<p>What are some good colleges in Southern California. I've always wanted to go there. I know there is USC UCLA and UCSD, but they are really hard to get into. Are there any colleges in SC that are more selective for out of state?</p>
<p>You mean less selective, don't you?</p>
<p>LACs: Occidental and Pitzer are not terribly selective, though not easy to get into. Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd (engineering) and Scripps (if you're female) are all pretty tough, but Scripps would be the easiest of that bunch.</p>
<p>yes I meant less selective</p>
<p>Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Redlands, Chapman, UC-Irvine, the Cal States (San Diego, Long Beach)</p>
<p>University of San Diego. (NOT UCSD, this is a different one)</p>
<p>"Occidental and Pitzer are not terribly selective, though not easy to get into"</p>
<p>Tarhunt- could you expand upon that? it seens contradictory as you've worded it
I think Occidental is more selective than Pitzer, correct me if I'm wrong..</p>
<p>op is oos so I wouldn't put any UCs on this list, and probably not any CSU's like San Diego and Long Beach. Also could OP define what she means by less selective?</p>
<p>wecandothis:</p>
<p>You're right. I didn't word that very well. What I meant is that Occidental and Pitzer are not easy to get into, but they're not at the top of the heap in selectivity like Pomona, Claremont McKenna, and Mudd. Scripps is a bit harder to get into that Pitzer. I'm not sure how Occy and Pitzer compare to each other, but I think you're right that Occy is slightly more difficult.</p>
<p>USD is a great school, although it may be a bit more selective than what yo're looking for.</p>
<p>Second Pepperdine.</p>
<p>USD isn't extremely difficult to get into; neither is Chapman. Chapman is filled with kids from very wealthy families though.</p>
<p>cal poly pomona</p>
<p>Cal Lutheran
Point Loma Nazarene
Loyola Marymount
Whittier College (Nixon's alma mater)</p>
<p>And there are other Cal States in addition to Long Beach and San Diego, such as Northridge, Los Angeles, Fullerton and San Marcos.</p>
<p>Don't mean to p*ss on the parade but think more carefully if you really want to stay in So Cal. If you don't, going to those lesser schools in So Cal may not benefit you when you move somewhere else. It looks pretty with beaches but the quality of life is probably worse than many other places. Give you one example: I was talking to my friend yesterday and he said he asked his office manager why didn't move closer to work so he wouldn't have to commute for over an hour each way. The guy's reply was it's too expensive to buy houses nearby and this guy is making 150K/yr.</p>
<p>i've lived in Southern California my whole life...and i can say that it's more than just beaches (i used to go a lot, and i still haven't been since last summer), and possibly even more than just the weather (which is amongst the best things about it). the more i've been around students from out of state and the country, i can see that Southern California also seems to carry with it an attitude. besides the perception of LA as an image-conscious city, So Cal in general seems to be more relaxed about things and definitely more tolerant of people's differences. there's just so much diversity in every single aspect of the word, it really is beautiful.</p>
<p>there's definitely more to Southern California than just sun and beach. if i didn't like where i lived for the last 18 years, i would be very honest about it...i've had to deal with traffic, and my parents have had to deal with the expensive housing, all of those negative aspects of the region...but despite all of it, i would have a hard time imagining living anywhere else, i love it here. so i highly recommend it, especially for college. at least where you go to college isn't a commitment of where you're going to live.</p>
<p>Second USD. Cal Poly?</p>
<p>I agree with phobos. I attended UCSD for undergrad and will be attending UCLA this coming fall for grad school. I cant imagine living anywhere other than southern california. It has so many strong points, and yes some negatives. But the benefits clearly outweigh the negatives. San Diego and Los Angeles are wonderfull places, both with their own distinctions. I also grew up in Orange County, so i can say i truly have experienced so cal in its three largest regions, and it is an awesome place. Even if you dont want to live here because of the high housing prices, i deffiantly recomend attending college here, even if you cant gain admission to UCSD, UCLA, or USC. There are many other fine universities in the region. After grad school i hope to move back to San Diego, and if im fortunate enough to be able to, buy a home or condo. I cant imagine living anywhere else! if i were the poster, I would consider some of the local privates such as USD, Loyola Marymount, and Pepperdine. The Cal State Universities are also an excellent schooling system which offers significantly more personal attention and teaching than UC's which are primarily research oriented and usually difficult to gain admission too. For Cal States, check out CSULB and SDSU. You can also check out Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, although its admissions standards are tough, likely at the level of a mid-tier UC such as Irvine, Santa Barbara, or Davis. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Well I am concerned about the high prices, the overall setting and the traffic. And now I'm confused because I don't know if it's worth going to Southern California if I dont get into a good university such as USC or the UC's.</p>
<p>phobos and ucchris,</p>
<p>Keep in mind you are still students and probably don't think much about long-term financial security. I was like you when I was at your age, thinking CA would have everything I want (I was in Chicago and during winter, I wished so much I were in CA). Now that I am in CA and I can't buy anything while some my friends in Chicago already have their own properties even when they make LESS than me. I know how many Californians can never stand Chicago's winter. But to me, the finanical benefit now outweights the cold winter. Not to mention Chicago does have other things I like better (e.g. great public transit). I haven't moved cos I've been being locked up by the green card application. Anyway, you may feel differently when you get older.</p>
<p>You can always go to California for school then go somewhere else afterward, though.</p>
<p>I admit Southern CA is expensive, and that is definitely something to take into consideration. I really do like the region, and am planning to move back after college (though that depends on a ton of factors), but it may or may not be worth the cost if you're not going to a more prestigious university.</p>
<p>Why do you want to go to Southern CA? And where are you from? Also, what kinds of things are you looking for in a college, other than "less selective"? (so I can give you ideas)</p>