<p>These are my DD current top choices - she is likely to end up with high SATs, a 3.3 GPA if she is lucky, and some ECs. She will probably finish with 5 or 6 honors courses. She is interested in marketing, psychology, and creative writing. </p>
<p>How would the listmates compare our top three choices for Bay area schools? We plan to visit all three, but are having lots of trouble finding much on University of San Francisco and St. Mary's California. </p>
<p>We anxiously await feedback, as we do not live nearby, and are planning a visit to the Bay area in November. </p>
<p>Anyone have any suggestions on this? It seems peculiar that there is lots of info here on Santa Clara University, and some on University of San Francisco, but absolutely nothing on St Mary’s … are we wasting our time? It looks good on paper…</p>
<p>I don’t think you are wasting your time by looking at St. Mary’s. I’ve been to all 3 schools.</p>
<p>Academically, I think Santa Clara is the strongest school of the three. It gets stronger high school graduates. I don’t know how this plays out after college. I would think being in Silicon Valley helps too. Kind of reminds me of a smaller Stanford…the way it looks.</p>
<p>USF is right in San Francisco… a fantastic city. And a city pretty easy to get around. I haven’t been to the campus in 20 years even though I grew up in the city and live fairly close. I think the school is in a good enough area. You don’t need a car.</p>
<p>I’ve been to St Mary’s a few times, but it’s been awhile. Moraga is very different than SF, or where Santa Clara is located. Much quieter. It’s a bedroom communiity. It’s beautiful there and Orinda, and Lafayette are close by (nice affluent areas). But there is less to do there than in SF. You can take BART (rapid transit) from Lafayette to SF. St Mary’s is not a large campus. It is not a waste of time to visit.</p>
<p>I guess part of the decision is what does your daughter want? Suburbia… a city, or something in between (Santa Clara)? The location of the schools are very different.</p>
<p>They are all wonderful universities! Santa Clara and USF are both Jesuit and St Mary’s is Lasalian and a bit more conservative. Their locations are VERY different.</p>
<p>St. Mary’s is small - about 2,000 students, I think - and tucked away in the hills. It is a beautiful and peaceful campus and seems miles away from the real world. (But it isn’t!) They still offer their “Great Books” GE curriculum, or you can choose a more traditional GE pattern.</p>
<p>Santa Clara is an oasis of green in a suburban neighborhood. Surrounded by Santa Clara, Cupertino, and San Jose puts its graduates in the middle of Silicon Valley and lots of opportunities.</p>
<p>USF is in the heart of one of the world’s most beautiful cities - who wouldn’t want to spend four years in San Francisco??? It is a wonderfully diverse school.</p>
<p>You can’t go wrong with any of them. My only concern is if cost is a factor - they are all expensive private universities - probably $45,000 - $50,000/year. With a 3.3, Santa Clara might be a bit of a reach for admissions, and there would probably not be merit aid there. USF and St. Mary’s are a match, especially with high test scores, but neither guarantees to meet need. If you are in-state California, San Jose State and CSU, San Francisco might be lower-cost options to add to your list.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Edit: dstark and I seem to think alike, but they are faster!</p>