<p>BedHead,</p>
<p>Maybe the poster wasn't looking at UCLA, Cal, Stanford, and USC in California. If you remove those four from the equation, I suppose you could have an argument in the making.</p>
<p>Final Fall Director's Cup Standings
1. California 364.5
2. Stanford 334
3. Duke 316
4. UCLA 309
4. Wisconsin 309
6. Colorado 304
7. Virginia 303
8. Wake Forest 300
9. Florida 280
10. Notre Dame 279</p>
<p>I would imagine that anyone who can get into UNC oos can get into Cal and LA.</p>
<p>Sure. And they probably could get into Michigan as well.</p>
<p>That doesn't mean that UCLA and UNC are on par with Michigan overall...</p>
<p>
[quote]
I had some real misconceptions.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You still do, but also of the quality of public education. As an Andover grad, I'm rather surprised of your myopic view of the world. Good luck with that, suze.</p>
<p>ps: you might want to check out the Green Book. The number of California kids are second to New York's in Darmouth's student body.....Perhaps Karl admits them to bring down the averages? LOL</p>
<p>I think Andover made me expect a lot of schools. It simply wasn't there in the undergrad programs at UCs. What's myopic?</p>
<p>I turned down Princeton and Harvard to go to Dartmouth. In my search, all I could do is size up where I believed I could get the most. I;m paying for half my college education, I wanted to love the UCs!</p>
<p>Blah blah blah</p>
<p>I'll let the know........</p>
<p>Thank you so very much for all of your posts. S has a 4.0 from a private religious college prep and almost perfect SAT score. As I mentioned, he is seeking a great econ and finance department and solid college recruiting. </p>
<p>After reading your comments...I feel less guilty for wanting him to stay in CA. Sounds like UCB, UCLA, or maybe UCSB will all be good choices. Thank you very much!</p>
<p>PS. I understand that Palo Alto HS and Gunn HS - are in a residential area where small 2 bedroom homes sell for around 800k - and such schools benefit from donations from parents, corporation (including HP) and local taxes.</p>
<p>petescoffee,</p>
<p>Academically, I'd consider UCSD long before UCSB. But UCSB is certainly not a bad choice.</p>
<p>
[quote]
PS. I understand that Palo Alto HS and Gunn HS - are in a residential area where small 2 bedroom homes sell for around 800k
[/quote]
800K? Nah, those were the good old days! These days its more like 1.2 million, and that's for a house you don't really want to live in (old roof, dilapidated kitchen, etc).</p>
<p>example: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/3cycz2%5B/url%5D">http://tinyurl.com/3cycz2</a></p>
<p>I think of UCSB as much more a fun school than the more rigorous UCSD. Having said that, if I had another life, sign me up for UCSB. Though admittedly I'd spend the time surfing and hitting on females.</p>
<p>
[quote]
After reading your comments...I feel less guilty for wanting him to stay in CA. Sounds like UCB, UCLA, or maybe UCSB will all be good choices. Thank you very much!
[/quote]
Don't forget ucsd or davis, either. While not UCs may have an accounting major or emphasis (I believe the 3 you listed do), the UC schools are pretty good academically and majors do change ...</p>
<p>The caveat is they are all large publics. You simply aren't going to get the personal attention that comes with the package at a LAC or smaller private. Larger classes esp. the first 2 years, and while plenty of help is available it's up to you to take the first steps to get it. Some kids are fine with this, some do better in an environment designed to give more personal attention and guidance. I would suggest your S visit the schools, staying overnite with a friend in the dorms if possible. Have him really try to soak up what each school is like. </p>
<p>Assuming he's ok with the large school, next question is which one. To me, a strong personal preference/aversion to a school is more important than difference in ranking. The differences aren't that big compared to the chance to attend a school surrounded by the type of people you like in a community you enjoy. Talk to kids, and I think you'll find out that the various UC campuses each have their own feel.</p>
<p>USC would be a good choice as well. Automatic 1/2 scholarship for National Merit Finalist. Business School is top-10 for undergrad and overall the school is comparable in selectivity to Cal and UCLA. All three have very similar SAT score ranges and acceptance rates.</p>
<p>Not sure how you conclude that from this thread. Perhaps your son wants a different experience. If you can afford it or he's willing to make up the difference, what not cut the apron strings?</p>
<p>Bobby, if you are talking to me, the reason I mentioned USC is that the OP mentioned that his/her son has near perfect SAT scores. This means that son probably had very good PSAT scores as well, likely good enough for National Merit Finalist designation. Thus, son would be paying a price very comparable to to the UC's or other public schools. Perhaps even lower.</p>