That is something needs to be figured out.
Good point. Will keep it mind.
Pardon my ignorance. But what are advocacy activities?
Check on Pepperdine financial health. Many small schools are struggling.
I would choose UCLA.
Does you D prefer one environment over the other? Often students who are happy and comfortable will find the greatest success.
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Social Justice/ Advocacy is the providing public support for causes that address disparities in society, especially disparities that deal with the ability to live a healthy life and the access to healthcare.
Essentially, the social justice/advocacy experience category covers activities in which you work to enhance the rights of an underrepresented or marginalized group, support a cause, or work for the opportunities of others. Examples include addressing health inequities, advocating for an environmental cause, civil rights, or disadvantaged populations, or even registering people to vote. It does not, as AMCAS states, cover experiences campaigning for a political party or ideology.
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Pepperdine has more than a billion dollar endowment for a school with only 3600 undergrad students, and gets an A- from Forbes on financial health. They did buy a fancy chateau in Switzerland last year which some people think was a waste of money, but at 95K COA (!) and still only a 49% acceptance rate, they’ll probably be ok.
OP, lots of things to consider and I’d probably recommend UCLA for med opportunities, but I wouldn’t worry about Pepperdine’s finances.
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Got it. Thank you
That is a question worth asking. I suggest your D schedule a call with a Pepperdine pre-health advisor to ask how they make those opportunities accessible.
My premed D did that when considering a rural LAC (currently attending) because that was her biggest concern. It’s worked out fine. Her school allows kids to check-out university-owned cars/vans to drive to activities (doctor shadowing, community service activities, etc). Pepperdine may have similar options.
Congratulations to your D on fantastic options!
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Great Advice. Thank you so much.
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Might she be happier in a Christian environment such as Pepperdine? Ot is UCLA more her vibe?
She’ll definitely have smaller classes at Pepperdine, so if that matters to her that’s a + for pepperdine.
Will she mind the behavior rules and requirements?
That being said, if she chooses Pepperdine, it means she’ll have to work with non Christians - med schools want to make sure med students, as future doctors, have encountered and experienced a broad diversity of people, cultures, beliefs, and faiths over a long period. If she’s willing to combine a more comfortable environment at Pepperdine -if that’s what she feels- and deliberate experiences out of her comfort zone, it may be a great combination.
Regardless of college, iis helpful to speak Spanish or another language spoken in the US beside English and all sorts of classes can enrich and provide background for experiences, such as Sociology -mandatory anyway-, Cultural anthropology, African American studies, Asian American studies, Chicano Studies, Gender Studies, Jewish studies, a culture class in a foreign language, etc etc.,.
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Another thought… ask if there are volunteer activities on campus (at either school). For example, my D works weekly at the campus kitchen that prepares after school food packs for elementary students and food care packages for underserved members of the community. She works in the kitchen so no car needed. The kids on delivery duty check-out a van.
Her minor is in poverty studies with a concentration in social determinants of health, so she has a real interest in food access. But I understand it will also be an appropriate EC for med school apps. I’m no expert. She works with her advisor on all that. 
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I think she should attend the school she prefers, given that most premeds end up doing something else. Some do not have the gpa, others change their mind as new interests emerge etc.
Your daughter can research opportunities at the schools she is considering. I am sure there are many. My daughter joined an on-campus organization and worked with a refugee family for 2 years- served as a liaison for school, medical appointments etc.
Congrats to your daughter!!!
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Thank you
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Thats awesome. Thank you
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I might lean Pepperdine in this situation. It sounds as if she’d be comfortable with the religious aspect; and since she’s very focused on med school, a highly-regarded private school that works to smooth that path for their top students could be a great experience - plus she’d be saving six figures toward med school!
I assume you’ve read this: Pre-Health Professions: FAQ | Pepperdine University | Seaver College
This line in particular stands out to me: “Our science professors normally do not grade on the curve which creates a non-competitive atmosphere and promotes cooperation among students and faculty.” Nobody would ever say this about the premed experience at UCLA.
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Those are some great points. Thank you so much for pointing that out.
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Thanks for the info!
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