I went to SCU eons ago. I actually didn't love it my first year and transferred for a year to UC Berkeley.

However, I ended up back at Santa Clara and graduated from there.

I realized what a fabulous education I had been getting there. Why? Smaller classes; closer connections with the professors; professors who are allowed to dedicate themselves more toward teaching than research; more chances for things like individualized programs and internships; mellow atmosphere.

UC Berkeley is obviously an excellent school, and a 'hipper' environment, but Santa Clara has made a huge effort to be more diverse. Also has good opportunities for social justice involvement and community volunteer work.

Hey, I should work for my alumni assoc!

enzian & annabelle - I am very glad to hear your comments! We thought the campus was beautiful & that opportunities for internships/jobs in San Jose were big pluses. As a graduate of St. Louis U, School of Social Work 1978, I also picked up on the social justice emphasis & appreciated that.

Yes, there is a definite social justice emphasis, as well as numerous opportunities for service. We like that part too.

Does anyone on this thread have an opinion on Santa Clara vs. Pepperdine?
I'd appreciate any information. His major would be poli sci.

Sorry, don't know much about Pepperdine except the gorgeous location. Sounds as if all your kids are considering some great schools and probably can't go wrong with their decisions.

Now, paying for these schools -- yikes! Even when I went, Santa Clara was high. Definitely had the loans and the parents' support, thank goodness.

Oh, I'm delighted you all saw my message. It's such a tough decision, isn't it? My daughter didn't get into her first choice but is now very happy with deciding on SCU. Other schools did offer her more financial help, and it was certainly tempting to go with one of those, but I'm happy she'll be close by and I think the school is a good fit for her. Now I just have to try and locate that rich relative I've never heard of...

It was so nice to hear all of those encouraging comments from so many posters - very reassuring. I'm sorry not to know much about Pepperdine, but someone on this board should be able to help.

Good luck with all the decision making. I'm sure all the kids will do well and have a great college experience wherever they end up.

Hi BetsyG, My daughter just finished up her BS at Santa Clara, and thanks to the foreign exchange program, ended a tri-mester early, saving us about $10K this year - so, over four years, about $180K inclusive - so, yea, I know the cost issue you speak of. Overall, SCU was an amazing experience for her...and she loved the campus and instructors..

There are plenty of opportunities for students getting well paying part-time jobs. My daughter was making $14 an hour at a day spa, and those part time jobs are pretty much a requirement if your daughter likes to shop because Valley Fair and Santana Row are pretty addictive.

If your daughter doesn't do the dorms, student housing around the school can be a huge rip-off. After the initial dorm experience, we leased a four bedroom house two blocks from school for $4400 a month that she's sharing with another six girls.

One side note, our daughter took advantage of Santa Clara's excellent exchange program through Arcadia, with Bond University just outside of Surfer's Paradise in Australia. She picked up 20 units in about four months, saw much of Australia, went RV'ing in New Zealand, and Mom and Dad had a great time visiting her. SCU really supports spending part of the Junior year in the Arcadia program, which on paper is about the same in costs as SCU (less parental visit).

(See, that's how this became a travel related post)

Anyway, I wish your daughter well. And, start thinking about that Junior year travel adventure!