Adrianos Facchetti
How AAP Helped Me Find My Footing at UCLA
My story almost began very differently. At just three days old, I was headed into the foster care system until a twist of luck and love changed everything. I was adopted into an immigrant family from Argentina and Brazil. My biological parents were from Mexico and Nicaragua, but by fortune of birth I entered the most amazing country in the world, where I was raised by incredible parents who gave me a safe home and every ounce of encouragement they could.
Today, I am a personal injury lawyer in Burbank, California, but back then I had no roadmap and no idea how to navigate the system.
I have always been someone who learns things the hard way. I never took the PSAT, never had an SAT tutor, and did not even know those resources existed. But I worked hard, did well in school, and got into UCLA. Still, success at UCLA was not automatic.
The Rough Start
Because my parents accidentally threw away my orientation notice, I missed orientation altogether. That meant I had no idea I needed to select my own classes. When I casually called a friend in late August and asked about my schedule, he was shocked: “Wait, you haven’t registered yet?”
I know what you are thinking: “I would never do that.” And maybe you wouldn’t. But I did. What can I say, I have always had a habit of learning things the hard way. The upside is that once I figure out a system, I do not just catch up, I tend to rise above. Not because I am the smartest person in the room, but because I work relentlessly once I know the rules of the game.
By then, the only classes left were three upper-division history courses, and my first midterm exams were a disaster. For the first time in my life, I felt completely out of place.
Finding Support Through AAP
That is when I discovered the Academic Advancement Program (AAP). I turned to AAP tutoring, and it made all the difference. Having a place to go, where someone could explain the material and give me guidance, was exactly what I needed. AAP helped me stabilize, recover from that rocky start, and begin to believe that I truly belonged at UCLA.
It was the same pattern I have seen throughout my life: Stumble, figure out the system, then rise above. AAP gave me the tools to recover quickly and get back on track.
Carrying the Lesson Forward
That lesson carried into my legal career. Years later, as a young lawyer just starting out, I met George, a seasoned trial attorney who became my mentor. George was tough, brilliant, and never shy about telling me when my work needed improvement.
On one of our first projects, I gave him a draft of an appellate brief. He read it, looked at me, and said, “This needs a lot of work.” (He actually said something far harsher, but I’m trying to keep things PG here). It stung at the time, but it was another hard lesson that pushed me to get better. Once again, I learned the hard way, but once I figured out the system, I gained traction quickly.
George also threw me into my very first trial. Midway through, he told me I would be giving the closing argument. I had never done one before, but I stayed up all night preparing. The next day I stood in front of the jury, nervous but determined to be sincere. To my amazement, the jury returned a verdict more than ten times the insurance company’s initial offer.
Afterward, the client’s mother leaned over and whispered, “You did a great job. But I did not want to tell you during your closing… your suit had a hole in the back pocket, and your underwear was showing the entire time.”
It reminded me of UCLA all over again: Stumbling in, figuring it out under pressure, and somehow rising above. Maybe the jury felt sorry for me. Or maybe they just believed me because I was being myself. Either way, the lesson stuck. Sincerity and persistence will take you farther than trying to look perfect.
Luck and Gratitude
I believe we are all a bit lucky in life, but in my case, I was luckier than most. From adoption at three days old, to immigrant parents who worked tirelessly, to AAP tutors who helped me when I needed it most, I know my path was made possible by both working hard (I get obsessed when I have a goal) and the support of others.
Giving Back
Today, I am a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, serving a diverse community and advocating for clients in auto accident, premises liability, and dog bite cases. My firm has handled more than 1,000 cases, but I have never forgotten where it started.
That is why I have chosen to give back to UCLA and support AAP. First-generation students, immigrant families, and anyone who comes to UCLA without a roadmap should know they are not alone. Programs like AAP can make the difference between stumbling and thriving.
If you are a current student, do not hesitate to take advantage of the resources AAP offers. And if you are an alum like me, I encourage you to support AAP so that future Bruins have the same chance I did.
Because sometimes, all it takes is one tutoring session, one mentor, or one supportive program to change the course of your life.
Author Bio
Adrianos Facchetti graduated from UCLA in 2001 with a degree in History and Departmental Honors. He is now a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, California, and the founder of the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and has personally handled more than 1,000 accident cases. https://facchettilaw.com.
Q&A
How did you first get involved with AAP?
Eric: My journey and connection to AAP started pre-Prop 209. I decided to seek out a program on campus that could assist with all the things I needed to stay in school and on track. During my orientation to AAP, I immediately felt the welcome and safe environment that they had created. They really made it special for you and I’ll never forget that.
What does it mean to you to be a part of AAP’s history, which now spans back 50 years?
Eric: AAP helped me immensely with my school work. It’s a special place that helped me navigate those hard moments. Along with that, the history of AAP has a deeper meaning for me as my mother was a part of the program as well. The program has the authentic intention of helping and focusing on people of color. I’ve started thinking more about what I am doing to continue the legacy of the program. I still have memories of sitting in the courtyard as an undergraduate and I’m thankful for the time I was able to spend there.
What was your favorite aspect of being a part of AAP?
Eric: The resources and community. AAP staff were patient and provided services like tutoring and peer counseling. They taught me how to think through and learn how to solve problems. It was an additional place to learn and grow at UCLA. You had the space to learn and understand from other students. The sense of community at Campbell Hall is almost indescribable.
Pictured: Alfred Herrera, MPA, Assistant Vice Provost and Director of the Center for Community College PartnershipsWhat was your AAP experience like and how did it affect your life?
Eric: My major mainly kept me in South campus, but AAP was a reason to head to North campus and connect with fellow minority students. I was able to get tutoring from students who had my same interests and looked just like me. That had a larger impact on my life than I realized at the time. I felt like I was not alone at UCLA. I now reflect and think about staff members, like Alfred Herrera who changed my life. AAP is still a focal point on campus for the black and brown alumni of UCLA. We know that we have that shared experience of AAP and moments in time.
Why is it important to have a community and resource like AAP on UCLA’s campus?
Eric: To have a place where you can share values and have a safe space to share those values and feelings, especially with other students of color is so important for students. Students need to know they are supported, problems are solvable, and that they are smart and worthy of education at UCLA.