<p>USF is a very good school IMO. Not talked about much, but when I was applying for Fall 2001, they were giving a 75% scholarship to anyone with a 3.8+ and a 1310. Definitely something to think about if you're looking into the privates. I'd also say that she is a good applicant for cal poly, but I'm not sure how the 1800 translates into the old SAT. Also be advised that you must declare a major before applying to cal poly.</p>
<p>Cal Poly SLO has become quite competitive. SLO is a really cute town, <em>not</em> visible from freeway.</p>
<p>And USF stands for??? University of San Francisco??</p>
<p>My D recieved merit at USD but was pretty discouraged to see the 39% M to 61% F ratio. This has just recently joined her criterea list lol</p>
<p>Yes. USF=Univ. of San Francisco. Was once famous because Bill Russell (bball) went there.</p>
<p>jmmom: UCSC has the third least selective rate in the UC system (after Merced and Riverside), so OOS kids can get it in, but it is still not on any top Cal kid's list....</p>
<p>Sonoma State is not a commuter school. They have a large amount of on campus housing for a state university. It is also on the smaller side. And it is a 45 minute bus ride into San Francisco. A nice school that would probably we possible for an out of state student.</p>
<p>mom60, you may have better sources, but I know someone whose son is a sophomore at Sonoma State and he left every weekend to go home because so many others did. Maybe not a "commuter" school, but an exodus on the weekends, which can be really hard on someone from out of state. I have heard something similar about USF.</p>
<p>A friend goes to UCSC and says it empties out a bunch on weekends.</p>
<p>Arrg. I just wrote a big thing on travel between LA and SF but I lost it because of the microsoft broweser bug. You can PM me if you want detailed info. I'll try to post it later, but this is frustrating.</p>
<p>I was just checking airfares for a day trip to the bay area...San Diego to San Jose...roundtrip $123 which is very doable. We may actually look into this so that DD can see Santa Clara University.</p>
<p>patient, the difference between USF and Sonoma State, if that a dorm student at USF has San Francisco and the entire bay area for a playground. On weekends, hang out all over the "city" (NEVER call it FRISCO) or Sausalito, Berkeley, Lake Tahoe, the coastline, the wine country, etc. As crazy as S.F. can seem sometimes to us Bay Area residents, tourists and conventioneers from all over the world absolutely love the city! Tourism IS the #1 industry in San Francisco.</p>
<p>What is there to do really in Rohnert Park (Sonoma State) on weekends, except leave! </p>
<p>To our OP from New England, no one ever hears anything academically about either USF or Sonoma State. They are probably considered "ok" schools for average state resident students. While we who love California and the Bay Area digress, you should probably stick to your original game plan of possibly visiting SCU (Santa Clara U). While in the Bay Area tough, you might consider a drive by of Mills College in Oakland and St. Mary's in Moraga.</p>
<p>I second Cal Poly SLO. Was on the campus quite by accident last August and spent the night in the town. What a great little town! Visited the new arts building during the Mozart Festival week to listen to a rehearsal. I had a few cousins attend the school and I have heard that kids like it.</p>
<p>SBmom and overseas - As a once-and-would-like-to-be-future Californian (for retirement), got the brainstorm that maybe SLO would be an affordable little retirement community. Checkd out real estate prices, and that won't be happening. Guess there's no place left in CA. for the outsider to buy into.</p>
<p>jmmom,</p>
<p>You can PM me re price range and I may have suggestions.</p>
<p>One really important thing to remember: in the right climate/community, your SQFT needs will be way lower than in New England; in winter, we're out on our porches or in our yards!</p>
<p>Just checked Southwest air...$78 round trip per person...Now THAT really sounds doable for a day trip!! Thanks for all the tips here. DD has not added Whittier to her list of "let's go see" schools. University of San Francisco sounds interesting to her as well.</p>
<p>thumper, book the SW tix because you can refund them (for full SW credit) if you change plans. </p>
<p>Also, w/ SW there is no assigned seating. You need to print your boarding passes ASAP within the window allowed to be able to board the plane in the first group.</p>
<p>Thumper1, </p>
<p>Just for a heads up, schools like USF, Redlands, Chapman, U of Pacific, Sonoma State, take kids with gpas below 3.0. </p>
<p>Santa Clara, Univ of San Diego, Santa Cruz, Loyola Marymont, Mills take B to B+ kids.</p>
<p>Occidental, Pitzer, and Scripps take slightly higher than B+ to A- kids and up.</p>
<p>Cal Poly, UC Davis, Irvine and UCSB take slightly higher than B+ to A- kids and up.</p>
<p>This is so you get an idea of the caliber of the student bodies.</p>
<p>Sonoma State has a beautiful campus, but you need to like the life in the suburbs. It's about 45 to 50 minutes SF. If you want to be a teacher, it is a great school.</p>
<p>I got accepted to Redlands and was wondering if anyone here was accepted and how much merit aid they received (not counting presidential honors, etc.)? I just want a basis to compare my merit aid, which is $9,000 + presidential honors.</p>
<p>Being from the Bay Area, I second gsp's opinion. Carmel is a lovely town too, about an hour and a half drive from SF, closer from Santa Clara.</p>
<p>I hope your daughter has a chance to meet people at Redlands. I have always thought Redlands was pretty but if I were to compare cities, San Diego would win.</p>
<p>I wouldn't want to pay the out of state tuitions for the UC's or CSU's.</p>
<p>Clearwater-why not give U or R a call and see what they have to say. We have found them to be very generous. If you have need I don't know what harm you will do. If you just want more $$$, well I wouldn't ask.</p>