I agree - they should be forthcoming. It is a challenging year for admissions, but they need to have clear intentions and let their prospectives know.
Can’t truly expect any certain outcomes in the game of college applications/merit, but it does mean a great deal to hard-working students for sure, and many parents want to guide expectations based on the projected financials.
80…90k: Honestly just on principle alone feels…disheartening. Our daughter will likely be off, happily, to a college in the midwest. No massive ongoing fires or shutdowns, fitting culture & mission, excellent merit. Makes sense & is a decision we can feel really good about, not to take away from Pepperdine’s best attributes, but… Hbu?
We totally are struggling sending our daughter at that cost. It feels “wrong”. I think we will end up going ahead and sending her, but it isn’t an easy decision at all. Best of luck to your daughter!
@Swammom@Branfan Hey guys! Just wanted to clear some things up for you, I’m assuming you might not be from the state of California. All colleges announced that they would be “test blind” for class of 2021 seniors because entering tests would have given an unfair advantage to some, since so many kids were unable to take the tests due to the covid shutdowns here - myself included. Thus, your test scores wouldn’t have been considered for scholarships either! It was a big thing in California, so this situation was not a surprise to me at all. It kind of had to be done since so many kids weren’t even given the option to take tests during covid. Your daughter had an amazing score though!
@snertles Thanks for the info. I actually had heard about test blind for the state schools in CA. I think the difference is they said they were test blind and would not accept scores from students. Whereas Pepperdine said they were test optional, and kids can send in scores to be considered in their application. Since they never said they would not look at the scores for scholarships, I think some people are frustrated. If they had stated clearly that test scores will only be used for acceptance, not scholarships, then there would be no confusion.
Also, congrats on your acceptance!! Hope it works out for you to go. My daughter is crazy excited!
Will I be considered for merit aid if I don’t submit test scores?
All students will be considered for merit aid. The following components will be factored into consideration for merit aid: a student’s unweighted and recalculated GPA, demonstrated course rigor, standardized test scores (if submitted), and overall strength as an applicant, as determined by the admission committee.
Again, hopefully for next years kiddos they change the wording and make it clear.
I got the $36k Seaver Scholarship; I was soo surprised!!!
CA resident
admitted for sports medicine
no interview; no sat/act
UW: 4.00 W: 4.61
I think I wrote a decent essay & had strong letter of rec
Some ecs: 8 years of competitive dance w/ 2 notable awards; 3 years of aerial arts; started & co-manage a small business; volunteered at a physical therapy place; some volunteering w/ my church; leadership board on ambassadors program
Baylor has quickly moved to the top of my daughter’s list, too! They have been very generous with scholarships and aid that makes it much more affordable than Pepp.
Some of our CofC friends’ kids chose SMU and Baylor over Pepperdine for undergrad. The Baylor ones are on a good path. The SMU one is now at Pepp Law. There are at least two from our church currently at Pepp undergrad.
Disappointing that it was closed last fall but all CA schools were. At least I know USC was. We considered Pepp for our daughter but it would have been for track. I’d enjoy visiting someday. The Pepp Lectures are famous.
Have you visited Baylor? We absolutely fell in love with the campus and people during our visit, and Baylor quickly moved to the top of my daughter’s list. Before our visit, she wasn’t even seriously considering Baylor. Baylor offers everything my daughter liked about Pepperdine plus exciting football.
We’re only 90 minutes from Waco (in Austin). We have had THREE different visits scheduled that have all had to be canceled for (mostly covid) reasons. Fingers crossed - we’re scheduled to visit President’s Day. And yes, having football is a big win for her! No beach and beautiful views - but the price is so much more reasonable than Pepp.
Yes, and honestly it is just too soon for my dd to make any decisions until she hears back from all of her options. I wonder why they would even send that out?
My daughter committed to Pepperdine last night! It was a tough decision, with her never having seen the campus, but she knew deep in her heart it is where she’s supposed to go.
How’s everyone else doing? Anyone else made a decision yet?
My daughter has not committed but we did visit campus a few years ago and it is magnificent. How can you beat that Malibu view? Also, everywhere we went on our campus tour, people knew our tour guide and were so friendly. It is a very inviting campus. I am sure she will be very happy there!!!
Thank you! We did drive to Malibu for the weekend, last month, so she could check out the area. She loved it!
We only live two hours away, and she loves the beach, so it’s perfect for her.