<p>My daughter was accepted at many wonderful schools. One of her options is Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. She received a substantial scholarship and would participate in the Honors program, a select group of about 30 students.</p>
<p>Loyola Marymount was one of her safety schools. While we have visited twice and she really felt comfortable there, it is not a school that we have heard much about here in the midwest. We have read up on everything we can possibly find, but I have some questions and am hoping some of you may know of the school and be able to help.</p>
<p>Is the school well known regionally? What is its reputation? It appears that a large number of students are from the surrounding area. Would an out of state student find themselves pretty much alone and isolated on a weekend there? Is there any other information/opinions that we maybe should know as we attempt to weigh this along with her other options? </p>
<p>I've got to run to a meeting, so please bump this thread later. LMU has a very nice campus, if somewhat isolated compared to the rest of LA. Its academics are middling good but it is not well known, even around here. I would think a car would be a virtual necessity at LMU. I don't think an out of state student would suffer from isolation, though...your daughter would probably pick up friends and a social circle soon enough, it's not as if everyone at LMU is in preestablished cliques from their home high school's. Though it's not well known, I would take LMU in many cases over Pepperdine and in some cases over USC. My gut feel-- and I know someone who teaches there and someone else who got her Master's there and a filmmaker there used my D in a project film when D was a wee lass--is that students at LMU may be less likely to "push the envelope", either socially or intellectually, than those of some other schools but that they're no dummies, either. English, Film, and Dance are all reasonably strong...I don't know about other departments.</p>
<p>I think TheDad did a good job of describing LMU. I know kids (from here in San Diego) who are very happy there. In general, they tend to be kids that did fairly well in high school but are not the top students. LMU also pulls heavily from California Catholic schools (obviously) which definitely affects the feel of the student body - the kids tend to be clean cut, not too "out there" in dress or thought. However, LMU has done a good job of building racial diversity on campus.</p>
<p>Some time ago, I talked via PM with a mother whose daughter had gone to LMU from back east and she did have a bit of adjusting at first - not because she didn't make friends but because she felt that the culture/atmosphere was very different in Calif. so she was having a bit of culture shock. I wish I had saved that PM. I do not know if that Mom is still here on CC but if she is, hopefully she will speak up.</p>
<p>Thanks Carolyn and TheDad. I very much appreciate your comments. Reading the guidebooks I got a mixed impression of the school. To date, I have been pleased with the direct interaction we have had with the school. However, I want to find out as much as possible. So if anyone else has additional comment, please let me know. Thanks.</p>
<p>My previous post was from work so I cut it short as well. TheDad, you mentioned that there are some areas where LMU is possibly stronger than Pepperdine or even USC. Were those possibly the programs you mentioned? I read a post on the student review web site regarding the film production major (from an alumnus) who gave it high marks saying that there was much more opportunity to do individual work and make the film they wanted. My daughter is undecided at this point--interested in science, art, urban studies and possibly film/animation. The last one is what brought us to the school in the first place. </p>
<p>carolyn, coming from Peoria, Illinois I am afraid that most places will lead to a bit of "culture shock" for my daughter. Change has never been her strong point and one of the reasons I was curious as to how the out of state students might fare with such a large portion of the student population coming from near by. Thank you again for your comments.</p>
<p>I have clients whose daughter went to LM. They are both intellectuals (computer genius & playwright.) They have been thrilled with her experiences there. The school has a nurturing and caring enviornment. Though Catholic, it is religiously diverse in students & faculty. This girl was a solid but uninspired student in HS. She absolutely caught fire academically, found a passion, learned German, went to Berlin etc. </p>
<p>The parents do not think this explosion would have happened elsewhere, they very much credit the caring and involved teaching she has had.</p>
<p>SBMom's comments illustrate why I'm a fan of LAC's for many students, assuming you find the right LAC. </p>
<p>Carolyn's comments are an excellent amplification of what I meant to say. :)</p>
<p>LP75, having lived in Illinois, albeit Chicago, SoCal can be an adjustment. However, it's exactly the kind of adjustment that I think one should seize in college (my D has gone the other direction, to a small town in Massachusetts, for similar reasons).</p>
<p>If things evolve, contact me via PM and I'll send you my e-mail. I live about 15 minutes from LMU and we have very good friends in the surrounding community (the North Kentwood part of Westchester). LOL, my D's first driving lesson was also in the surrounding streets (lesson by the pro training company, not me). In short, I'd be happy to be a local guide if you visit and be point of contact should you want a local resources for your D.</p>
<p>If you were to give me some idea of your D's academic profile, I might be more able to come up with cogent comments. I take LMU over Pepperdine in general for philosophical reasons and in some cases LMU over Pepperdine for reasons of LAC over University. The film program at LMU is nowhere in USC's league but it's not to be sneezed at and many students will indeed have more freedom. My friend with the MA in English thought highly of the department and I think highly of her abilities, so by transitivity....</p>
<p>I guess a salient point is: what other schools is your D considering?</p>
<p>A close relative went to LMU. He received close personal attention and an excellent education. It was a life changing experience for him. He came out fired up academically and has ended up a professor in his chosen field. We have very positive feelings about LMU.</p>
<p>I know that this is the parent's forum but I'm interested in enrolling into LMU too. Do any of you guys happen to know the maximum amount of LMU grants that are given out to freshmans? I thought it was 20k and since my EFC is only 0043, I thought I was for sure going to recieve the 20k. I only recieved 7k from LMU. Even UCR is offering me more grants and UCR costs 1/2 as much as LMU. Do you guys have any advice on how I can approach to 'negotiate' or 'appeal' my financial aid package? Lastly, when does LMU send home notices to the recipients of the merit scholarships? If I was offered the LMU California Loan, does it mean that I won a scholarship?</p>
<p>I will greatly appreciate any response. thanks you!</p>
<p>LP, Having just seen my own daughter experience culture shock as we drove by Peoria last week, I understand. :)</p>
<p>Film and animation are two of LMU's strongest programs. My daughter once thought she was interested in animation and I did quite a bit of investigation of LMU's program - it is excellent and many of their grads have done quite well in the industry. For either of those two majors, I would say LMU is a terrific choice.</p>
<p>Average girl - You need to call the financial aid office and clarify what the LMU Calif. Loan is -- but the word "loan" indicates to me that it is not a scholarship, but rather just that: A loan that will need to be repaid. Sounds like you were offered the $7 K grant (or scholarship if you want to call it that) and a loan to make up the difference. Many people get confused when they see their EFC and think that it means the school will make up the difference purely in grants. Most schools will offer grants and loans or work study. It is VERY important to compare the packages you have received to see how much is "free money" (grants/scholarships) and how much is just "delayed payment" - work study or loans.
As to negotiating, I would ask one of your parents to call the financial aid office to handle negotiations. This is really something that should be handled by the adult who will ultimately be paying the bills. Financial aid offices usually have a harder time saying no to parents than they do to kids. </p>
<p>But what do I do if my parents can't really speak english?</p>
<p>I thought LMU was generous when it comes to financial aid. And they are a private school so shouldn't they be giving me more grants? I wish I applied to USC because since I qualified for the Pell grant and SEOG grant, I could have recieved 24k in grants from SC [I know how SC's fin aid works]. USC and LMU cost about the same. I still don't understand why LMU is giving me only 7k in grants! =( and 7k in work study/loans. The rest of my fin aid includes the max cal grant A.</p>
<p>LMU California Loan: This zero-interest loan is offered to freshmen whograduate from a California high school, are U.S.citizens, and have been awarded one of LMUs meritscholarships. This loan is renewable for 4 years.Parents are required to co-sign for the loan and becreditworthy. All loan funds must be used for direct LMU charges such as tuition, fees, and universityhousing and meal plans. The maximum a student can borrow is $10,000 per year.
^does that indicate that i recieved a merit scholarship??</p>
<p>Can anyone give comment on LMU as opposed to USD? We are heading out to CA from the east coast in a couple of weeks so my daughter can make her final decision. Intended major at this point is English/Communications. We have visited both schools before but I would love to hear opinions.</p>
<p>AverageGirl, I hate to say it but the specifics of financial aid aren't something to be hashed out on a message board. Only the school's FinAid office can offer definitive answers. If your parents can't work it on your behalf, pull yourself together and put together a spreadsheet showing side-by-side costs, aid, and net costs to you for the schools you have been accepted to. Ask <em>them</em> if you've been awarded merit money, they're the ones who can answer. Ask <em>them</em> why the aid doesn't appear to be as generous as other schools. But pull yourself together into a facsimile of an even-keeled adult first. Good luck.</p>
<p>Scma, wait until Carolyn comes around again. She knows USD very well and I think she likes it. I like LMU's English department and I prefer the location but that's my own bias...having the LA metro area at your disposal makes for a boggling amount of opportunity...most of it good.
:)</p>
<p>Average girl, no, that is not a scholarship. It is a loan. It has no interest but it will have to be paid back after you graduate. A scholarship does not have to be paid back.</p>
<p>Even if your parents have difficulty with English, it may still be worth it to have them call and see if this is the best LMU can do for you. You can always follow up if you need to but I think it is best for the contact to come from the parents if at all possible.</p>
<p>I do not understand why you would not qualify for a Pell grant at LMU if you qualify for it at USC. The pell grants are given by the government, not by the individual schools. So, that is another thing to double check on. Good luck.</p>
<p>Scma, As Thedad said, I am fairly familiar with USD as my daughter goes to USD high school across the street. I know many students who have gone to USD and done quite well there. I also know several faculty members personally. I would honestly say that the academics are a definite step up at USD over LMU. Unless one is looking to major in film, theater, or art - particular strengths at LMU, I would lean towards USD. USD is particularly strong for more liberal arts type majors such as the sciences, social sciences and English while LMU is perhaps stronger for "career oriented" majors such as business or film. </p>
<p>The comments I hear from students who go to USD or have been there is that it is a great school with challenging academics. I know of one girl who was valedictorian in her class at a tough private prep school. She received a huge scholarship from USD and chose it over some of the top UC's and several prestigious LACs back east. Her mother was a bit worried about whether should would find it challenging enough. She loved USD, majored in math, and the faculty was extremely supportive in helping her go on to a good doctorate program (U of Arizona). Not only that, but USD gave her credit for all of her AP work so she was able to graduate in two and a half years! (This girl is really a whiz kid). She was never bored at USD and felt very challenged academically.</p>
<p>As you know, The USD campus is beautiful - my daughter has had a hard time looking at other schools because USD has kind of set the standard. The pictures on the web site do not do it difference. The campus is in a safe area but a few miles awhile there is a somewhat dicey area. Not much of interest to college students within walking distance but the school provides shuttles to the trolley which you can easily take into downtown or to the shopping malls so having a car is probably not necessary at least the first year. </p>
<p>After freshman year, many USD students move into apartments right off of campus (some college owned) or a few miles away to the beach area where there are many other college students. A car would be necessary if one didn't live immediately off campus as SD transportation is not the best. </p>
<p>We do see lots of beer bottles in the trash cans around the apartments but the kids I know who live on campus say safety is strict about underage drinking. San Diego is a great city to go to school - a little more compact than Los Angeles in my opinion, and easier to navigate, but with 4 colleges in town, lots for college kids to do.</p>
<p>I see license plates from all over the country in the USD parking lot and they are actively working to recruit more geographically diverse students and build their national reputation more. It is really a school on the rise in my opinion. The typical USD student tends to be pretty mainstream - lots of nicely dressed girls and clean cut guys - but there are some alternative types. USD has a rep locally as a "rich kids" school but the kids I know that have gone there are all pretty down to earth and didn't feel that the rich kid rep was reality. There are some sororities on campus that are a bit more in tune with that rep but the school is large enough that it's easy to avoid them if you want to. There is very little racial diversity on campus, however. But they are working to try to change that as well.</p>
<p>Carolyn and TheDAd: Thank you so much for your input. It reinforces my initial reaction which was that the academics are probably better at USD, but the LA area has so much to offer. My daughter's first impression when we visited last year was that she preferred LMU, but once we got back home she started leaning toward USD. We feel it is definately worth another look at both before she makes her final decision. I am excited for her, and either city would be a fun place for me to visit!</p>
<p>My daughter attended LMU for the fall semester. She has since transferred to USC, as was her intention when she started. We are from LA, the westside, so here are her/our two cents. Please note: We are Jewish and while LMU respects people of all backgrounds the kids are mostly Catholic. LMU says that it is diverse, and it is, for people living in other areas, but for LA kids it was a reverse culture shock for her. Her high school represented our area, with kids of all backgrounds, racial, religious, and ethnic. She has never gone to school with so many white kids as she did at LMU. The campus is lovely and VERY safe as it is up on a hill. The weather, because it is near the beach, is wonderful. The classes she had were good (she is a film major..and continues to be at USC as well)...although she feels that her classes at USC are more thorough. and much more competitive she liked her classes there. ALOT of opportunities to interact with professors, if you want it. Her professors knew her and she could ask them anything. The ratio of boys to girls is horrendous, 3 girls to 1 boy. (I've got the girl...so for her....not so good).. I will say that in the evening I was alot more relaxed when she left LMU's campus than at USC's campus. LMU was a good transition for my daughter into college, but I know that she is a better fit at USC. The film department and animation department are good...and they are trying to improve.</p>
<p>Well I finally had a chance to get back to the board and see all of the discussion. It has been very interesting and enlightening. I owe some comments back so here goes.</p>
<p>To TheDad, my daughter's academic (and general overall) profile is as follows: SAT 1380, ACT 31, 10th in her class of 330 with a 3.9 GPA. Strong in math, science and art. She is in the IB program at her school. She is smart, but doesn't always try that hard and she knows it. Good teachers motivate her, even in subjects that she otherwise does not care for. She abhors teachers who are lazy or give "busy work" and often will not perform well for them, even in her best subjects. She is also very active in sports and community service. She is also a "rah rah" cheerleader type with lots of school spirit. She hates pretense and is turned off completely by people who are "fake". She has a strong need to feel a part of wherever she ends up. </p>
<p>Her top choices under consideration right now in addition to LMU are USC, Emory, Yale and Northwestern (I know, there is no similarity between them, yet she likes them all--a lot). She has already decided not to attend the large state schools where she was accepted (full ride, honors program) because of the impersonal environment. She also believes that this is a time in her life to do something different, try something new. However, I know that she has difficulty with change. </p>
<p>And thank you for the offer to be a guide and resource. If she does make this choice, I may take you up on it. Now, seeing her profile, do you have any additional thoughts?</p>
<p>Carolyn, so you and your daughter have seen Peoria? While it is not a bad place to live, it is so completely different than what you must be accustomed to. </p>
<p>Be careful with the financial aid department at LMU. The folks there completely screwed up things for my son. A phone call did not resolve things at all, and in fact I found the people there very rude. I sent an email to the admissions director, and he did not bother to respond.</p>
<p>By LMU standards (though not CC standards!), my son would have been top notch: 4.3 gpa, 1400 SAT, 8 AP courses (nothing lower than a 4 on the exams so far). To top it off, his mom and I are both graduates of LMU. </p>
<p>I was very disappointed with the treatment that we received from LMU.</p>