This post is a part of the Student Perspectives series - each post is written by a current UCLA Anderson student, and provides first-hand perspectives and experiences about being an MBA student at UCLA Anderson.
I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, went to undergrad at UNC Chapel Hill and immediately moved to New York City upon graduation. Living on the east coast was all that I knew for 27 years of my life. What I didn’t know was that moving to Los Angeles to attend the UCLA Anderson School of Management would be one of the best decisions I made in life.
All of my immediate family is still on the East Coast – either in Virginia or Philadelphia, but the truth is I’m only a phone call and plane ride away. I could count on my two hands the number of people I knew in LA prior to starting business school and many of those people were merely acquaintances. The moment I had to fill out two local emergency contacts for school was when it really hit me that I was moving into new territory. Despite not knowing many people in LA before Anderson, the transition to LA was quite easy and immediate. It started in the spring when I attended the admitted students weekend (A-Days) – it wasn’t until that weekend that I fully committed to Anderson. It made the transition in August easier to know a few familiar faces. And, my classmates – the #Anderfam quickly became my west coast family – and I haven’t looked back.
Having lived for four years in New York City, I did not previously have a car. When I made the move to LA, I decided to lease a car out here, which was a great decision. Many of my classmates do not have a car and it is not necessary, but for me it is a convenience to be able to drive to school, the grocery store, hikes and the beach. It certainly is a change not being able to walk everywhere like I did in New York City, but the west coast comes with many benefits.
In my almost six months at Anderson so far, there have been a total of five days where the sun did not come out. Everyone in LA talks about the weather – almost to an annoying extent – but it is hard to not be happy when the sun is always shinning! I can be outside or go for a run outside every day of the year, which is not possible in most places on the east coast. Going to business school in a city such as Los Angeles has ample benefits as well. Anderson has the community of a school in a small town, but is based in a big city. There is a lot of opportunity for academic internships, guest speakers from the area and being able to meet with alumni in person. As a city, Los Angeles has a lot to offer and there is something for everyone – hikes (I’m a big fan of LA hiking!), surfing and the beach, a lively restaurant and bar scene, a good sports town, an arts scene and of course, the entertainment scene.
I’m not sure if I will stay on the west coast long term or not – for me, it really depends on the job. Regardless, there is a huge advantage to going to graduate school somewhere new – on a different coast – and a huge opportunity to have connections all over the country and world. Moving across the country for Anderson was an awesome decision and I would do it hundred times again. I truly love my Anderson experience.
Student blogger: Emily Moore
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Undergraduate Studies: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, B.S. Business Adminstration
Pre-Anderson: Sports Marketing, ESPN
Post-MBA Goals: Brand Marketing / Marketing Partnerships
Activities @ Anderson: Admissions Ambassador Corps, Sports Business Association, Strategy & Operations Management Association, Marketing Association, Women's Business Connection, AnderTech, Anderson Wine Club, Anderson Tennis Club, Travel & Hospitality Association
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