Download - 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!
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
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
1,390 graduate students
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
Application Deadlines:November 15 - Early Action (non-binding)
January 15 - Regular Decision (Round I) and
Presidential Scholarship
March 15 - Regular Decision (Round II)
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
Location: Pomona
20,000 undergraduates
2,100 graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 61%
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
18,300 undergraduates
1,000 graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 37%
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.
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
1,150 undergraduates
Acceptance Rate: 22%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 650-750
Mid 50% SAT Math: 660-740
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
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 690-760
Mid 50% SAT Math: 740-800
� 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
(notification date: 2/15)
January 2 - Regular Decision
(notification date: 4/1)
http://www.scrippscollege.edu880 undergraduate women
Acceptance Rate: 36%
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
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
~ 1000 undergraduates
Acceptance Rate: 22%
SAT scores optional
Mid 50% SAT CR: 600-680
Mid 50% SAT Math: 590-670
Mid 50% ACT score: 25-30
� 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 ~
(notification date: 12/22)
January 1 - Regular Decision
http://www.pitzer.edu
1,560 undergraduates
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 680-780
Mid 50% SAT Math: 700-780
Mid 50% ACT score: 31-34
� 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
(notification date: 12/15)
December 28- Early Decision II
(notification date: 2/15)
January 2 - Regular Decision
(notification date: 4/5)
The Claremont Colleges
Pitzer College Pomona College
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
Location: Orange
4,200 undergraduates
1,300 graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 550-665
Mid 50% SAT Math: 550-670
Mid 50% ACT score: 23-29
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)
January 15 - Regular Decision
http://www.chapman.edu
Location: Los Angeles
5,700+ undergraduates
3,200 graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 520-620
Mid 50% SAT Math: 540-640
Mid 50% ACT score: 23-27
� 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
Application Deadlines:November 1 - Early Action (non-binding)
January 15 - Regular Decision
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
Location:
Atherton (near San Jose)
700 undergraduates
Acceptance Rate: 36%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 440-530
Mid 50% SAT Math: 460-560
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
Acceptance Rate: 57%
� 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
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
Location: Los Angeles (2 campuses—one in
Brentwood, one in Downtown Los Angeles)
2,300 undergraduates
570 graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 460-540
Mid 50% SAT Math: 450-530
Mid 50% ACT range: 19-22
� 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)
February 15 - Regular Decision
http://www.msmc.la.edu
Location: Los Angeles
(Eagle Rock)
1,900+ undergraduates
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 600-700
Mid 50% SAT Math: 600-680
Mid 50% ACT range: 28-32
� 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
January 10 - Regular Decision
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
Location: Stockton
3,700 undergraduates
2,960 graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 510-630
Mid 50% SAT Math: 530-660
Mid 50% ACT score: 22-28
� 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
3,400+ undergraduates
4,200 graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 550-670
Mid 50% SAT Math: 560-680
Mid 50% ACT score: 25-30
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
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
Location: Redlands
3,000 undergraduates
1,400 graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 520-620
Mid 50% SAT Math: 520-620
Mid 50% ACT score: 22-27
� 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
5,400 undergraduates
2,800 graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 550-640
Mid 50% SAT Math: 570-660
Mid 50% ACT score: 25-29
� 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
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
Location: San Francisco
5,700+ undergraduates
3,700+ graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 500-610
Mid 50% SAT Math: 510-610
Mid 50% ACT score: 22-27
� 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
Application Deadlines:November 15 - Early Action (non-binding)
January 15 - Regular Decision
http://www.usfca.edu
Location: Santa Clara
5,100+ undergraduates
3,700+ graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 560-660
Mid 50% SAT Math: 590-690
Mid 50% ACT score: 26-30
� 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
Regular Decision - January 7
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
Location: Los Angeles
17,300+ undergraduates
19,500+ graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 620-720
Mid 50% SAT Math: 650-750
Mid 50% ACT score: 29-33
� 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
6,940 undergraduates
12,595 graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 670-760
Mid 50% SAT Math: 690-790
Mid 50% ACT score: 31-34
� 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
Regular Decision - January 1
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
Location: Santa Barbara
1,300 undergraduates
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 540-650
Mid 50% SAT Math: 530-650
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
Application Deadlines:November 1 - Early Action (non-binding)
February 10 - Regular Decision
http://www.westmont.edu
Location: Whittier
1,300 undergraduates
600+ graduate students
Acceptance Rate: 72%
Mid 50% SAT CR: 470-580
Mid 50% SAT Math: 470-590
Mid 50% ACT score: 20-25
� 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.
Magellan College Counseling ~ www.magellancounseling.com
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.
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CALIFORNIA PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
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