USD vs. SDSU vs. UC Davis vs. Pepperdine vs. UOP (help me choose!)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So I have heard back from everywhere that I have applied, and it's time to start making choices. I have to choose between USD, SDSU, UC Davis, Pepperdine, and UOP. I was admitted as a business major to all (except for Davis, I was admitted under Managerial Economics). The way I see it, all of my options have both pros and cons. So, what I'm asking for is some advice on where I should go and why.</p>

<p>USD:
Pros- good business program, $25,000 scholarship, beautiful campus and city, small classes
Cons- rather small school, still expensive after scholarship, known for having spoiled students</p>

<p>SDSU:
Pros- respectable business program, big school, cheap, beautiful city
Cons- party school reputation, "state school prestige"</p>

<p>UC Davis:
Pros: it is a UC, big school, nice campus, $8,000 grant, college town, cheap
Cons: lack of business major (only has managerial econ.), boring town, known mainly for agriculture</p>

<p>Pepperdine:
Pros- good business program, beautiful campus and city
Cons- expensive, very small school, located in the middle of no where (no night life), known for being conservative, religious, and preppy</p>

<p>UOP:
Pros- $25,000 scholarship, respectable business program
Cons- small school, located in Stockton, still expensive after scholarship</p>

<p>All this info is based on research I have done on each school. Any other info on any of these schools would be appreciated. I have until May 1st to make a decision. All opinions are welcomed. HELP ME!</p>

2

<p>Hi, I’m a parent. Congrats on your choices!! Have you had a chance to visit any of the campuses? If you can, I would highly recommend it, to get a feel for the campus itself. We just did the tour at UC Davis yesterday. I was very impressed and it is at the top of the list of my son’s choices. We visited SDSU (San Diego State University) a few weeks ago - and it was impressive as well. In the case of both of these schools (from your list), they are large campuses. At both SDSU and UC Davis, both campuses are directly connected to the surrounding city areas, so if you go “off campus” (by foot, by bike) you can get to shopping, etc. At SDSU, to get to the beach - (only 15 minutes . . it says) to get there is 15 minutes on the freeway. At UC Davis, the whole campus and city is flat . . which lends itself to being a huge biking community! Which the campus supports with bike racks EVERYWHERE. And “bike repair stations” (bike tools located near the bike racks). Ride your bike up to any and all buildings: classes, dorms, dining halls etc. And right into town. Huge mobility (by bike) without the need (and hassle) for a car. Very appealing! The UCD campus did NOT feel “boring” at all. Beautiful overall (trees, lawns) with many brand new buildings (including a section of brand new housing due to open in the Fall). And while Davis itself is a college town, it is near many things: 20 minutes (by free bus transportation for students) to Sacramento. I was told by a friend whose son goes to UC Berkeley, that there is a free shuttle from UCD to UC Berkeley. Add to that - a $5 BART ticket from Berkeley to S.F. – and you are in San Francisco (in about 2 hrs. from UCD) for about $5. Lake Tahoe is not far either. Best Wishes!</p>

3

<p>Can you give us (tuition+ R&B) - (grants+scholarships) = ?
What’s your parents’ budget?</p>

4

<p>yes, we don’t have a feel for your total COA after grants at either. I’d favor USD or UCD. Isn’t Business Econ a stronger major than general business? I’d knock Pepperdine off for the cons you listed and having read too many stories of bad fit/miserable students in this forum. Also don’t worry about Davis being nowhere–a college of that size makes it own culture and there will be lots of happenings on campus. </p>

5

<p>So I have basically narrowed it down to UC Davis and USD, but I don’t know for sure yet. Here are my COAs:</p>

<p>USD: $35,979
UC Davis: $26,259
Pepperdine: $41,482 (just received $23,000 grant today)
SDSU: $26,158
UOP: $30,396</p>

<p>However, with my parent’s current budget, all of my options are doable financially as of right now. The financial aid I have received has definitelty had an influence on which colleges to favor. </p>

6

<p>Business Econ is a stronger major than just general business (which is not considered a strong major at all).
Pepperdine should just be taken off the list as of now. I’d pick UCD over SDSU if you want a large public university. Between USD and UOP I’d pick USD if it’s affordable because of location and strength of the business program.</p>

7

<p>I’d vote for Davis too. The town is great, less of a cow town than you think and there’s plenty to do - especially when school is in session. To an employer, managerial econ reads just like a straight biz degree. You should visit on their admitted student day.</p>

<p>Congrats and good luck!</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the responses. However, I do not know if I want to go to Grad school and get my MBA. With that being said, what kind of jobs can I get with a bachelors degree in Managerial Economics from Davis?</p>

9

<p>You can be a manager at McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Wendy’s…etc the sky is the limit </p>

10

<p>

this will largely depend on 1° your GPA 2°your internships
rather than the name of your degree.</p>