<p>take carolyn’s advice. check out her web site as it leads to many information sources that at least in part are more than anecdotal. she also has a personal web site that has great links. there has been much discussion here about many schools such as temple, university of chicago, NYU, USC, columbia, cal poly pomona, and now whittier as being in high crime neighborhoods and dangerous. in almost all cases these are gross exaggerations. very few colleges in the nation are located in crime infested neighborhoods. as she says, check the facts rather than the chatter.</p>
<p>I’ve had a fair amount of interaction with all the schools you’ve mentioned…including attending Pomona College so I really know Pitzer.</p>
<p>LaVerne: Mostly a commuter school. From what I’ve heard there is an extremely limited social scene on campus. If you’re willing to go off campus for entertainment that might not be the worst thing in the world, but it still is a drag when no one else is around.</p>
<p>Whittier: Smaller campus, definitely has a blue-collar feel to it. In terms of location probably the least attractive.</p>
<p>Redlands: Nicer campus, and from what I remember they have a really good creative writing program, something that could be a big draw for you.</p>
<p>USC: I know a couple people that have gone there. One absolutely hated it (she is now at Brown), the others joined frats and are having a great time. Be forewarned, nearly all the social life on USC’s campus is predicated on greek life, if that isn’t your scene I’d be wary.</p>
<p>Pitzer: Personally, this would be my favorite of all the schools you’ve mentioned. I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure it’s the strongest school academically out of your choices and it gives you access to the rest of the Claremont colleges. Unlike the rest of the schools (excepting USC) social life is entirely based on campus, with the social scene including every other college. This allows you to draw on 5500-6000 students instead of the 1500-2500 you will find elsewhere.</p>
<p>SideNote: Much of these observations are based upon limited interaction with the other schools since I play sports for Pomona, however, I truly believe that the quality of people at the Claremont colleges is superior to the other LACs you mentioned.</p>
<p>agree with last…claremont colleges are awesome as is USC. then a huge quality drop to others. have you looked at chapman? occidental?</p>
<p>“I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure it’s the strongest school academically out of your choices and it gives you access to the rest of the Claremont colleges.”</p>
<p>Pomona over USC perhaps, not definitely not Pitzer.</p>
<p>Dear Ice,
Glad you found Carolyn to give you info. Son has a car at Redlands but I think he would tell you that you will get by fine without one. They have a van that gives free rides throughout the town-small shopping center, Starbucks, Carls Jr. the “frat houses”-3 or 4 I am not positive. Tuesday a group went the the Jazz Bakery in LA. There are several outdoor trips you can sign up for, if you don’t have the clothes for the activity you can borrow them from the school. The city of Redlands has a trolley but son has never taken it-it costs 50cents for students and the van is free. He has gone to the fast food places several times on the van with a group of people. There are several groups that have trips. They have whole school parties sponsored by different organizations and fraternities that seem to be fun. Alcohol is available but my son says you don’t have to drink. Safety patrols all the frat houses.<br>
The van will pick you up from the parties. I have run into several people who live in Redlands and the students seem to have a decent reputation. Lots of Redlands residents come to the school to support the concerts and games. My son’s second roomate came to U of R for the creative writing major-left but for personal reasons. The University wants you to live on campus all 4 yrs-you must petition out to live off campus. They have very nice apartments. Son calls the school intimate. I was there yesterday to load up my car with my son’s stuff. Today is the last day of May term, a one class “semester”. It is getting hot but you will be finished with school before lots of heat and possible smog. There is no summer school.<br>
Has Redlands responded to the financial aid review? I have spoken with the lady from the multicultural office and I am sure she would love to get any internationals involved with her. Redlands has a dorm that is available during the holidays that you can stay in when the dorms close. I believe it is free if you live >200 miles away. Or maybe it is $10 a night. </p>
<p>If you decide to attend, do email me and maybe I can help you with any questions.</p>
<p>Carolyn, I ran into Dave at the bookstore. He is doing fine-coming back next year and will be doing something with residential life.<br>
LA</p>
<p>wow! thanks a lot everyone!!! i will check the link carolyn posted b4 going to bed. i’ll post again later.</p>
<p>carolyn thx again for the link. i couldnt have found it by myself. lamom, thx for the post as well as the email reply!</p>
<p>I have to agree with drj, I would say Pitzer is probably at the top of your list in terms of academics — one of the nice things about Pitzer is the opportunity to take classes and do extracurriculars at the other claremont colleges, so you get more options. I think I might lean towards Pitzer for someone coming from overseas, but I like the overall atmosphere at Redlands as well. </p>
<p>Drj, thanks for the kind words about my website - had to put all of the information rattling around my head somewhere. If anyone is interested, you can get to it by clicking on my name, then “see carolyn’s website” — don’t want to upset the CC powers that be by posting the link here.</p>
<p>Lamom - Glad to hear that Dave is doing well. :)</p>
<p>i have to go to work soon but ill add some updates here. i got 90 credits transfered at whittier which makes me a senior. and a good scholarship. im trying to search more about whittier.</p>
<p>ive decided to go to Whittier and sent money already. they are now processing the money and sending me a I-20 which is essencial to get a student visa. i hope i get it soon cuz it might take long to get a visa…i want to thank you all who answered for my questions on here. i could understand more about the universities and decide after all the information. after all, the class standing as a senior was really a good point, cuz ive already done 3 years at a university in japan. actually i never expected to be able to transfer as a senior. so i was suprised. i still have to come back and graduate my japanese university but it’d be easier to graduate Whittier too. less time and less cost. it’s also closer to LA so thinking of staying for a short term, it won’t hurt…it’s easier to access lots of places. esp since i wouldnt get a car, tho i got an international driver licence.</p>
<p>well, it’s late at night (rather early in the morning now) and i have to go so ill come bk here soon to post some updates again.</p>
<p>Good luck, I am sure you will be happy.</p>
<p>Ice, have you made absolutely positively sure of Whittier’s RESIDENCY requirement? Nearly every college will require you to spend a certain amount of time at their school in order to graduate, regardless of the number of credits they may have accepted for transfer. Whittier is a friendly school and I think you made a good choice. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Scratch the last message - just looked the residency requirement up in Whittier’s catalog and it is for a minimum of 30 credits on campus, or basically one year. So, it sounds like you are set. Sorry if I gave you concern — and, again, best of luck to you!</p>
<p>thx for checking it out carolyn.</p>
<p>im leaving to Ca on 24th this month. the school starts from sep 2nd but ill be sightseeing around beverly hills untill that. just reserved hotels last night. i havent packed anything yet though…</p>
<p>Congrats, Whittier is a fine school. In case you do change your mind, just thought I’d throw in:</p>
<p>Between Redlands and LaVerne IMO Redlands has a little better academic rep. of the two. It is, as indicated above, more of a residential school. It is a little bit out in nowhere, about half way between LA and Palm Springs. the campus is very nice, not much else around it.</p>
<p>La Verne has a little more of a local/commuter student base. It’s about 45 minutes east of Los Angeles (Redlands about another 1/2 hour away). The La Verne campus is okay, I think Redlands is a bit nicer. LaVerne does have a little “village” (shops etc.) adjacant and LaVerne is 5 minutes from the Claremont colleges/Claremont village/art colony area.</p>
<p>Not sure of your “timing” but if you’re looking for other private schools in the Los Angeles area, there are also Loyola, Pepperdine and Occidental, among others. USC is an excellent school and my own biased choice would be any of the Claremont Colleges.</p>
<p>Carolyn and Lamom,</p>
<p>Thanks for the good information about Redlands, especially, Carolyn, the hopeful messages about $$$! I think it sounds like a neat place from all I have read and heard, and with S2 not looking too many places, it helps to know he has good schools on his list!</p>