Re: the wealth on display at USD… when I was 17 and deciding between SDSU and USD (32 years ago) my dad and I were walking back through the parking lot to our rental car. Row after row of BMWs, Mercedes, fancy convertibles. It was impossible not to notice. We passed by an old 1983 Nissan Sentra (the kind of car I drove at home). My dad said, “So, that would be your car.” He didn’t need to say much more. I happily went to SDSU and came over to USD to study for my finals in their stunning library. 
1 Like
Many schools show wealth in cars from Alabama to CU in Boulder. I was always amazed visiting my kid - Beemers and Benz’s everywhere at his school.
1694 of 5481 students at USD get any need aid - yep so wealthy.
It’s also smaller than the student wanted - 7k I believe.
If the student would study math - is USC an option? It’s likely more than the parents would want to spend for a future teacher.
U of Arizona would be great but they want to be in CA. Or there’d be WUE schools too.
You’re right, it’s no big deal these days to have a fancy car. Thirty-odd years ago, it made an impression on me.
But you’re right to return to the OP’s question.
I don’t think USD is going to be substantially conservative or religious in its student body. It may well be more conservative or religious than UVM, which, from my understanding, attracts a quite liberal and perhaps politically active population. So, I don’t think she will lack for friends who share her point of view on reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ allyship, but those things may not be on the surface/part of the ongoing dialogue.
I would say the same would go for Chapman, LMU, Santa Clara.
1 Like
Oh completely in agreement with you!
I was a poor kid from the barrio on a limited scholarship but it didn’t cover my expenses.
My friend and I cleaned dorm rooms for cash at USD. We had a list of rich frat boys who wanted us to clean their dorms. If they stiffed us once, or gave us attitude, we never cleaned their rooms again.
Eventually my friend and I split our business venture. Then my list got long because people realized that I wasn’t there to socialize and that I actually cleaned. Nothing like cleaning rich frat boys’ rooms to get you to understand the class level system.
I also shared a corner room with an upperclassman who was never there and, because the room was bigger, I was able to take in sewing from all of the girls who wanted hems done. It was what covered my car expenses for my 68 bug.
FYI: I did my graduate work at San Diego State University. I loved it.
1 Like