GREAT EATS HAWAII: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COLLEGE TOUR

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COLLEGE TOUR

University of San Diego

San Diego State

University California San Diego

Point Loma Nazarene

Chapman

Loyola Marymount

USC

UCLA

Whittier

Occidental

With college a year away, we headed off to California to tour some great colleges. While the University of San Diego was our #1 choice going in, things changed after the tours. With acceptance rates at some of the schools around 15% and competition to get in fierce, we quickly realized that you can pick a college but the college may not pick you. The competition demands excellent grades, high SAT scores and non academic activities. Then there is the $50,000 to $72,000 per year tuition.

Don't know if my baby will go to any of these schools but we are shooting for the stars and applying at many of them. Was a great experience to visit these schools. So impressed with the student ambassadors that gave the tours. Smart, knowledgeable and some very humorous. USC was a big winner with a campus feeling like no other. Who can knock Point Loma College. Place sits on the cliffs of the ocean and you can surf between classes. Was impressed with Chapman College as it has great facilities, high standards and which looks to be a lot of money behind it. UCSD won big with my Daughter. Living in San Diego is what she wants but wow...so difficult to get into that school. USD is small, beautiful, expensive and checks all of the boxes for our girl but she thought it was a little too small after visiting the big boys (USC, UCLA and UCSD). Whittier was nice but too small. Occidental does not seem to be a good fit. San Diego State moved to top of list because my Daughter liked the campus feel and San Diego location. UCLA impressed and is at the top of the list along with USC. The campus and history at UCLA are incredible. If we had to pick today and were granted acceptance I think UCSD would be #1 choice with USC and UCLA right there. May not get accepted in any but this was a great experience for the entire family. I have a new respect for what it takes to get into the great colleges and every person that gets in should feel blessed and lucky.