Pepperdine vs. UC Irvine vs. UC Davis vs. Chapman University

State Forums
1

<p>I am a new senior who has moved from Texas to SoCal around 8 months ago. I have applied to many schools, but the 4 most attractive offers of admission I have received are Pepperdine, UCI, UCD, and Chapman. Overall, UCI has offered me a substantial amount of aid and I would be paying around $28,000 for all four years. </p>

<p>Pepperdine has offered me a substantial scholarship, however it will still be a stretch to make it work; I will be paying around $30,000 myself (which I can manage by working), however, my dad will be trying to get PLUS loans for $87,000. Although if he has the money, which he probably will, he will pay half up front so he will be taking out around $40,000 in PLUS loans (I would be able to help pay off these after graduation, assuming I got a job). By the way, I really want to go to Pepperdine because I am Christian and I feel that it would be an environment perfectly suited to my moral and ethical values - I do not know if this will influence your recommendation, whatever it may be. </p>

<p>Chapman University would cost me around $20,000 in loans by the time I graduate (but again if I worked, I would owe nothing) and my dad would be paying around $16,000 in PLUS loans. I think the campus is nice and the academics are superb for being such a young university, but it really didn't feel like the right place for me and my lifestyle. I won't be partying a ton.</p>

<p>UC Davis: $20,000 for me and $4,000 for my parents in PLUS loans.</p>

<p>I will be going into some realm of business, however I am really starting to lean toward Finance and adding Business Administration onto that for a double major. After university, I will try to get a job in the California area, and if I cannot, then I will outsource to Texas since this is where I am originally from - specifically Austin. I will be heavily weighing opportunities for internships in the immediate area wherever I choose to attend, however I am still not really familiar with the areas surrounding these schools.</p>

<p>One last thing - I am really drawn to Pepperdine because of the certain type of prestige it is known to have across the world; not to mention, they have incredible study abroad programs in 7 countries that are paid through regular tuition (no additional cost). I feel drawn to the university because it holds the same values as I do, however I need some additional input from others on cost-benefit analysis. How easy will it be for me to get a job 6 months graduation? Which has the best reputation? Which is the most efficient and which is the best package as a whole?</p>

<p>I feel that it may be helpful to add that I come from a lower income family, if that changes anything.</p>

2

<p>Hi OP, congratulations; you have offers from four excellent schools.
Choosing a school you and your parents can afford is paramount. Pepperdine might be your dream, but honestly I don’t think it’s fair to saddle your parents with loans like that based on what you’ve said re: being from a lower income family. The UC schools are well-respected, will give you a good education, AND are affordable. UC Irvine has plenty of conservative students. We know a young woman who was very active in a Christian group there, who also studied in Japan for a semester and, now that she has graduated, is living in Japan and teaching English there.</p>

<p>By the way, my own son currently attends Chapman, and he is NOT a party guy. He wouldn’t describe Chapman as a party school, either, but it’s not as straight-laced as Pepperdine. However, I think Chapman, like Pepperdine, isn’t a logical option for you due to the cost. </p>

3

<p>I agree with LongRangePlan that the UCs are well respected. They are also probably better known than Pepperdine, I would suspect. The two UCs you are admitted to are among the most conservative. And you will find Christian clubs at every school. Another option if you want to avoid parties is living in a substance free dorm. Davis has more of a family feel, from what I’ve heard, and UCI has more of a commuter feel. </p>

<p>You don’t have anything to lose by calling Pepperdine and saying you really truly want to go there but can’t afford it, and are wondering if they will increase their financial aid offer. I know the UCs don’t negotiate, but some of the LACs will, from what I hear. </p>

4

<p>^ Excellent idea. Give it a try!</p>

5

<p>Hi @TheGovernater‌ ,</p>

<p>I am looking into UC Davis for my son . . so happen to have heard a bit about their study abroad programs. They have a lot (saw a reference to 42 countries), and they try to help you secure financing for them, as well. </p>

<p>Check it out at: <a href=“Study Abroad”>https://studyabroad.ucdavis.edu/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>I can tell you if you are a born again conservative christian then you won’t consider Pepperdine a christian school. UC Davis is ranked by far higher than any of your other schools you listed. Pepperdine is known for wealthy kids that couldn’t get into a higher ranked school and that want to live in Malibu. I live near UC Davis and it is a small town feel where everyone bikes! It is only a 10 min commute into downtown Sacramento where you would have many opportunities for internships. Check out the Chi Alpha christian groups on all these campuses! Funny you came from Texas to go to school in Ca and my son left Ca to go to school in Texas! Feel free to PM me if you have any more specific questions.</p>