<p>I have spent the past couple of weeks trying to decide between going to Loyola Marymount University and Reed College. I always thought that no matter my financial circumstances I would got to Reed if accepted. It has a very different academic environment than LMU and many other universities that I have researched. I loved reading about a college where students hang out in the library and are very close to the professors. As someone from a small school and my academic backrground, that is really important to me. However, LMU is offering me a full ride while Reed is offering me significantly less. I'm just wondering if it is worth giving up a full ride to LMU to go to Reed. I don't want to spend a lot of money on my undergrad education when I know I will be applying to grade school. Furthermore, I have gotten into the Honors Program at LMU and LMU is participating in a research project that I an interested in.</p>
<p>tough one. full ride at a great school is hard to turn down. have you visited LMU? Do you like the feel of the school, kids, location, academic programs?</p>
<p>the “personality” of Reed and Oregon is very different than LA. You might want to read Princeton Reviews student “take” on each of the schools. Or check out College ******* for the same thing. </p>
<p>what is your personality and style?</p>
<p>I have been to LMU three times (campus tour, open house, and presidential weekend). I have mixed feelings about LMU. When I was around students and staff in the biology department, I felt like I could be happy at LMU because it may not be a top research university but the students still engaged in a lot of research with their professors. However, it does not seem like the whole student body feels as passionate about learning as seems to be the case at Reed. For me, the most important thing is the quality of education that LMU can afford me and that is what worries me. I am not sure that it is as great as Reed, UCLA, and UC Berkeley (all places that I have been accepted to). But again, how can you turn down a full ride to a school that is definitely not so bad?</p>
<p>I would agree that LMU is a notch below UCLA, Berkeley and Reed, academically and prestige wise. There is NO doubt about the prestige and reputation of UCLA and Berkeley - they are considered top in the nation. What LMU offers different from the UCs is the small class experience and working directly with professors and NO TA’s. There are often more opportunities for research due to the small size. If you are going to grad school, these professors can provide very strong recommendations and really speak to your skill set because they know you personally. </p>
<p>The gal who gave us our tour at LMU just a few weeks ago was from out of state. She also was accepted to UCLA and Berkeley, and was accepted into the honors program at LMU. She turned those schools down for LMU and is very happy. She is a psych major who wants to go to med school. She has 3 advisors - one for Psych, one for Pre-med, one for Honors, and thinks each of their input is invaluable to her, especially so since it is so important for her to have exactly the right classes to get into med school. I thought it was very interesting. At LMU, you matter, you are not just a number at a huge public university. Maybe you could call the Admissions office and ask about this gal who is one of their tour guides (think she is a Sophomore, from Montana) and maybe you could contact her. She might give you some insight. </p>
<p>Reed is a bit of a different animal. I am not that familiar with the school, but remember researching it a couple of years ago. You would get the same small school, small class size, low teacher to student ratio as LMU. I remember reading back then that the students at Reed were VERY studious, and frankly very intense. I think they may have been on the Princeton Review list of where students study the hardest, and maybe even smoke weed the most. Think it is a laid back, almost hippy type atmosphere, but with very serious students. But, I have never been there, so that was only my impression from my little bit of research. Have you visited Reed? Is it the PERFECT fit for you? I am not convinced that it is as academically prestigious as you think it is. More so than LMU, yes, but that much more so?</p>
<p>It is often what I call the “Murphy’s Law” of college admissions that the school you want to attend the most is the most difficult - in your case, difficult financially. Many of my daughter’s friends had to make their decision based on the cost of the school and the scholarship packages offered. Most people cannot afford the school of their dreams.</p>
<p>It is also true that even if someone got into Stanford, Harvard, etc. with the “best” education that they just might not be happy there. So, “fit” and comfort and personality of the school are important factors in your happiness, and therefore ultimately, your education. If you think you will be miserable and unhappy at LMU, it is not worth the full ride.</p>
<p>One option may be to go to LMU for the first year, with the thought that perhaps you could transfer your second year to Reed if you do not like LMU. You might want to call Reed and have an honest discussion with an Admission Counselor. You could always ask if there is any chance of increased Scholarships from Reed (never hurts to ask, or send an impassioned email as to why you want to go to Reed, what YOU will contribute to Reed, and ask if they can increase financial aid). Ask Reed what would be the process (if you were miserable at your full ride school) to transfer in Sophomore year? Would you be given priority since you were admitted as a Freshman? Would the LMU credits transfer? See if you can find out how plausible it is. I know many private schools will hold your application open for a year or two, in case you change your mind. </p>
<p>If you think you will be happy at LMU, you could go there, and having the info and option to transfer to Reed your second year, might just give you the safety cushion you need to relax, and give LMU a shot. If there is a substantial amount of money at stake (and it sounds like there is) then you might want to try this. As I said above, many, many, many kids pick a college based on “price”.</p>
<p>Good luck to you in your decision. Is there an adult who knows you well who you can bounce this off of? A Guidance Counselor at school? A friend’s parent, or of course, your parents? Post here and let us know what you decide!</p>
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<p>I think Reed is quite a bit more academically prestigious than a place like LMU. If you look at figures such as PhD productivity, number of Fulbright and Rhodes Scholarships winners among other things, Reed would be in quite a rarefied group of colleges. </p>
<p>You say you’re interested in Biology and I’m not sure if you have your eye on medical school, but if you do, then the full ride is important as you can save up for medical school. However, if you’re interested in pursuing doctoral studies, I’d safely say that Reed would do a better job at placing you at a fully financially covered PhD programme.</p>
<p>One thing to be aware of-- Reed has lots of academic requirements- major requirements, departmental requirements, college requirements. My daughter managed to squeeze in a semester abroad, but she is a good planner. You might check on this-- the science majors at Reed have a pretty rigorous time of it.</p>