<p>I want to apply to one of these schools, but not both.</p>
<p>I love Pepperdine's location and campus. I also like the idea of living in Malibu, and still having access to LA. I don't mind the religious affilitation at all, in fact it may be a good thing. They also have a couple majors I'm really interested in. However, I'm worried about the campus strictness. Does it take away from college life, if so how much? </p>
<p>UCSD used to be my favorite school, until I actually started researching colleges. UCSD doesn't really have a major I'm interested in and they are a D2, and watching college sports and having school spirit is a big thing to me. However UCSD is one of the best schools in the country.</p>
<p>So I don't really know which one I prefer yet.....so maybe your opinions on the schools will help me decide.</p>
<p>And please don't say why not apply to both, bc I already have some other top choices, and I'm just looking to add one more school.</p>
<p>Clearly UCSD. I have never even seen these two colleges compared before, as UCSD is generally in a different academic league than Pepperdine. Plus in state tuition is far less at UCSD as well. So, much better academic school, for less $$$, seems like a obvious choice. However, if you feel like you would not enjoy attending UCSD, or if they dont offer a major you are interested in, then you could consider Pepperdine.</p>
<p>According to my Kaplan guide, Pepperdine kids have the second highest average loan debt coming out of college, only behind Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. On average, kids from Pepperdine are $10,000 dollars more in debt than kids from NYU ($31,179 vs $21,495). The book is a 2004 edition. </p>
<p>Average for UCSD is $13,275.</p>
<p>UCSD: 20k students
Pepperdine: 3k students
That's an incredible difference. </p>
<p>I've always felt cost and size were two excellent tie-breaking factors, and these two schools are about as opposite as they could possibly be. You've got one of the most costly private schools in the country and a public in-state school. You've got a huge university and a very small one. </p>
<p>Also, Pepperdine (at least two years ago) had MORE graduate students than UCSD. Pepperdine may be more geared toward graduate studies than you're looking for.</p>
<p>I still can't decide, bc they both have their positives and negatives.</p>
<p>Pepperdine is more expensive, and a little too small. And UCSD is D2 and doesn't have a major I'm really interested in.</p>
<p>My 2 favorites are UCSB and UMiami...I'm applying to Miami (EA) and I really hope to attend one of these schools. I also like USC, UCLA, and SDSU. </p>
<p>I wanted to add one more school, in case something doesn't work out. I either want to add UCSD or Pepperdine bc if I'm not going to my favorite school atleast I will be living right on the beach.</p>
<p>So thanks again.....and keep the opinions coming.</p>
<p>if you're into watching gonzaga slaughtering the WCC, then pepperdine's a good choice. ok fine and if youre into volleyball and water polo too. ;)</p>
<p>but coming from someone who goes to a pac10 school, i think there's a big difference between having a school that has d1 football and a school that doesnt. like the difference in sports b/w pepperdine and UCSD in my perspective isnt that significant when comparing either to a college w/ a d1 football program. if d1 sports/spirit is a big priority of yours, i'd consider miami, ucla, and usc on your list.... and i guess sdsu too.</p>
<p>kfc4u --- Yah I really like Miami, UCLA, USC, but I also love UCSB's party scene and campus so it makes up for the lack of football. SDSU is my safety school, but if I end up there I would be perfectly happy.</p>
<p>I just want maybe one or two more options. I've considered UCB, UCD, UCI, and Cal Poly, but I dont like those schools.</p>
<p>Do any of you have some ideas on colleges similar to Miami, USC, or UCLA? I was thinking maybe UWashington, UOregon, UArizona, or ASU....</p>
<p>OK -- DEEP BREATH! WHAT are you doing? Looking at a school without a major that you want? HOW are you picking your schools? Geographically? Do you have a book on how to look at colleges? If not, get one (anyone recommend one?) And hey -- you live in SoCal, so there's NO excuse for not visiting schools -- we've driven long distances to visit schools. The schools on your list are as different as different can be. That doesn't mean you couldn't be happy at such different places, but take the time to figure out how you will grow and be shaped by these different places -- These should be the most wonderful and the most growth-filled years of your life -- take and make this decision seriously.</p>
<p>laxmom07 -- you don't know anything about me or what I want in a college. I've been researching schools for a long time and I feel my top choices are all pretty similar. Miami, USC, UCLA, and SDSU are very similar. They are all fun schools, they're all in big cities or within a few miles from one. They have strong sports, and have great programs in business and communications. They all have a large population (10,000+). They are all close to the beach and have great weather. Although overall academics are stronger at some than at others, the general atmospheres of the schools are pretty equal.</p>
<p>UCSB is the same as the others, but it is a bit more into parties than sports, but soccer and volleyball still get great support. It is a more suburban location, but it's a college town and offers everything i would need.</p>
<p>I've decided I would only go to college at Miami or in California, and for how I view colleges I don't have too many options. The five schools I listed are the only schools that really fit my needs, but I want one more option. And if I'm sacrificing my perfect college than I would want to live right on the beach and pepperdine and ucsd would be great for that. Pepperdine is a bit small, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker. And even though UCSD doesn't have my exact major there are similar options.</p>
<p>I don't think you have any idea about the schools on my list or you would have known that they are quite similar so I suggest you shouldn't make stupid comments, so I wouldn't have to type this all up.</p>
<p>Well my grades and sat scores are above UCSB, so I feel I have a good shot there. UCSD has that review thing and the cut off is around 7500, but I have a bunch of the things and I'm about 1000 pts. over the cut off so I feel I should get in there aswell. However I think I will get rejected from UCLA. </p>
<p>SDSU is a guarantee bc if you are over their cut off you are guaranteed admission.....it says it on their website.</p>
<p>And I have around the average scores of USC so I say I'm a match....it could go either way but as long as I get into Miami or UCSB I won't mind if I get rejected.</p>
<p>Well I guess I'm just going to add UCSD and hopefully everything works out.</p>
<p>socal,
you won't be disappointed with la jolla. the only elements, since locale seems to dominate your preferences, you might long for would be college sports and specific majors. UCSD plays in the CCAA which is the premier DII league in the nation given its overwhelming number of national titles. but RIMAC arena is pretty small time and there is no football program there. on the academic side a new graduate program in business is forming which might spill over to your area and communications is very limited. but they do have NCAA sports in just about everything including the beach staples of volleyball and water polo.</p>
<p>even though you step down somewhat in academics san diego state seems a better fit given these things. Cox Arena rocks, football is at Qualcomm, and you have nationally known business and communications programs, easily among the best in California. and it is widely regarded as a party school while its neighbor to the north is not. in fact, you could draw many comparisons between state and miami which enjoys all of these features plus a much healthier dose of muggy humidity much of the year.</p>