@paddleon I am confused, didn’t you ask about it? I said both schools are great, but it is no secret that Chapman is weaker in sciences and doesn’t even have engineering. Also professional connections were socal and not as strong. So it wasn’t a good fit, for her specifically, not cause she is smarter than everyone else, because of many factors. We actually really liked the idea of her attending Chapman with all they were giving, but the personality of the school didn’t fit her, that doesn’t mean it is bad. I don’t think that is an insult to the school, the personality of SCU certainly doesn’t fit everyone either, I have plenty of people question SCU too. Everyone has to pick what is right for them in so many regards. There are better schools for each person, and each one has strengths and weaknesses. I thought it was good to know what schools will do for students, to see if you can get more from them as well. But even with all that, it just wasn’t right for her was the point I was trying to make. It is perfect for all kinds of brilliant and great kids. I answered a question you asked, I guess you just didn’t like my opinion on Chapman, but it is only an opinion, and on the internet for goodness sake. If you looked back through this site, most of my posts are just info on the process that I have been through three times. Sincerely just trying to give information and our perspective (which anyone can choose to ignore) not pi$$ people off. Oh well, have a wonderful Christmas!
So you are a student? Is SCU a top choice for you? As a parent, I have found @CADREAMIN helpful and I didn’t see the Chapman post in a negative way. Just offering another perspective.
@CADREAMIN I really don’t care about your opinion and do not have any kids that have attended Chapman. I took offense to the phrase “different school intellectually” and actually thought you might take an opportunity to amend. Sounded like a swipe to me and not helpful to people looking at both schools since they have similar student profiles. If you had said the “personality” of the school didn’t fit your daughter that would have been different. A lot of kids look at these posts and I wouldn’t want them to think that a school is intellectually inferior just because some mom on CC says so. So I will go back to just reading the posts that are helpful and take your advice and ignoring those that are not. Signing off of Santa Clara good luck to all 
@paddleon Schools are different intellectually, that is a fact. Stanford is is different intellectually than SCU. Caltech is different intellectually than MIT. I would wager the guess that SCU is different intellectually to Chapman as well. A school with its biggest major emphasis being sciences is different intellectually than one whose biggest emphasis is film. Why is that so hard to swallow? Sugar coating isn’t reality. But then this is a society of giving out trophies just for participating. I like the truth better. Good luck finding your fit, whatever parameters you use.
Thanks for all your helpful posts @CAdreamin. I get that you were saying that no matter how much they throw at you, sometimes it isn’t the right fit for your kid. Parents and students have to look at everything in the picture.
Yeah, I think @paddleon is reading into something that just isn’t there. Chapman IS a different school intellectually, and I think @CADREAMIN is spot on with the differences (more art/film/creative and less business/tech-y).
But, I mean, let’s be real. SCU is definitely more prestigious in the Bay Area than Chapman is in SoCal.
Has anyone called about their award to “negotiate”? When I called before I found out, the person on the phone told me that we “could talk about it” once I received my award. I’m in the same boat as everyone else…$6k/year Dean’s, but I was expecting more based on stats and ECs.
Mother of a son admitted to SCU here…wanted to solicit some honest opinions.
He is wanting to attend a Catholic school in the Bay Area, and has been admitted to SCU, USF, and St Mary’s. Though SCU has a slightly better reputation than the other two based upon rankings, etc, and as he therefore prefers it to the other two, we were really disappointed, as others have similarly noted on this forum, at SCU’s merit award. His is so small it is hardly worth mentioning, but USF gave him $20K and St Mary’s $24K. Solid stats—4.0 GPA in solid Jesuit HS, 30 ACT.
He doesn’t yet know exactly what he wants to study (likely political science, maybe business), but before we go too much further down the decision path, want to understand from others more familiar with the schools (we are from the midwest), the answer to the true questions: is SCU really worth it? Is it really worth almost twice as much in net costs as it would be to attend the other schools at the end of the day? Should we be paying sticker price there? Conversely, are the other two schools a steal in terms of what we’d pay and what he’d get in terms of a valued education?
Thank you!
What is his major? I am not remotely an expert, but people always ask about the major because sometimes one school will have a much more well known program. However, most of the time the prevailing opinion seems to be it is not worth a financial strain when you have a less expensive option. Good luck with the decision!
I live in the Bay Area, have worked at USF and SMC, my son attends USF and my H is a grad of SCU. I love all three schools and have no particular bias.
Has your S had a chance to visit the schools? He may find his “fit” at one vs. the others. SMC is smaller and more isolated; SCU and USF are about the same size but USF is much more urban and multicultural. All are wonderful in their own way and each campus is beautiful.
If he truly likes SCU better, try to negotiate for more money; let them know what the other two have offered.
But in the end…no, I don’t think a degree from SCU is worth more than the other schools. Varying departments might be more or less strong from school to school, but overall they are too evenly matched to pay twice as much.
Thanks to both of you for the quick reply. We’ve visited them all, and like each of them for their unique settings, really. They all seem to have a similar tight-knit atmosphere, maybe a little less so at USF.
Right now he is undecided, but in reality he wants to go down the liberal arts path (poly sic) or possibly business. Would SCU have a big advantage from a business degree perspective over the other two given the cost gap, in your opinions?
We are halfway across the country. S was thinking of applying to UCs and since he had liked other Jesuit schools, SCU caught my eye. It’s business school is well regarded. I don’t know about USF, but I would think there are similar opportunities for good internships simply based on the location. At SCU they mentioned that it’s not like the internships fall in your lap and I’m sure it’s the same at USF. I really don’t think there is a wrong choice personally. I think, especially because of the location, these kids can make a lot out of their four years at school. Either way, the main thing is it’s on them to get out there and find the right opportunities.
I hope someone else that either has experience or more general knowledge of the area will weigh in. My S is considering LMU as well, but for us, if their merit isn’t close to what SCU offered, SCU will win out for sure.
@aubie12, sounds like you have done your homework. I posed your question to my H, he does a lot of hiring for his company in Silicon Valley. In his opinion, none of the three schools has a hiring advantage over the other. I think most people (including employers) are going to put those three private Catholic schools on par with each other.
If your S thinks he might want to work in Silicon Valley some day, then SCU might be worth more money. But twice as much? Only you can decide that. USF has an incredibly dynamic and growing internship department and they place a lot of emphasis on that aspect of the student’s education. Being based right in SF has some terrific advantages. SMC has the Integral Program which is great for liberal arts, did that appeal to your S?
Of course if your S is a basketball fan, SMC is the way to go!
This is terrific insight. Thanks to both of you. Good to know how things realistically stack up. SMC does have some appeal because of its broad approach–it’s just a little less visible, so trying to understand as much about it as possible. And yes, he does keep an eye on basketball, though the games are a little late and hard to find on tv where we live
@2manybooks the letters to EA for Johnson Scholar semi finalists was sent in December. Essay prompts will be sent in February, 50 finalists will go for 3 days in April to select 10.
Does anyone know how many Johnson Scholar semifinalists there are? Trying to figure out the odds.
Out of state mom here with almost similar predicament as a prior poster. Hardly any money from SCU but other schools are coming through more than nicely (USF, Portland, Gonzaga, SMC). What gives? Does the presence of an engineering college put SCU into a different caliber category? Know they have the money, but don’t seem very accommodating with it or welcoming in general. Appreciate anyone else’s thoughts.
Just my opinion…I think it is typical supply/demand, there are simply enough people willing to pay for it, but it does have a more prestige in the valley, particularly for engineering and business majors (and of course their law school) than the other schools. They are all great in certain things, but are just very different schools. When you visit Portland, you feel it’s emphasis on nursing (and almost a second class status for other key majors that SCU has), SMC’s major emphasis is liberal arts and it is a non-urban location, Gonzaga has to entice people with bigger $ to go to Spokane, USF doesn’t have engineering, but they seem to be strong in pre-health from the little I know about them. SCU has some of the majors people are willing to spend money on (like engineering) plus the location plus the industry connections that come along with it in red hot Silicon Valley (for today anyway). But on top of that, they sadly also seem to have a desire to put their money in places other than in recruiting students. It has always been this way. I think a lot goes to the landscaping which is meticulous. We loved Gonzaga and they have a good engineering program, but student lost interest in Spokane after a couple visits, and felt most job opportunities/connections would more likely be in PNW, so a great school but not a great fit for her. I think any of them can be a fab choice and fit is the most important thing for any student. Just thoughts we had through the process…FWIW. Good luck!
Thank you CADREAMIN. I get that SCU carries more prestige in the area, but for an out of stater who may return to his roots after graduation (or may not, but you always want to leave that open), I can’t believe that the same prestige gap would carryover the further you get away from the Bay Area. Fit aside, the economist in me can’t justify the distinction to that degree vs the other schools. There’s a reason these schools fall into US News’ Regional category. Dropping 60K for Stanford is one thing, but dropping it for SCU is quite something different.
Good point @imnmom, and they are sincerely all great schools. USF gives that whole SF experience, SMC the small intimate environment and Gonzaga is adorable with that western feel, and the nicest people ever. I think the problem nowadays is there are a lot of people that are willing to (and can) drop $60K+ for a lot of private schools that aren’t Stanford. Of all the west coast Jesuit schools, SCU would rank near or at the top in many aspects, another source of people willing to pay. In my daughter’s suite 6 of the 8 girls are from out of state, and half at SCU are out of state, go figure. What amazes me is people willing to pay out of state $ for the UCs - even Cal or UCLA, it’s too much for all those struggles, but of course, that’s only my opinion. Plenty do that too, so it must be their fit and dream (and they have the $ to do so). Everyone goes to college these days which is slamming the system.
@LavJovanovic, does your mom still work at SCU, and if so, does she have any info about what day/time early action decisions will be announced for the class of 2021? Thanks!