Okay, so I have been accepted to both Pepperdine University and Barrett Honors College (at ASU). I would like to study business finance and eventually move on to my graduate education elsewhere. Both Pepperdine and Barrett would cost about the same, but after extensive research have found that barrett does have a slightly better business school. I was also admitted into the leaders academy for Barrett. I have always wanted to leave Arizona to study, but this program is growing on me. I also would like to attend a large school with a strong community and football team to root for. However, I despise the summers here (HOT) and don't want to associate with the numerous party students.... I would like to do some partying though, and Pepperdine is not the place for that, nor do I look forward to the religious aspect of the curriculum there. But I do look forward to exploring a new place and a change of scenery. I guess I'm just stuck in this dilemma, and in need of some advice. Thanks for reading.
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The small difference in undergraduate Business School reputation does not matter much at this level.
What does matter is the quality of your education—broadly defined. For this Pepperdine is far superior.
Pepperdine gets an "A" from the ACTA Education Foundation for the strength of its "comprehensive education requirements" (narrowly missing a perfect score). ASU gets a "C". Pepperdine is also rated by ACTA as one of the USA's "hidden gem" universities.
Pepperdine also gets a "Green Light" from the ISI Institute for its excellence and commitment to intellectual diversity.
Pepperdine does require 14 convocations per term — usually but not always religious.
Pepperdine is alright, but its a small school. It is in Malibu, near the beach, so the weather should be pretty nice most of the year. UCLA is not that far (about half an hour) away, so if you get to know some friends that go there, maybe they could invite you to some parties or something.
Finance at pepperdine is a undergraduate contract major, so you really have to please them in order to be able to sign the contract. You also have to be accepted into the full business administration program too. You have to take extra courses. ASU is a very good choice and there is no contract, extra courses or extra programs to do (based what i see on the roadmap) Nobody said you have to fully immerse yourself with those party people. You can just leave them alone and go about your own business and then join them when you have to have fun once in a while.
ASU is looking like a good choice right now, if you are willing to put up with the heat for a bit longer. It has what you are looking for (large school, strong sports team etc..)