Pepperdine has stronger academic reputation.

University of Miami is a school with some very good programs, and also some very mediocre ones. So I would say that fit for your DC would depend on the strength of the department to which your DC is applying. Many students are just there to party, and others are very bright. I am not as familiar with Pepperdine as a school, but I have encountered multiple Pepperdine grads in various circumstances. Every time, I have been shocked by a lack of critical thinking skills and a lack of ability to adapt to circumstances. They all now live in a subcategory in my head labeled "Pepperdine people." Granted, my sample size is relatively small and this is anecdotal. All the same, I consider it a red flag. Surely at least one should have been an exception? Even if your DC would rise to the top, they'd have to be prepared to be surrounded by a number of real duds ( and I don't just mean academically. An emphasis on religion is no proxy for character.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since money is not an issue, he is targeting the right schools.

Some might make a saints versus sinners argument, but I know too many Pepperdine alums to buy that line.

Interesting that he is conflicted as the two schools offer extremely different environments/campus cultures. Since he has attended Christian schools his entire life thus far, Pepperdine might be the more comfortable option.

I went to a Christian private (Baptist) and I was uncomfortable with Pepperdine and how Evangelical it was.

How long ago was this?

Anonymous wrote:Since money is not an issue, he is targeting the right schools.

Some might make a saints versus sinners argument, but I know too many Pepperdine alums to buy that line.

Interesting that he is conflicted as the two schools offer extremely different environments/campus cultures. Since he has attended Christian schools his entire life thus far, Pepperdine might be the more comfortable option.

I went to a Christian private (Baptist) and I was uncomfortable with Pepperdine and how Evangelical it was.

Anonymous wrote: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….

I understand Pepperdine and Miami cater to the same socio-economic group in America. But these are very different environments….even if the parent’s pockets are the same….

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….

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

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 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?

+1

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 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.

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….

Why is Pepperdine International Studies > Miami?

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…