Attending a French high school in Dubai and ethically Tunisian, Rayane wasn't planning on applying to universities in the US until his father intervened. Although he got a late start on the college application process and had to scramble a bit during the fall of 12th grade, he is now a sophomore at UCLA studying chemical engineering.
IO: Hi Rayane. How are you enjoying UCLA and life in Los Angeles?
Rayane: College life in LA is surreal and limitless! The university and city have so much to offer. I have met the best people and am enjoying college here to its fullest! When I am not studying, I’m always on some sort of adventure: traveling to Mexico for spring break, going on road trips to San Diego, or weekly trips to the beach. LA is a city that makes me really happy. I can't picture myself studying elsewhere.
IO: Is UCLA what you expected or have you been surprised by your experience thus far?
Rayane: Coming to UCLA, I tried not to have high expectations. I was afraid that my upbringing in Dubai would be too different from people’s experiences here, and that I wouldn’t relate to anyone. But quickly, I noticed that students here are super open-minded and easy going. There are many international students who are going through the same things as me, so they were my first point of contact, especially during orientation and initial weeks on campus. There have been a lot of positives during my first two years:
Amazing Friends: I’ve met them in classes, my fraternity, clubs, or unexpectedly around campus.
Active Campus: Most people go to the gym or play a sport, so it pushes you to work out
School Spirit: Football games and tailgating are a must-go here. This was a completely new experience for me and I love it!
The Unexpected: Sometimes I see things on campus that make my day, like a man dressed in a carrot costume distributing carrots while I’m walking to a class. So random, but it makes UCLA extra special.
Celebrity Sightings: I’m surprised at how often I come across famous people around campus: Keanu Reeves, Tom Holland, Sydney Sweeney, The Weekend, the whole Real Madrid Team, and others. This is mostly due to the many movie premieres in Westwood City – a five-minutes walk from campus.
IO: Wow, you seem to be relishing your time at UCLA. Any negatives?
The only negative is the academic quarter system here. Instead of semesters like most other schools, UCLA divides the academic school year into fourths (with summer quarter being optional). Because of this, classes are SUPER fast paced. Miss one lecture, and you are really behind. The workload can get overwhelming at times, especially when midterms and finals come around, but I’ve learned to be more rigorous and efficient with my time.
IO: Did you go to UCLA knowing you wanted to major in engineering?
Rayane: Yes, I knew I wanted to study chemical engineering. As part of my four-year program, I will have to complete a Technical Breadth requirement, which is similar to a minor. This will give me broader exposure to another type of engineering or a field such as tech management or pre-med. Currently, I’m considering either computer science or entrepreneurship. With one of these plus my interest in genetic engineering, I may one day launch a company that will offer a novel biotech service or product.
IO: You graduated from a French curriculum high school in Dubai. Why did you decide to attend university in the US? Was it your primary focus when you were applying to schools?
Rayane: Honestly, at the beginning of 12th grade, I was not planning on applying to the US. Instead, I was very confused. I initially applied to Canada, and considered England. All the credit goes to my dad for pushing me to apply to the US. I was a bit hesitant, but he convinced me that the US had amazing schools, and that studying there would be a strong foundation for a great career. I then concentrated all my efforts in applying to the US and with some luck, ended up at UCLA!
IO: How has your multicultural background impacted your college experience?
Rayane: It has only helped me. Meeting new people feels very normal, like it did in Dubai. Speaking four languages – French, Arabic, English, and Spanish – has helped me too. For example, I would hear someone speaking in French or Arabic and would go up to chat with them, leading to a new friendship!
IO: I know that you started working with an Ivy Options’ counselor in the fall of 12th grade – later than most students. How challenging was this period for you?
Rayane: Trying to juggle my US applications while also managing school exams and other activities was hectic. However, my Ivy Options counselor was a huge help. She knew we were in a time crunch and kept me on track, especially for the University of California applications, which were due earlier than my schools on CommonApp. If I could do it again, I would have started working with Ivy Options way earlier.
IO: What advice would you give to students starting their university search?
Rayane: My best advice is to fully think through what you want out of college life. While academics are important, aspects like weather and size of school will have a huge impact on your experience. Research your schools well! Also, glean information by maximizing all resources at your disposal: parents, friends, teachers, school counselors, outside counselors, and the internet. Finally, take calculated risks. This is what may give you the edge compared to another applicant, and push your life on a whole new trajectory!