I believe the major of interdisciplinary studies has its own specific limitations as well. It requires interests in certain subject areas, and for one to have at least a certain number of topics they want to combine from those certain subjects. Then I believe the major is focused on creating a research question based around the combination of topics, and one would spend the next 4 years focusing on that question. Ultimately, one would end up writing a senior thesis on it. That is what I have heard, but Iâm sure the major website has more details. Iâd suggest checking out the website and seeing what subject areas are involved in the major, because not every subject is. I am also not sure if students in interdisciplinary major are guaranteed some of their classes if they want to take classes under a separate major. Then those classes would typically be reserved for students who are in that declared major. Just a few things to maybe check on just to be sure! Good luck!! Iâd also say you can try reaching out to a major advisor-- they should be able to answer questions
canât in any way speak to pepperdine, but my daughter is also admitted to Cal, in the media studies major. your D may want to check out tomorrowâs cal week media studies zoom session to see if the major suits her interests. in general, berkeleyâs humanities and social sciences are stellar across the board (i attended 30 years ago, live in SF, and dozens of family friendsâ kids have attended throughout the years). https://mediastudies.ugis.berkeley.edu/
Are you Christian (evangelical)? if so, then Pepperdine is the best choice, especially wrt class sizes, advising, etc. In addition, at Berkeley, youâll need to find off campus housing.
However, they have a âChrist-centeredâ worldview and mission, which infuses the classes, the code of conduct, and the religion/chapel requirements, which is great if youâre evangelical and take your fiath seriously, but if youâre not Christian and/or arenât interested in faith, then youâd probably feel better at UCB.
Berkeleyâs lower div lectures are typically pretty large, but there are discussion sections which are smaller and more personal. You can definitely speak to advisors, but they are pretty understaffed. The key is to plan ahead and make appointments with an advisor perhaps weeks or months in advance! One thing I hear that frustrates many students is the dorm/housing situation. Berkeley typically only houses freshman, and none of the dorms are on campus. After that, you can try to apply to certain campus-run apartments, but those are hard to get into. You have to search for apartment spaces, rooms, or other forms of housing on your own and most likely sign a lease with roommates that you find on your own. Housing in Berkeley is expensive, and itâs difficult to find suitable options that are close to campus sometimes. The key here is to also start the process early, but the living situation is certainly very different from other schools!
Intended major?
Are your religious beliefs and practices a match for Pepperdine?
Thank you so much! Super helpful and gives us specific direction for who we need to sepak with today. We appreciate your input!
Went to Catholic school since first grade. So a catholic upbringing and values, but not super religious, which I understand is common for a lot of Pepperdine students. If we are wrong about that, please let us know! Thank you!
As I understand it, daily chapel time is compulsory and monitored via swipe of the students ID. I think, but could be wrong, that the religious aspect is a bit stronger than the âhigher powerâ or non-denominational concepts one might find in AA or the Boy Scouts.
Iâm sorry if this was not intended to be funny, but it made me lol.
There is not a daily requirement for services. Basically - weekly. Last year the department for that was eliminated. They will announce next month what the plan will be moving forward.
We are non-denominational and D21 is attending this Fall.
âServicesâ is an overly formal way to put it too. There havebeen a number of ways to satisfy the requirement. Like Wednesday morning gathering surfing/sup at Zuma beach⊠
Hi. Yes, we spent an hour with a student ambassador yesterday on a virtual tour and question and answer period. We heard about the 14 convocation events all students need to attend per semester, which could range from a service to a chat with your dorm suite group or other casual conversation gatherings, which was basically broken down into a 1 thing a week requirement. Pretty easy to do and a service at an outdoor amphitheater at 10 am on Wednesday or overlooking the beach seems like a great way to meet those requirements! Thanks for your response!
Pepperdine is affiliated with Churches of Christ, and religion is central to its mission: A Place of Faith | Pepperdine University | Seaver College . Note that weekly convocation (religious service) was required in non-COVID-19 times, but suspended during COVID-19: Chapel | Pepperdine University | Seaver College . Pepperdine has some religion-based student conduct rules that may not be present at other colleges: https://www.pepperdine.edu/student-life/student-code-of-conduct/standards-of-conduct/standards-seaver.htm
Iâm glad you clarified.
Suffice it to say, there is no such requirement at the vast majority of colleges and universities in the US. Regardless of how mundane it may seem on the surface, it is woven into the culture of the school. Itâs neither a better or worse thing. That simply depends on the studentâs perspective on life. It is a thing though that every applicant needs to be aware of.
I havenât contributed but am following along with popcorn - UCB and Pepperdine is a crazy final two and I love it!
UCB is much more competitive in many regards and fast paced in the grungy urban area, Pepperdine is this cuddling education next to the beautiful Pacific - so different, and both great in their own way. I have a recruited athlete so did a few visits to Pepperdine and got to know it pretty well, as a visitor anyway. I can say every one that I have met over the years, that went to Pepperdine, young and old, were lovely, well rounded, good human beings. Just very nice people. Not that UCB people arenât (ha), but that just always stands out to me when I meet someone from Pepperdine.
@CADREAMIN Hey 
Appreciate that. And I can speak on professors too â truly some of the most sincere and amazing humans Iâve ever met. 
@ucbalumnus Great intentional mission. And yet as serious as it sounds, the culture is lighthearted @ Pepperdine.
@eyemgh Mundane is not a word I would personally use. Life-giving⊠energizing⊠is how I would stamp it. : ) Agreed, go in knowing how Pepperdine is set apart from other academic homes.
@SydHerrera03 Awesome! Sounds like youâve been doing your homework. And ikr, sign me up! ; )
Thank you for the link. Checked it out. A great resource. Thanks again!
Please post the big decision, curious minds need to know! Itâs a reason to celebrate either way! 
Iâd pick Pepperdine for you if your parents are fine with the extra cost. Beware some evangelicalâs donât consider Catholics as Christian and may try to get you saved.
Ha Ha! Love your post! Thanks so much!
That would be atypical from my experience. And therefore just as likely to happen at a secular institution, as I saw in undergrad at a large public uni.
Should we also warn of outspoken agnostics or atheists? Nah⊠It is an opportunity to develop conversation skills with diverse viewpoints and/or practice utilizing boundaries. That builds confidence in cultivating and walking your own path in this world. Thatâs not scary; thatâs cool. : )