Mathematics, I don’t like that I’m technically split between two departments. Sometimes when I have a mathematical course conflict or issue, it’s more annoying to deal with the math department because I’m technically not under their department, just partially affiliated. While they are horrible at providing guidance, AOS/Math majors do get 1st past priority.
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
Some professors I recommend are Jasper Kok (AOS), Andrew Stewart (AOS), Jon Aurnou (AOS/EPSS) , Morgan Opie (Math), and Brian Shin (Math).
Some classes I recommend are AOS M71 and AOS M171, which are lower and upper division Python-based coding, AOS 180, which is a numerical models class, and AOS 102, which is climate change and mitigation. Most of the upper-division mathematics courses are known for being notoriously tough, so I would recommend researching the professors for any math classes you would want to take. If you are not affiliated with the AOS department and are looking for AOS upper division courses for an elective, I would not recommend taking AOS 101 since it’s a math/physics-heavy thermodynamics class that requires a large amount of effort if you’re just looking for an elective. Don’t fall trap to the 101, which is sometimes misleading since it’s not an AOS introductory 101 class.
What is a hardship/challenge you faced in your major, and how did you overcome it?
To be honest, the main challenge is just class difficulty. The required lower-division classes are notoriously known as weeder classes, such as multivariable calculus, the physics 1 series, and more, and follow 60-70 average grade distributions. Not all the upper-division classes get easier, and often follow similar grade distributions. A large portion of math upper-division classes are also known for being “GPA killers” with C averages. However, the classes all have ways to excel, such as office hours, tutoring, and as I said before, the smaller class sizes also help with overall learning.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about switching into your major?
If you’re looking to switch into AOS/Math, just make sure you’re thinking about how interested you are in physical sciences such as physics and calculus. Most of our classes touch base on concepts related to physics, calculus, and other physical sciences that sometimes are not what people are expecting. People often think we’re only about climate change, but the AOS department is a part of the physical sciences, so there is no avoiding the concepts. If you’re looking to study more earth-based science, the Environmental Science department is located in Life Sciences, along with Marine Biology.
Madeline Garcia
1st-year, Math of Computation
Why did you choose your major?
I wanted to do a math major and this one had a high admission rate for transfers.
What do you like about your major?
It's hard to say since I’m going to switch majors, but if I had to choose I like that it’s one of the math majors.
What do you not like about your major?
I do not like the computation aspect, which is why I think Applied Math would be a better fit for me.
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
I recommend Dr. P. Musumeci for Physics 1B and Professor Shin for Math 32A. I DO NOT recommend Professor Johnson for ANY math class or Professor Gelmini for Physics 1A.
What is a hardship/challenge you faced in your major, and how did you overcome it?
I have definitely struggled in physics 1A/B and I have overcome this by pushing myself to study more.
Evelyn Wang
2nd-year, Pre-Public Affairs, Geospatial Information Systems and Technologies
Why did you choose your major?
I chose my major because I’m interested in urban planning, and it’s good for my career.
What do you like about your major?
I like that my major includes a wide range of topics, and there are many sub-specialities to choose from. The pre-requisites for my major allow me to explore the different fields that are involved in public affairs.
What do you not like about your major?
I don’t like that I am unable to take specifically urban planning classes until I qualify to enroll in upper division courses.
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
I recommend Pub Aff 10 and 20 with professor Sherrer. I also enjoyed Pub Aff 60 with professor Phillips.
What is a hardship/challenge you faced in your major, and how did you overcome it?
One challenge I faced in my Pub Aff 40 class was a group project meeting that I couldn’t attend. I decided to do most of the practice problems ahead of time and send it to my group to revise. It worked out because I had contributed my part even though I could not be there physically.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about switching into your major?
Pub Aff is enjoyable if you like studying a variety of fields and how they come together to benefit society.
What drew you to your minor?
It is a common minor for the public affairs major, and it allows me to learn a technical skill.
What was the process of declaring a minor?
It was extremely easy to declare my minor. I only had to take 2 geography classes before I was qualified to declare. The actual process was a simple pdf form that I filled out spring quarter of [my] sophomore year and emailed to the geography department. My petition was accepted a few days later. I believe taking a minor course every quarter, starting my junior year, is sufficient for graduation in 4 years.
What advice would you give to students interested in declaring a minor?
Check to see how the minor fits into your coursework and graduation timeline. Declaring a minor is less daunting than it seems.
Michelle Chen
2nd-year, Business Economics
Why did you choose your major?
I chose Business Economics because it allows me to combine my interest in quantitative analysis with a deeper understanding of how financial systems and policies impact individuals and communities. As someone interested in law, consulting, and public service, I was drawn to the versatility of the major and its strong foundation for careers that require both analytical rigor and real-world impact.
What do you like about your major?
I like that Business Economics provides both a solid analytical foundation and real-world relevance. The coursework trains you to think critically about markets, financial systems, and policy—skills that are incredibly transferable to law, consulting, and public service work.
What do you not like about your major?
The major is quite structured and quantitative, so there’s less flexibility in choosing classes compared to some other majors. It can sometimes feel focused on theory without as much emphasis on practical, applied learning unless you actively seek those experiences.
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
I recommend taking Econ 41 (Statistics) early—it’s challenging but essential for econometrics. I found Econ 101 and Econ 11 to be foundational, and the professors who clearly connect theory to real-world applications made the material much more engaging.
What is a hardship/challenge you faced in your major, and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges was balancing the demanding workload of core economics courses with my extracurricular commitments. I overcame this by building a disciplined schedule and leaning on peer support—study groups made a huge difference, both academically and mentally.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about switching into your major?
Be ready for a strong emphasis on math and theory, especially in the upper-division courses. But if you enjoy problem-solving and understanding how markets and policies work, it’s worth it. I also recommend getting involved in clubs or internships early—they really help connect your academic learning to real-world experience.
Annabelle Yeh
1st-year, Political Science, Labor Studies
Why did you choose your major?
I picked my major because of the reading, writing, and analytical skills I will obtain from this coursework. Also, I am pre-law, and many other students who want to attend law school major in political science.
What do you like about your major?
I like learning about the domestic and international political issues and how they affect human rights problems.
What do you not like about your major?
The major has a lot of detailed reading, which can sometimes be challenging to understand.
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
I recommend Political Science 20 (World Politics) with Professor Luwei Ying.
What is a hardship/challenge you faced in your major, and how did you overcome it?
Obtaining the required and recommended political science classes is challenging because of the competition for those types of classes.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about switching into your major?
I recommend taking a political science class before entirely switching into the major to see if you enjoy the type of academic work you have to do and the topics in political science.
What drew you to your minor?
The courses focus on social justice and some aspects of law, which interest me.
What was the process of declaring a minor?
I am planning on graduating early to save money and because I have AP credits. The minor coursework fits perfectly into my three-year plan and helps me satisfy the upper-division coursework requirements. The process of declaring a minor in labor studies was easy. I went to the REACH virtual drop-in advising meeting, where I received resources (such as the labor studies website) to learn about the minor. Then, I made an academic advising appointment with Gloria Chan, where I was declared a labor studies minor in under 15 minutes.
What advice would you give to students interested in declaring a minor?
I would recommend looking at the requirements for the minor online by searching “UCLA [name of minor].” Some minors are much harder to become than the labor studies minor. Afterwards, I would go to the REACH virtual drop-in advising meetings for more information about declaring your minor.
Ethan Ge
2nd-year, Electrical Engineering
Why did you choose your major?
I knew I was going to do engineering. I did a lot of ‘engineering’ in high school (CAD, machining, etc.) and I knew I wanted to work with computers (ie, coding was something I enjoyed), but pure CS meant I couldn’t work on any hardware, so I chose EE, which fit the bill.
What do you like about your major?
I liked the curves (content is usually consistently hard, but everyone ‘fails’’ equally so it balances out), and the content is interesting and applicable.
What do you not like about your major?
It’s a lot of work (it sometimes isn’t even hard, it’s just so much [content]).
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
I think Ian Roberts is the best professor (take all his classes, etc.)
What is a hardship/challenge you faced in your major, and how did you overcome it?
Passing my classes (every quarter), and balancing the workload (across school and other stuff).
What advice would you give to someone thinking about switching into your major?
Most people don’t switch in, they switch out. I think it is a good major, but it is a lot of work. I think it is worth it, though.
Mariam Shonoda
1st-year, Bioengineering
Why did you choose your major?
While I was applying to college, I was still deciding between the Pre-med route or engineering.
What do you like about your major?
Bioengineering is a good mixture between all of the engineering majors. It involves wet lab and dry lab which allows you to explore different aspects in both biology and engineering.
What do you not like about your major?
Although it is a good mixture of different careers, that could also be a con. Overall it is hard to switch around your major especially if you still want to do engineering. Because there are so many upper division courses you need to take, it is hard to explore other areas such as double majoring or picking up a minor.
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
I highly recommend Eric Wu for Chem 20B (which is in fact a required course for most engineering majors). He is such a nice instructor that makes an effort to get to know you. I attended his coffee hours which helped me get to know him as a person. It is difficult to connect to professors here at UCLA but Wu made it easy.
In terms of classes I don’t recommend, there isn’t a single class that I would say I had a totally unpleasant experience with. But I would say, do not overwhelm yourself with too many courses. Try to aim for 3 STEM classes max (2 major courses + a lab course is a good spot). I took 4 classes my winter quarter and I am taking 4 classes currently and I am overwhelmed.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about switching into your major?
Adjusting. This is a challenge I am still trying to overcome, especially with engineering. Time management is key when you try to overcome a problem related to balancing your academics. Compared to last quarter, I now have better study habits and fewer distractions while doing work.
Jose Valencia Santiago
1st-year, Economics
Why did you choose your major?
My major is economics, and I am interested in minoring in accounting or entrepreneurship. I chose economics because I wasn’t that interested in fields like engineering or medicine. For whatever reason, I always found it fascinating to learn about the economy and the different ways that you can earn money other than traditional means, like working a high-paying job. Not only that, but I strongly believe economics is a stable field, as society will always require businesses or examination of data and policies that can bring major impacts to how our economy can change and how it affects everyone around us.
What do you like about your major?
So far I have not taken classes that have started to teach me the basics of economics so I can’t tell you specifically what I like about the study of the field. However, what I do like is that economics is a field I believe to be very versatile because it teaches many skills that can be transferred to many industries.
What do you not like about your major?
Despite, it’s versatility it can be very math heavy depending of the type of field you want to work in and even to get credit for your major you have to take calculus which can be frustrating at times.
Grace Liu
1st-year, Art
Why did you choose your major?
I chose Art because I’ve always been drawn to creative activities. Making art helps me express emotions and ideas in a unique way. It felt like the right fit for my personality and interests.
What do you like about your major?
I love that it allows for personal expression and the freedom to explore different ideas.
Each project is a chance to challenge myself creatively and emotionally, which keeps me constantly engaged. Meanwhile, I feel like through art, you could present the angle you view the world to others. For instance, one unit of photography asked us to present 15 film plack and white images. I took photos on foreigners in Los Angeles, and the professor said it is inspiring as I do present the authentic Los Angeles with shooting people from different ethnic backgrounds, Mexico, Chinese, Europeans from an equal angle “angle at same eye level.” Giving a sense of peace and objective view of the society.
What do you not like about your major?
One of the most difficult parts of being an Art major is how time-intensive it is.
Each studio class is four hours long, and with two classes a week plus lectures, I spend over eight hours just in class. On top of that, I often spend an additional 10 or more hours in the studio each week working on projects, which can be overwhelming when trying to balance other responsibilities.
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
Photography
Ceramics
Sculpture
Painting
Art 31ABC (Art history about modernism in global context)
Have you changed your major?
I’m trying to apply to double major with economics. I’m finishing up with the prerequisite for economics major.
What is a hardship/challenge you faced in your major, and how did you overcome it?
I guess the schedule is busy for taking courses from both major.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about switching into your major?
Think early and plan out the courses early. Don’t take too many courses per quarter.
Michelle Wan
2nd-year, Applied Mathematics, Economics
Why did you choose your major?
I picked it just out of personal interest. I have always liked solving problems and figuring out how things work. Econ adds a cool real-world side to it, so I’m able to see the application side of math.
What do you like about your major?
I think with math, there’s always a clear answer if you work hard enough, which feels super satisfying. And economics is more about observing the actions and phenomena. I like how the two majors mix - like using math to understand real-world problems.
What do you not like about your major?
Math can be really abstract sometimes, especially in higher-level math, which could be really frustrating because you are not able to fully understand the concept, even though you tried your best. But it takes time, it will eventually click for you one day in the future. In economics, some models feel a bit too idealistic, so it’s hard for me to see their real-world application.
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
I feel like upper-division math courses like 115A and the 131 series really dive into the foundations of math. They’re definitely more challenging, but they also make you feel like you’re learning the “real” stuff—more theoretical, less about plugging in numbers. I really like Professor Zhao (his first name is Ziwen). His classes can be tough, but his lectures are super clear and engaging. You can tell he genuinely loves math. To be honest, I haven’t had an econ professor who’s really impressed me yet. And in a lot of econ classes, there’s a higher chance of getting down-curved, which can be kind of frustrating.
Have you changed your major?
I actually came to college as a physics major, but I already knew I wanted to switch to math as soon as I could. So I ended up changing my major during orientation—it was super easy and didn’t require any paperwork or tests. It worked out well since I hadn’t taken any lower-division classes yet, so nothing went to waste.
What is a hardship/challenge you faced in your major, and how did you overcome it?
I’d say there are definitely a lot of geniuses in the math major. It can be kind of frustrating sometimes, like when your classmates seem to just get everything instantly, and some of them are even younger than you. That’s why I think having the right mindset is super important.
What advice would you give to someone on switching into your major?
If you’re genuinely passionate about math, I’d say go for it. Don’t let the hard parts scare you—it’s totally normal to feel stuck or confused sometimes. That’s just part of the journey. The key is to stay curious, keep learning, and get excited about the little things you figure out along the way. If you do that, everything else will eventually fall into place.
Katherine Valencia
1st-year, Biochemistry
Why did you choose your major?
Biochemistry explores the foundations of biology and chemistry in a manner that highlights each field’s interconnectedness. I chose this major because biology and chemistry are relevant everywhere, and while being a physical science major seemed daunting at first, I’m very excited as it gives me a solid foundation that can be applied to pharmaceuticals, medicine, and even the engineering industry.
What do you like about your major?
I enjoy the broad scope of the major. While it sounds like it only focuses on biology and chemistry, it actually allows for interdisciplinary learning as I have taken courses with engineering students. It also offers a broad range of upper-division courses like those that are genetics-based and others that align more with neuroscience.
What do you not like about your major?
Definitely the number of lower-division courses. There is a long series of inorganic and organic courses that are required, and on top of that we have to take the lab courses that correspond to them.
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
Dr. Pang for Chemistry 20L as he makes the course so incredibly engaging; I’m in it right now and he often throws in jokes in his slideshows and they make the content a lot more interesting. In terms of the LS7 series, Dr. Pires is amazing for LS7B and you can tell that she truly cares for her students!
What advice would you give to someone thinking about switching into your major?
Plan ahead. Life science and physical science majors have different lower-division courses in terms of the chemistry and math series they have to take. Once you make it past Chem14B, I think that you should be ready to commit to Biochemistry since the classes will be very different from that point on.
Aria Del Rosario Sabet
1st-year, Statistics and Data Science
Why did you choose your major?
I’m currently a Statistics and Data Science Major, but I plan to be a Labor Studies Major and have a stats and data science minor. I’m pre-law, so I thought it would help me stand out for Law School. I also really like AP Statistics was easy, but I quickly learned [the stats major] is not AP Statistics. I’ve come to realize it just wasn’t as applicable to my future career path, and changing to a stats minor would be better.
What do you like about your major?
I like math, it feels like you’re doing a puzzle.
What do you not like about your major?
It’s time consuming–thats the main reason why I'm switching. It’s too time consuming with the stuff I want to do, and overall its too stressful.
What classes/professors do you recommend for your major?
I do not recommend Math 31B. But I really recommend Kent Wong and Dr. Lara.
Have you changed your major?
I have not changed my major, but I plan on switching into Labor Studies.
What is a hardship/challenge you faced in your major, and how did you overcome it?
During first quarter, I had a bad professor so I overcame it by studying a lot.
Isabella Latcham-Radusky
4th-year, Public Affairs, Spanish
What drove you to double major?
I was a Public Affairs Major first, and I only declared the Spanish major [Spring of my fourth year]. It's a very complicated process because public affairs is in a different college. It's not in the College of Letters and Sciences. I had to meet extensively with a public affairs counselor because I was not just switching my major, but switching my counseling unit and the college that I was in. So it was a complicated process that just took a while, and it required a ton of petitions. And public affairs is a major that you have to apply to, so I was technically pre-public affairs. But I was able to switch then apply my second year.
What do you like about your major?
I thought it was interesting and I liked the material. I ended up with public affairs because it's very similar to PoliSci, but it's more about the application of political theory, less about the theory itself.
What do you not like about your major?
A big part of our last year, is we do a year-long project in the form of an internship with a nonprofit organization in LA. So you really get to apply all the skills that you've learned in the first three years and engage in the community with them.
What do you not like about your major?
The internship is equally difficult in the way that it's a pretty big commitment. I'm not on site at UCLA, so I have to travel. Part of the reason I declared a Spanish Major is because I have to be [at UCLA] all four years for my capstone, and I had run out of public affairs classes. I upgraded from the minor to the major to keep my financial aid. Looking back, as I'm almost done with my project, it was very extensive and more work than they told me.
Can you elaborate more on this internship capstone project?
You're actually allowed to apply to a separate internship from the original first quarter experience. So I studied abroad through that first quarter. Winter and Spring quarter I've been at Plato Society which is actually affiliated with the UCLA Honors Program. It's a nonprofit that facilitates discussion groups and learning experiences for people who have retired.
I intern eight hours a week, and basically, I'm working with them to create a marketing strategy. I've been helping them with that for the past five months I guess.
How are you involved in Honors?
I have been part of College Scholars, and I'm also in Honors Fellows. I'm also a student worker there.
What is a hardship you have had, and how did you overcome it?
An academic challenge I faced was related to Public Affairs being an interdisciplinary major. A key component of it (which is great and partially why I wanted to be in it) is that I have to take advanced statistics and coding stuff. I struggled with them, especially since it was stats for Public Affairs majors. It can feel like catering to public policy can be a bit of a distraction from the actual math.
Rumjhum Hemnani
Alumni, Business Administration & Marketing (Corporate ESG)
What inspired you to design your own major?
Beyond academics, I have always been fascinated by the intricate dynamics of business and marketing, with a strong desire to contribute meaningfully to the corporate world as a business leader for my own venture. While most children go through eccentric phases of hyperfixation, some with airplanes, others with Disney princesses and ancient Egypt, I was fascinated by Shark Tank. A reality TV show featuring successful venture capitalists listening to various business pitches and deliberating investment may have seemed a strange obsession for a seven-year-old, but it taught me everything about business, sparking a leadership spirit that cascaded into a full money making inferno.
Over the years, I chased opportunities as I saw them, eventually earning 4 Associate’s Degrees in Business, Social & Behavioral Science, Liberal Studies, as well as Humanities & Languages. Coming from this background, where I have called upon the various social sciences to support a professional career in business strategy and growth, I firmly believe that especially in the late stages of American hypercapitalism of the twenty-first century, businesses do not stop at innovation that excites, but are especially poignant as a diffusion of positive change around the world. Corporations have the capacity to benefit people’s lives around the world, but there must be academic substance to supplement that agency and its ethics, and I view this major as a conjunction of interdisciplinary sets of knowledge.
What inspired me to design my major was a clear gap I noticed at UCLA; despite being the #1 public university and situated in Los Angeles, a global hub for commerce and culture, UCLA doesn’t offer an official undergraduate major in Business Administration. Business remains one of the most sought-after fields at top institutions, yet there wasn’t a program here that fully reflected the realities of modern-day business, especially one that combined academic rigor with practical application. Through internships, marketing ambassadorships, studying at the John E. Anderson School of Management, and real-world experience in social media strategy and brand partnerships as an ambassador for Adobe, Samsung, and more, I was already immersed in fast-paced, competitive business environments. I wanted a major that matched that energy. And when no pathway fits your vision, you pave your own. I designed a program that bridges social science research and critical thinking with hands-on learning—one that leverages the academic resources of both the College of Letters & Science and the Anderson School of Management. My goal was to study not just how businesses operate, but how they lead responsibly in today’s world and conduct my own original academic research in the process. By combining courses in management, marketing, communication, sociology, and sustainability, I created a curriculum that prepares students for the realities of business today: fast, data-driven, people-minded, interdisciplinary, and socially aware. Ultimately, I see this major as the launchpad for my long-term aspirations, in pursuing an MBA and eventually launching my own global venture, or providing social impact to young students interested in business through academia. Designing this major was my way of aligning my current education with the future I envision—one where socially responsible business and innovation are not just complementary, but inseparable.
Can you describe the process of declaring an Individual Major?
One of the most daunting components of the Individual Major program through the Honors Collegium is how extensive the process is. As a transfer, I was on a significantly more crunched timeline than many other students pursuing the program; it took about a year from inception to the proposal being approved and signed off by the Honors Dean. I had been cold-emailing professors and meeting with them, and there are multiple stages for approvals on nearly every aspect: the course list, the proposals, the advisors themselves, the thesis subject, etc. I am very lucky to have amazing advisors and Mr. Angel Perez from the Honors College to have guided me.
How is your major unique and special from other majors offered at UCLA?
My Business Administration & Marketing major—with a concentration in Corporate Environmental & Social Governance (CESG)—is unique in that it integrates business fundamentals with insights from communication, economics, and the social sciences in a way no existing UCLA major currently does and leaning towards the curriculum of existing business schools. Unlike Business Economics, which emphasizes mathematical modeling over managerial application, or Communication, which focuses in theoretical research but lacks grounding in practical business operations and market analysis, my program blends business coursework with the qualitative tools necessary to understand consumer behavior, corporate responsibility, entrepreneurship, strategy, international operations, and organizational ethics. While Sociology explores institutions and social inequality, it can often be too broad to offer concentrated approaches to business case studies or market-based problem solving. This interdisciplinary program reflects the real-world overlap of corporate decision-making, marketing innovation, and social impact—areas central to my career goals in ESG strategy, brand ethics, and business leadership. It is not only academically rigorous but tailored to the modern demands of my prospective field.
How do you find connection in such a unique major?
In all honesty, that is one of the greatest difficulties with pursuing this pathway: isolation. Less than 10 students graduate with this program per year, and I personally did not know of anyone pursuing this pathway as me until meeting one other person by chance after graduating. Even many faculty and friends of mine weren’t quite sure what I was pursuing because the program is so rare. And as it is so challenging and self-designed, and it has its very unique struggles that not many know about or will One of the greatest lessons I have learned throughout the process is what it takes to be self-sufficient while undergoing this “Herculean task” to quote one of my advisors, because so much about the process is in your head and not discussed with others. My friends at UCLA and Mr. Perez were a great deal of support to me, and I’d advise others that even if you don’t have friends in the same major, to build out your support system as much as possible.