<p>I'm considering going to LMU next year because I'd like to secure a job in LA after college, but a couple things I heard are keeping me from being completely satisfied with my decision... I've heard that there are a lot of rich, white people who go there, but is there at least big presence of minorities there? I don't really want a college that's too into greek life and designer sweats and filled with bros and Malibu barbies. I understand it's a medium-sized private school, but I want to know if there are at least people from different backgrounds/ethnicities with a wide range of interests there. Are these stereotypes true? And is everyone pretty accepting of non-caucasians like Asians?</p>
<p>The Asians won’t have a problem. A strange thing I’ve noticed at LMU is that even the “white” students at LMU have an interest in Asian pacific studies. Plus, asians aren’t exactly the poster group for underprivileged minorities. </p>
<p>As for the other minorities LMU has one of the highest graduation rates for it’s Hispanic students and there are multiple intercultural clubs on campus.</p>
<p>My D is at LMU and I would call it very well diversified. She has close friends across the gamut.</p>
<p>We are paying the big bucks because we feel it is one of the most diverse (with regard to "URM’s) schools in the West. Unless you can get into Stanford.</p>
<p>With only a 51% white student body, 74% of students who applied for financial aid, and 79% judged to have need…I don’t think you need to fear those rich white people. You may, however, be disturbed by the lack of diversity in footwear.</p>
<p>Yes, those fashion boots are the great equalizer. Seriously, it is pretty diverse for an expensive school, they really have made an effort to diversify their student body in many ways.</p>
<p>@busdriver, yeah, I’m paying full retail for my D, so someone can thank me later.</p>
<p>I love boots, maybe that’s a southern california thing.</p>
<p>I’ll thank you right now, jamestg, cause my d is paying about what it would cost us in state in Washington for UW. Do you feel like you are getting the full value of full retail, I feel she’s getting a great opportunity? D wouldn’t be there if she hadn’t worked hard in high school to make her desirable. She’s also lucky she is a minority at LMU, white rural red headed out-of-state female film student. The subject of over-priced schooling in America isn’t for this thread, but I do think LMU has made an effort to create economic,racial and social diversity.</p>
<p>jtmoney, Yes, it has been a wonderful experience for her and worth every penny. The dilemma that I’m now faced with, however, is that my S has now been accepted, with honors, at LMU. It’s in his top four. He’s been offered a 50% ride at another private school, and $12K at a couple others. </p>
<p>I’m honestly happy that my DW and I have the resources to put our D through at full price and help make it possible for some great kids to attend LMU when they otherwise would not be able to. (Well, maybe happy’s not the right word.) But, seriously, $110K per year to have two qualified kids at the same University (and the same one my DW was undergrad and Loyola Law grad!) is a tad unsettling. So, we’ll wait to see for merit aid. Fortunately, S has been accepted to nine other fabulous institutions and he’ll do well wherever he chooses.</p>
<p>Finally, I want to reiterate, so as not to hijack the OP’s thread, diversity at LMU is great and my D brings friends home from all races and cultures. And we cherish the time with her and her friends…</p>
<p>@jamestg, one year away from the same dilemma, good luck to you and I hope we score some merit aid, or in state it will be. @Katmo, don’t worry about diversity, it is there.</p>
<p>I recently visited LMU and I would say it is diverse. For a private school it is pretty good. I am applying for fall 2012 as a transfer from a four year university in new york.</p>
<p>LMU is in the heart of Los Angeles and represents students from every walk of life and all manner of countries, ethnicities, races, orientations, etc. As a liberal, Jesuit institution (not an oxymoron, remarkably) the university has a huge commitment to diversity. Check out [For</a> Students](<a href=“http://www.lmu.edu/about/diversity/intercultural/Diversity_Resources/For_Students.htm]For”>http://www.lmu.edu/about/diversity/intercultural/Diversity_Resources/For_Students.htm). There is an entire division of the university that works on diversity. I heard a panel of students from every persuasion (race, religion, LGBT, etc.) speak about a year back. Impressive how inclusive students’ experiences of LMU were. OK, the boots. Yes, they wear them but as part of fashion, not part of being the 1%.</p>
<p>Some things I’ve observed as a freshman at LMU:</p>
<p>-The students here are generally very fit and healthy. Most people I know go to the gym regularly, and it definitely shows. Thin girls are a common sight. </p>
<ul>
<li>There aren’t as many rich kids as you would think. I always hear friends discussing good deals on clothes and whatnot. Most students have some sort of financial aid as far as I know. </li>
</ul>
<p>-People dress nicely. This isn’t a sweatpants, baggy sweatshirt type of school. Most people are fashion-forward. Brandy Melville is a popular store amongst female students. Most guys are preppy, California types; think polo shirts and khaki pants. </p>
<p>-Minorities are represented, but tend to congregate together. For example, there are Black and Latino organizations whose students frequently become friends with each other almost exclusively. Asians are also pretty well-represented. </p>
<p>That being said, no one is really going to judge you if you prefer to not wear the trendiest clothes or work out every day. LMU is a friendly, accepting place where anyone could fit in. Oh, and the “malibu barbie” thing doesn’t really exist here. I don’t often seen fake tans, students here are usually much classier.</p>
<p>"-Minorities are represented, but tend to congregate together. For example, there are Black and Latino organizations whose students frequently become friends with each other almost exclusively"</p>
<p>Must be true, but absolutely not my son’s experience. His Facebook photos are like the cover of a college’s view book.</p>