<p>Well I finally got the only acceptance letter I've been fawning over for the past months!! And let me just say that it was THE best day of my life! Well now I have an acceptance and the only thing left to do is accept, right? Wrong! I thought it would be a no-brainer but now I'm actually entertaining the idea of waiting to see if I get into LMU or USC.</p>
<p>If.. and that is a big IF I actually get into either of these schools. What should I do! I REALLY love PU and could really see myself doing great things there, but I don't know. I need a more logical, unbiased point-of-view. What do you guys think I should do should I get into LMU, really. I seriously doubt USC because even if I get in I probably can't pay for it.</p>
<p>USC & Pepperdine are basically the same cost. To determine USC vs PEPP decide if you want a small college or a large college. Have you visited the schools?</p>
<p>Well various circumstances make it a tad easier to pay for PU, and yes I’ve visited both campuses. I actually live fairly close to USC which is almost a turn off because I would feel like I haven’t really gone anywhere. But I’m pretty sure I want a smaller sized school because that’s what I’m used to.</p>
<p>The environment and philosophies of Pep & USC seem different to me. Location, things to do, and housing options over time as well. My D applied to Pepp. What attracts you to it?</p>
<p>Um, I’m a huge fan of staying local but not being too close. If that makes sense. Pepperdine is far enough for me to feel like I have gone out of the immediate reach of my parents but close enough for me to still feel apart of the Los Angeles, California liberal bubble. Not to mention the campus is beautiful, the academics are great, and the people are your typical California crowd. I also enjoy the conservativeness on the campus because I know it will keep me from doing some of the things I know I am bound to do, but at least it won’t be as easy since its not on campus. Less distractions, you know?</p>
<p>And you should know that Pepperdine is a religious school - that means lock down at night, no alcohol, or parties. Plus, it is in malibu which means 3 things- beautiful view, wild fires, and a long commute unless you are willing to pay $3000 for rent. </p>
<p>USC on the other hand is in downtown LA, which means cheap rent, but be prepared to run from class to car. No food choices other than McD’s and Jack.<br>
Educational comparison puts USC head and shoulders above Pepperdine, with world-class talent. </p>
<p>If you are really that worried, you can just accept P’Dine. It’s $400 to reserve a spot (IIRC) and if USC comes in later, you can always lose the $400 and goto USC. It’s a small price to pay if you think about the grand scheme of things: $35K per year tuition, $10K per year in living expenses, $3K per year for books and materials. Thats almost $200K total education.</p>
<p>“the people are your typical California crowd…I also enjoy the conservativeness on the campus”</p>
<p>Can both of those be true?</p>
<p>“I know it will keep me from doing some of the things I know I am bound to do, but at least it won’t be as easy since its not on campus. Less distractions, you know?”</p>
<p>I’m not sure this will feel like such a good idea over time. My D went to that kind of school from ages 4 to 18, and knew she was comfortable with that. Me, not so much.</p>
<p>Just to clarify, there is no “lock down” at Pepperdine. You are free to come and go at any time. There are regulations about opposite sex in the room after certain hours and that depends on weeknights and weekends. </p>
<p>USC and Pepperdine are 2 different atmospheres, depending what you are looking for. Although there may be cheap off campus housing near USC I would never want my D out at night in the neighborhood. She can walk around campus at any hour at Pepperdine and feel safe.</p>
<p>Yeah I see. I’m still deciding. I don’t like to second guess myself so I’ll probably just go with my first choice.</p>
<p>Also what I meant by “the people are your typical California crowd…I also enjoy the conservativeness on the campus” is that the students that go to Pepperdine are decent people with somewhat liberal views but the campus overall is fairly conservative in that they don’t condone some of the more negative aspects associated with college life, and I respect that. Though, at some point, I sense that I will be in some sort of trouble for breaking some completely ridiculous rule but I’m all for the learning process (just hope it isn’t too serious! i need my education :D).</p>
i need my education :D).</p>