<p>I'm asking the same question as scualum in the Pacific North West road trip thread, but the geography is reversed.</p>
<p>We live in the Pac NW and my D2 interested in getting away from home, to a western LAC. </p>
<p>So far she likes University of Puget Sound, University of Portland, and Willamette, but not their locations (too close to home): urban or rural are both seemingly OK at this point. Also likes the sun. Crawls under the covers on rainy days.</p>
<p>What are the comparables in California?</p>
<p>We're not Catholic, and I know some of the best schools are Jesuit which may or may not matter, depending on whether lots of religion classes are required. Pepperdine seems too "religious" as well, judging by the application. The Scripps/Mudd/Pomona etc. might be a pretty big reach for her. </p>
<p>We don't have a big preference for northern or southern Cal. She's spent time in both, and likes aspects of both.</p>
<p>I'd look into Scripps seriously, and even Pitzer. Scripps, being a women's college, has a smaller pool from which to select its students (so better chances), yet the education is outstanding and she has the other 4 colleges right there for the well-rounded social scene...
I've heard good things about Santa Clara, too. If she would consider a medium sized university, USC might be worth exploring.</p>
<p>Occidental is probably as competitive to get into as Pitzer or Scripps. Less competitive schools that I'm somewhat aware of in CA are Santa Clara, Whittier, Chapman, University of Redlands. What would prevent her from applying to Scripps? It is worth a shot, especially if she is not from CA!</p>
<p>So it is my turn - we are also considering CA LACs - and I spent a great deal of time with my DS last year looking at the various schools around the state.</p>
<p>Northern California:</p>
<p>Santa Clara (as an alum what else can I say) - great connections to silicon valley, growing, constantly improving, somewhat urban campus. Strong Technical majors and business school. Also, for post grad work, VERY strong Law and Business Schools.</p>
<p>University of San Francisco - Urban Campus - right in the heart of San Francisco. Extremely liberal, highly energized by the city around you. Great pre med program.</p>
<p>St. Mary's - Incredibly beautiful location just over the hills from UC Berkeley. Suburban/somewhat rural campus. Academically perhaps a notch below the first two but still a fine school</p>
<p>Mills College - assuming a womens college is in the cards.</p>
<p>Menlo College - Between SF and San Jose. </p>
<p>Southern California:</p>
<p>Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles </p>
<p>University of San Diego - incredibly gorgeous campus strong academics.</p>
<p>I think Occidental is not in the same selectivity range as Pomona and Mudd. (I'm open to correction on that score.) Don't know about Pitzer or Scripps.</p>
<p>My son toured and interviewed at Occidental, and he was thinking of it more as a backup option to other more selective schools... which is not to say it's a "safety school", but maybe more like match school for him... maybe. I don't know because he applied ED elsewhere and got in, so he didn't end up applying. However a coach he spoke to there said she would be amazed if he didn't get in... whatever that's worth.</p>
<p>But back to Occidental. Both my son and I really liked it. It's a neat school, interesting vibe. It is in an urban setting, although the campus itself is beautifully sequested away on a hill and is green and appealing. You don't have that city feel on the campus itself, but it is there nonetheless in a big city. This is either a plus or a minus depending on the particular kid.</p>
<p>Definitely worth a visit, and maybe a good deal more accessible than a super-selective school like Pomona.</p>
<p>All my favorites have already been listed, I don't have any others to add. </p>
<p>Just wanted to note: We were a bit put off by some of the Catholic schools because they seemed too church-y when we visited. However, several of them ended up on S's final list because of the programs they offer. Don't be put off if religious courses are required, you can meet that requirement by taking a class about Buddism or comparision of world religions- actually interesting stuff. </p>
<p>(Gotta admit, Pepperdine feels more religious than the others.)</p>
<p>S did choose to attend a Catholic university, and says it doesn't bother him at all. Day to day life is not religious. At his school, there is nothing required that makes him uncomfortable.</p>
<p>The Jesuit schools will require theology and philosophy, but this are not necessarily from a Catholic bent and definitely are not proselytizing in any way.</p>
<p>Thanks for the great suggestions!
I'm glad to hear that the Jesuit schools will allow for study of world religions to fulfill requirements. She has a true interest in the subject, but is very put off by the statement of Christian faith app questions at some schools (Pepperdine, for one.)</p>
<p>We have a northern Cal trip planned for early Nov. It looks reasonable to see Saint Mary's, Santa Clara, and UC Santa Cruz, for a taste of a UC public. Of the UC's, SC is probably the best match for her: she's pretty counter culture. Her litmus tests include a rock climbing wall, and a high "green" index.</p>
<p>How do you compare the UC's to the LAC's in California? I'm well aware of the reputations of Berkeley and Stanford, but not quite sure how UCSC compares to Santa Clara or USC, for example.</p>
<p>Anyone care to do some ranking? I'm speaking strictly of general regard for academics at these schools. Don't worry about whether they have a climbing wall.</p>
<p>Check out Chapman in Orange County- two of our cousins are there and loving it, University of San Diego- the small private one, not public.</p>
<p>I am not sure i would bother paying the OOS fees for a UC, even Berkeley. UCs are big & public & busy, and offer no extra aid to OOS even with a $0 EFC, unless you get Regents. Smaller schools offer merit aid frequently.</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman at the University of San Diego. Classes start today! She has been there a few days participating in all of the activities. Your daughter likes sun, well, San Diego does have heavenly weather. The campus is just beautiful. You really have to visit, pictures do not really adequately show how lovely it is. It is not Jesuit, but Roman Catholic. We are not Catholic, but we do like the fact that it is a religious institution.</p>
<p>The school is not too big and not too small. We have been very pleased with the academic advising so far. She has already met with her professor advisor and her student TA. Really helpful. </p>
<p>She was looking at a wide variety of schools from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, to UCLA. I like Pepperdine very much, but it is really close to home and D wanted to go "away" to college. Chapman was her first choice until a last minute visit to USD and she just fell in love with the school.</p>
<p>Santa Cruz has taht alternative feel, also a kind of laid-back beach town vibe. There is a stereotype of students from well-to-do families who feel overly-entitled and don't like to work that hard. A lot of attitude. Now, I have no idea if it's true (a friend of mine is a professor there and says it is), and I have known some wonderful people who went there... although their experience was quite a while back now. I haven't heard much about the academics in and of themselves.</p>
<p>Want to second the opinion that Catholic schools do not impose religion very much. Required courses are usually very broad and interesting too.</p>
<p>Protestant or evangelical schools are another story; the ones that still have their affiliation tend to be more conservative; more rules, etc. (know I am generalizing)</p>
<p>My D liked Loyola Marymount, was put off by USD "beautiful people" atmosphere and designer clothes everywhere although we both thought the campus was the prettiest have ever seen. </p>
<p>D did not like Occidental as was very small and quiet but warmed to the Claremont colleges.</p>
<p>We did visit UC schools but after finding out that aid for OOS students is nonexistent are crossing them off the list. </p>
<p>Although it is exhausting to try to visit too many colleges, I would advise visiting as many as possible because your child will get a real feel for them from the tour, presentation and just walking around and nothing beats that.</p>
<p>^^^^
No comments from the last month, but there are some threads about Pitzer from previous months- some good info here on CC!</p>
<p>As part of the Claremont group, Pitzer benefits from a lot of amenities available at the other 4 colleges. I believe the student body is a bit more counter-culture than the other 4, especially more so than Claremont-McKenna, and students can take classes at each of the 5 colleges. Location is wonderful - lovely small town environment but close to LA, and beautiful weather most of the year (gets a bit warm in the summer, but not a problem after about mid- October). Pitzer is less selective than Pomona/Mudd/CMC, but getting to be more popular and therefor more selective in the last couple of years. All of the Claremont schools have a more relaxed vibe, imo, than similar colleges on the east coast, although the student body pulls from all over the country, and you'll find regional diversity that you won't find at a state school.</p>
<p>My D is also interested in visiting some smaller LACs in CA, preferably northern CA. Academically I think she would be in the range of Pitzer, Occidental type school. The only criteria I can get from her so far is she wants 4 seasons, lots of sun, but also near enough to mountains to go snowboarding on weekends. Any suggestions with these criteria in mind?</p>