Unless your son has some unique perspectives about his education, which most high schoolers naturally don’t, he should fit in a big group of colleges just fine, Stanford included. So first, don’t you feel guilty if you have ever successfully persuaded him to choose Stanford! On the other hand, I don’t think he will have much of a chance to make a wrong choice here given the “competitors” of Stanford you have listed that he’s considering. So, sit back and relax. If anything, It’s his peers’ opinions that will shape his decision more effectively. Chances are he will choose Stanford eventually. There’s a reason why S has a high yield. Cheers!
The references to LAC’s and the possibility of finding a superior fit elsewhere (such as at a school with smaller class sizes and better undergrad focus) is rather odd given the OP son’s other choices–also large universities. It seems to me that whatever big university issues Stanford may have, UCLA, CAL and USC will also have and maybe worse.
D was an econ major at Stanford and had a fantastic experience overall. To be honest, I don’t think the undergrad teaching there was quite as strong as what my S got at smaller Dartmouth. However, I’ll say again that I doubt the undergrad focus would be any better at the other equivalently ranked choices listed by the OP.
The people make the place. Your son should see which school has more of the sorts of kids he relates to. Also, if your S cares about food quality, make sure he checks out the eateries at the various schools. A friend’s D absolutely hated the food at Cal. At Stanford my daughter ate extremely well–lots of fresh organic fruits and vegetables.
I think it is hard for many to imagine not choosing Stanford, but I have one that did exactly that, so it happens. Best decision he ever made, he had the best four years anyone could have, zero point zero regrets. Having said that, I think the OP’s student will choose Stanford in the end, I just think mom and dad have to back off and be cool. 
@CADREAMIN did you your child also attend Stanford for four years to know it wouldn’t be "even better*?
Ya, I get that @panpacific, but it is a unique situation with opportunities he only had where he went, and for him, it really couldn’t have been better at Stanford. 100% sure of it. Sometimes you know when something is the best for you/your kid and it is a great feeling.
For northern California, he may need to invest in a hoodie. And I don’t think people surf in Silicon Valley. Not on the water anyway.
They can go to Santa Cruz to surf. Probably with a wetsuit.
Plenty great surfing near Silicon Valley as long as you have a wetsuit. Worn even by the diehards in Southern California.
I thought even in Los Angeles the water was freezing. Certainly compared to the east coast.
^^Not with Global Warming and El Nino!
@mathmom… shhhh… it’s a secret in California that the East Coast actually has better beaches.
@ucbalumnus the main reason he is looking at Pepperdine is that his girlfriend will be attending. He will also receive a full scholarship which is substantial(Pepperdine is just as expensive as Stanford). I don’t know how most of you as parents feel but I have a problem with him picking a college because of a relationship even if its free. I would rather pay 1/2 tuition at Stanford than attend Pepperdine for free. I’m not saying Pepperdine is a bad school but its not as strong as Stanford or his other choices. Have any other parents had problems with D or S going to a college because of a relationship?
They also have a Surfing Club at Stanford that I happened to point out to him:)
Re: #131
Lots of couples go through temporary separation because one of them goes to school or work away from where the other is for school or work.
However, if you consider Pepperdine unacceptable (whether or not there is a girlfriend there) even with a full ride, why did you let him apply there in the first place?
“I would rather pay 1/2 tuition at Stanford than attend Pepperdine for free.”
Totally agree.
Given that rational stipulation, Pepperdine should now be off the table.
I think you have to take the girlfriend out of the mix and examine Pepperdine purely on its own merits.
If it passes, leave it in, if not, take it out. If you don’t like Pepperdine because the GF’s going there, that’s as skewed an opinion as the kid wanting it because she IS going there.
@ucbalumnus I did not want to limit the schools he wanted to apply to. Pepperdine is a fine school if he wanted to study film or theology there and that was his dream, I would support him.
I generally don’t discourage my kids from tough situations. You learn from them. But many times, I’ve let them go with their own choices, even when I saw things differently. Sometimes, their guts trump, yes. But I usually ask them to make an informed decision.
I don’t think you can just go on overall rep. Pepperdine, eg, has more strengths than just film or religion. And the pace at S can be killer. Some kids want to be a bigger fish in a slightly smaller pond; for some, that’s what’s empowering. So make sure this is a full decision, check the actual opportunities, academic, social, leadership, etc.
Pepperdine has the better views of the ocean…from everywhere on that campus! Gorgeous.
With Pepperdine is private and religious, so you need to decide whether you are comfortable with their religious rules.
http://pepperdine-graphic.com/a-graphic-face-off-at-pepperdine-how-strict-is-too-strict/