<p>
[quote]
Are these two schools comparable in terms of academic quality in philosophy, economics, history, and governement? Is their prestige about the same? Why SCU over USD and vice versa. THANKS A BUNCH
[/quote]
</p>
<p>One thing to look at is that Santa Clara is a Jesuit school and USD is not; the Jesuits have a long tradition of fine education. Selectivity seems about the same; not sure about FA. SCU has the San Francisco/Silicon Valley connection and USD has San Diego; these places are very culturally different so which do you feel more connected to?
Haven't been to SCU but USD was a beautiful school (I hear SCU is also) but kids seemed very fashionable and good looking/ designer clothes, (casual but expensive).
My kid is applying to SCU and LMU but not USD after her visit.</p>
<p>The expensive "designer" clothes mantra is simply NOT true at USD. Normal, healthy, smart, nice students. (Some students have been rumored to shop at Target!) Outstanding school, and dream location and campus. Roman Catholic University.</p>
<p>Every private school has some kids with wealthy parents. You had better hope so, as they pay the very high tuition, allowing those that need it to receive financial aid.</p>
<p>DD visited (both before and after acceptance) both USD and SCU. She felt that USD was much more conservative than SCU. USD uses the FAFSA only to award financial aid, and SCU uses both the FAFSA and the Profile. Aid, however in the end, was similar. When DD went to speak to the USD finaid counselor about her award, the refused to even discuss it. At SCU, she found a much more open door and friendly financial aid office. She is a junior at SCU. And just an FYI...there are kids at SCU who shop at Target, Kohls, and the like too. Not everyone there is in designer clothers.</p>
<p>Adultparent..I agree that both schools are good...it just depends on the student. </p>
<p>Re: grad school...well...it might depend on the major. There is a strong engineering program at SCU, but not at USD. However, there are strong life sciences programs at USD and not as strong at SCU. The business school at SCU is also well known in that area of the state. USD has some strong programs as well.</p>
<p>My daughter applied to both schools because she liked both schools. In the end, SCU met her needs a bit better as she is an engineering major. The proximity to the Silicon Valley was a draw for someone studying in her field. Also, she wanted to play in a student orchestra, and USD has an orchestra that is community members and students. It didn't have the right "feel" either and the school also didn't have a teacher for her instrument (they said they would find one...that was a bit too unclear for DD). SCU, OTOH has a student orchestra and had a great teacher on DD's instrument. In addition, she was offered lessons at no charge if she played in the orchestra (which was one of her criteria). USD charged extra for lessons with the "not yet hired" teacher. </p>
<p>I personally think both schools are great. Each student has to make up their own mind. There are many students who apply to both USD and SCU.</p>
<p>Thumper ... Do you know how strong the chemistry department at SCU is? My D is applying, and is interested in chem (but not pre-med). What's its reputation?</p>
<p>I'm not sure which school is better at those subjects Fierce, but I know that the quarter system at Santa Clara makes double majors and multiple minors much easier to still graduate in 4 years.</p>