<p>Hi Parents/students...............HS junior son is zeroing in on LMU as his number 1 choice.</p>
<p>He would like to major in education (with Physics/Math emphasis) or do a regular major and get a teachers cert.</p>
<p>I am curious on finding out a bit more on this college, we have done a drive through there as we had very little time when we went to drop off S1 at USC. Have read up on some reviews here and other blogs.</p>
<p>GPA/SAT wise he is within the top 75%, so he should be able to gain admissions there. He is into community service (mainly teaching).</p>
<p>Basically looking to get some first hand info and also how is its reputation in CA. Thanks.</p>
<p>I know its expensive but perhaps some merit aid would sweeten the deal.</p>
<p>LMU is well regarded in our central coast community. It is a popular destination for students who don’t want to go to far from home. I would say that for many of the students it might have been their 2nd choice behind USC. I don’t know anyone who is an education major. Popular majors seem to be business and film.</p>
<p>My son graduated last year and really enjoyed his time there. He has made great friends and was able to do a double major and play a varsity sport. It is important to get involved which is easy to do. A lot of kids go home on the weekends, but there are still a lot left to hang out with. The food is great and the sophomore housing is really nice. The freshmen housing is just basic. It is costly though, probably close to the cost of USC. Let me know if I can answer any questions.</p>
<p>The new library is beautiful and always full of students.</p>
<p>S2 is the kind to get involved, he will be an international student (U.S citizen), so he will have to stay on campus on the weekends.</p>
<p>He is looking to perhaps double major too, with the teaching angle included. So far that is his goal. He is also showing a lot of promise in Physics.</p>
<p>I am aware the cost of attending LMU is high, thats a bit of an issue since we are paying full ride for S1 at USC. But, its not going to be a deal breaker.</p>
<p>I am wondering if he will fit in there. He has always attended international schools, is outgoing but not over the top social. He likes to hang out with a small group of people. As long as people as friendly he should be ok.</p>
<p>LMU is a Jesuit institution. They love future teachers – and Lord knows we all need good teachers in the physics and/or math fields. Jesuit institutions are also very big on community service – they aim to develop men and women for others and students who strive for the greater good, with a life long disposition to serve. (“To those that have been given much, much is expected”)</p>
<p>Make sure your S looks at the scholarships they offer. (Caveat: the international standing may prohibit…) I believe the Arrupe scholarship rewards community service.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about your S fitting in. LMU is in LA…fairly multi cultural; although a fair amount of CA kids…most of whom are quite used to a wide variety of ethnicities.
It’s a smaller university, so not as apt to get lost in the crowd.</p>
<p>Faculty: Jesuit institutions are not known for having marginal instructors. Like any school, there are fabulous teachers and some one may not be thrilled with.</p>
<p>I know about 20 kids who are there or have graduated from there. (Unfortunately, my kids opted for to go back East !) Very satisfied kids --and parents.</p>
<p>The beautiful campus and terrific location: bonus!</p>
<p>Hi Pixeljig. I know a little about LMU. S went there for some summer sessions at various sports camps, and then again for CTY.</p>
<p>The sports facilities and fields are absolutley fabulous. S said he got bored with the food after a time. He was a commuter to CTY so no comments on the living facilities.</p>
<p>The campus is very nice and in a good location. If your S likes the beach, it’s not very far away. Ditto LAX (international airport) although not as noisy as you’d think, given it’s location. Marina Del Rey is just down the road a piece as well, lots to see and do there.</p>
<p>I happen to know a biology prof at LMU. She’s very happy there. Last Sunday, she said there was an open house that she needed to be at. I think it’s neat that the faculty is involved this way.</p>
<p>I’ve known students who got business degrees from LMU and were pleased with the experience. In contrast to USC, it’s much smaller, more intimate. No college football, but in the past their basketball team was pretty competitive.</p>
<p>I have a friend who’s D is majoring in film and minoring in acting at LMU. She is very happy at the school. </p>
<p>My D had a couple of friends that applied to LMU last year, but chose different schools because of cost to attend. As others have said it is a nice campus in a great location.</p>
<p>Thank you all. Yup our HS tells us that as U.S Citizens kids are able to get merit aid. S1 got merit aid offers from 3 other colleges, but he decided to attend USC.</p>
<p>S2 will gladly go with a merit aid offer but his SAT/ACT scores wont likely be as strong as S1’s. We have to see.</p>
<p>My D is a junior in the education school, headed to being a teacher. She has been very happy there and is getting an excellent education. The program gets them a BA and a teaching credential (California) in four years, which is great-- but to do that means no semester abroad and sticking to a pretty focused curriculum. She’s already had some good classroom experience, and will be a full-time student teacher the second semester of her senior year.</p>
<p>And she says the Ed School needs boys!!! </p>
<p>He might well get merit aid if his stats are in the top end. They will like that he’s a male applying for a Liberal Studies (code for education) major.</p>
<p>As for the culture, it’s fairly Cal-preppy and clean-cut. A party scene but not out of control at all. There’s room for all types (my D is very involved in the Gay-Straight Alliance), but it skews pretty mainstream. Very nice people, and quality of professors generally very high, with plenty of personal attention. There are some suitcase kids, but there’s enough going on during the weekends. </p>
<p>As for job placement, LMU’s new teachers do very well in the California market-- the school is highly respected for its education program. I’m not sure how it’s viewed elsewhere… my D intends to stay in Southern California to teach, after getting a fifth-year masters’.</p>