<p>On the last of the "recon" college trips we took in Thomas Aquinas College, Cal Lutheran, and had an interview at Scripps.</p>
<p>Thomas Aquinas is a unique institution. They are located in a somewhat isolated location near Santa Paula. They have a total enrollment of 340 student and have a "great books" curriculum. </p>
<p>The campus is lovely, as they have only been in existence since 1971 and they are still adding facilities. </p>
<p>The main thing about this institution is that you have to be committed to this type of education with a capital "C". There is no wi-fi and the rooms are not wired, as they do not believe this helps with the education they are trying to impart. The upshot is they are training minds. Everyone studies the same material to facilitate discussions in and out of the class room. </p>
<p>You have to be all in for this type of education (which is taught in a very Catholic atmosphere). There is a curfew, single sex dorms, and a dress code. The teachers are referred to as "tutors" as they mainly facilitate the discussions in the classroom based on the readings. They are big on the "Socratic" method here.</p>
<p>A lot of the graduates go on to graduate work, medical and law schools. Like I said you really have to be all in for this type of educational experience. My D will give it a pass.</p>
<p>Thomas Aquinas sounds very interesting, not that my S would be interested, the rules would turn him off. But, I have always thought he would thrive in a place that does the classical education type of thing.</p>
<p>If you are interested in the Great Books Program, and want fewer rules: St. John’s of Annapolis, and St. John’s of Santa Fe have them-- and it’s the only major at each campus. </p>
<p>If you want a great books program with less rules then Thomas Aquinas, and that is on a regular college campus: St. Mary’s of California has a great books program called “The Integral Program” it’s based on the one at St. John’s. I believe that the University of San Francisco also has a 4 year program, sorry, I can’t recall the name of the program there…maybe "the Ignatious -----???'</p>
<p>There are also several colleges that offer a 2 year Great Books Program. </p>
<p>For the right student, it is an excellent major.</p>
<p>One other thing I forgot to mention about TAC. From what the counselor said, they have a very proactive Financial Aid dept there. Their goal is to ensure that no student graduates with more than $15,000 in debt. After the horror stories about the enormous load some students burden themselves with it was refreshing.</p>
<p>Cal Lutheran. Located in Thousand Oaks, and while not quite as new an institution as TAC, there are many new facilities on campus, with more to come (new field coming in 2011 for one thins). The dorm rooms are gorgeous, and are all Suites! Housing is guaranteed for the four years on campus. They all have wi-fi, cable and phone voice mail available. There are about 2,300 undergraduates on campus.</p>
<p>Classrooms are hi tech, and the grounds are just lovely. They have a very good international studies program, which is what my D was looking for in a school. The length of studies can vary from a year, to a semester, to just a few weeks at the end of a related class. The academics program seems sound as well.</p>
<p>For us parents, the have a very generous merit aid program, and something I had not yet run across: A matching aid package. If the student accepted to either UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Santa Barabara, or UCLA, Cal Lutheran will take the average cost of those colleges and match it! You get a scholarship that reduces their tuition to that amount. Nice.</p>
<p>After this trip this college is now on of D’s favorites (with this kind of aid its one of mine too)</p>
<p>We visited CalLu a couple of years ago. Beautiful grounds, stunning cathedral. Sounds like they must have renovated the dorms since our visit. They weren’t offering what geek_son was looking for academically, but it was a lovely place with wonderful people.</p>
<p>On the way there, our “check engine” light turned on. I asked someone in the Admission office if there was a mechanic nearby. She brought someone else up to the front who recommended her shop, called ahead, and gave me detailed directions. The shop rolled out the red carpet and didn’t charge us a thing to diagnose the problem (just a missing gas cap) and reset the car’s computer to shut off the light (normally about $150 for the dealership to do it).</p>
<p>I remember thinking, Wow, this is how they treat people here… what a great community. :)</p>
I don’t understand your response - my response had nothing to do with religion. I didn’t elaborate but my response was directed at the restrictions imposed on the students. I don’t think many students of any religion would find this restrictive atmosphere appealing but if someone does and chooses to go there then good for them. Since it’s been operating since 1971 and only has 340 students it indicates it’s either very limiting on who or how many they accept or not very many choose to go there. Admittedly the only thing I know about the school is what the OP stated.</p>
<p>If you don’t like what I posted feel free to ignore it.</p>
<p>TAC has a maximum enrollment of 350 students. The school will not “grow” even if applications increase. The small community is intended as part of the unique atmosphere.
TAC is a selective school with average SAT 1900±-they do turn away applicants every year. I believe TAC has the highest yield rate (accepted applicants who enroll) of any LAC (not counting the military academies). </p>
<p>It is true that a student would not just randomly add TAC to his/her list. Only people who are really into this unusual academic program and who understand the campus atmosphere/rules would bother applying.(Application is free, but requires multiple essays.)</p>
<p>You could compare this to any small religious school, and also the military academies-- Most people don’t want to go to schools like these, but those who do are sure of their choice and know what they are getting into.</p>
<p>TAC was also reviewed in a book called “Cool Colleges”. It is definitely a different kind of school, and one that wouldn’t suit the vast majority of what most students are seeking in a college experience.</p>
<p>For those that want this, then it’s all good.</p>
<p>If you want something different, don’t apply. </p>
<p>Would have to agree with GeekMom about the welcoming environment of Cal Lutheran. I guess an overnight/class visit during senior year will be in order to check if my D thinks it is a fit. Looks very nice.</p>
<p>They were setting up for their annual Shakespeare festival. They have a troupe that performs every year and has other activites as well</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids: We visited SCU with my S (HS '09) during his college search, but not recently. We are probably going to their open house during the fall. I am also an alum (class of '79), but not on her primary list right now. We have not visited LMU, and I do not know whether this will get on her radar as well.</p>
<p>S and I visited Whittier College on Monday this week and both really liked it. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Sadly, there were very few students on campus, so we didn’t get a sense of the student population/vibe, but S was invited back during term time for an overnight in the dorms and the chance to sit in on a class or two. Very small, private (expensive) LAC with Quaker origins but no religious affiliation any longer except for a nice residual Friends-conscious sensibility. Wonderful facilities; a mix of graceful, old architecture and some high tech modern IT/Library stuff. Gorgeous theater. Division III Sports. (S doesn’t care about that. Runs X Country.) Driving there through LA from Ventura county, all I could imagine was more ugly grey concrete, but as we turned off the freeway and headed into the town of Whittier, you got the feeling of old California, big trees lining the streets, craftsman-style houses, and -big surprise- a lovely small university where students are not anonymous. Thought you might be interested…</p>
<p>My daughter goes to LMU and loves it… I hope you check it out. It’s a beautiful campus with great diversity and small class sizes… Good luck on your search.</p>