<p>Should I really even be asking this question.</p>
<p>USC is not so terribly large that I would remove it from consideration; however, I tend to learn better in a smaller environment. That is why Pepperdine is fairly high on my list. Academically speaking, for a student who is undeclared, which university would provide a more enriched liberal arts education, until I figure out what I want to major in?</p>
<p>Also, there is the social scene. USC seems like it would have a lot more to do, but I feel I might get overwhelmed. Whereas Pepperdine seemed very laid back, and the city of Malibu is dead at around 10pm. Is USC very overwhelming?</p>
<p>one final note...how are the girls!?</p>
<p>haha seriously though, which University would you guys choose?</p>
<p>In terms of smaller environment, surrounding city, proximity to the ocean, and more liberal arts, Pepperdine is the winner. However, if you are considering things to do, culture, campus life, and academics, then USC is the better choice.</p>
<p>academically, USC is far superior...very rah-rah & the Whole College Scene...pretty w/ lots of brick & trees, but in downtown LA</p>
<p>Pepperdine is small, on a gorgeous hill in Malibu, but a bit like an over-grown HS to me...it is also very conservative w/ really nice kids (campus itself is new & the buildings are rather block-like)</p>
<p>USC is better, hands down. Overall, ranking, taking into consideration most factors, USC is a much better, more well-known, and prestigious school.</p>
<p>the schools are different, so you honestly can't say that USC is better than Pepperdine because you are comparing apples with oranges. Pepperdine is a small, exclusive school with 2800 undergraduates, while USC is a large research institution with 16000+ undergraduates. It all depends on what you want from a school. If you want a great education without tons of drunks, go to Pepperdine (dry campus). If you want to live it up and party 24/7 go to USC.</p>
<p>Those who did not get into USC or UCLA go to Chapman, LMU, or Pepperdine. It is a school for those who were rejected at the better schools in Southern California.</p>
<p>this is where i disagree, sirwatson, for most of my friends at Pepperdine were accepted to USC and UCLA, but decided to go to Pepperdine because of the religious affiliation and conservative nature of the school. I myself was accepted at both of the schools listed above and thought Pepperdine was a better fit. I am very happy here and have many friends at both USC and UCLA who are unhappy because they feel like a number.</p>
<p>I am glad for you that you feel accepted. And I am sure there are people who go there instead of USC or UCLA. However, the general consensus in California is that Pepperdine is a safety school and secondary to both USC and UCLA. Of course there are exceptions! And you are entirely correct. However, most people will always believe this.</p>
<p>Well I do not think that the reject kids go to pepperdine because I for one was admitted to USC but waitlisted at pepperdine! My advice to you stlrams is to visit the campuses and see where you feel most comfortable. Though USC has its brand "name," you may not be comfortable with its location. Though Pepperdine is in the gorgeous Malibu, it is not right on the beach but rather hidden in a hill that overlooks the ocean. I personally felt depressed and far away from civilization at pepperdine, since its kind of lonely without any city life to it. Malibu is simply a long strip parallel to the beach, and I was very surpised when I visited Pepperdine and felt the environment there. Also, do not let its beach location buy you because its not on the beach! Though you can SEE the beach from campus, you cannot access it since you are on the hill and traveling maybe 10 minutes down to the water would only land you on private beach property, so you have to drive down some more to actually be able to step on sand! It is, however, a close-knit environment and everyone is very nice, kind of gives you a home feeling, but I agree, there is nothing like the Trojan family, where everyone is not only very intelligent, but knowing of how to balance a social life as well. Though a BIG university, you must remember that it is a private school and there WILL be opportunities for you to seek individual attention. However, look at the costs, as USC did not give me much money, which is what turned me away from the Trojan Family... :-(</p>
<p>i would love to visit these campuses, except the flights are waaaaay to expensive from hong kong :( i have also been accepted by NYU GSP , would anyone pick that over pepperdine or USC?</p>
<p>Sir Watson, are you from CA? Those of us born and raised here it's commonly known that USC, LMU and Pepperdine are the safeties for UCLA, CAL and Stanford. Because of the party reputation USC there are those that have chose LMU and Pepperdine over USC. I know there's a lot of speculation that USC in moving up and soon to join to status that UCLA and CAL have, but USC is not there just yet.</p>
<p>pop_ster, I have quite a bit of family in Hong Kong. Several of my cousins have tried East Coast schools and enjoyed them. A few have found the climate too cold compared to the climate you have in HK and have ended up transferring to CA. Did you go to high school in HK or somewhere else? If you decide on CA, in my opinion Pepperdine is too small and Malibu to laid back for what I know of most people used to the energy of HK. USC is a popular destination for Hong Kong students.
Good luck with your decision.</p>