<p>Its definitely a multi-part problem. Of course there is the logistics of could she even get to UCLA via hook or crook but that is probably moot, so what is the next step? </p>
<p>Is the issue Pepperdine:
-“She doesn’t feel connected to the school or the students/faculty at all”
-"She is very involved in the school. She is an athlete, in multiple clubs, looking into research and even looked into going Greek. "
- "It not about belonging in Malibu or Westwood. It about the school, not the geography. "</p>
<p>verses UCLA:
- “I don’t know if there is “one” thing about UCLA. For her it’s about knowing that’s where she belonged”
-“she was accepted to UW and I agree, it’s a fantastic school! She visited and said she didn’t feel it was where she belonged.”
-"It not about belonging in Malibu or Westwood. It about the school, not the geography. "</p>
<p>So is the problem Pepperdine? Can you fix her Pepperdine experience or is anything short of UCLA going to be unacceptable because she doesnt belong there? </p>
<p>I am struggling to see what part of the the Pepperdine experience wouldnt be immediately apparent to someone investigating it as a top choice, especially if they did an overnight. Maybe that it is a dry campus? Maybe the content of the convocations? Hard to tell, which makes me feel the majority of the problem might be that it isnt UCLA. </p>
<p>Likewise it isnt clear what the particular advantage of UCLA is supposed to be. Maybe research, who knows. How would she be more connected to the faculty if she was one of 200 kids in a lecture hall?</p>
<p>If the problem is Pepperdine, then a list of alternatives is helpful. If the problem really is that every other school isnt UCLA then its the student who has to be adjusted. What cannot be cured must be endured, so she’ll have to go to college at a prestigous school, on the beach, in a safe area, with nice kids, and save her parents $200K in PLUS loans. Not the worst thing ever.</p>