<p>I am currently a freshman at Ole Miss (The University of Mississippi... for everyone out west that hasn't heard of it haha). I'm getting so anxious and desperately need a change of scenery. I'm a smart girl. I'm active on campus (???!). I've enjoyed it here-- but I'm bored and I want a better education than what I'm receiving. I feel like I'm not taking advantage of my capabilities. I absolutely love the west coast and I'm looking for a smaller school. Ole Miss has about 14,000 undergrad students. The closest city is an hour away (Memphis) and it's definitely nothing special. As of now, I'm a business-advertising major and I really love everything I've read about Pepp. I was wondering how it would compare to a larger state university. I'd love to hear opinions as far as course load, teachers, religious emphasis, and the social scene. Also-- the south is VERY very VERY clicky and I'm ready to get out of that. I appreciate it!!</p>
<p>I am very familar with the South, and I have to say that So. California is very cliquish, in some ways, even more than the South, So of course that element does exist as well in its schools, including Pepperdine, so you will not be escaping that as much... might have better luck at that in Northern California. However, the experience might be better than Ole Miss. Pepperdine is smaller, and so you will get more indiviual attention as far as academics. That is applicable socially as well, as a few people who I know who attend Pepperdine feels that since the school is small, everyone can end up in your business. There is also an Upper-Class feel at Pepperdine, something not typically experience a great deal at a public university, as a number of students come from affluent families. However, I would feel that the quality of education and the overall all experience at Pepperdine is probably going to be better for you than at Ole Miss.</p>
<p>The City of Malibu has a nice scene as far as the beaches and mountains is concerned, that no one can deny and not many places in the world can compare. Outside of that, Malibu is primarly a affluent RESIDENTIAL city, and behind the city is the Santa Monica Mountain Rec Parks, so nothing is built there, its all natural. However, take a 30min drive, and you will be in Los Angeles, which has everything. Because of this, Pepperdine the campus can become sort of dead on the weekends, as everyone is out to Los Angeles and the more urbanish suburbs (Conejo & San Fernando Valley areas) which Malibu can be considered more ruralish in Southern California standards, which what makes the place attractive. Its not rural in how we know what Rural is being familiar with the South.</p>