<p>Pepperdine on your resume will definitely carry more weight than SDSU</p>
<p>This is what I hear from kids that were my students last year...take it for what it's worth.
SDSU: big, party school, hard to get classes but social and fun.</p>
<p>Pepperdine: Pricey, boring on weekends, Weird vibe and get this one-don't like the hilliness of the school. I hear all kinds of stuff!</p>
<p>LMU: mixed views here. One family got a low aid package and went pack twice to financial aid and got more $$. A few kids feel it's a continuation of high school, others like it.</p>
<p>USD: My students like this but it is pricey too. Many kids from our HS go here so it does have that feeling. Good academics but some complain the place empties out (to SDSU perhaps) on the weekend.</p>
<p>University of Portland: Don't be so fast to dismiss this school. Kids really like it here. Fun city and good academics.</p>
<p>You asked what I would do...Doesn't matter. I think you know what you want to do and you should do it. I hate to see kids who come back to visit at Christmas and don't want to return to school because they made the wrong choice. They went where they thought they should go and not where they wanted. </p>
<p>I'd wait until all the letters were in and all the aid packages were in front of me and then I would narrow it down to a few and go and visit OVER NIGHT to those schools and then decide. A lot changes when you spend 36-48 hours some place.</p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p>socal, sorry to post offtopic. if you are not ok with it, please let me know and i will make a new post.</p>
<p>I am interested in Univ. of Portland for EE major (with a final goal of doing masters in semiconductors). How good (or bad) is their EE program? Does it foster innovative thinking (in assignments and tests) or is it purely bookish?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I don't think that SDSU vs. Pepperdine is a debate if cost of tuition isn't an issue for you....I think that Pepperdine is the clear choice. I would definitely go for USD if you really do want to be in San Diego though.</p>
<p>I'm comparing these schools as if they were both affordable. Pepperdine seems pretty good with financial aid, but you never know what kind of aid you're going to get.</p>
<p>But anyways, Pepperdine looks like the clear choice, but I feel SDSU is a better fit for me. I think the only way to figure this one out is to spend a night on Pepperdine's campus.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>wow.....interesting thought process there:</p>
<p>Indiana, Miami, FSU, UPortland, Pepperdine and SDSU. Sort of all over the place geographically and otherwise.</p>
<p>Pepperdine is much more academically oriented than SDSU. Its also respected more by employers. But why do you think Miami will reject you and Pepperdine will take you? FSU also has some strong points and some good programs, but its like SDSU and party central with a rowdy greek scene. I agree with CGarrett, that U San Diego is a great school and much more academically oriented than SDSU. Other than the gray skies and rain in Portland I wouldnt be so quick to snub U Portland either. Its a very good school with a rigorous academic environment. </p>
<p>Everyone is different, but I always favor the academics over party scene.</p>
<p>As for Indiana, I dont know where that came from with you and why, though it has a respected music school.</p>
<p>When I made my list I liked schools that have big sports, in fun cities, warm weather, by the beach...and pretty much USC and UMiami were the best options. I concluded I had no chance at USC, so I didn't apply, and UMiami was my best option. </p>
<p>I then looked into other warm, huge, sports, party schools and I liked Florida State and ASU. I decided I like FSU better so I applied there, and not to ASU. I also needed an instate school and SDSU was my best option...because UCSB doesn't have my major and I have no chance at UCLA. </p>
<p>I then took a visit to Pepperdine because my friend went on a tour there, and I really wanted to see the campus. I really liked the school and the campus was amazing. And the location was great too. So then I looked into LMU and USD bc they were similar to Pepperdine. I decided LMU and Pepperdine were best for me, bc I'm interested in the entertainment and sports field...and LA is a great place to be.</p>
<p>Then I applied to UPortland, because they sent me a free application with no essay...so I applied.</p>
<p>And then I became really interested in schools in college towns. I realized that a college town would be really fun, and would be nice to be strictly in a college community. I looked into Indiana, Penn State, CU-Boulder, Iowa, and Washington State...and Indiana is the best by far. And since I plan on majoring in business their program is top 10 in the country.</p>
<p>So while my list is kind of all over the place...I'd rather have multiple types of schools and locations then a whole bunch of the same schools. After one year, your interests can change.</p>
<p>Well...that is your story and you are sticking to it, right? LOL. </p>
<p>Those schools are highly diverse in programs and even in sports. Are you a Catholic, because you have a few Catholic schools in the mix. </p>
<p>I suppose that you really won't know until you have your acceptance letters in hand, or a different response. And you seem like you have definite opinions formed about various schools, so I just wonder why you posted the original question then. Undergrad business schools are not as important as MBA schools and if you are a business major, then an MBA is really very essential to 'get ahead' even if it is after a few years of working. FYI, Indiana ranks 24th for MBA schools, behind Purdue and Ohio State and USC. University of Washington ranks 29th. ASU 41st. But you know the big names in MBA schools no doubt and what it takes to get in, so work hard as an undergrad and stay away from the party crowd.</p>
<p>Indiana ranks 6th for its MBA program in Entrepreneurship, I note.</p>
<p>A MBA isn't necessary, job experience is much more important. And for companies like ESPN, Big 10 Network, MTV, E!, and FOX...understanding the industry is way more beneficial, than spending time in the classroom.</p>
<p>And connections are perhaps the most important thing...so the school I attend does have influence on my future career.</p>
<p>So cal. I am a mom so this was a while ago. I was admitted to Pepperdine way back when, but the religious thing and the smallness of the school was not very appealing TO ME. I got into USD, went there but then ran out of money after two years. Transferred to SDSU to finish BA, and then received Masters degree from SDSU in speech pathology. Awesome school! The alumni in the business school have their act together and do really well with their AZTEC career placements for new hires. SDSU might seem really big for some, but go for it! Here's the catch. The local news just interviewed the director of sports programs on KUSI jan 2nd. He said 63,000 students applied to SDSU, and only 8000 will be accepted. My daughter applied to SDSU (REG Decision) as a back up, and just received news that she is admitted. She has a 4.2 gpa. Before you start counting your chickens, you had better make sure you are one of the 8000. Good luck!</p>
<p>I know SDSU is getting very competitive...but how the data is worded is a bit skewed. SDSU will accept roughly 40-50% (23,000 applicants) of those 63,000 who applied, assuming only 8,000 will actually decide to enroll. </p>
<p>It definitely is on the rise...but SDSU's acceptance rate will never be 13%.</p>
<p>I just found this site today... and I am kind of in the same boat as you, except opposite. I've lived in Bloomington, Indiana my entire life (born and raised) which is where IU is located. If the ultimate college town is what you want, Bloomington is it. I seriously believe that Bloomington is one of the best places to live, for college and even for life outside of college. And IU really is a great school. They give you automatic scholarships based on test scores or GPA... they are giving me an automatic 8000 per year and I am still being considered for more scholarships, plus FAFSA, so going to school at IU will be like a free education for me.
However, I've lived in the midwest for my entire life and want to experience something new, and attending college in California has been my dream since I was little. I applied to UCLA, USC and Pepperdine. I really wish that I had applied to UC Santa Barbara but it's too late now so I don't want to dwell on it and stress myself out. Anyway, for me it's just a matter of waiting for admission decisions and scholarship offers. The only thing I have to decide is what is really important to me, and whether passing up a free college education at IU will be worth the life experience of taking out mass loans to live and attend school in California. Obviously, I don't know what living in California is like so I don't really have what it takes to make that decision. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Sorry, I realized I wasn't helpful to you at all. But IU is awesome, you should go there or any of the Big Ten schools if you're into that kind of atmosphere, I know OSU is really into their sports. As far as SDSU or Pepperdine, if you didn't apply to Pepperdine already they make you agree to a moral/behavioral conduct which includes no drungs/alcohol so I'm sure there is no partying. And from what I know about Malibu, you have to be really rich to really get anything out of living there as far as a social life goes. It seems like you're trying to find a balance of partying while in college but still going to a school that will leave room for getting a degree and getting you a job after you've had your fun. There is definitely a lot of partying at IU, a lot of my friends go there so I party with them a lot but I feel like people are pretty well rounded and can handle a keg or kami as well as their classes. I know nothing about SDSU... but San Diego is definitely a big city and Bloomington is definitely not. It seems like your list of schools are kind of all over the place because there are appeals for all of them, you should try making a list of what your top priorities are how each school measures up.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. After considering Pepperdine, I really like it, but I feel SDSU is more my environment. I'm sure if I'm dedicated enough I will have some great opportunities coming from SDSU...so right now I'm thinking I like SDSU better.</p>
<p>And revolcgirl, you should definitely come out to California. I would for sure stay in California, if I could get into UCLA or USC...but I can't. And I have been to all three of those campuses, so I'll do my best to answer any of your questions.</p>
<p>revolcgirl you may be able to add schools to your UC app.</p>
<p>UC application deadline was Nov 30 :(</p>
<p>I know, but if you submitted an app., you can add schools if they have room.</p>
<p>University</a> of California - Admissions</p>
<p>Making Changes After You Submit</p>
<p>If you decide to apply to additional UC campuses, send a written request to the application processing service at this address:</p>
<p>University of California Undergraduate Application Processing Service
P.O. Box 4010
Concord, CA 94524-4010 </p>
<p>You must include: </p>
<p>Application ID number
Social Security Number
New campus name(s)
Major(s) to which you wish to apply
Check or money order for $60 for each additional campus ($70 for international applicants), payable to The Regents of the University of California.
You may not substitute new campus choices for your original choices. Your request will be honored only if the campuses you choose still have space available. The processing service will notify you about whether your application was accepted. Do not submit a second application form; it will not be processed.</p>
<p>Hi. Pepperdine, contrary to popular perception, is VERY hard to get into. They have, if I recall correctly, a 28% acceptance rate. I think LMU has more like 50%, which has deferred you.</p>
<p>Why do you think an LMU deferral will lead to a Pepperdine admission? I would not expect 5 essays to be more important that whatever led LMU to defer you. Now, 50 essay, sure admission!</p>