Pepperdine VS. UC Riverside!!!!!!

<p>I've got into two schools and now I have to decide where I should go.
My parents and family want me to go to UCR, just because it is little cheaper(I have to pay 33K anyways because I am an international) and wider connection. Well, I really do not know about pepperdine. I know their USNEws ranking is lyke 30 steps higher, place is way better, private school and blah blah basic stuff but I really cannot compare two of them. I am going to major in business and I am already in for UCR pre-business thingy..(what the heck is pre-business anyways) where should I go????</p>

<p>A few things to consider:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Pepperdine has more international students if that matters to you at all. Pepperdine also has a more organized international student support program.</p></li>
<li><p>UC Riverside has a large commuter population and many of the students who do live on campus go home on the weekends, which can limit social life, especially if you do not have a car. Not as true at Pepperdine.</p></li>
<li><p>Pepperdine has a MUCH stronger reputation here in California, especially for business. Your family may be hearing the words "University of California" and thinking that is what will provide "connections." You probably need to remind them that UC Riverside is NOT the same as the more world-reknowned UCLA or UC Berkeley and does not provide the same sort of connections as those two schools, at least here in the states. UC Riverside is considered by many to be the "least" of the UC schools in terms of academic quality. This does not, in my opinion, mean that the academics are bad, but PEpperdine's academics are definitely stronger overall and their business program is definitely stronger.</p></li>
<li><p>The Riverside area is not particularly attractive --- one of the smoggiest areas in southern california. Pepperdine is located overlooking the ocean in beautiful malibu - you know, where all the movie stars live. You will have a totally different quality of life at the the two schools. At both schools you will be somewhat limited to campus if you do not have a car - would you prefer to be stuck on a campus overlooking the ocean or in the often hot and smoggy inland?</p></li>
</ul>

<p>-PEpperdine's administration is conservative and religious and that filters down to student life quite a bit. If you are not comfortable with a Christian orientation, you may prefer U of Riverside. </p>

<ul>
<li>Classes at Pepperdine will be smaller than Riverside, at least in your first two years. Also, the California state budget crisis has led to cut backs that have affected the availability of some classes in the UC schools. Pepperdine may cost more but you will be almost guaranteed of graduating in 4 years - it can be difficult to get classes at UC Riverside which may mean an extra semester or two or even a year or two to finish up. Thus, the cost differential may not be all that great. If being certain of graduating in 4 years is important to you, Pepperdine is the surer bet.</li>
</ul>

<p>Good luck in making your decision!.</p>

<p>UCR and Pepperdine are polar opposites of each other. You have to just know what you want: Small vs. Big school, diversity or homogenous student population, malibu vs. riverside.
Pepperdine has a great business program but the school is pretty strict. The school is mostly made up of white, conservative, Non-Catholic Christian students who have to adhere to guidlines such as a curfew and a mandatory Christian service. In general, a great place to learn and grow if you are comfortable with following certain regulations.<br>
UCR on the other hand has a respectable business program, lots of diversity (more so than other UCs), large alumni base...the only drawback is the location and its lack of prestige compared with other UC schools.
I dont really think you can go wrong in your decision, both are solid schools but offer a totally different undergrad college experience.</p>

<p>Actually, I'm not sure I'd consider Pepperdine a "small" school. Maybe "medium sized" would be a better description. UCR has about 15,000 undergraduates, Pepperdine has about 7,500.</p>

<p>Pepperdine only has an undergraduate population of about 3,000. It is one of the smaller private universities in Cali. In terms of undergrad population, it is smaller than Santa Clara, Loyola, and San Diego University, which all have about 5000 undergrads.</p>

<p>Pepperdine has become a very popular and very selective school over the last few years. Many outstanding students at my daughter's school were denied admission to Pepperdine this year. It's academics are good, school spirit is high, and the view of the Pacific Ocean from most places (Including some dorm rooms) can't be beat. It is nestled in the hills above Malibu and provides a utopian-like lifestyle hard to match by any other campus.
UC Riverside is relatively easy to get into</p>

<p>OOPs, that first post just sort of sent itself before I was finished.</p>

<p>UC Riverside is not known for having a nice campus, although I have never been there. I believe You will generally find a much different type of student at each of these campuses. Carolyn summarizes the differences very well. I know that Pepperdine is a Christian school, but I haven't heard that it is as strict as Min0t1 reports. I would be interested in hearing other opinions concerning this.</p>

<p>my friend got into UCR major biochem with 2.8gpa and 920 on sat</p>

<p>thanks guys :) I guess pepperdine's environment is much better than UCR. Some of you guys mentioned that Pepperdine actually provides better business program. Could you guys give me more details on it if it's possible? and also if I am going to transfer to UCLA or similar level of private school for business, which one is better in terms of transferring out? and I heard that you get disadvantages by transferring to different school with same major within UC system. Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>Just to clarify on Pepperdine, there is not a curfew but boys cannot be in your room(if you are female) after 1 or in your dorm after 2AM. You can come and go as you please and do not check in at all. It is unusual but not as bad as a curfew</p>

<p>Why would you want to transfer to UCLA for business. The only school in cali worth transfering to for business is USC. UCLA doesn't even offer business, closest is business economics and that's that you have to apply into it ifor your junior year, and if you don't get in, then what happens?</p>

<p>I personally love Pepperdine's campus. I love the fact that you can see the ocean from your dorms(well at least if you are a girl) but regardless it is a nice school. </p>

<p>UCR is a piece of crap.</p>

<p>It is VERY difficult to transfer into UCLA from another 4 year school. Preference is given to kids coming from the Calif. community college system and there are very few spots open to kids transferring from other 4 year schools, including other UC's. If you really want UCLA, consider either waiting a year and reapplying or going to one of the Calif. community colleges which have guaranteed UC admissions programs. (Santa Monica college for example). </p>

<p>Mint - thanks for the correction on Pepperdine's size. Yep, undergrad is about 3,000 students. I just looked at their web site which counts grad students too. :(</p>

<p>i thought UCLA's business school was good as well..;</p>

<p>Oijjang,
Some basic differences between UCR and Pepperdine's business programs: At UCR, you can only major in "Business administration" - broad, general business program. At Pepperdine, you have more options - you can major in Accounting, Business management, International business (as an international student this might be particularly of interest to you), and you have the option of minors in things like marketing or industrial psychology. I'd suggest that you very carefully compare the course offerings, the faculty bio's, and other information on both web sites and see which program suits you and your goals better.</p>

<p>oh then how's pepperdine to USC Marshall, NYU, or possibly Wharton(I know it's not happenin :p)? If I can get maintain 3.8 first two years in pepperdine, are they possible?</p>

<p>Wharton is considered the best undergrad business program in the country. Almost impossible to transfer into. NYU Stern is very good, but also takes limited transfer students for the business program. Did you apply to either of these programs? </p>

<p>Your best bet if you want to transfer would be to try to transfer into USC. Frankly, I think Pepperdine's business program is probably just as good as USC's, although USC's may be better known internationally. </p>

<p>Another thing to consider in making your choice between Pepperdine and UCR: PEpperdine uses the traditional 2 semester academic calendar (fall and spring semesters). UCR is on a quarter system, which means you have shorter semesters (about 10 weeks I believe) and do a fall, winter, and spring semester each year (You can go to summer school at both colleges). Some people prefer the longer 2 semester schedule because they find it less stressful, others prefer the quarterly semester because it moves quicker. You end up with the same number of credits in the end, but take fewer classes each quarter (typically 3 or 4 vs. 5 or 6 in the 2 semester program). Just another thing to think about.</p>

<p>THanks alot carolyn! anyone else??</p>

<p>Carolyn, </p>

<p>Come on. USC's undergrad program is ranked 9th in the nation. This doesn't even factor in alumni connections, and how many companies recruit at USC (many of whom, don't at Pepperdine). Moreover, Pepperdine undergrad business, while good, is not ranked.</p>

<p>1) Don't forget about Haas Business School at Berkeley for your undergraduate years.</p>

<p>2) McDonough at Georgetown is also a good business school.</p>

<p>3) Cal Poly Pomona's Business program contains to improve (though definitely not as great as Wharton, of course)</p>

<p>4) Pepperdine REQUIRES that your butt sits at a Christian service once EVERY week (with all the standard vacations and off-time not included in "every"). If you're a devout Christian, then Pepperdine is just the place. If you could care less about religion and Christianity, I do not recommend Pepperdine.</p>

<p>OK, I'll agree with that themegastud. But she isn't In at USC, she's only in at Pepperdine and UCR. Those are her current choices. I'd say Pepperdine is at least a good second best if she can't go to USC.</p>

<p>Eiffelguy, Transferring into the UCB Haas School is very difficult, unless you are transferring from a community college. San Diego State U also has a very decent business program.</p>

<p>The "Christian service" is called convocation. And, yes, it is required (they take attendance) but it is not really a "religious service" as such - they bring in speakers and entertainers. Often those speakers/entertainers have a religious slant but not always. Still, the idea of "required attendance" is a turn off for many (including my daughter).</p>