DIVISION OF UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION AITC academics in the commons

 

Are you Undeclared?  Would you like to:

  • Improve your chances for academic success as a result of regular meetings with a peer advisor who will help you make a better adjustment to UCLA.

  • Get help in planning your future academic programs and in choosing your major.

  • To receive preferential enrollment for Winter and Spring Quarters 2008.

Then sign up for the Peer Advising Network (PAN)- A coordinated program of academic support and planning, brought to you by Academics in the Commons and the College of Letters and Science.

To enroll, click on 'Notices' on your personal page at http://my.ucla.edu.  Then, click on 'Peer Advising' to fill out an application.  For additional information about the program, call (310) 825-9315 or jcraw@college.ucla.edu

 

Interested in Medical School, Dental School, Health Professions or Law School?

Covel Commons offers drop-in Pre-Professional Peer Advising.

WHEN:  Monday through Friday, Afternoons

WHERE:  2nd floor Covel Commons

Or, via E-Mail:  Prehealth@college.ucla.edu or Prelaw@college.ucla.edu at any time.

For additional information, call (310) 825-9315.

Armineh Dereghishian

Hometown:  
Major & Minor: English 
Email: armineh@ucla.edu 
Involvement:  ASK Peer counseling, Armenian Students Association, FISH, PSAPS
Interests: Reading, dancing, backpacking, camping, the beach, SLEEPING 
 

" GET INVOLVED!!!! "

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Sarah Seong

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Major & Minor: East Asian Studies 
Email: sarahseong@ucla.edu 
Interests:  traveling, watching movies, listening to music, running, trying new food
 
"Keep your priorities straight and remember nothing will work unless you do! 
 
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Jennifer Soh
Hometown:
Anaheim, CA
Major:
Physiological Science
Email: jenniferysoh@gmail.com
Involvement:
Interests:
music, laughing, my camera, shopping, eating


" Unless you know what you want, you can't ask for it!"

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Soledad Eufracio
Hometown:
Whittier, CA
Major:
Spanish, Education
Email:
seufracio@ucla.edu
Involvement:
Interests:
reading, online shopping, UCLA football, sandwiches ...
 

" Check for any classes that overlap when it comes to your GE's"

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Bernie Kuh
Major & Minor:
Economics, Education
Email:
bkuhjr@yahoo.com
Involvement:

Interests: Things with vowels and/or consonants 
 
Establish your goals and put forth your best effort and success will follow.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Ed Baltierrez
Hometown:
San Jose, CA
Major & Minor:
Political Science, History, Chicano Studies
Email:
edbalt11@ucla.edu

Involvement:  
Interests: I love to run and do anything athletic.  Watching movies, hanging out with friends, and being an NFL fanatic! Go Dallas Cowboys!!
 
Here at UCLA you have a great opportunity to explore and discover what you love and what you're passionate about.  Ask questions, 
create close relationships, go beyond ordinary, and always, always believe in yourself
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Nikita Patel
Hometown:
Cerritos, CA
Major & Minor:
Physiological Sciences
Email:
nikilish@hotmail.com

Involvement: 
Interests: dancing
 
Make the most of it ... it's over before you know it
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Sarah Maquindang
Hometown:
Southern California
Major & Minor:
Environmental Science
Email:
pand3tte@gmail.com

Involvement: 
Interests: reading, snowboarding, watching movies
 
Do what makes you happiest!!!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Mariam Mohajer-Rahbari
Hometown:
Sherman Oaks, CA
Major:
Psychology, Political Science
Email:
mariamm@ucla.edu

Interests: traveling, shopping, and baking

 

Make sure to consult with a counselor early and often
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

KC Souza
Hometown:
El Dorado Hills, CA
Major & Minor:
Economics
Email:
kcsouza@ucla.edu

Involvement:

Interests: Working out, watching too much TV, going to the beach, going out with friends, and many other things

 

Even when everything in life seems difficult, don't forget to have fun ... that's the best part!

  _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Staci Yamanishi
Hometown:
Gardena, CA
Major & Minor:
Cultural Anthropology/Asian American Studies/Education
Email:
stayceey2@yahoo.com

Involvement: 
Interests: shopping, arts and crafts, baking, and running 

 

Don't be afraid to take chances and get involved!

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Trevor Hawthorne
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Major & Minor: Economics, Accounting
Email:
trevorh87@ucla.edu

Involvement:  
Interests: basketball, football, reading, Sigma Phi Epsilon 
 
UCLA is only hard if you think that it is hard.  Be confident
in yourself, don't procrastinate, and you will do great.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Morad Mostashari
Hometown:  Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Major & Minor: Psychbiology 
Email: bigmo12403@ucla.edu 
Involvement:  

Interests: basketball, football, Xbox 360, and school

 

Tryo to establish your place at UCLA during your first year. Go out and find things that you are interested in and get involved as soon as you can

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Zach Bogoshian
Hometown:
Salinas, CA
Major:
Political Science
Email:
zachbogo@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: football, baseball, basketball, skateboarding, snowboarding, traveling
 
Don't stress on the little things

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James Engler
Hometown:
Santa Ana, CA
Major:
English
Email:
jengler@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: reading, writing, basketball, ultimate frisbee, video games, and just hanging out
 

Find whatever you love doing and take it to the next level

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Boris Lee

Hometown: Oakland, CA
Major:
Psychobiology
Email:
borislee@ucla.edu

Involvement:

Interests: raising tropical fish, visiting friends, watching movies 
 
Get into the habit of buying and selling used books on the internet. It will save you alot of money.

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Esther Joe

Hometown: Diamond Bar, CA
Major:
International Development Studies, Geography
Email:
estherjoe@ucla.edu

Interests: languages, cultures, traveling, listening, telling stories, coffee, tea, sarcasm, public transportation, traffic,
passionate people, mermaids, awkward situations, gummy bears, journalism, laughing till I cry.
 
Don't just sit around waiting for things to happen to you or for people to come find you. Go make something happen for yourself! College is an adventure and you should be exploring!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Cindy Chang
Hometown: San Gabriel, CA 
Major & Minor: Pre-Psychobiology 
Email: cydnic24@yahoo.com 
Involvement:  
Interests: sports, hanging out, enjoying life
 
Success is different for everyone; figure out what yours is, then you'll know how to get there!

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Lei Xu
Hometown:
Mountain View, CA
Major & Minor:
Undeclared Life Sciences (leaning towards Physiological Sciences)
Email:
leixu@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: Shopping, watching Lost, sleeping, eating, snorkeling/scuba diving
 
Don't take your first year too seriously but at the same time don't take it too lightly.  College is
about striking a balance between everything, so work hard but also learn to stop and smell the roses.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Karl Taraporewalla
Hometown:
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Major & Minor:
Economics, Accounting
Email:
karlt34@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: Basketball, football, soccer, hanging out with friends, rap music, watching TV
 
Don't be afraid to try new things or get involved in some of the various organizations on campus.
Work hard, but make your time at UCLA some of the best times of your life! 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Zack Ritter
Hometown:
Los Angeles, CA
Major & Minor:
History
Email:
zritter@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: I love to play basketabll and tennis.  I am interested in politics and excited for the 2008 election.  I love to travel
all over, Europe, Canada, US, and hopefully Asia soon.  I love learning in and outside the classroom.  I play piano and love classical and hip hop music.  I am an RA and enjoy
mentoring students.  I am applying to graduate school in student affairs.
 
Don't worry about your career path, follow your passions, help others, listen and talk to everyone, and the rest will come. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Andrew Phan
Hometown:
Irvine, CA
Major & Minor:
Psychobiology
Email:
aphan86@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: Reading, longboarding, running, video games, playing guitar 
 
Go have fun!

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Sharon Hou
Hometown:
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Major & Minor:
Pre-Psychology, French
Email:
sharonhou88@hotmail.com
Involvement: Project Literacy, ASK Peer Counselor, Academics in the Commons

Interests: traveling, shopping, reading, writing, scrapbooking, photography, film, and graphic design
 
Don't be afraid to take chances, try new things, and explore both inside and outside of the UCLA community
because your first year will be gone before you know it.  Live everyday to the fullest and never regret!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Iris Shih
Hometown:
Pasadena, CA
Major & Minor:
Psychobiology
Email:
irisshih@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: Medicine, Health, Teaching/Tutoring, Baton twirling 
 
Don't overextend yourself with too many courses and activities.  Overextension hurts.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Eric Greer
Hometown:
Lafayette, CA
Major & Minor:
Business/Economics, Accounting
Email:
esgreer@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: Golf, music (trombone), Cars, UCLA Basketball
 
Remember to stay active and get involved while you're at UCLA.  These are some of your best years ahead of you, so make the best of them.

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Margaret Wang
Hometown:
San Francisco, CA
Major & Minor:

Email:
wangmarg@gmail.com
Involvement:

Interests: reading, art museums, long day at movies 
 
Play hard, work hard, and take chances

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Ben Dizon
Hometown:
Altadena, CA
Major & Minor:
Psychobiology/Pharmacy
Email:
benjammin2night@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: Interested in almost EVERYTHING 
 
Always stay on top of your game, do not waste one quarter.  Always seek out opportunities that can help you achieve success.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Joe Fisher
Hometown:
Redding, CA
Major & Minor:
Geography, Political Science
Email:
jfisher@college.ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: UCLA Orientation, running, going to UCLA athletic events and the San Francisco Giants games, traveling, camping,
eating, napping, going to the beach, wakeboarding, fiestas, Facebook, Monday Potlucks 
 
Get involved early with organizations, clubs, etc ... on campus so you create good friends
and a good social outlet

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Roland Palvolgyi
Hometown:
San Jose, CA
Major & Minor:
Physiological Sciences
Email:
rolandp@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: Longboarding, Snowboarding, Racquet Sports 
 
Have a gameplan ... and follow it!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Meghan A. Casey
Hometown:
Campbell, CA
Major & Minor:
Global Studies, Econ/International Area Studies, English
Email:
meghanacasey@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: Traveling, reading, foreign affairs, shopping, writing, playing tennis,
volunteering, exploring LA 
 
 Get involved!  Each opportunity opens new doors and will help you discover your passion.

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Adam McCrory
Hometown:
Belfast/Malibu
Major & Minor:
Music History, Political Science
Email:
adammccrory@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: Music, theatre, performing, directing, soccer, sleeping, eating breakfast foods,
cooking, building things (I was a big Lego fan as a child) 
 
Get a clear idea of what your schedule will look like, and be aware of how you will be using your time.  Include time for sleep, relaxation, and socializing.  Take classes that 
you will want to go to and get involved in activities that make you passionate, but be careful not to take on too much at the expense of grades, or your physical and social health.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Rose Wei
Hometown:
Bay Area! (specifically, Los Altos)
Major & Minor:
Psychobiology/Neuroscience
Email:
rosewei@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: 
 
If you're pre-pharm, pre-dental, pre-opt, pre-med, pre-health, you should join AED, UCLA's ONLY Pre-health National
Honor Society/co-ed fraternity.  They're quite selective, but very much worth your time.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Sei Tateyama
Hometown:
Tokyo, Japan but I grew up in Seattle, Washington
Major & Minor:
Neuroscience
Email:
noraneko4787@msn.com
Involvement:

Interests: CATS!!, playing the cello, reading books, martial arts, sitting down for a good
movie, going shopping, being with friends in general
 
 College life is VERY fast-paced; you will want to get your career goals straightened out as soon as possible, so that you know what to expect
and so that you don't end up doing everything last minute.  But also remember that friends and life outside of school is just as important!!  Go out and get to know people!  College opens up a whole new world, and it will also help you ease into your new life at college when you have
a close-knit group of friends to rely on =)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Junyi Xie
Hometown:

Major & Minor:
Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology
Email:
oojoonioo@gmail.com
Involvement:

Interests: swimming 
 
 don't procrastinate and use your planners!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Eric Kim
Hometown:

Major & Minor:
Physiological Science
Email:
ericsunkim@gmail.com
Involvement:

Interests: Tennis, Street Fighter 3rd Strike (Video Game), Basketball, Trumpet, Piano, Guitar 
 
 Prioritize your GPA above everything else.  Everyone's one regret is messing up their GPA.  Figure out your best, most effective way of studying.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Rakesh Bhatia
Hometown:
Fremont, CA
Major & Minor:
Electrical Engineering
Email:
coolsniper15@yahoo.com
Involvement:

Interests: tennis, movies, video games, poker, hanging out
 
 Don't waste your freshman year.  Use this time to make as many friends as possible and explore new opportunities at UCLA.  As far as classes go, don't get behind.  Start early
and even try to work ahead of the professor's schedules.  This will help you to manage your time better and will leave more free time later on for other activities.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Jose Manaiza
Hometown:
La Ceiba, Honduras
Major & Minor:
Mathematics-Economics, Corporate Philanthropy
Email:
theuclatruebruin@gmail.com
Involvement: UCLA Men's Soccer Team (Practice only to tryout for LA GALAXY); 100 meters runner and Track & Field meeting events including high and long jump; Vice President of Public Relations of Bruin Toastmasters; Vice President of Public Relations of Salsa Society International and Salsa Club at UCLA; Academics in the Commons: Workshop leader for "How to Get Into Top MBA Programs", Pre-Professional School Advising Network including Pre-Law and Pre-Business, Peer Advisor, Tutor, and Mentor, Spanish-Speaking Sportscaster and Marketing Intern in Marketing Department in UCLA Athletics Department to the ESPN DEPORTES RADIO, Volunteer Spokesperson for UCLA Orientation Program, UCLA Office of Residencial Life, The Sallie Mae Fund.

Interests: Unify with Kevin Love our UCLA Bruin family for noble causes in honor to Coach John Wooden, 
form a joint UCLA-UNIVISION, the nation's largest Spanish-Language network to promote UCLA athletic events to the Spanish-speaking community.
 
 "As Newton said, an object in motion stays in motion.  The inertia of studying will keep you going, but getting started is the hardest part.  Force
yourself to start studying for at least 10 minutes; chances are you will keep it up" - Bruce Barbee, Director of the UCLA Academics in the Commons

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Joseph Casillas
Hometown:
Visalia, CA
Major & Minor:
History/Political Science
Email:
jcasillas@ucla.edu
Involvement: Awaken A Cappella, UCLA History Society, UCLA Political Science Society, Tutoring

Interests: music (all types), dance, theatre, surfing, snowboarding, skiing (sometimes), reading, the Law 
 
 Work hard, but enjoy your first year as well ... it's the best!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Ayda Shahi
Hometown:
Simi Valley, CA
Major & Minor:
Psychology/Education
Email:
aydashahi@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: shopping, movies, hanging out with friends, tennis, skiing 
 
 Be organized!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Emily Levy
Hometown:
Berkeley, CA
Major & Minor:
Biochemistry/African Studies
Email:
emlevy@ucla.edu
Involvement: intramural soccer, tennis and football, volunteer intern at Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Alpha Epsilon Delta prehealth honors society/fraternity

Interests: sleeping, traveling, sports, listening to music, daydreaming, camping, hiking, snowboarding, hanging out with friends,
being with my family, exploring new cultures, meeting new and exciting people 
 
 Looking back on your college experiences, you are not going to remember the classes you took, but rather the people you met and the experiences
you had.  Academics are important, but it is essential to have a balance in your life because ultimately you will have a better college experience.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Danny Aguilar
Hometown:
San Fernando, CA
Major & Minor:
M.Ed Student Affairs
Email:
daguilar@college.ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: traveling, movies, poker, Madden 08, sleeping, sudoku 
 
 Enjoy the ride, it will be over before you know it

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Amir Hossein Marvasti
Hometown:
Iran
Major & Minor:
Physiological Science
Email:
amirrr@mac.com
Involvement: International Outreach Project, Iranian Student Group, Emergency Medicine Research Associates

Interests: photography, basketball, music, medicine 
 
 Don't be afraid to be your BEST.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Jeanne Chai
Hometown:
Torrance, CA
Major & Minor:
Psychobiology
Email:
jeannechai@ucla.edu
Involvement:

Interests: traveling, tennis, piano 
 
 College will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially here at UCLA, where you'll meet so many amazing people and friends for life,
and although studying may seem overwhelming at times, always have faith in yourself and you'll be able to pull through.  You are on a start to an amazing adventure!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Jason T. Lee
Hometown:
La Crescenta, CA
Major & Minor:
History, Accounting, Labor and Workplace Studies
Email:
jleex88@hotmail.com
Involvement: DailyBruin Sports, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Korean Campus Missions, I Care Community, Inc., Faculty Support Assistant at the UCLA School of Law, Academics in the Commons

Interests:  
 
Explore new things at UCLA and always keep true to your integrity.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Marine Kazangyan