I think a lot of people apply to LMU chasing merit. When they don’t get enough they pick something more affordable. It’s also a safety for more “prestigious” privates.
Yield in theory is the best way to judge prestige, but because some schools have 50% of their class admitted through ED it ends up not very valuable.
Over the years, I’ve been to the SCU campus a gazillion times, most often for sporting events, either ones that I coached or attended. D just visited not too long ago, during Covid, without students on campus or buildings being open. The flaw for D is that it’s close to home and it’s also not at the top of her list.
Santa Clara County has moved from “purple” (very bad) to “red” (bad) and things have opened a bit here locally. Hopefully, we’re moving now in the right direction for students to come back to campus for the Spring semester.
Why choose SCU? It’s an “up and comer” in the middle of Silicon Valley with great facilities and great access to San Jose International airport and local transportation.
@NateandAllisMom In the last 5 years, the amount of apps, acceptances and enrolled for SCU has remained relatively constant for our local public HS. I’d expect it to remain the same for 2021.
My other D attends Michigan and I watch and post on the Michigan forum. In terms of the Michigan waitlist, 89 students were offered admission from the waitlist. “I’ll bet the farm” that all 89 of the acceptances were OOS. I don’t think anyone in-state came off the Michigan waitlist here on CC. I think in 2020, more students elected to stay closer to home.
@AlwaysMoving Our college counselors suggest LMU to lots of kids for exactly what you said, a sort-of safety/likely (for high stats kids, Pre-covid), with merit. Our older S’s friend went there but transferred saying it was hard to make friends (he’s a really outgoing kid, so that’s a little odd). I think I remember reading a while ago that local kids might go home on weekends, so that’s something you might want to check, @homerdog.
For those whose kids have taken the SAT/ACT this last month or two, what did they have the kids do with their phones? When my son took the SAT before Covid, the proctor collected everyone’s phones and put them in a bucket till after the test. My son got a seat for next week’s SAT and he is wondering about the phone situation with Covid now. He doesn’t relish the thought of his phone sitting in a bucket with a bunch of other dirty phones during Covid. 
Maybe he should just hide it in the car?
I am not doing the FAFSA since it is not required for the merit. @ChillyCow, D kept her phone in the car.
I’ve heard that about LMU. And then I’ve also heard the flip side that it’s so easy to make friends! I wonder if any school that has a large percentage of kids from the area would have this problem. Hard to believe that college kids would want to go home for a weekend though. I do believe it could be a downside if kids know each other or if it has some southern CA vibe that ends up not resonating with D. Will likely be impossible to get a handle on that though before she’d have to decide. My brother lives in LA so I think, in general, I’m more comfortable with her there than at SCU. Hard to know what to believe and we don’t know anyone there to ask about LMU.
We do know a student at SCU and his mom is an alum. They live near us. I will definitely be calling them and getting more details if we need more later this spring.
D just put her phone and water bottle and snack in a small backpack. The proctor put all bags at the front of the room.
How are your kids handling 12th grade activities on the Common App if they are uncertain? In other words, my S21 has been in band, debate, etc. but his school is currently only open in a very limited way (freshman and seniors, half time), so there are no after-school activities.
However, with reopening proceeding, there is a thought that some activities that are usually in the fall may be pushed to the Spring and still happen.
I’m thinking we should indicate that he’s doing an activity in 12th grade if he hopes to do it and there’s still a chance that it would happen. But, he wouldn’t put in anticipated leadership roles if they aren’t certain yet (e.g., section leader in band). Does that make sense?
I would just fill them out in the way that feels most authentic/honest. If there is a fall activity that hopefully will be moved to Spring, you could say: marching band 9-11 (12 anticipated) or something like that. If he was informed at the end of last year that he would be section leader, I would list it. If the band director hasn’t made the determination yet, I would leave it off.
Well not taking her ADHD med did not effect her. One and done for ACT. She got the 36 she needed.
36 math, 36 reading, 35 science 36 grammar. She will now get BAMA’s Prez Elite!!!
Congratulations to your D @TVBingeWatcher2 So, so happy for her!
Thank you @Mwfan1921! A weight off her shoulders.
@TVBingeWatcher2 - Outstanding scores for your D!!! Congrats to her!!!
@TVBingeWatcher2, so happy for you and your D!!! All these years of work and planning are paying off! Now go do something fun (even if it’s just getting a big bowl of ice cream!)
@TVBingeWatcher2 Congratulations to your daughter!!
Thank you @inthegarden , Mint chocolate chip for her and Butter Pecon for me! thanks @123Mom123
@TVBingeWatcher2 - That is amazing! A huge congratulations to your daughter! Scores well earned and well deserved. Fantastic!
@TVBingeWatcher2 wonderful news! She’ll love Alabama!
Awesome!
@TVBingeWatcher2
That’s fantastic!!! Congratulations to your daughter!