<p>I am trying to figure out which university I would like to attend. Being an Arkansas citizen, Harding is close to home. I also have everything except for $2,000 paid for at Harding. Pepperdine hasn't even sent me an admission decision yet and won't for another week or two. </p>
<p>Which one do you think I should attend? Pros and Cons for each? I like Harding even though it is a bit conservative. I have never been to Pepperdine, but if I am accepted, then I will fly out and visit. I know I should wait until i know if I am even accepted, but waiting is torture!</p>
<p>I desperately need help in this big life decision. Thanks.</p>
<p>Really? well I know Harding has curfews and the people there (when I visited) were EXTREMELY conservative. I like a little conservative, but not as much as Harding.</p>
<p>Hi,
My daughter is a freshman at Pepperdine this year, and she could not be happier! Pepperdine is fairly conservative, but not overwhelmingly so. The students are from all sorts of backgrounds and religions. Pepperdine students seem to be very tolerant of different perspectives. My daughter has some liberal views on some topics and has never been made to feel “bad” for her opinions. There seems to be a lot of differing views and a very mature and tolerant appreciation of that by other students.</p>
<p>I can tell you one thing…Pepperdine is the MOST beautiful campus we have ever visited. The school is perched on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is simply… amazing. The weather is beautiful their pretty much year round.</p>
<p>From what my daughter has shared with me, the professors at Pepperdine really seem to care for their students also. Small class size too. All of her interactions with everyone at Pepperdine has been wonderful, admissions, financial aid office, all the staff.</p>
<p>I wish you luck in making your choice but I can tell you with full assurance that if you choose Pepperdine you will have a wonderful college experience!</p>
<p>Harding is way more conservative than Pepperdine. I am just finishing up my freshman year here at Pepperdine. A friend of mine here chose Pep over Harding and hasn’t regretted it for a second. She’s from Oklahoma. If she hadn’t come to Pepperdine, she would have never experienced Los Angeles/seen and done some of the things she’s experienced. Pepperdine is a conservative school in a liberal setting, so it’s not as overwhelming as one might anticipate.
A professor of mine went to Harding for her undergrad, Pepperdine for grad school and she now teaches here. She definitely has positive memories from Harding, but she’s had some horror stories for us as well.
Both schools have excellent study abroad programs as well.</p>
<p>thanks for the response. I was officially accepted to Pepperdine today! So the wait for financial aid will determine where I will end up. I really like both schools, so the money is the only problem. Does Pepperdine give a lot of scholarships? I mean my parents have a very low EFC, and I am also very involved in my Church (CoC) and the private school I attend (CoC school). Does Pepp. give good aid based on need? or is it just merit?</p>
<p>Congratulations! Pepperdine gives excellent need-based aid. My family’s EFC is very low as well, and they matched nearly all of our need. CoC affiliation will also help you. You will qualify for CoC scholarships as well as the Pepperdine Grant, which is essentially need-based funds.
Good luck, and please let me know if you have any other questions! We’d be happy to have you in the fall!</p>