LMU for the outdoorsy science oriented Northern California girl?

<p>I was just wondering if any of you current students could comment on how my D may fit in at LMU.</p>

<p>She is quiet but really funny once you get to know her, loves reading, skiing, water sports and horses. She wants a college with a good community feeling, great biological sciences and an active outdoor club. She'd rather be rock climbing than at a mall.<br>
This is beginning to sound like a personal ad ;)</p>

<p>Anyway, can you picture a kid like that at LMU?</p>

<p>From what I've heard, the math/science programs at LMU are the school's weakest. It's in Los Angeles, a very large metropolis with crowded beaches but plenty of mountains and parks nearby. You just have to look for it. The campus is peaceful and beautiful, but many of the students are from Orange County and Laguna Beach. They skateboard, wear designer purses and UGGs in nice weather. Might not be the best crowd for her. Also, LMU isn't a very "social" school: many kids go home on the weekends, and parties aren't so prevelant. I don't go to LMU but I have visited and spoken to many students about their experiences. </p>

<p>Anyone can fit in wherever they want, but to me LMU sounds a little off for her from the information you gave. (Maybe you could visit and see for yourself!)</p>

<p>Have you considered U of Wisconsin, Madison? U of Colorado, Boulder? Great outdoors activities, very social and diverse schools with plenty of people to get to know.</p>

<p>thank you americanbeauty. You kind of confirmed her impressions of LMU. I think we will stop by as we will be in the area this summer.</p>

<p>She is considering several PNW schools that seem more in tuned to her preferences but we were hoping for a Southern California School that fit in w/ her stats. Thanks</p>

<p>Historymom: If you come to Southern California, I think you should give the Claremont Colleges a look. Particulary Pomona College, rather selective though, but which is very good in the sciences. Small school, but beautiful, and part of the consortium of the others in Claremont system (CMC, Scripps, Pitzer, Harvey Mudd). I know there are many planned activities to the nearby skiing/ mountain facilities, as well as to the beach. Great community spirit, etc, and super academics, great opportunities for research and study abroad (know one student who spent a couple of months studying wildlife in Arctic)
environment)</p>

<p>I agree with the above regarding LMU.</p>

<p>Thanks Sequoia. DDs are doing soccer camp at Claremont this summer and both are interested in applying to Scripps at this point. Neither has the SAT scores for Pomona. They are working at getting SAT scores up though so there may be hope :) Studying wildlife in the Arctic!!! WOW!! That sounds like a great incentive for SAT prep over the summer.</p>

<p>Historymom,</p>

<p>I think you and your daughter should come out and form your own opinions about LMU. As a freshman natural science major, I find the curriculum to be both challenging and rewarding. Of course the Sciences aren't as well known at Loyola as the Business school (top 10 I believe) or the Film school which is very well known, but by no means are they weak by any standards. </p>

<p>I think the stereotype that was previously mentioned about LMU was dead wrong. Of course there are people from southern california who people might think are "stuck up" but thats only if you WANT to see that. If you go in with the idea that all the girls are like that then that is what you will find. however to your surprise, you will see there are a large majority of girls who do not fit that description.</p>

<p>Also for me Loyola is an EXTREMELY social school. The small community feeling has been great for me because I can walk anywhere on campus and see someone I know and be able to have a conversation with them. I know a majority of people in my freshman class and have friends from all different ends of the spectrum. And as far as the partying goes, there is no problem there.</p>

<p>P.S. The freshman dorm Rosecrans has an outdoor club that goes on trips such as rock climbing, rafting, skiing, snowboarding, and surfing. Plenty of outdoors type things.</p>

<p>-Joe</p>

<p>Thanks Joe! LMU will definitely be one of our stops this summer. Goodness, I hope I didn't give the impression that I thought that LMU girls were "stuck up". I don't. My D didn't have that impression either she just wanted to get an idea about how she might fit in there.</p>