california private colleges quick facts

CALIFORNIA PRIVATE COLLEGES

AND UNIVERSITIESQUICK FACTS

Magellan College Counseling

Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com

There are several hundred colleges and universities in California, including:

o 112 Community colleges

o 10 University of California campuses

o 23 California State University campuses

o 119 private colleges and universities accredited by the Western Association of Schools and

Colleges (WASC)

This “Quick Facts” guide offers highlights of important information about 25 California colleges,

focusing on 23 private colleges and universities, as well as two California State University

campuses. It is meant to serve as a starting point for you to compare California colleges and

universities; it should be used in combination with other resources which will help you determine

whether each college would be a good fit for you (or your son or daughter).

A separate Quick Facts with information about each of the University of California undergraduate

campuses is available on Magellan College Counseling’s website:

http://magellancounseling.com/services/links/.

You can also download our Resource Guide, which has dozens of links to timelines, test

registration deadlines, test preparation tools, relevant news articles and other useful information

as you embark on the journey that is the college admissions process.

California Colleges and Universities

Magellan College Counseling looks

forward to helping you navigate

the college search process!


Location: Pasadena

967 undergraduates

1,200 graduate students

Acceptance Rate: 17%

Mid 50% SAT scores: 2200-2330

Mid 50% SAT CR: 700-780

Mid 50% SAT Math: 770-800

� Strongest programs: o Engineering, Physics, Applied Sciences

� 31 Nobel Prize winning faculty/alumni

� First year pass/fail

� On-campus housing guaranteed for four years

California Institute of Technology California Lutheran University

Application Deadlines:November 1 - Early Action (non-binding)

January 3 - Regular Decision

http://www.caltech.edu

Location: Thousand Oaks

2,700 undergraduates


Acceptance Rate: 47.2%

Average SAT score (CR/M only): 1010-1200

Average ACT score: 22-27

� Top majors: o Computer Science, Business, Education

� Affiliated with Evangelical Lutheran Church

� 37 majors in addition to professional preparation

programs

� Founded 1959

http://www.callutheran.edu


January 15 - Regular Decision (Round I) and

Presidential Scholarship

March 15 - Regular Decision (Round II)


Location: Pomona




Mid 50% SAT scores:

950-1200 (CR/M only)

Average high school GPA: 3.41

� Top majors (all impacted):

• Aerospace, Chemical and Materials, Civil, Computer,

Electrical, Mechanical Engineering

• Other top programs: Architecture, Animal Health

Science, Psychology, Biotechnology

� CSU Pomona has an Arabian Horse breeding

program, an art gallery and an agricultural center

at which fresh produce grown on campus is sold.

California Polytechnic State University California Polytechnic State University

Application Deadlines:November 30 (no early admissions options)

http://www.csupomona.edu

Location: San Luis Obispo




Average SAT scores: 1292 (CR/M only)

Average high school GPA: 3.9

� “Learn By Doing” philosophy

� Top majors: • Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial,

Aerospace, Computer

• Other top programs: Architecture, Urban

Planning

� Students must declare major upon application;

difficult to change majors once enrolled.

� Students from Cal Poly and CSU Pomona team up

each year to produce a float for the Rose Parade.

http://www.calpoly.edu

Application Deadlines:November 30 (no early admissions options)

Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are part of the public California State University system— not private.

They are included here as they are highly selective and have specialized course offerings.




Mid 50% SAT CR: 650-750


Mid 50% ACT score: 29-33

� Top majors: o Economics, Government, Psychology, History,

International Relations, Sciences

� Ranked #9, US News list of Best Liberal Arts

Colleges

� Ranked high on Princeton Review lists for “Great

Financial Aid,” “Best Career Services,” and “Most

Accessible Professors.”

� Pre-med students from Pitzer, Claremont McKenna

and Scripps share use of the Keck Science Center

The Claremont Colleges

http://www.cmc.edu

737 undergraduates


Mid 50% SAT CR: 690-760


� Top majors: o Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Physics,

Chemistry (only 9 majors available)

� Harvey Mudd awards only BS degrees

� Offers more exposure to humanities and liberal

arts than other engineering/tech schools

http://www.hmc.edu

Claremont McKenna College Harvey Mudd CollegeApplication Deadlines:(CMC, HMC, Scripps)

November 15 - Early Decision I

(notification date: 12/15)

January 2 - Early Decision II




http://www.scrippscollege.edu880 undergraduate women


Mid 50% SAT CR: 640-740 �� Mid 50% SAT Math: 640-710 �� Mid 50% ACT score: 28-32

� Top majors: Politics/International Relations, Psychology, English, Foreign Languages, Music,

Studio Art, Biology

� Student loan maximum is $4,000 per year Scripps College


~ 1000 undergraduates


SAT scores optional

Mid 50% SAT CR: 600-680



� Top majors:

o Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Biology,

Media Studies, English

� Environmentally-friendly dorms

� Vegetarian dining options

� Interview recommended

� Guarantees to meet demonstrated

financial need

Application Deadlines:November 15 - Early Decision

~ Interviews are required for ED applicants ~



http://www.pitzer.edu



Mid 50% SAT CR: 680-780



� Top majors:

o International Relations, Neuroscience,

Economics, Media Studies, Chemistry, Politics

� Study abroad programs are offered in 24

countries.

� Campus/alumni interview recommended

� Need-blind; grants awarded instead of loans

http://www.pomona.edu

Application Deadlines:November 1 - Early Decision I


December 28- Early Decision II




The Claremont Colleges

Pitzer College Pomona College


Location: Orange




Mid 50% SAT CR: 550-665



Top majors:

o Film & Television Production, Business & Economics,

Theatre, Dance, Music, Education

� Prominent program in Holocaust Education.

� Affiliated with Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

� 98% of classes have fewer

than 50 students

� All classes taught by

professors

Chapman University Loyola Marymount University

Application Deadlines:November 15 - Early Action

(non-binding)


http://www.chapman.edu

Location: Los Angeles

5,700+ undergraduates



Mid 50% SAT CR: 520-620



� Top majors: o Engineering, Political Science, Film Production,

Communication Studies, Psychology, Accounting

� 77% of students are from California

� 20% of students are Hispanic

� 49% of students live on campus

� Catholic school affiliated with Jesuit tradition

� Loyola Law School located in downtown LA

http://www.lmu.edu




Location:

Atherton (near San Jose)

700 undergraduates


Mid 50% SAT CR: 440-530


Mid 50% ACT range: 17-25

Average GPA of enrolled freshmen: 3.29

� Top majors: • Accounting, Finance, Marketing Communication,

Sports Management, Business Management

� 80% of students receive some form of financial aid

� 12% of students come from 78 foreign countries

� Emphasis on creativity and entrepreneurialism

Menlo College Mills College

Application Deadlines:December 1 - Early Action (non-binding)

Regular Decision—Rolling Admissions

http://www.menlo.edu

Location: Oakland

950 undergraduates

600+ graduate students


� Top majors: o English, Psychology,

Child Development,

Biology, Political,

Legal & Economic Analysis (PLEA)

Anthropology & Sociology

� Mid 50% SAT CR: 520-650

� Mid 50% SAT Math: 490-600

� Mid 50% ACT range: 21-27

� All undergraduate

students are women

� Men are accepted into

graduate programs

� Students can take

classes at UC Berkeley

http://www.mills.edu

Application Deadlines:November 15 - Early Action

(non-binding)

February 1 - Regular Decision


Location: Los Angeles (2 campuses—one in

Brentwood, one in Downtown Los Angeles)


570 graduate students


Mid 50% SAT CR: 460-540



� Top majors:

o Elementary Education, Social Sciences, Nursing,

Business/Marketing, Gerontology

� Music and nursing programs available to

male students; other programs open to

women only.

� Advanced degrees offered in physical

therapy, nursing, and other health-

related fields.

Mount St. Mary’s College Occidental College

Application Deadlines:December 1 - Early Action

(non-binding)


http://www.msmc.la.edu


(Eagle Rock)



Mid 50% SAT CR: 600-700



� Top majors: o Economics, English, Psychology, Chemistry,

Biology, Music, Diplomacy and World Affairs

� 80% of all students live in on-campus housing

� Cultural studies seminar required

first year

� Essay question: What person or

character best represents your

generation?

http://www.oxy.edu

Application Deadlines:November 15 - Early Decision I

January 2 - Early Decision II



Location: Stockton




Mid 50% SAT CR: 510-630



� Top majors: ◦ International Studies, Business/Marketing,

Engineering, Biological/Life Sciences

� Pacific’s School of International Studies

offers an MA in Intercultural Relations.

� UoP has a microfinance lender based on

its campus.

� Founded as part of the Methodist Church

but has been independent since 1969.

� “Best Value” college every year since 2000

University of the Pacific Pepperdine University

Application Deadlines:

Early Action - November 15

Regular Decision - January 15

http://www.pacific.edu

Location: Malibu




Mid 50% SAT CR: 550-670



http://www.pepperdine.edu

Application Deadlines:Regular Decision - January 15

(rolling admissions)

� Top majors: o Business, Accounting,

Communications,

Natural Sciences

� Students are required to

live on campus (except

commuters)

� Alumni interviews are

informational only


Location: Redlands




Mid 50% SAT CR: 520-620



� Top majors: o Government, English, Creative Writing, Biology,

Chemistry, Music, Environmental Studies

� Students can create their own course of

study in the Johnston Center for

Integrative Studies

� 100 study abroad options on four

continents

University of Redlands University of San Diego

Rolling Admissions -

Notification within four weeks

of submitting application

http://www.redlands.edu

Location: San Diego




Mid 50% SAT CR: 550-640



� Top majors: o Business/Marketing,

Communications/Journalism

� Affiliated with the Roman

Catholic Church

� Very high percentage of

students study abroad

� Master’s and Ph.D. programs

in law, nursing, Business,

Education and other fields

http://www.sandiego.edu

Application Deadlines:Early Action: November 15

Regular Decision: January 15

Late Consideration: March 1


Location: San Francisco


3,700+ graduate students


Mid 50% SAT CR: 500-610



� Top majors: ◦ Business Administration, Communication,

Hospitality Management, Psychology, Nursing,

Biology, Pacific Rim Studies

� Jesuit institution; about half of students are

Catholic

� 44-unit core curriculum in six academic categories

� USF has a joint BA/BS-JD program

� USF has over 50 study-abroad

programs in 30 countries

� 5-year BA/MA/Teaching Credential

dual degree program

University of San Francisco Santa Clara University



http://www.usfca.edu

Location: Santa Clara




Mid 50% SAT CR: 560-660



� Top majors: o Communications, English, Biology, Mechanical

Engineering, Psychology, Finance, Marketing

� Jesuit-founded; about half of students are

Catholic

� Core curriculum includes three

main themes: Community,

Global Societies, Leadership

� Campus interviews are

recommended

http://www.scu.edu

Application Deadlines:Early Action - November 1







Mid 50% SAT CR: 620-720



� Top majors: o Business, Cinema/Television Production,

Engineering, Communication, Art

� More foreign students than any other university

� Merit scholarships average $11,000+

� Nine-course core curriculum

� Hundreds of merit scholarships

awarded each year; school guarantees

to meet demonstrated need.

University of Southern California Stanford University

Application Deadlines

December 1 - Deadline for

scholarship consideration

January 10 - Application deadline

http://www.usc.edu

Location: Palo Alto



Acceptance Rate: 7%

Mid 50% SAT CR: 670-760



� Top majors: o Biology, Computer Science, International

Relations, Engineering, Political Science,

Economics

o Biology and human biology most popular

� 60% of students attended public high school

� Large number of general ed (‘core’)

requirements

� Special services for students with learning

disabilities

http://www.stanford.edu

Application Deadlines:Early Action - November 1



Location: Santa Barbara



Mid 50% SAT CR: 540-650


Mid 50% ACT: 23-29

� Top majors: ◦ Business/Marketing,

English, Social Sciences

� Liberal arts Christian college

� Outstanding Kinesiology

program

� 95% medical school

acceptance rate (national average

is around 40%)

� Average class size is 18

Westmont College Whittier College



http://www.westmont.edu

Location: Whittier


600+ graduate students


Mid 50% SAT CR: 470-580



� Strongest Programs: o Child Development, Education, Social

Work, Psychology, Business, Political

Science, English

� “Whittier Scholars” design their own

majors

� Originally affiliated with Quakers

� Campus interviews are recommended

� Campus cultural center focuses on

diversity programming

http://www.scu.edu

Application Deadlines:Rolling Admissions

Early Action – December 1

Regular Decision – February 1

Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com The beautiful Spanish-style campus at Stanford University

University of the Pacific

Pitzer is one of the five Claremont Colleges.

Westmont College

ObservatoryMills College students share their

concern for the environment.


Evelyn served for seven years as President of the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association’s Los Angeles chapter, and on the

National Alumni Council for six years. She co-chaired the JHU Second Decade Society’s Admissions Committee for

seven years, creating and implementing a national program to recruit underrepresented minority students to Hopkins.

Before embarking on her career in college counseling, Evelyn was a successful political consultant and public relations

executive. She oversaw communications and public affairs projects for corporate and non-profit clients and guided

dozens of candidates for political office to victory. A Los Angeles native, Evelyn holds a B.A. from Johns Hopkins and an

M.A. from the George Washington University.

Evelyn maintains active memberships in the American College Counseling Association, Higher Education Consultants

Association, Independent Educational Consultants Association, National Association for College Admission Counseling

and the Western Association for College Admission Counseling.

Magellan College Counseling can help you navigate the path to college admission. We work

with students and parents as they explore college options, helping students present the most

advantageous college application package and organizing the process for both students and

parents, minimizing stress.

As a volunteer admissions recruiter for Johns Hopkins for 15 years, Evelyn Alexander

represented Hopkins at college fairs, interviewed students, visited high schools, and trained

other alumni around the country to volunteer in these capacities.

ABOUT MAGELLAN COLLEGE COUNSELING

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS BOOKLET HAS BEEN GATHERED FROM THE FISKE GUIDE,

THE COLLEGES’ WEBSITES AND OTHER COLLEGE SEARCH WEBSITES.

© MAGELLAN COLLEGE COUNSELING 2011. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

CALIFORNIA PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

PLEASE VISIT WWW.MAGELLANCOUNSELING.COM

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