My college junior daughter has expressed interest in CA schools. Also looking at U of AZ, perhaps Indiana U. About a month ago, she was interested in medium sized liberal arts schools, but now thinking larger public. Back to CA–looking at her stats–she hasn’t taken ACT yet–thinking Loyola Marymount, Chapman, and maybe Santa Clara (that might be a reach). She is worried that LMU and Chapman are conservative and is worried about the religious affiliation. We explained that she would likely take a few classes, but it wouldn’t be a “you must believe situation.” Just curious if anyone has some input about the overall vibe–does everyone go to mass and you won’t fit in if you don’t? We are in Minneapolis suburb and she really wants to escape the extreme cold…My other thought is that public CA schools are very difficult to get into as an OOS student. Any thoughts appreciated!
Sorry that was to read–vibe of these schools? early and not enough coffee yet…
Santa Clara was one of my youngest’s top 3 choices–went elsewhere. I think I recall that SCU students just have to take a religion class or two, with wide latitude. I find that Catholic schools are generally perfectly fine for non-Catholic students. Of course, it depends on a student’s beliefs, values, personality, style, etc.
I’m basing these recommendations on SCU being a reach-type school for her. They are all very good schools, if less well known in MN.
Arizona seems like potentially a great choice. Another sleeper might be James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. Large public university with great school spirit. Students and alums LOVE it. It is very popular and has pretty competitive admissions for students coming from the populous Northern Virginia counties.
Elon University in North Carolina is another. It was a sleepy regional LAC and is now an emerging national university. A friend who is a prof at an elite New England school asked me about it because they have so many colleagues who’ve been visiting it with their kids in recent years. It’s a mid-size private. Students love it there. Campus adjacent to nice college area.
William and Mary sounds like a great fit–mid-size public university, though it would be somewhat more competitive than SCU, I think. Great academics, very nice community, and surrounding area.
We’ve known some students who’ve loved the College of Charleston, very cool school right in one of the most charming southern cities, with lots to do.
Again, we liked SCU, and Chapman seems like a cool school. She might like the University of Oregon in Eugene. Wetter weather, but not MN cold. Great national university with lots of outdoor opportunities. Kansas, also. Lawrence is a great college town, more hip than one might expect.
Good luck!
I don’t think either Chapman, LMU or Santa Clara would be too conservative for her. We here on the “left coast” tend to be progressive socially and politically - the Catholic schools here are pretty accustomed to students of both traditional and non-traditional bents. As far as religion in college, it might not even be in the curriculum - I would check.
For non-religious private schools, consider the Claremont Colleges - Pomona College, Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College and Pitzer. They are in the “inland empire” region of Southern California and it is WARM year round! 
I have a Seattle friend whose daughter is attending Scripps and loves it.
The better known UCs are reaches for everyone but there are many UCs that are less competitive. It would be helpful to know her stats? We also have state schools that are not UCs - Cal State San Jose, Cal State Long Beach and Cal State San Diego might be worth looking into.
Thank you for the responses! It is reassuring to hear that Chapman, LMU and Santa Clara could be reasonable possibilities for her. I looked at Elon and James Madison online and they could meet some of her requirements, too, so I will have her look into them. The Claremont Colleges sound wonderful, but would definitely be a reach. She is excited about visiting the University of Arizona in January:)
I will explore the Cal State schools a bit more. For some reason, I thought you couldn’t really be undecided about a potential major with that system and she is undecided at this point. Kansas might be too Midwest for her, but she did mention Oregon as a potential interest as well.
Thanks again!