College Guide
0
Posted
April 10, 2008 in
Feature Story
THE ART INSTITUE OF CALIFORNIA
630 E. Brier Dr., San Bernardino
(909) 915-2100
http://www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire
History
Because they recently opened, the Art Institute Of California—Inland Empire doesn’t have a lot of history. In fact, their first graduates received their credentials last week. Although it hasn’t been around long, the school promises you some kick ass professional skills, the least of which is to not use the term ‘kick ass’ when describing the school on your resume.
Emphasis
Ai offers degree programs in culinary arts and management, game art and design, graphic design, interactive media and animation.
Tuition Costs
Shrouded in secrecy.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Art Institute must have completed high school or a GED program. They’ll also accept you with a bachelor’s degree. You’ll also have to write an essay around 150 words on two different subjects dealing with how Ai’s education will benefit your career.
Enrollment
700 (approx.)
BIOLA UNIVERSITY
13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada
(800) 652-4652
www.biola.edu
History
This mildly competitive, 95-acre private Christian college straddles the borders of Los Angeles and Orange Counties with satellite campuses in Chino, Palm Desert, and San Bernardino. Established in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles by UnoCal owner Lyman Stewart and Christian author T.C. Horton, Biola served as a national leader of the Conservative Christianity movement long before G.W. and Ralph Reed arrived with their bully pulpits, dominating the Christian airwaves and serving as international mouthpiece for fundamentalism before its felling by the Great Depression. Louis T. Talbot rescued the school from its ashes, served as its second and fourth presidents, and later instituted the popular theology program. Biola College moved to its current location in 1959 and was officially rechristened to Biola University in 1981. U.S. News and World Report currently ranks the school as a “National University.”
Emphasis
Biola offers 145 programs across seven schools. Renowned for its biblical-centered evangelical education, students must attend chapel three times a week, take 30 units of biblical studies coursework, and actively participate in ministries. Biblical Studies is a biggie on campus, as is the renowned marine biology program, but art, business administration, education, and psychology stake heavy presences as well.
Tuition Costs
$26,424 yearly (2007-2008), $7,892 additional for room and board.
Admission Requirements
A belief in the evangelical Christian faith and pastoral references are definite musts for any student seeking admission to Biola. High school graduates who have taken the SAT or ACT standardized tests (average combined SAT scores are 1,108; 24 for ACT) and have completed an application are eligible for admission. At a minimum, graduates should have a total of four years of English, four years of foreign language, three years of mathematics, and two years each of science and social sciences. Transfer students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be in good standing at their postsecondary institutions.
Application Deadlines
Fall 2009: December 1, 2008, January 15, 2009, and March 1, 2009
Spring 2009: December 15, 2008
Enrollment
5,858 yearly (Fall 2007); 3,550 of which are undergraduates.
CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
8432 Magnolia Ave., Riverside
(951) 689-5771
www.calbaptist.edu
History
In 1950, Cal Baptist was opened in El Monte, and in 1954 it had its first graduating class of eight. The school quickly grew so large that they had to leave their hallowed El Monte halls for the greener, more spacious pastures of Riverside, and the University relocated to its current sprawling, 103-acre campus.
Emphasis
Cal Baptist is a liberal arts school founded by Southern Baptists. So while you’re busy learning about all those things that make you a well-rounded human being (such as philosophy, logic, professional ethics and the like) you’ll also get a nice injection of biblical instruction that’ll build character and prepare you for tough decision making after your schooling is complete.
Tuition Costs
$19,000 yearly, plus $8000 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
For newly graduated high schoolers, you’ll need a GPA of at least 2.5 and an SAT score of 920. You’ll also have to bang out a three to five paragraph essay about what you hope to gain from your experiences there, plus pay the requisite $45 application fee. Being of the Baptist faith is also important.
Application Deadlines
These move around a bit, so check the website.
Enrollment
4,000 (approx.)
CAL POLY POMONA
3801 West Temple Ave., Pomona
(909) 869-7659
www.csupomona.edu
History
Originally an all-male institution after opening doors in 1938, Cal Poly Pomona established itself as a state school by the mid-’60s (women began enrolling in 1961) when it joined the CSU system and was declared a full-fledged university in 1972.
Emphasis
If designing the next great bridge or bringing a bit more food to the table is your dream gig, then Cal Poly Pomona is probably a pretty great fit. That’s because the university’s flagship programs—engineering, architecture and agriculture—are what initially put this place on the list of desirable higher education destinations. But what’s also kept this SoCal Polytechnic state school on the map (NorCal’s San Luis Obispo is its sister school) are the rest of its diverse offerings. Education, business, math, social sciences, kinesiology and languages are some of its many majors, plus don’t forget about the specialty grad programs (for example, teachers can really advance their lives and knowledge through the tech-based Educational Multimedia program) and the excellent on-campus hotel and restaurant.
Enrollment
19,000 (approx.)
Tuition Costs
$2,500 yearly (approx.) for full-time California residents
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO (CSUSB)
5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA
(909) 537-5188
www.csusb.edu
History
Cal State San Bernardino was founded in 1965 in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains by the Cajon Pass, where gale-force Santa Ana winds occasionally forced the cancellation of classes (much to student’s chagrin). Back then, the campus served as stomping grounds for a couple hundred students and 30 faculty members. Today, CSUSB is a thriving campus known for its diversity and back yard accessibility, having the third highest Latino and African-American enrollments of any California institution of higher learning.
Emphasis
CSUSB offers over 70 programs in five academic colleges, with small class sizes and modern-equipped facilities. The most popular areas of study are business administration, management, and marketing, followed by liberal arts, social sciences, psychology, and the security and protective services program. CSUSB has one of the nation’s largest teacher credentialing programs and is one of the few institutions offering a Graduate National Security Studies program. The Graduate Entrepreneur Program ranked fourth in the nation and the College of Business and Public Administration was the first IE college to earn national accreditation.
Tuition Costs
$3,473 yearly for California residents; $10,170 yearly for non-residents (2007-2008, not including room and board).
Admission Requirements
CSUSB is one of the less selective colleges in California, holding a 63% acceptance rate and requiring composite SAT scores of 820-1030 with a 2.0 GPA. High school graduates who’ve taken the SAT or ACT standardized tests (high test scores with lower GPA; 3.0 or above qualifies with any score) and completed an application are eligible for admission. At minimum, graduates should maintain a “C” average or better in four years of English, three years of math, two years both social science and foreign language, and one year of life science and physical science (with labs), and the visual or performing arts. Transfer students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be in good standing at the previous college attended.
Application Deadlines
October 1 through November 30 in the year prior to attendance; priority filing for winter is June 1-30; spring is August 1-31.
Enrollment
17,072 students (Fall 2007)
CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
1 University Drive, Orange, CA
(714) 997-6815
www.chapman.edu
History
Established in 1861 as Hesperian College in Woodland, it became the California Christian College of Los Angeles in the 1920s before being renaming in honor of famed OC philanthropist Charles C. Chapman in 1934. The school moved to its present idyllic, tree-lined old town Orange location in 1954 and officially became Chapman University in 1991, earning the distinction as the largest private university in Orange County. It counts among its alumni such notables as Colin Hanks and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. Chapman maintains bragging rights to one of the largest chunks of the Berlin Wall as well as the largest freestanding spiral staircase west of the Mississippi.
Emphasis
Chapman University offers 45 undergraduate majors across 60 areas of study and 28 graduate programs across 30 subjects, with a focus towards developing the “whole person.” The nationally-acclaimed George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics and its business administration program is the most popular area of study, followed by cinematography and film studies, psychology, advertising, and the liberal arts. Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is one of the tops in the state.
Tuition Costs
$47,000 yearly, including room and board (2008-2009).
Admission Requirements
Admission to Chapman is very selective, with the average SAT score hovering around 1825, an average ACT at 27, and an average GPA of 3.7. Class rank, letters of recommendation and the personal statement are weighed equally to grades. Transfer students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75, with a “C” average or better in the IGETC or general ed certified classes in order to apply. Admissions officers examine college-level writing courses with a fine-toothed comb, and the high school SAT/ACT scores are taken into consideration if the applicant completes fewer than 24 transferable credits.
Application Deadlines
Fall 2009: January 31, 2008
Enrollment
5,908 students (4,086 of which are undergraduates).
CHAFFEY COLLEGE
5885 Haven Ave., Rancho Cucamonga
(909) 652-6000
www.chaffey.edu
History
This 125-year-old community college has gone from a graduating class of two (a pair of ladies back in 1890) to enrollment in the tens of thousands. And with the fury of residential and commercial expansion in the school’s service vicinity (not to mention substantially quicker access to the main campus via the opening of the 210 freeway extension), Chaffey College has had to react quickly, building satellite campuses in Chino and Fontana.
Emphasis
Prices that low make this place a great stop to gain certification in a number of vocational education trades, or as an inexpensive stepping-stone for eventually transferring to a four-year university.
Tuition Costs
$20 per unit.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Enrollment
18,000 students (approx.)
CITRUS COLLEGE
1000 West Foothill Blvd., Glendora, CA
(626) 963-0323
www.citruscollege.edu
History
Citrus College is the oldest public community college in Los Angeles and fifth oldest in California. Established by Lloyd S. Hayden in 1915, Citrus College originally made its start as part of the Citrus Union High School District. The original enrollees numbered 27. Today, more than 11,000 students attend. Citrus College operates on two 16-week semester systems with summer sessions and a six-week winter intersession, with late-start, early-end and distance education classes.
Emphasis
Citrus College offers general education classes leading to an Associate in Arts Degree, Certificate of Completion, or university transfer program. It also offers an intensive ESL program.
Tuition Costs
$20 per unit for California residents; $176 per unit for out of state residents; $200 per units per unit for international students.
Admission Requirements
As with most California Community Colleges, Citrus maintains an open admissions policy. High school graduates or anybody possessing a California High School Proficiency Certificate or GED who is at least 18 of age is eligible to attend, as are high school students in 11th or 12th grade. International students with F-1 visas may also attend.
Enrollment
11,234 students (Fall 2007).
CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
150 E. 10th St., Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.cgu.edu
History
CGU, established in 1925, was the second of the Claremont Colleges. It’s an all post-graduate university, the oldest of its kind in the country. The 19-acre campus incorporates eight academic schools and one independent department, and awards masters and doctoral degrees in 22 disciplines. Among its alumni are three MacArthur (“Genius Grant”) Fellows.
Emphasis
CGU favors a transdiciplinary approach to graduate education, allowing their student body to choose courses from any of its academic departments. CGU has small classes and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. It also shares resources with the other Claremont Colleges.
Tuition Costs
Standard: 1-11 units, $1,376 per unit; 12 units semester, $15,820; 16-unit semester, $21,324. Art school 16-unit semester: 1-11 units, $1,133 per unit; 12 units semester, $15,820; 16-unit semester, $16,953. Executive Management: 1-11 units, $1,580 per unit; 12 units semester, $18,960; 16-unit semester, $25,280.
Admission Requirements
Application form, application fee ($60), personal statement, current resume, official transcripts, three references and official test scores.
Application Deadlines
Jan. 15, 2009: School of Behavioral and Organizational Sciences (Psychology and Human Resources Design)
Feb. 1, 2009: All other programs. The Drucker and Ito School of Management has two additional deadlines of April 1 and May 15.
Enrollment
2,000 students (approx.)
CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE
500 E. Ninth St., Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.claremontmckenna.edu
History
CMC, founded in 1946 as Claremont Men’s College, is the third of the Claremont Colleges. Its motto is cresit cum commercio civitas or “Civilization prospers with commerce.” After becoming co-educational in 1976, CMC was renamed Claremont McKenna College in 1981 in honor of founding trustee Donald C. McKenna. In the 1970s, CMC established its Washington Program, sending students to Capitol Hill for internships. Seventy percent of CMC grads go on to advanced degrees and one in eight hold a position in top management.
Emphasis
As envisioned by founding president George C. S. Benson, CMC combines a traditional liberal arts education with a healthy dose of public policy, government and economics. CMC has a host of on-campus research institutes devoted to public affairs, including the Center for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights and the Lowe Institute of Political Economy and the Rose Institute of State and Local Government. CMC has an average class size of 16, and a student-faculty ratio of 9:1.
Tuition Costs
$35,190 yearly (2007-2008), with an additional $11,330 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
CMC has no predetermined formula for admissions, weighing all applicants individually. Here are the minimum secondary course requirements: Four years of English; three (preferably four) years of mathematics; at least three years of a foreign language; at least one year of history; at least two years of science.
Application Deadlines
Early Decision I: Dec. 1, 2008. Early Decision II: Jan 1, 2009. Regular Decision: Feb. 1, 2009.
Enrollment
1,135 students.
CLAREMONT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
1325 N. College Ave., Claremont
(909) 447-2500
www.cst.edu
History
CST is a part of the Claremont College Consortium and moved to its present location in 1957. It traces its history back to 1885 and the founding of Maclay College of Theology in San Fernando. It then moved to the campus of USC until 1956, when it became an independent corporation. CST is a United Methodist Seminary and works closely with the Disciples Seminary Foundation. The campus was built from a design by architect Edward Durell Stone, who also designed the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.
Emphasis
The CST curriculum stresses academic excellence, vocational formation and responsible social engagement. Students study to become pastors, scholars, counselors, chaplains and other religious professionals. Second year students engage in field education to prepare them for future roles in the ministry. Degrees conferred at CST are Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy. They also have a program for non-degree students.
Tuition Costs
Ranges from $575-$825 per unit.
Admission Requirements
Admission is dependent on the strength of the applicant’s academic record, personal qualifications, professional goals and a demonstrated commitment to learning in a theological community.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary based on the prospective degree.
Jan. 15, 2009: PhD
Feb. 15, 2009: M.Div and M.A. Priority Financial Aid
April 1, 2009: M.Div, M.A., non-degree (international students)
April 15, 2009: D.Min
May 1, 2009: M.Div, M.A., non-degree (domestic students)
Enrollment
250 students (approx.)
HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE
301 Platt Boulevard, Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.hmc.edu
History
Harvey Mudd was chartered in 1955 and opened its doors in 1957. Opening with just 48 students and seven faculty members, the school has grown to be recognized as one of the top engineering schools in the country.
Emphasis
Harvey Mudd emphasizes undergraduate research, especially through its Clinic Program, which allows students to solve problems posed by sponsoring industry, governmental and non-profit agencies.
Tuition Costs
$34,891 yearly, plus $11,415 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
Harvey Mudd is very selective and has a highly qualified applicant pool.
Admissions Deadlines
Early Decision: Applications due Nov. 15; reply date Dec. 15
Regular Decision: Applications due Jan. 15; reply date April 1
Enrollment:
735 students (all undergrads)
KECK GRADUATE INSTITUTE OF APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
535 Watson Dr., Claremont
(909) 607-7855
www.kgi.edu
History
KGI is the seventh and newest college of the Claremont College Consortium. Established in 1997 through a $50 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation, it’s a graduate-level, application-based scientific research and education school. It offers a Master of Bioscience degree as well as a PhD in Applied Life Sciences, and a PhD in Computational and Systems Biology. Former Harvey Mudd College President Dr. Henry E. Riggs, who was the first to identify the need for the university, was KGI’s initial president and held that position until 2004. KGI is the only Claremont College to located south of the Claremont Village.
Emphasis
KGI dedicates itself to education and research into the life sciences. Research areas include: Drug Discovery and Development; Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Development; Bioprocessing; Medical Diagnostics and Devices; Systems Biology and Computational Biology; Plant Molecular Biology and Development; and Management Research.
Tuition Costs
$37,900 yearly, plus $21,000 for housing, food, transportation and personal expenses.
Admission Requirements:
ABA from an accredited university or college is required, as well as the GRE/MCAT or GMAT tests. Although coursework in the following areas are not required, they are heavily recommended: Molecular biology/basic genetics; Chemistry and biochemistry; Organic chemistry; Statistics; and Mathematics (at least calculus). Work experience in fields relating to biotechnology, engineering, computing, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and instrumentation, and medical, environmental and agricultural biotechnology is also recommended.
Application Deadlines
May 30, 2008
Enrollment
82 students
LA SIERRA UNIVERSITY
4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, CA 92515
(800) 874-5587
www.lasierra.edu
History
The history of La Sierra University is one heavily steeped in religion. From the first moment of being accredited in 1946, the student yearbook expressed how “Christian teachers . . . reflect in their lives . . . the Great Teacher.” That tradition lives on today, with the community of La Sierra being not only an educational environment, but a Christian one as well. The school was also linked with Loma Linda to form a two-campus University for 23 years, and while that connection was severed in 1990, the impact of that relationship still benefits the pre-professional programs at the school.
Emphasis
As part of the Seventh-day Adventist system of higher education, religion is a big emphasis for the university. Additionally, La Sierra offers courses in applied liberal arts and sciences, business and management, religion, and programs for professional education leading towards obtaining a teaching credential
Tuition Costs
$21,060 yearly, plus $7,398 room and board.
Admission Requirements
Having a selective GPA score of 3.10 or higher automatically qualifies for admission to La Sierra, otherwise an ACT of SAT score minimum that corresponds to GPA must be achieved in order to be admitted. Applications are considered on a rolling basis, however the following application deadlines are highly recommended:
Fall Quarter: February 1
Winter Quarter: November 15
Spring Quarter: March 1
Enrollment
1924 students (1584 of which are undergraduates).
LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY
11234 Anderson St., Loma Linda
(909) 558-8161
www.llu.edu
History
Loma Linda University was founded in 1905 as a sanitarium by Seventh Day Adventists John Burden and Ellen G. White. Faculty originally taught basic sciences to students, sending them to LA for clinical training. The Loma Linda Medical College opened in 1910 and became the university in 1961, the Medical Center opened in 1967 and served as the only Level 1 Trauma Center in San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside and Mono Counties.
Emphasis
Loma Linda’s curriculum focuses entirely on health sciences, awarding all manner of degrees in 55 health-related programs (out of a possible 109 degree and certificate programs available). Most popular are the nursing, dental hygiene, and occupational therapy programs.
Tuition Costs
$15,000 yearly and up (2007-2008)
Admission Requirements
All students at Loma Linda University are transfer students—no freshman applicants are admitted. A formal application with essay, character/personal traits, personal interview, recommendations, and religious affiliation are also important determinants in the admissions process. Transfer students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 across all post-secondary courses. There may be additional requirements depending on the program and/or school.
Application deadlines
Fall semester: May 1.
Enrollment
3,153 students (2004-2007)
PITZER COLLEGE
1050 N. Mills Ave., Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.pitzer.edu
History
Pitzer, established in 1963, is the youngest of the undergrad schools of the Claremont Colleges. It was founded by namesake Russell K. Pitzer, a citrus magnate and philanthropist. In the beginning, Pitzer had an all-female student body and went co-educational in 1970. In 1974 Pitzer held its first Kohoutek Music and Arts Festival, named after the famed comet Kohoutek. In 1977 Pitzer moved a popular Claremont Craftsman Bungalow built in 1902 (called the Grove House) to its campus. This last year saw Pitzer open its new Residential Life Project, transforming their student housing into an eco-friendly community implementing standards designed by the Green Building Council’s LEED certification program.
Emphasis
Pitzer encourages cultural diversity and intercultural understanding. Students can choose from set majors or design their own. There are few general education requirements. Studying abroad in the External Studies program is highly encouraged and fieldwork outside the school is valued.
Tuition Costs
$32,074 yearly (2007-2008), with an additional $10,212 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit at least one of the following: ACT scores, SAT scores, two or more advanced placement test scores of at least four, or two International Baccalaureate exams (one must be in English 1A and one in Mathematics Methods) or two exams, one recent junior or senior year graded analytical writing sample and one mathematics exam. Students graduating in the top 10% of their class, or who have a GPA of 3.50 or higher are exempt from submitted standardized test scores.
Application Deadlines
Early Decision: Nov. 15, 2008. Regular Decision: Jan. 1, 2009. Transfer Fall: April 15, 2009. Transfer Spring and New Resources Spring (for Spring 2010 term): Oct. 15, 2009. New Resources Fall: May 1, 2009. Admissions phone #: (909) 621-8129. (Note: Admission deadlines are subject to change. It is advisable to call first)
Enrollment
1,000 students (approx.).
POMONA COLLEGE
333 N. College Way, Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.pomona.edu
History
The eldest of the Claremont Colleges, Pomona was established in 1887 in the city of Pomona by Congregationalists and then moved to Claremont two years later, after a Southland building boom had turned to a bust. Its primary goal was to emulate the Ivy League colleges on the east coast, and its surrounding streets all took the names of these colleges: Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth. In 1920, Pomona president James Blaisdell conceived the idea to expand the campus into a consortium of smaller colleges—“somewhat of an Oxford type”—that all shared academic resources. This was the start of the modern day Claremont Colleges.
Emphasis
Pomona offers a traditional liberal arts curriculum, with 45 majors concentrated in natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts. First year students must complete a Critical Inquiry seminar. All students are allowed to take classes at any other Claremont College. With an average class size of 14 individuals, students are assured easy access to professors and advisors.
Tuition Costs
$33,635 yearly (2007-2008), with an additional $11,748 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
Four years of English, three years of study each in mathematics and foreign languages and two years of study each in laboratory sciences and social sciences are expected. Pomona requires either the new SAT plus SAT-Subject Tests OR the ACT.
Application Deadlines
Early Decision I: Nov. 1, 2008. Early Decision II: Dec. 28, 2008.
Regular Decision: Jan 2, 2009.
Transfer: March 15, 2009.
Admissions phone: (909) 621-8134.
Enrollment
1,520 students (approx.)
RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (RCC)
Main Campus
3845 Market St., Riverside
(951) 222.8000
www.rcc.edu
Norco Campus
2001 Third Street, Norco
(951) 372-7000
Moreno Valley Campus
16130 Lasselle Street, Moreno Valley
(951) 571-6100
History
This at-one-time quaint little community college got its start in 1916 on the site of the former Poly High School. Old-time Riversiders occasionally mention that Riverside Community College used to be free for California residents during the 1970s. It’s no longer free, but RCC is still a very affordable two-year college.
Emphasis
RCC offers associate degrees, transfer programs and career training of every stripe. It has more than 100 programs, including a highly respected nursing school.
Tuition Costs
$20 per unit.
Admission Requirements
A desire to attend college.
Application Deadlines
You can apply to RCC any time, but for their fall semester, you can start applying March 1. For spring, applications as of October 1.
Enrollment
35,000 (approx.)
SCRIPPS COLLEGE
1030 Columbia Ave., Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.scrippscollege.edu
History
Scripps College, the second undergraduate school of the Claremont Colleges and known as “The Women’s College” for its all-female student body, was founded in 1926 by newspaper publisher and philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps. With her brother James E., she co-founded the Detroit Evening News in 1873. After helping found other papers across the country Scripps amassed great wealth, which grew larger after the death of her brother George H. in 1900. Thereafter Scripps became committed to philanthropy and acted as patron to many schools, colleges, hospitals and research institutes. In 1932 a young artist named Millard Sheets arrived at Scripps. A leading proponent of the Southern California Regionalism style, Sheets helped develop the Art Department, and became a leader in the development of the Claremont arts community. In 1994 the Millard Sheets Art Center was dedicated.
Emphasis
Scripps focuses on a Core Curriculum of Interdisciplinary Humanities. The Core program is taught in three phases, all with the common themes of Culture, Knowledge and Representation. Core I is Think; Core II is Challenge; Core III is Innovate. The top five academic majors as of 2007 were Psychology, Politics and International Relations, English, Studio Art and Biology. Scripps current student-faculty ratio is 10.7:1.
Tuition Costs
$33,850 yearly (2007-2008), with an additional $10,800 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
Scripps looks for diversity in its applicants. Four years of English, three or more years of social studies, three or four years in one or two foreign languages, three or more years of science and three or more years in mathematics. Transfer credit from other colleges are accepted if the college is accredited, with a grade average of “C” or better.
Application Deadlines
Early Decision I, Academic Scholarships, Midyear Decision, Spring Transfer: Nov. 1, 2008. Early Decision II, Regular Decision: Jan 1, 2009. Fall Transfer: April 1, 2009.
Enrollment:
888 students (approx.).
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA
(951) 827-1012
www.ucr.edu
History
Way before the green movement declared war on chemical pestilence, UCR was the agricultural hub of the IE, making its mark in 1907 as the Citrus Experiment Station where researchers pioneered pest control and growth regulation methods all with the goal of putting fruit on the table year round. The College of Letters and Sciences opened in 1954, and the UC Regents declared the facility a campus five years later.
Emphasis
Today UCR is the only campus within the UC system to offer an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing, PhD in dance history, and an accelerated biomedical sciences program leading to a MD; one of two UCs to offer an undergraduate degree in business administration; and one of the few universities in the nation to let the underlings dabble in public policy.
Tuition Costs
$7,355 yearly for California residents; $26,975 yearly for out of state residents (2007-2008, does not include room or board).
Admission Requirements
UCR is one of the more accessible campuses of the highly selective UC system (a 3.59 GPA and SAT score of 1674 makes the cut). Eligibility is based on the completion of a set of 15 college prep (A through G) courses, two SAT subject tests or the ACT plus writing test, and completion of a formal application with the personal statement. Transfer students may apply during the fall and winter quarters and must have a minimum GPA of 2.4, complete at least 60 semester units and be in good standing at their previous school of attendance.
Application deadlines
Fall: November 1-30 of the preceding year.
Winter: July 1-31 of the preceding year.
Spring: October 1-31 of the preceding year.
Enrollment
14,972 students (Fall 2007).
UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE
1950 Third St., La Verne
(909) 593-3511
www.ulv.edu
History
The University of La Verne dates back to the 1890s, and offers tree-lined walkways and peaceful environs that leads one to believe that they’ve actually been transported to an Ivy League school.
Emphasis
ULV’s main campus (the school also has satellite offerings in several other Southern California locations) offers a number of majors for both undergraduates and grads, including its well-known education and business programs. And for those seeking terminal degrees, the school even offers doctoral programs, plus a College of Law.
Tuition Costs
$25,590 yearly.
Enrollment
1,600 full-time undergraduates (approx.) on main campus.
UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS
1200 E. Colton Ave., Redlands
(909) 793.2121
www.redlands.edu
History
The University of Redlands, in conjunction with its sister school in Oakland, had a troubled start as the Los Angeles University in 1886. Not pulling in enough money, both schools were liquidated by the Baptist institutions that founded them in 1906. The university was persuaded to move to Redlands four years later. Today, it has a flourishing student body.
Emphasis
University of Redlands specializes in liberal arts education, but also offers degrees in the arts, sciences, education and business.
Tuition Costs
$30,326 yearly, plus $9,782 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
GPA of 3.58 is required, and an SAT score above 1080.
Application Deadline
The University of Redlands has a rolling deadline, which means that you can submit an application any time, so you’ll know about four weeks after you apply whether or not you’ve been accepted.
Enrollment
4,400 students.
THE ART INSTITUE OF CALIFORNIA
630 E. Brier Dr., San Bernardino
(909) 915-2100
http://www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire
History
Because they recently opened, the Art Institute Of California—Inland Empire doesn’t have a lot of history. In fact, their first graduates received their credentials last week. Although it hasn’t been around long, the school promises you some kick ass professional skills, the least of which is to not use the term ‘kick ass’ when describing the school on your resume.
Emphasis
Ai offers degree programs in culinary arts and management, game art and design, graphic design, interactive media and animation.
Tuition Costs
Shrouded in secrecy.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Art Institute must have completed high school or a GED program. They’ll also accept you with a bachelor’s degree. You’ll also have to write an essay around 150 words on two different subjects dealing with how Ai’s education will benefit your career.
Enrollment
700 (approx.)
BIOLA UNIVERSITY
13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada
(800) 652-4652
www.biola.edu
History
This mildly competitive, 95-acre private Christian college straddles the borders of Los Angeles and Orange Counties with satellite campuses in Chino, Palm Desert, and San Bernardino. Established in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles by UnoCal owner Lyman Stewart and Christian author T.C. Horton, Biola served as a national leader of the Conservative Christianity movement long before G.W. and Ralph Reed arrived with their bully pulpits, dominating the Christian airwaves and serving as international mouthpiece for fundamentalism before its felling by the Great Depression. Louis T. Talbot rescued the school from its ashes, served as its second and fourth presidents, and later instituted the popular theology program. Biola College moved to its current location in 1959 and was officially rechristened to Biola University in 1981. U.S. News and World Report currently ranks the school as a “National University.”
Emphasis
Biola offers 145 programs across seven schools. Renowned for its biblical-centered evangelical education, students must attend chapel three times a week, take 30 units of biblical studies coursework, and actively participate in ministries. Biblical Studies is a biggie on campus, as is the renowned marine biology program, but art, business administration, education, and psychology stake heavy presences as well.
Tuition Costs
$26,424 yearly (2007-2008), $7,892 additional for room and board.
Admission Requirements
A belief in the evangelical Christian faith and pastoral references are definite musts for any student seeking admission to Biola. High school graduates who have taken the SAT or ACT standardized tests (average combined SAT scores are 1,108; 24 for ACT) and have completed an application are eligible for admission. At a minimum, graduates should have a total of four years of English, four years of foreign language, three years of mathematics, and two years each of science and social sciences. Transfer students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be in good standing at their postsecondary institutions.
Application Deadlines
Fall 2009: December 1, 2008, January 15, 2009, and March 1, 2009
Spring 2009: December 15, 2008
Enrollment
5,858 yearly (Fall 2007); 3,550 of which are undergraduates.
CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
8432 Magnolia Ave., Riverside
(951) 689-5771
www.calbaptist.edu
History
In 1950, Cal Baptist was opened in El Monte, and in 1954 it had its first graduating class of eight. The school quickly grew so large that they had to leave their hallowed El Monte halls for the greener, more spacious pastures of Riverside, and the University relocated to its current sprawling, 103-acre campus.
Emphasis
Cal Baptist is a liberal arts school founded by Southern Baptists. So while you’re busy learning about all those things that make you a well-rounded human being (such as philosophy, logic, professional ethics and the like) you’ll also get a nice injection of biblical instruction that’ll build character and prepare you for tough decision making after your schooling is complete.
Tuition Costs
$19,000 yearly, plus $8000 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
For newly graduated high schoolers, you’ll need a GPA of at least 2.5 and an SAT score of 920. You’ll also have to bang out a three to five paragraph essay about what you hope to gain from your experiences there, plus pay the requisite $45 application fee. Being of the Baptist faith is also important.
Application Deadlines
These move around a bit, so check the website.
Enrollment
4,000 (approx.)
CAL POLY POMONA
3801 West Temple Ave., Pomona
(909) 869-7659
www.csupomona.edu
History
Originally an all-male institution after opening doors in 1938, Cal Poly Pomona established itself as a state school by the mid-’60s (women began enrolling in 1961) when it joined the CSU system and was declared a full-fledged university in 1972.
Emphasis
If designing the next great bridge or bringing a bit more food to the table is your dream gig, then Cal Poly Pomona is probably a pretty great fit. That’s because the university’s flagship programs—engineering, architecture and agriculture—are what initially put this place on the list of desirable higher education destinations. But what’s also kept this SoCal Polytechnic state school on the map (NorCal’s San Luis Obispo is its sister school) are the rest of its diverse offerings. Education, business, math, social sciences, kinesiology and languages are some of its many majors, plus don’t forget about the specialty grad programs (for example, teachers can really advance their lives and knowledge through the tech-based Educational Multimedia program) and the excellent on-campus hotel and restaurant.
Enrollment
19,000 (approx.)
Tuition Costs
$2,500 yearly (approx.) for full-time California residents
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO (CSUSB)
5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA
(909) 537-5188
www.csusb.edu
History
Cal State San Bernardino was founded in 1965 in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains by the Cajon Pass, where gale-force Santa Ana winds occasionally forced the cancellation of classes (much to student’s chagrin). Back then, the campus served as stomping grounds for a couple hundred students and 30 faculty members. Today, CSUSB is a thriving campus known for its diversity and back yard accessibility, having the third highest Latino and African-American enrollments of any California institution of higher learning.
Emphasis
CSUSB offers over 70 programs in five academic colleges, with small class sizes and modern-equipped facilities. The most popular areas of study are business administration, management, and marketing, followed by liberal arts, social sciences, psychology, and the security and protective services program. CSUSB has one of the nation’s largest teacher credentialing programs and is one of the few institutions offering a Graduate National Security Studies program. The Graduate Entrepreneur Program ranked fourth in the nation and the College of Business and Public Administration was the first IE college to earn national accreditation.
Tuition Costs
$3,473 yearly for California residents; $10,170 yearly for non-residents (2007-2008, not including room and board).
Admission Requirements
CSUSB is one of the less selective colleges in California, holding a 63% acceptance rate and requiring composite SAT scores of 820-1030 with a 2.0 GPA. High school graduates who’ve taken the SAT or ACT standardized tests (high test scores with lower GPA; 3.0 or above qualifies with any score) and completed an application are eligible for admission. At minimum, graduates should maintain a “C” average or better in four years of English, three years of math, two years both social science and foreign language, and one year of life science and physical science (with labs), and the visual or performing arts. Transfer students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be in good standing at the previous college attended.
Application Deadlines
October 1 through November 30 in the year prior to attendance; priority filing for winter is June 1-30; spring is August 1-31.
Enrollment
17,072 students (Fall 2007)
CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
1 University Drive, Orange, CA
(714) 997-6815
www.chapman.edu
History
Established in 1861 as Hesperian College in Woodland, it became the California Christian College of Los Angeles in the 1920s before being renaming in honor of famed OC philanthropist Charles C. Chapman in 1934. The school moved to its present idyllic, tree-lined old town Orange location in 1954 and officially became Chapman University in 1991, earning the distinction as the largest private university in Orange County. It counts among its alumni such notables as Colin Hanks and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. Chapman maintains bragging rights to one of the largest chunks of the Berlin Wall as well as the largest freestanding spiral staircase west of the Mississippi.
Emphasis
Chapman University offers 45 undergraduate majors across 60 areas of study and 28 graduate programs across 30 subjects, with a focus towards developing the “whole person.” The nationally-acclaimed George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics and its business administration program is the most popular area of study, followed by cinematography and film studies, psychology, advertising, and the liberal arts. Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is one of the tops in the state.
Tuition Costs
$47,000 yearly, including room and board (2008-2009).
Admission Requirements
Admission to Chapman is very selective, with the average SAT score hovering around 1825, an average ACT at 27, and an average GPA of 3.7. Class rank, letters of recommendation and the personal statement are weighed equally to grades. Transfer students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75, with a “C” average or better in the IGETC or general ed certified classes in order to apply. Admissions officers examine college-level writing courses with a fine-toothed comb, and the high school SAT/ACT scores are taken into consideration if the applicant completes fewer than 24 transferable credits.
Application Deadlines
Fall 2009: January 31, 2008
Enrollment
5,908 students (4,086 of which are undergraduates).
CHAFFEY COLLEGE
5885 Haven Ave., Rancho Cucamonga
(909) 652-6000
www.chaffey.edu
History
This 125-year-old community college has gone from a graduating class of two (a pair of ladies back in 1890) to enrollment in the tens of thousands. And with the fury of residential and commercial expansion in the school’s service vicinity (not to mention substantially quicker access to the main campus via the opening of the 210 freeway extension), Chaffey College has had to react quickly, building satellite campuses in Chino and Fontana.
Emphasis
Prices that low make this place a great stop to gain certification in a number of vocational education trades, or as an inexpensive stepping-stone for eventually transferring to a four-year university.
Tuition Costs
$20 per unit.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Enrollment
18,000 students (approx.)
CITRUS COLLEGE
1000 West Foothill Blvd., Glendora, CA
(626) 963-0323
www.citruscollege.edu
History
Citrus College is the oldest public community college in Los Angeles and fifth oldest in California. Established by Lloyd S. Hayden in 1915, Citrus College originally made its start as part of the Citrus Union High School District. The original enrollees numbered 27. Today, more than 11,000 students attend. Citrus College operates on two 16-week semester systems with summer sessions and a six-week winter intersession, with late-start, early-end and distance education classes.
Emphasis
Citrus College offers general education classes leading to an Associate in Arts Degree, Certificate of Completion, or university transfer program. It also offers an intensive ESL program.
Tuition Costs
$20 per unit for California residents; $176 per unit for out of state residents; $200 per units per unit for international students.
Admission Requirements
As with most California Community Colleges, Citrus maintains an open admissions policy. High school graduates or anybody possessing a California High School Proficiency Certificate or GED who is at least 18 of age is eligible to attend, as are high school students in 11th or 12th grade. International students with F-1 visas may also attend.
Enrollment
11,234 students (Fall 2007).
CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
150 E. 10th St., Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.cgu.edu
History
CGU, established in 1925, was the second of the Claremont Colleges. It’s an all post-graduate university, the oldest of its kind in the country. The 19-acre campus incorporates eight academic schools and one independent department, and awards masters and doctoral degrees in 22 disciplines. Among its alumni are three MacArthur (“Genius Grant”) Fellows.
Emphasis
CGU favors a transdiciplinary approach to graduate education, allowing their student body to choose courses from any of its academic departments. CGU has small classes and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. It also shares resources with the other Claremont Colleges.
Tuition Costs
Standard: 1-11 units, $1,376 per unit; 12 units semester, $15,820; 16-unit semester, $21,324. Art school 16-unit semester: 1-11 units, $1,133 per unit; 12 units semester, $15,820; 16-unit semester, $16,953. Executive Management: 1-11 units, $1,580 per unit; 12 units semester, $18,960; 16-unit semester, $25,280.
Admission Requirements
Application form, application fee ($60), personal statement, current resume, official transcripts, three references and official test scores.
Application Deadlines
Jan. 15, 2009: School of Behavioral and Organizational Sciences (Psychology and Human Resources Design)
Feb. 1, 2009: All other programs. The Drucker and Ito School of Management has two additional deadlines of April 1 and May 15.
Enrollment
2,000 students (approx.)
CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE
500 E. Ninth St., Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.claremontmckenna.edu
History
CMC, founded in 1946 as Claremont Men’s College, is the third of the Claremont Colleges. Its motto is cresit cum commercio civitas or “Civilization prospers with commerce.” After becoming co-educational in 1976, CMC was renamed Claremont McKenna College in 1981 in honor of founding trustee Donald C. McKenna. In the 1970s, CMC established its Washington Program, sending students to Capitol Hill for internships. Seventy percent of CMC grads go on to advanced degrees and one in eight hold a position in top management.
Emphasis
As envisioned by founding president George C. S. Benson, CMC combines a traditional liberal arts education with a healthy dose of public policy, government and economics. CMC has a host of on-campus research institutes devoted to public affairs, including the Center for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights and the Lowe Institute of Political Economy and the Rose Institute of State and Local Government. CMC has an average class size of 16, and a student-faculty ratio of 9:1.
Tuition Costs
$35,190 yearly (2007-2008), with an additional $11,330 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
CMC has no predetermined formula for admissions, weighing all applicants individually. Here are the minimum secondary course requirements: Four years of English; three (preferably four) years of mathematics; at least three years of a foreign language; at least one year of history; at least two years of science.
Application Deadlines
Early Decision I: Dec. 1, 2008. Early Decision II: Jan 1, 2009. Regular Decision: Feb. 1, 2009.
Enrollment
1,135 students.
CLAREMONT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
1325 N. College Ave., Claremont
(909) 447-2500
www.cst.edu
History
CST is a part of the Claremont College Consortium and moved to its present location in 1957. It traces its history back to 1885 and the founding of Maclay College of Theology in San Fernando. It then moved to the campus of USC until 1956, when it became an independent corporation. CST is a United Methodist Seminary and works closely with the Disciples Seminary Foundation. The campus was built from a design by architect Edward Durell Stone, who also designed the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.
Emphasis
The CST curriculum stresses academic excellence, vocational formation and responsible social engagement. Students study to become pastors, scholars, counselors, chaplains and other religious professionals. Second year students engage in field education to prepare them for future roles in the ministry. Degrees conferred at CST are Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy. They also have a program for non-degree students.
Tuition Costs
Ranges from $575-$825 per unit.
Admission Requirements
Admission is dependent on the strength of the applicant’s academic record, personal qualifications, professional goals and a demonstrated commitment to learning in a theological community.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary based on the prospective degree.
Jan. 15, 2009: PhD
Feb. 15, 2009: M.Div and M.A. Priority Financial Aid
April 1, 2009: M.Div, M.A., non-degree (international students)
April 15, 2009: D.Min
May 1, 2009: M.Div, M.A., non-degree (domestic students)
Enrollment
250 students (approx.)
HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE
301 Platt Boulevard, Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.hmc.edu
History
Harvey Mudd was chartered in 1955 and opened its doors in 1957. Opening with just 48 students and seven faculty members, the school has grown to be recognized as one of the top engineering schools in the country.
Emphasis
Harvey Mudd emphasizes undergraduate research, especially through its Clinic Program, which allows students to solve problems posed by sponsoring industry, governmental and non-profit agencies.
Tuition Costs
$34,891 yearly, plus $11,415 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
Harvey Mudd is very selective and has a highly qualified applicant pool.
Admissions Deadlines
Early Decision: Applications due Nov. 15; reply date Dec. 15
Regular Decision: Applications due Jan. 15; reply date April 1
Enrollment:
735 students (all undergrads)
KECK GRADUATE INSTITUTE OF APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
535 Watson Dr., Claremont
(909) 607-7855
www.kgi.edu
History
KGI is the seventh and newest college of the Claremont College Consortium. Established in 1997 through a $50 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation, it’s a graduate-level, application-based scientific research and education school. It offers a Master of Bioscience degree as well as a PhD in Applied Life Sciences, and a PhD in Computational and Systems Biology. Former Harvey Mudd College President Dr. Henry E. Riggs, who was the first to identify the need for the university, was KGI’s initial president and held that position until 2004. KGI is the only Claremont College to located south of the Claremont Village.
Emphasis
KGI dedicates itself to education and research into the life sciences. Research areas include: Drug Discovery and Development; Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Development; Bioprocessing; Medical Diagnostics and Devices; Systems Biology and Computational Biology; Plant Molecular Biology and Development; and Management Research.
Tuition Costs
$37,900 yearly, plus $21,000 for housing, food, transportation and personal expenses.
Admission Requirements:
ABA from an accredited university or college is required, as well as the GRE/MCAT or GMAT tests. Although coursework in the following areas are not required, they are heavily recommended: Molecular biology/basic genetics; Chemistry and biochemistry; Organic chemistry; Statistics; and Mathematics (at least calculus). Work experience in fields relating to biotechnology, engineering, computing, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and instrumentation, and medical, environmental and agricultural biotechnology is also recommended.
Application Deadlines
May 30, 2008
Enrollment
82 students
LA SIERRA UNIVERSITY
4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, CA 92515
(800) 874-5587
www.lasierra.edu
History
The history of La Sierra University is one heavily steeped in religion. From the first moment of being accredited in 1946, the student yearbook expressed how “Christian teachers . . . reflect in their lives . . . the Great Teacher.” That tradition lives on today, with the community of La Sierra being not only an educational environment, but a Christian one as well. The school was also linked with Loma Linda to form a two-campus University for 23 years, and while that connection was severed in 1990, the impact of that relationship still benefits the pre-professional programs at the school.
Emphasis
As part of the Seventh-day Adventist system of higher education, religion is a big emphasis for the university. Additionally, La Sierra offers courses in applied liberal arts and sciences, business and management, religion, and programs for professional education leading towards obtaining a teaching credential
Tuition Costs
$21,060 yearly, plus $7,398 room and board.
Admission Requirements
Having a selective GPA score of 3.10 or higher automatically qualifies for admission to La Sierra, otherwise an ACT of SAT score minimum that corresponds to GPA must be achieved in order to be admitted. Applications are considered on a rolling basis, however the following application deadlines are highly recommended:
Fall Quarter: February 1
Winter Quarter: November 15
Spring Quarter: March 1
Enrollment
1924 students (1584 of which are undergraduates).
LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY
11234 Anderson St., Loma Linda
(909) 558-8161
www.llu.edu
History
Loma Linda University was founded in 1905 as a sanitarium by Seventh Day Adventists John Burden and Ellen G. White. Faculty originally taught basic sciences to students, sending them to LA for clinical training. The Loma Linda Medical College opened in 1910 and became the university in 1961, the Medical Center opened in 1967 and served as the only Level 1 Trauma Center in San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside and Mono Counties.
Emphasis
Loma Linda’s curriculum focuses entirely on health sciences, awarding all manner of degrees in 55 health-related programs (out of a possible 109 degree and certificate programs available). Most popular are the nursing, dental hygiene, and occupational therapy programs.
Tuition Costs
$15,000 yearly and up (2007-2008)
Admission Requirements
All students at Loma Linda University are transfer students—no freshman applicants are admitted. A formal application with essay, character/personal traits, personal interview, recommendations, and religious affiliation are also important determinants in the admissions process. Transfer students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 across all post-secondary courses. There may be additional requirements depending on the program and/or school.
Application deadlines
Fall semester: May 1.
Enrollment
3,153 students (2004-2007)
PITZER COLLEGE
1050 N. Mills Ave., Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.pitzer.edu
History
Pitzer, established in 1963, is the youngest of the undergrad schools of the Claremont Colleges. It was founded by namesake Russell K. Pitzer, a citrus magnate and philanthropist. In the beginning, Pitzer had an all-female student body and went co-educational in 1970. In 1974 Pitzer held its first Kohoutek Music and Arts Festival, named after the famed comet Kohoutek. In 1977 Pitzer moved a popular Claremont Craftsman Bungalow built in 1902 (called the Grove House) to its campus. This last year saw Pitzer open its new Residential Life Project, transforming their student housing into an eco-friendly community implementing standards designed by the Green Building Council’s LEED certification program.
Emphasis
Pitzer encourages cultural diversity and intercultural understanding. Students can choose from set majors or design their own. There are few general education requirements. Studying abroad in the External Studies program is highly encouraged and fieldwork outside the school is valued.
Tuition Costs
$32,074 yearly (2007-2008), with an additional $10,212 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit at least one of the following: ACT scores, SAT scores, two or more advanced placement test scores of at least four, or two International Baccalaureate exams (one must be in English 1A and one in Mathematics Methods) or two exams, one recent junior or senior year graded analytical writing sample and one mathematics exam. Students graduating in the top 10% of their class, or who have a GPA of 3.50 or higher are exempt from submitted standardized test scores.
Application Deadlines
Early Decision: Nov. 15, 2008. Regular Decision: Jan. 1, 2009. Transfer Fall: April 15, 2009. Transfer Spring and New Resources Spring (for Spring 2010 term): Oct. 15, 2009. New Resources Fall: May 1, 2009. Admissions phone #: (909) 621-8129. (Note: Admission deadlines are subject to change. It is advisable to call first)
Enrollment
1,000 students (approx.).
POMONA COLLEGE
333 N. College Way, Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.pomona.edu
History
The eldest of the Claremont Colleges, Pomona was established in 1887 in the city of Pomona by Congregationalists and then moved to Claremont two years later, after a Southland building boom had turned to a bust. Its primary goal was to emulate the Ivy League colleges on the east coast, and its surrounding streets all took the names of these colleges: Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth. In 1920, Pomona president James Blaisdell conceived the idea to expand the campus into a consortium of smaller colleges—“somewhat of an Oxford type”—that all shared academic resources. This was the start of the modern day Claremont Colleges.
Emphasis
Pomona offers a traditional liberal arts curriculum, with 45 majors concentrated in natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts. First year students must complete a Critical Inquiry seminar. All students are allowed to take classes at any other Claremont College. With an average class size of 14 individuals, students are assured easy access to professors and advisors.
Tuition Costs
$33,635 yearly (2007-2008), with an additional $11,748 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
Four years of English, three years of study each in mathematics and foreign languages and two years of study each in laboratory sciences and social sciences are expected. Pomona requires either the new SAT plus SAT-Subject Tests OR the ACT.
Application Deadlines
Early Decision I: Nov. 1, 2008. Early Decision II: Dec. 28, 2008.
Regular Decision: Jan 2, 2009.
Transfer: March 15, 2009.
Admissions phone: (909) 621-8134.
Enrollment
1,520 students (approx.)
RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (RCC)
Main Campus
3845 Market St., Riverside
(951) 222.8000
www.rcc.edu
Norco Campus
2001 Third Street, Norco
(951) 372-7000
Moreno Valley Campus
16130 Lasselle Street, Moreno Valley
(951) 571-6100
History
This at-one-time quaint little community college got its start in 1916 on the site of the former Poly High School. Old-time Riversiders occasionally mention that Riverside Community College used to be free for California residents during the 1970s. It’s no longer free, but RCC is still a very affordable two-year college.
Emphasis
RCC offers associate degrees, transfer programs and career training of every stripe. It has more than 100 programs, including a highly respected nursing school.
Tuition Costs
$20 per unit.
Admission Requirements
A desire to attend college.
Application Deadlines
You can apply to RCC any time, but for their fall semester, you can start applying March 1. For spring, applications as of October 1.
Enrollment
35,000 (approx.)
SCRIPPS COLLEGE
1030 Columbia Ave., Claremont
(909) 621-8000
www.scrippscollege.edu
History
Scripps College, the second undergraduate school of the Claremont Colleges and known as “The Women’s College” for its all-female student body, was founded in 1926 by newspaper publisher and philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps. With her brother James E., she co-founded the Detroit Evening News in 1873. After helping found other papers across the country Scripps amassed great wealth, which grew larger after the death of her brother George H. in 1900. Thereafter Scripps became committed to philanthropy and acted as patron to many schools, colleges, hospitals and research institutes. In 1932 a young artist named Millard Sheets arrived at Scripps. A leading proponent of the Southern California Regionalism style, Sheets helped develop the Art Department, and became a leader in the development of the Claremont arts community. In 1994 the Millard Sheets Art Center was dedicated.
Emphasis
Scripps focuses on a Core Curriculum of Interdisciplinary Humanities. The Core program is taught in three phases, all with the common themes of Culture, Knowledge and Representation. Core I is Think; Core II is Challenge; Core III is Innovate. The top five academic majors as of 2007 were Psychology, Politics and International Relations, English, Studio Art and Biology. Scripps current student-faculty ratio is 10.7:1.
Tuition Costs
$33,850 yearly (2007-2008), with an additional $10,800 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
Scripps looks for diversity in its applicants. Four years of English, three or more years of social studies, three or four years in one or two foreign languages, three or more years of science and three or more years in mathematics. Transfer credit from other colleges are accepted if the college is accredited, with a grade average of “C” or better.
Application Deadlines
Early Decision I, Academic Scholarships, Midyear Decision, Spring Transfer: Nov. 1, 2008. Early Decision II, Regular Decision: Jan 1, 2009. Fall Transfer: April 1, 2009.
Enrollment:
888 students (approx.).
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA
(951) 827-1012
www.ucr.edu
History
Way before the green movement declared war on chemical pestilence, UCR was the agricultural hub of the IE, making its mark in 1907 as the Citrus Experiment Station where researchers pioneered pest control and growth regulation methods all with the goal of putting fruit on the table year round. The College of Letters and Sciences opened in 1954, and the UC Regents declared the facility a campus five years later.
Emphasis
Today UCR is the only campus within the UC system to offer an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing, PhD in dance history, and an accelerated biomedical sciences program leading to a MD; one of two UCs to offer an undergraduate degree in business administration; and one of the few universities in the nation to let the underlings dabble in public policy.
Tuition Costs
$7,355 yearly for California residents; $26,975 yearly for out of state residents (2007-2008, does not include room or board).
Admission Requirements
UCR is one of the more accessible campuses of the highly selective UC system (a 3.59 GPA and SAT score of 1674 makes the cut). Eligibility is based on the completion of a set of 15 college prep (A through G) courses, two SAT subject tests or the ACT plus writing test, and completion of a formal application with the personal statement. Transfer students may apply during the fall and winter quarters and must have a minimum GPA of 2.4, complete at least 60 semester units and be in good standing at their previous school of attendance.
Application deadlines
Fall: November 1-30 of the preceding year.
Winter: July 1-31 of the preceding year.
Spring: October 1-31 of the preceding year.
Enrollment
14,972 students (Fall 2007).
UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE
1950 Third St., La Verne
(909) 593-3511
www.ulv.edu
History
The University of La Verne dates back to the 1890s, and offers tree-lined walkways and peaceful environs that leads one to believe that they’ve actually been transported to an Ivy League school.
Emphasis
ULV’s main campus (the school also has satellite offerings in several other Southern California locations) offers a number of majors for both undergraduates and grads, including its well-known education and business programs. And for those seeking terminal degrees, the school even offers doctoral programs, plus a College of Law.
Tuition Costs
$25,590 yearly.
Enrollment
1,600 full-time undergraduates (approx.) on main campus.
UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS
1200 E. Colton Ave., Redlands
(909) 793.2121
www.redlands.edu
History
The University of Redlands, in conjunction with its sister school in Oakland, had a troubled start as the Los Angeles University in 1886. Not pulling in enough money, both schools were liquidated by the Baptist institutions that founded them in 1906. The university was persuaded to move to Redlands four years later. Today, it has a flourishing student body.
Emphasis
University of Redlands specializes in liberal arts education, but also offers degrees in the arts, sciences, education and business.
Tuition Costs
$30,326 yearly, plus $9,782 for room and board.
Admission Requirements
GPA of 3.58 is required, and an SAT score above 1080.
Application Deadline
The University of Redlands has a rolling deadline, which means that you can submit an application any time, so you’ll know about four weeks after you apply whether or not you’ve been accepted.
Enrollment
4,400 students.
