<p>I'm trying to help a student narrow a search.
3.5GPA but in IB classes, approx. 1250 SAT (M + V). Looking for smallish school on the west coast, perhaps christian, where she could major in business - possibly international. This is an extremely active kid in volunteering and leadership, but not as intellectually gifted as some - the girl GETS THINGS DONE. Doesn't need scholarships, just needs to get in. So far she has Azusa, Biola, and Pepperdine as a super reach. Any other ideas??</p>
<p>Santa Clara U, Westmont, Loyola Marymount are some ?mid-tier religiousy schools. Not sure about business.</p>
<p>USD (University of San Diego) is a good school and it's Christian</p>
<p>Chapman in S Cal? St Marys in N Cal?</p>
<p>University of Portland and Gonzaga</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions! Does anyone have specific experience with Chapman? I've heard the rigor is not very high except in the film program - but I have no idea if that's accurate.
Also would love to hear about first hand experience with Azusa - positive or negative. Thanks again.</p>
<p>maybe try Pepperdine...</p>
<p>nvm, just noticed this one is already under consideration... but as for it being a super reach, don't be so harsh, she has a pretty good chance IMHO</p>
<p>Santa Clara and USD might be reachy. </p>
<p>Gonzaga or University of San Francisco could be good though.</p>
<p>Santa Clara and USD have very good business schools, but they might be a bit of a reach.</p>
<p>I second the University of Portland - it's a great school, one of the best cities on the West Coast to live, a small community of students (roughly 2000). I've never heard any bad things about it! </p>
<p>Also, consider Seattle Pacific University and Seattle University. Both are great schools that are in her range.</p>
<p>Have heard good things about Seattle U.</p>
<p>Biola University?</p>
<p>Anyone have first hand knowledge of Point Loma University?</p>
<p>Just back from a Pepperdine "dog and pony show". FWIW, they are using the writing portion of the SAT this year.</p>
<p>Pacific Union College and Walla Walla University are christian. It depends on how conservative you are looking for though, becuase they both have a dorm curfew and set number of required worship services each week.</p>
<p>I have a nephew at Point Loma. He's having a great time (loves to surf) and I have been impressed by his academic growth. He went in a religion major and now is leaning toward environmental science so he is taking both bio and chem. There have been lots of helps in place so he can be successful, and he is working his butt off but enjoying it. That says a lot to me. He's a smart kid who sort of coasted through high school without challenging himself.</p>
<p>Also small Christian westcoast -- Whitworth in Spokane, George Fox outside of Portland.</p>
<p>I am going to make this as clear as I possibly can: Biola University is the top Christian university in the country. No comparisons. It's not even close. </p>
<p>Send her to Biola.</p>
<p>phear me; how are you defining "top Christian" ? (PS, my d's history teacher agrees, but then he has extreme opinions about everything...)</p>
<p>Here is a very poorly formatted cut and paste from US news ( Iknow, I know...)comparing </p>
<p>School Biola University(CA) Santa Clara University (CA) Pepperdine University(CA)<br>
Public/Private Private Private Private<br>
Founded 1908 1851 1937<br>
Religious Affiliation Christian interdenominational Catholic Church of Christ<br>
Total Undergraduates 3,924 4,613 3,061<br>
Location<br>
City/State La Mirada, CA Santa Clara, CA Malibu, CA<br>
Setting suburban urban suburban<br>
Distance from home (miles) N/A N/A N/A<br>
Academics<br>
Student-to-faculty ratio 17/1 12/1 12/1<br>
Full-time faculty 201 476 395<br>
Classes with under 20 students 47% 35% 69%<br>
Classes with 50+ students 5% 3% 4%<br>
Graduation rate* 66% 85% 79%<br>
Cost<br>
Private tuition and fees $24,998 $33,000 $34,700<br>
Public in-state tuition and fees N/A N/A N/A<br>
Public out-of-state tuition and fees N/A N/A N/A<br>
Room/Board $7,770 $10,644 $9,930<br>
Financial Aid*<br>
Students receiving:
Need-based grants N/A 33% 44%<br>
Need-based self-help aid N/A 25% 44%<br>
Percent of need that was met N/A 68% 91%<br>
Average financial aid package N/A $19,689 $32,663<br>
Average need-based grant N/A $15,209 $22,983<br>
Average need-based loan N/A $5,747 $8,912<br>
Admissions<br>
Selectivity more selective more selective more selective<br>
Acceptance rate 80% 66% 28%<br>
Number of applicants 2,287 8,670 7,479<br>
Average high school GPA 3.5 3.5 3.7<br>
SAT/ACT (25/75 percentile)*** 990-1240 1110-1320 1130-13503<br>
Student Satisfaction<br>
Freshman retention rate 85% 93% 89%<br>
Alumni giving rate 8% 20% 16%<br>
Student Body<br>
Diversity*** yes yes yes<br>
Fraternity members N/A N/A 25%<br>
Sorority members N/A N/A 25%<br>
Students living off campus 29% 48% 38%</p>
<p>A link might be better but you may need to be a subscriber
US</a> News & World Report - Breaking News, World News, Business News, and America's Best Colleges - USNews.com</p>
<p>I don't see where SCU or even Pepperdine is an extreme reach---she's right in the middle of those stats.</p>
<p>The following question was asked by Shrinkwrap:</p>
<p>"phear me; how are you defining "top Christian" ?"</p>
<p>I define top "Christian" with some of the following in mind:</p>
<ol>
<li>The university must identify itself as a Protestant Christian University </li>
</ol>
<p>Fantastic Schools like Notre Dame, The various Loyola's, Georgetown, Fordgam, Boston College etc. proudly consider themselves Catholic or Jesuit. I am ASSUMING that the poster means protestant when they say they want to know the top Christian School.</p>
<ol>
<li>A serious commitment to Christian Education</li>
</ol>
<p>Schools such as Pepperdine, while fantastic universities (I was SO close to going to Pepperdine for my Undergrad and again for my grad) do not demonstrate a real commitment to Christian Education. That is perfectly okay, unless you want ... well ... a Christian education.</p>
<ol>
<li>Ranking </li>
</ol>
<p>Biola is a 3rd Tier National University and has shown dramatic increases in enrollment, facilities and funding. </p>
<ol>
<li>Reputation</li>
</ol>
<p>In the Christian world, Biola and Wheaton are generally considered to be the cream of the crop. However, Biola stands above Wheaton in terms of size and ranking. Wheaton still holds the edge on endowment and selectivity - but Biola is rapidly closing the gap and because it is better positioned to continue growing I have to give the edge to Biola.</p>