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I'm Admitted! Why you should be proud...but show some restraint too
This is a sensitive time of year for seniors. Some get the admissions notice from their "dream school", others are waitlisted, and many more are rejected. Student's egos and pride are all out for everyone to see in the next few months. It is a tough emotional ride to watch. At our high school, we asked seniors to be sensitive and supportive of each of their decisions. Is your best friend accepted to a college that you don't like or admire? Support them. Are you going to a college that 'no one' in your school has even heard of? You deserve support too. Each student has their own path.
Parents also need to support this party line of unilateral support. It always amazes me at the number of parents that will chat about their student's acceptances as if it is their "resume" proof of being a great parent. How does that make other parents feel? In this sensitive time of senior year, walk the walk. Show your student how to be classy and how to treat all decisions with support! We will create a much happier and supportive community for us and our students.
Oregon State University - OSU Beavers
OSU...home of the mighty Beavers. Why is this a good school for California students?
Big (28,000 students – 23K undergrads), friendly, and football. What does OSU offer for YOUR student?
Location: Parents like that its just 9 hours driving time and 1 ½ hours from Portland (for you, easy ways to get your student back home – drive or fly). Students like that it’s far away enough from home, but still less than an hour to beaches and 2 ½ hours from skiing
Fun Facts:
Top majors: Engineering (not at U of O), Psychology, Business. There are over 200 different majors, all non-impacted.
1:26 = student to professor ratio
OSU is only school in US with Land, Space, Sun and Sea Grant designation, which means #1 research funding in Oregon. Over 2,000 undergraduates participated in research projects last year.
77% acceptance rate of OSU grads into medical school
“Double Degree” in Teaching – allows you to earn 2 degrees (Education and your choice) and have a K-12teaching license valid in over 30 states in just 4 years: http://education.oregonstate.edu/i-want-know-about
Pharmacy graduate school interest - OSU’s “Early Assurance Program” for select freshman applicants that assures direct entry into their Pharmacy graduate program (very competitive): http://pharmacy.oregonstate.edu/early-assurance-program
School of Engineering – Last year’s admitted class had an average 3.55 GPA and SAT score of 1724. Formula SAE racing team is just one of the fun academic clubs for Engineering majors. http://engineering.oregonstate.edu/fact-sheet
Admissions – Nov. 1st EA (non binding early notification of acceptance) deadline, Feb. 1st final deadline, minimum 3.0 GPA (LY 3.5 average GPA accepted), no min. ACT/SAT test score
Who should consider OSU - Student that needs a large variety of majors, can handle self advocacy in a large campus setting, wants classic school spirit atmosphere in a small town, and can afford the out of state tuition.
UC Riverside
Why UC Riverside? Formula 1 racing, diversity, and undergraduate research opportunities are just a few reasons why you need to research this campus.
What’s unique: the only UC campus with a Creative Writing major and a top ranked Etymology department.
This UC campus has the central location close to the LA area, Division 1 sports teams (but no football), and is the #2 Etymology dept. in the US (spider silk research). UC Riverside also has a citrus experiment station and it was where the “Cutie” orange was invented.
Why choose UC Riverside: 2 years of guaranteed campus housing, 18:1 student to faculty ratio, 72% of students live on campus and a new recreation center and the campus offers over 400 clubs & organizations to join. This all creates a vibrant and involved student population. Off campus housing is also very affordable. Undergraduate research is heavily promoted with an Undergraduate Research Symposium and Undergraduate Research Journal as part of their “Student Success Programs”.
Engineering acceptance statistics are lower than most UC campuses at a 3.7 GPA and 1750 SAT average. Undergraduate research is promoted heavily with the Engineering depts. the best funded major. Engineering also offers a “4+1” BS/MS option. Have a passion for race cars? The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) participate in car challenges yearly. Bournes College of Engineering offers hands on learning: http://bournsdifference.ucr.edu/difference.html
How else can you make this large university feel more intimate: Learning Communities for freshman (optional) offer themed or major specific courses in a smaller class environment. (http://firstyear.ucr.edu/housing.html ) Many “Living Learning Communities” offer upperclassmen mentors from that major, academic advising and priority registration.
University of San Diego
San Diego beauty - private university with a strong alumni base and excellent funding for new innovation in Engineering and Business. Is this the campus for you?
College: University of San Diego – San Diego, CA www.sandiego.edu
Type of institution – Private University, medium sized with 5,700 undergraduates (8,200 students total)
Student population: 56% from CA, most popular majors are Business (Bus.Admin, Marketing, Accountancy, Finance) and Mechanical Engineering , 48% Catholic, over 75% students study abroad
Students admitted: Average statistics of 3.8+ GPA (weighted), 1200+ SAT or 28+ ACT (from 2014 class)
Academic Calendar: 4-1-4 (semesters with a winter break in between semesters)
University of San Diego is a private liberal arts college that is based in “Catholic intellectual tradition". Their academics value undergraduate research, small class sizes, and active learning. Engineering college has a well funded program based on “learn by doing” with their Cymer Ideation Space and Donald’s Garage types of creation labs. Business college has strong ties to the diverse business community in San Diego, placing students for internships and careers in industries from aerospace to wineries (see Career outcomes chart : www.sandiego.edu/careeroutcomes).
Disadvantages to USD: Financial aid does not cover full need, merit aid is generous but only to top performing students (top 10% of your class)
Advantages to USD: Small class sizes (14:1 average), consistent academic advising from freshman year , strong ties to a large city with a wide variety of industries, well supported study abroad program, and beautiful campus.


