Pepperdine vs Miami - Academically

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid is torn. Money is not an issue. Grandparents funded kid’s college fund. Kid can only use it for College, so please dont include any costs/ merit aid, etc in the discussion.

DS toured both. Fell in love with both for different reasons. He cant decide.
Got in Miami Herbert and Pepperdine Int Business program. But also interested in both of their International Studies Major.
He likes Pepperdine Study Abroad program better, but feels like Miami is a better business school.
He understands the small “concervative and religious”bias at Pepperdine and he is not worried about it having been at a Christian school his whole life. He has friends at both schools and they are all telling him what he wants to hear.

Anyone here with experience having kids at either school?

He is also waiting for U of St Andrews but not sure he will get in. SAT 1470, GPA 3.82/4 UW.

What program did he apply to at St Andrews? Depending on the program, he might be a borderline case.
While St Andrews is clearly a more regarded institution than either Pepperdine or Miami for the programs you mentioned, Pepperdine has an amazing study abroad program. Since the question is academics, I would put Pepperdine ahead of Miami, but only due to tiny classes and their study abroad program. As a PP mentioned, they were always ranked higher than Miami until recent methodology changes.

[Anonymous]

DD was accepted to Pepperdine EA. I like the size for her. It’s small. The class sizes look great. Professors seem really committed to the kids. They have really good pre med numbers. Their study abroad programs are phenomenal. That’s a huge selling point. It used to be ranked in the top 50. It has a decent reputation. Even better in California.

I gently suggested Pepperdine because both dh and I went to a school on the California coast (DLI), and while it had its issues, we both agree it was all worth the perfect weather and views/vibes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid is torn.

Miami.

My father went to Miami, and it’s a lovely school with a big, very rich, very happy alumni pool.

For students who want to end up in fun business positions that lead to great wealth and good work-life balance, such as, say, high-level international trade or real estate development, that’s probably better than any place other than maybe HYPSM, and it’s a lot better for regular bright students than HYPSM.

The students might not be quite as academically serious as at St. Andrews, but the professors are, and the U.S. system (requirements for students to take courses outside their majors; more academic hand holding; more support services in general) is just plain better for most students who aren’t obsessive about their fields.

Some students think distribution requirement course are fluff, but they help kids understand what they don’t know and provide an off ramp for students who picked the wrong major.

The University of Miami also has top student publications, fraternities, etc. that are about as helpful at preparing the students for success as the classes.

If you were saying here that the kid loved California or hated Red states, or hated humidity, then Pepperdine might be a better option.

If the kid wanted an international adventure or wanted to focus solely on history or poli sci, maybe St. Andrews would be better.

If one of the schools was much cheaper, and money was an issue, it would be fine to pick the cheapest option.

But, for purposes of becoming a rich, happy person who can play golf and tennis, and who has fun in college and who understands how the world works but is not necessarily a Deep Intellectual, the University of Miami is clearly the best option here. It might really be the best option in the country. The top rivals for wealth building might be the University of Texas and Arizona State more than HYPSM.

Keep in mind: People here obsess about “stats,” but stats don’t make people rich. People who get rich are people who play golf and tennis well, or who can handle sailboats or horses, who are bright and can learn quickly and who can relate well to other people.

Some engineers and doctors who get very lucky might get rich by having a fabulous idea, but most of those who get very rich are the University of Miami schmoozer types of engineers and doctors, not the academic kids.

People here who want their kids to get rich and who obsess about SATs and don’t sign their kids up for golf, tennis and sailing programs are off-track.

People who send their wealth-oriented kids to HYPSM and don’t understand that the kid needs time to do well in a fraternity or the equivalent are off-track.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kid is torn.

Miami.

My father went to Miami, and it’s a lovely school with a big, very rich, very happy alumni pool.

For students who want to end up in fun business positions that lead to great wealth and good work-life balance, such as, say, high-level international trade or real estate development, that’s probably better than any place other than maybe HYPSM, and it’s a lot better for regular bright students than HYPSM.

The students might not be quite as academically serious as at St. Andrews, but the professors are, and the U.S. system (requirements for students to take courses outside their majors; more academic hand holding; more support services in general) is just plain better for most students who aren’t obsessive about their fields.

Some students think distribution requirement course are fluff, but they help kids understand what they don’t know and provide an off ramp for students who picked the wrong major.

The University of Miami also has top student publications, fraternities, etc. that are about as helpful at preparing the students for success as the classes.

If you were saying here that the kid loved California or hated Red states, or hated humidity, then Pepperdine might be a better option.

If the kid wanted an international adventure or wanted to focus solely on history or poli sci, maybe St. Andrews would be better.

If one of the schools was much cheaper, and money was an issue, it would be fine to pick the cheapest option.

But, for purposes of becoming a rich, happy person who can play golf and tennis, and who has fun in college and who understands how the world works but is not necessarily a Deep Intellectual, the University of Miami is clearly the best option here. It might really be the best option in the country. The top rivals for wealth building might be the University of Texas and Arizona State more than HYPSM.

Keep in mind: People here obsess about “stats,” but stats don’t make people rich. People who get rich are people who play golf and tennis well, or who can handle sailboats or horses, who are bright and can learn quickly and who can relate well to other people.

Some engineers and doctors who get very lucky might get rich by having a fabulous idea, but most of those who get very rich are the University of Miami schmoozer types of engineers and doctors, not the academic kids.

People here who want their kids to get rich and who obsess about SATs and don’t sign their kids up for golf, tennis and sailing programs are off-track.

People who send their wealth-oriented kids to HYPSM and don’t understand that the kid needs time to do well in a fraternity or the equivalent are off-track.

All good points….but on those points there is nothing much difference between the wealth/access/relatinonship structures between Miami and Pepperdine….lets be honest….neither is known for super academic kids….Miami has come a looooong way since your dad was there….clearly a more focused university now.

But if you are talking Golf, Sailing etc….then please…. St Andrews obviously wins it….Golf? Best golf program in the UK for students….heck they have a POLO club and Equestrian club….talk about elitism….

But none of that matters….OP didnt ask about a school for her kid to be rich….OP asked about Academics…..For an undergrad, between Miami and Pepperdine I would think Pepperdine is slightly better academics wise due to class size…not by much….but neither is even comparable to St Andrews….different class…

[Anonymous]

Agree but Miami is getting very popular last few years….and if they win the CFB playoffs, applications will go through the roof….happens every year…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid is torn. Money is not an issue. Grandparents funded kid’s college fund. Kid can only use it for College, so please dont include any costs/ merit aid, etc in the discussion.

DS toured both. Fell in love with both for different reasons. He cant decide.
Got in Miami Herbert and Pepperdine Int Business program. But also interested in both of their International Studies Major.
He likes Pepperdine Study Abroad program better, but feels like Miami is a better business school.
He understands the small “concervative and religious”bias at Pepperdine and he is not worried about it having been at a Christian school his whole life. He has friends at both schools and they are all telling him what he wants to hear.

Anyone here with experience having kids at either school?

He is also waiting for U of St Andrews but not sure he will get in. SAT 1470, GPA 3.82/4 UW.

Simple decision:
If Business -> Miami
If International Studies -> Pepperdine for the reasons mentioned earlier.
If accepted to St Andrews -> case closed. Cheaper and another class…

[Anonymous]

Why is Pepperdine International Studies > Miami?

[Anonymous]

Because of their DC connections and programs if the student is interested in that track….They also have an interesting London internship deal and a more comprehensive study abroad program than Miami….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid is torn. Money is not an issue. Grandparents funded kid’s college fund. Kid can only use it for College, so please dont include any costs/ merit aid, etc in the discussion.

DS toured both. Fell in love with both for different reasons. He cant decide.
Got in Miami Herbert and Pepperdine Int Business program. But also interested in both of their International Studies Major.
He likes Pepperdine Study Abroad program better, but feels like Miami is a better business school.
He understands the small “concervative and religious”bias at Pepperdine and he is not worried about it having been at a Christian school his whole life. He has friends at both schools and they are all telling him what he wants to hear.

Anyone here with experience having kids at either school?

He is also waiting for U of St Andrews but not sure he will get in. SAT 1470, GPA 3.82/4 UW.

Friends with kids at both schools.
Not sure I agree that Pepperdine International Studies program is better than Miami’s. Sure P has their DC program, but Miami is the gateway to LATAM. It depends on what your kid’s goals are. Don’t think you can go wrong with either. Lifestyle at Pepperdine is completely different than Miami even if there are some cross section of applicants who apply to both schools. Make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.

Strangely enough one of friends kids transferred from Pepperdine to Miami after her study abroad sophomore year. She absolutely loved the study abroad experience, but she felt locked up at Pepperdine Campus. Yes beautiful. But want to go to a late fast food grab, and you are miles away from civilization. Everything closes at 9-10pm during the week. If you dont have a car you will be miserable. If you are home body, then sure great spot. If you like going out and enjoying your college years, please do your research.

Academics are about even based on their experience.

As for St Andrews, we are talking about a completely different level of university here. Not even sure how this is even a comparison. If kid really wants IR, there is only one real destination here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid is torn. Money is not an issue. Grandparents funded kid’s college fund. Kid can only use it for College, so please dont include any costs/ merit aid, etc in the discussion.

DS toured both. Fell in love with both for different reasons. He cant decide.
Got in Miami Herbert and Pepperdine Int Business program. But also interested in both of their International Studies Major.
He likes Pepperdine Study Abroad program better, but feels like Miami is a better business school.
He understands the small “concervative and religious”bias at Pepperdine and he is not worried about it having been at a Christian school his whole life. He has friends at both schools and they are all telling him what he wants to hear.

Anyone here with experience having kids at either school?

He is also waiting for U of St Andrews but not sure he will get in. SAT 1470, GPA 3.82/4 UW.

Pepperdine vs Miami is a wash….Pepperdine has always been better ranked than Miami….might have flipped recently due to methodology changes..If your kid wants to live in the West Coast….Pepperdine, if East Coast, then Miami. It is that simple….
If your kid gets in St Andrews, like a PP said, this is a different animal. These schools shouldn’t even be in the same convo…

[Anonymous]

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid is torn. Money is not an issue. Grandparents funded kid’s college fund. Kid can only use it for College, so please dont include any costs/ merit aid, etc in the discussion.

DS toured both. Fell in love with both for different reasons. He cant decide.
Got in Miami Herbert and Pepperdine Int Business program. But also interested in both of their International Studies Major.
He likes Pepperdine Study Abroad program better, but feels like Miami is a better business school.
He understands the small “concervative and religious”bias at Pepperdine and he is not worried about it having been at a Christian school his whole life. He has friends at both schools and they are all telling him what he wants to hear.

Anyone here with experience having kids at either school?

He is also waiting for U of St Andrews but not sure he will get in. SAT 1470, GPA 3.82/4 UW.

Maybe he needs a change if he was in an all C school. So....Miami?

[Anonymous]

Yeah, why St Andrews in same breath. Discuss that when you hear from them. From DC area, and all three are in opposite geographic directions. Well done.

[Anonymous]

3 totally different unis. I agree with PP that Miami vs Pepperdine is wash. Depends on where you want to live.

[Anonymous]

Daughter is at Pepperdine now. We are from Vancouver. She is having a great time. BUT, it is a tiny school. You basically know everyone and the city is dead at night. If you are not Greek it can be little too slow. I would definitely think about that when comparing a school in a city like Miami to Malibu….

cant say anything about St Andrews….