<p>HI-
We are trying to use the Memorial Day weekend to see University of San Francisco, Univerisity of the Pacific and University of Santa Clara. I have just discovered that USF, and UofP are already out of school for the year. Did not check yet to see if they have summer school and if students would be there. At any rate, it is a holiday weekend and the campus will be quieter. We can go on a tour at the U of Santa Clara either on Friday or stay and go on Tuesday as they will have tours (and students!).
If we do not go that weekend it will be sometime in the summer or fall. If any end being on his top list he can go back during the school year if need be.
So-thought I would see if anyone has any thought or opinions. We are finding it just about impossible to find time to travel to schools. Thanks!</p>
<p>University of the Pacific has tours over the summer, and I might take DS there then. To me it's not ideal because I'm afraid it will be very hot there, which would be a negative for DS. But it might be the only time we can make the trip. On other college visits, DS didn't interact very much with current students, but if this is important to your son you might want to make an effort to be there when classes are in session.</p>
<p>I just finished this trip from Central Ca. Went to UoP first then into San Francisco, then hit Santa Clara on the way home. This was during spring break, so no students. The negative I felt was that Santa Clara was sooo quiet...it almost felt like touring a mission or a church. We found ourselves whispering... I am certain the campus is not like that during regular school days and in fact parents of current students confirmed that.
However, like you we are in the position of needing to travel to colleges when we have time. I found with my older child that the fall of senior year is too busy. We will be doing our other visits during the summer and using our imagination to guess what it would be like with students.<br>
If you wait for these first visits until school is back in the fall it will be tight timewise.
Santa Clara also had students leading the information session and they were very candid and answered a lot of questions. I say go now, ask a lot of questions of your information session students and the tour guide.
You'll get a feel for the environments and a pretty good idea of whether he still wants apply.</p>
<p>vballmom-that is also what I am afraid of -that it will be hot. I don't do hot very well-S would probably be OK
ebeeeee-great that you did the same round-any impressions? You have helped me decide that we should probably stay over and see Santa Clara on Tues. Although not all students would be gone for a 3 day weekend the way they would be for spring break. Good to know about the information session-being student run. S will burn out very quickly if we have to many of this type of thing.
Any advice on hotels? Thanks!</p>
<p>Summer in Stockton might be the kiss of death for UOP. SCU can be warm...we toured on a 90+ day but the guide was good about finding shade and buildings w/ AC for us to stop in. Regardless it was still beautiful. USF in the summer will likely require a sweat shirt long pants etc. </p>
<p>There is a Candlewood Suites right across from SCU but if you want something more up scale there is a Double Tree 5 or so minutes down 101 in San Jose. The San Jose airport is handy to both campus and the Double Tree. Lots of mid-range hotel options on El Camino Real too. IN SF count on paying. Ask about parking too most places in the city charge. I know nothing about lodging in Stockton but I would pay extra so that I could feel safe.</p>
<p>Thanks historymom-thought we would spend 2 nights in SF and one near SCU. Only neg. to our trip is that we will not "experience" flying into Sacramento and the drive down. I want S to see the real deal of his choices but I guess we will visit again or he will just deal with it if UOP ends up being a good choice. He has no idea yet what he really wants-too busy living his Junior year and is so busy with good things that it is hard to divert him..and I digress....</p>
<p>Oh-do these 3 schools interview? There is nothing on their websites. UOP told us they do just and an informational interview but not an evaluative one. Anyone?</p>
<p>oregon, princetonreview.com will give you the skinny not only on who interviews but also on how important it is to them. So a search for the school and then select "admissions factors" from the left sidebar menu.</p>
<p>
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there is a Double Tree 5 or so minutes down 101 in San Jose.
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That's one hotel I always avoid when I stay in the area. It's old, not kept up well, not run very well, and expensive. The last couple of times I stayed in the area I stayed a mile or so away at a fairly new Fairfield Inn which is much nicer and less expensive. The Candlewood suites are right at SCU but it's always been full when I've tried to stay there (generally with little advance reservations on my part). I think they back up to train tracks that have active trains all night so if you stay there, make sure you get a room on the opposite side of the building from the tracks. Warning - all hotels in the SC area are much more expensive than one would expect, however, the rates can drop significantly on weekends when all the business travelers aren't there. If you want to save money on lodging, stay there on a weekend. Check around for the weekend rates. Another nice hotel in SC is the Homewood Suites (it's also always full when I go).</p>
<p>Think through the goal of the trips. If the goal is to get a sense of the layout of the campus, the buildings and resources, the dorms, and the general area around the campus and within a few miles of campus (make sure you do this part), then the trip is worth it even on the weekend assuming they're running tours then (check first). </p>
<p>If you want a sense of the campus when students are there, you really need to go during the regular school year when class is in session since even if they do summer classes, the campus will be much less crowded than normal. Really, all you'll see are students walking back and forth and hanging out here and there. Unless you have a plan to really talk to the students, it's probably not all that valuable but still worth doing if convenient.</p>
<p>^^When were you last there? They were doing a remodel when I stayed there last summer. I found my room to be quite comfortable and the rates reasonable. But to each his own I guess.</p>
<p>I dont know if anyone is staying in santa barbara but I stayed at the el prado on state street ( runs from the airport to the beach & I took a city bus to the airport)and it was great.Very friendly , good location, big room, across the street from a cute market/cafe, and it was $80 a night .</p>
<p>But Ca is weird.
I didnt see any espresso carts.</p>
<p>Historymom:
It's been over a year since I was at the Doubletree since I crossed it off my list after having stayed there many times (even when it used to be the Red Lion) and seeing it go downhill. I hope they've improved by now.</p>
<p>BTW, it is possible to pop over to Stockton from the East Bay for a visit to UOP. No need to spend the night there, unless you really want to.
I'd get a hotel near Santa Clara and do day trips to USF and UOP.
Check their website, sometimes local hotels offer discounts for college visitors.</p>
<p>Unless it's changed, SCU doesn't interview (or at least it's not required). S was accepted there, with merit $, without any interview (3 seasons ago).</p>
<p>SCU does not require interviews and says they are not considered for admittance...but you can have one (well...my daughter had one prior to her admittance there in 2006). I would also suggest that you visit SCU (and it's Santa Clara University....not University of Santa Clara) while school is in session. The students are friendly, and it is quite a lively place. School there doesn't end until the second week of June, but I believe there are not regular tours, etc during exam week. The folks in the admissions office are very helpful (if you call on Saturday, you might get my daughter who works there on Sat mornings). Tours and info panels are done by student ambassadors, and they do a terrific job. The new Learning Commons (library) opened at the beginning of April, and it is a fabulous place. This summer, they will be building a new aquatic center, so if you go then, you'll see construction instead of a pool. The school does a fabulous job maintaining its facilities. The programs are good, and DD finds the classes challenging. In addition there are plentiful student activities on campus. The school supports student organizations and clubs well...and encourages students to bring forth new ideas for these endeavors.</p>
<p>great information everyone. We would need a car to get to UOP I am assuming. Need to check one way rental from SF to San Jose. thumper1-got carried away with University of...knew that didn't feel right when I typed it. We will try to see/tour SCU on a Tuesday. Good info on the hotels everyone. Always prefer word of mouth.</p>
<p>oregon101, we didn't stay near Santa Clara. Stayed at a Residence Inn Marriott (with my Marriott points) near UOP. The other nights we were in San Francisco. Stayed at the Donatello there because it is convenient (Union Square) and they offered a deal of $142. including parking. Parking fees at the hotels in SF can be outrageous. Once we got to SF we didn't drive anywhere but it is easiest to have the car to go to UOP and SCU.<br>
Thumper, good post. The new library wasn't open when we were there but we peeked in the windows...the pool was being built. I definitely got the impression at both schools that money is flowing and construction is ongoing.<br>
Seems that most schools are like that right now...we are contractors and do a lot of work at a couple of Unis in our area. All the schools I have toured with DD and with DS a few years back had construction going on.<br>
It will take some years before the colleges catch up to the elementary and high schools. They are all pulling back on construction and even in some cases closing schools as the baby boomers kids grow up.</p>