<p>Last year I was thinking about going to LMU to do animation, but instead chose to try engineering at University of Washington in Seattle. I am starting to think that Engineering is not for me so now I am reconsidering LMU as a transfer BUT....Im worried about the atmosphere just as I was a year ago. I hear that it is white, and greeky. Rumor has it this is no intellectual environment, and when I visited got a lax feeling from everyone that I thought lacked drive. All I had was a glance but is the atmosphere good or am I wasting m time looking at a school without diversity and enthusiasm?</p>
<p>(any incite into the animation program would be really great too because it is hard to determine their atmosphere, mindsett or reputation either , thanks!)</p>
<p>Look at the ethnicity stats. It is hugely diverse. As a small university, you get a ton of personal attention. My son attended summer school as a high school student last summer and spent 6 weeks in class with all juniors and seniors from the university. To a person, each said it was an incredible university and they would go nowhere else. It was the best sales pitch imaginable. He applied EA (non-restrictive) and was fortunate to be accepted. (BTW, he’s not attending the School of Film, but you should write to them to get more information.)</p>
<p>Visit and take a film and television tour. Ask questions. It’s pretty diverse overall, but there is a rich Greek group if you want that, think of to as another type of diversity.
D is a production major, feels they have put a lot of energy into upgrading animation. Might be hard to get in as transfer now, look at deadlines for transfers and have you considered financial aid deadlines?</p>
<p>I think the lax feeling might come from being in la next to the beach. We’re kind of chill people, but that doesn’t mean we don’t work hard or have ambition. Students at LMU are very service oriented. And the school is about 55% white, which I think is pretty good for a private catholic school.</p>
<p>For our family, aside from Stanford (yeah, right), it seemed like one of the most ethnically diverse , academically " more selective" schools in the West. That is, in addition to other groups, there is a significant number (6 percent) of black people. If you like that sort of thing. My son got in for TV production but immediately swathed to engineering. My son moves among a variety of culturally different kids, with a wide variety of interests (soccer, bboy dance, basketball games, gym rats, TV production at ROAR, intramural basketball, tennis, and stuff in LA like ice skating, trips to UCLA). In spite of that, he is more focused than I have ever seen him (he is no typical CC kid).</p>
<p>We are pretty happy.</p>
<p>There are more than your average number of fairly rich kids though.</p>
<p>My son is a freshman there loving every minute of it! He went for fit over prestige turning down UCB, USC, UCLA, and Vanderbilt among others-he says he cannot imagine being anywhere else. It’s an excellent school with unlimited opportunities.</p>
<p>Yes VERY true! My son is a biochemistry major. He is also in the Honors Program which I highly recommend-it is a separate application process. LMU’s mission statement sums the place up perfectly: encouragement of learning; education of the whole person; service of faith (whichever it may be); and the promotion of justice. Everyone there is so genuine. Matt Fissinger, the director of admissions, along with their new president, David Burcham, are incredible individuals and 100% behind the students. When my son was home for the holidays back in December we asked him if there was anything he didn’t like about LMU. After much contemplation he said he could think of only one thing: the fact that the gym did not open early enough on Saturday mornings-he adheres to a strict workout regime and likes to get his day started early-usually workouts before his classes Monday - Fridays. He has actually run into some of his professors in his early morning work-outs! I cannot say enough how much he loves the place! Which major is your son or daughter considering? Make sure and go to Admit Day!</p>
<p>Hi 2down, my son has been accepted into Electrical & Computer Engineering (I think that’s what they call it). Basically he wants to do Computer Science software and hardware. Perhaps get the teaching credentials also.</p>
<p>So freshman year all Common major students are together? How many kids per class? </p>
<p>I am happy to hear that your son likes it so much there. Makes me less worried now. Thanks!</p>
<p>pixeljig-his classes both this semester and last ranged in size from 10-30 students and were for the most part other freshmen. Where else is your son considering?</p>
<p>No sorry he says he doesn’t know anyone in computer science. If you contact admissions however they will put you in touch with a student in any major - you can also contact faculty directly in that department - you will find them extremely responsive. I recall at LMU’s Fall Open House my son’s senior year of high school at the Science and Engineering Fair a professor gave my son a personal tour of his lab and spent a great deal of time answering his questions etc. He gave my son his business card and they continued to have contact during the application period and decision making process. My son even ended up attending one of his classes that spring during a subsequent visit. What’s so great about LMU is they are there for the undergraduates!</p>
<p>Hi 2down, Thanks for all the info! My daughter was admitted EA and Honors at admittance for the Fall, and she really likes LMU. Has your son enjoyed the other students in the Honors Program, and did he decide to live with the other honors students? Also, have you heard much about the Business and/or Psychology programs at LMU? Thanks so much for any info!</p>
<p>The business and psych programs are both great. Most people who live in honors enjoy. People in honors get guaranteed housing every year & don’t have to enter the lottery. Freshman year they get to live in the newest and nicest dorm, which also happens to house the psychology living learning community. There are a lot of special perks honors students get to have. If she’s seriously considering going to LMU and being in honors, she should message me or join the fb group and talk about it there. <a href=“Facebook - log in or sign up”>Facebook - log in or sign up;
<p>For 2Down2ToGo, My son was accepted EA to LMU and just received word yesterday that he was accepted at UCSD. Needless to say, he has not heard from a lot of his universities yet, but will in the next couple of weeks. Why did he accept LMU over a prestigious school such as UCLA and others?</p>
<p>The great news is LMU is becoming more and more prestigious with each passing year. I just cannot say enough wonderful things about the place!</p>
<p>In addition to what I mentioned in earlier posts on this thread my son really liked the idea of the small classes and the fact that he would have so much one on one contact with his professors. He attended classes at the other colleges during his decision making process and was surprised at how large the classes were (believe it or not he encountered insufficient seating capacity in some of the auditorium classes!). His friends that he visited at these other schools loved the college life at each school but did not speak highly of the academia aspects. My son is definitely not a nerd but he does place a high priority on quality of academics. </p>
<p>He took a lot of push back from the administrators at his high school, as well as from family and friends, for turning down the schools he did and going for fit over prestige. I was extremely proud of him for standing up to everyone. My husband and I were sold on LMU from the start after their Fall Open House but never shared our opinions with our son. We believe in allowing each of our sons to make their own final decision, helping them along the way to weigh the pros and cons of each college. The ultimate choice had to be his. Perhaps his choice was easier for us to accept since he was our #4 and all his brothers had attended “prestigious” schools; we knew first hand both the limitations and plethora of opportunities available at such institutions.</p>
<p>Our son thought it was great that he would have the opportunity to do research in his freshman year (he is part of the HHMI program at LMU-separate application process). He was also impressed with the excellent Health Professions Advising Department LMU has. In addition, he loves the Honors Living Community and is planning on living in Sophomore Honors Housing again next year. </p>
<p>Please feel free to ask more questions on this thread or send me a private message-good luck to your son!</p>