Did You Get in?
We recently challenged alumni to take our eight-question SAT test at magazine.lmu.edu to see if they’d be admitted to LMU today. We decided that requiring seven correct of eight was fair. The results: 42 percent “got in,”15 percent were “rejected” and the rest “wait-listed.” In reality, LMU admits about 50 percent of applicants. Test-takers also shared memories of getting admitted (below). You can still take the test and share your memories.
ESSAY HIGHLIGHT
“My dad used to drive us to Playa del Rey on weekends. As we passed ‘the bluff,’ he would point and say to me, ‘That is where you will attend college.’ An immigrant from Mexico, he had not had the benefit of a long, formal education. He was a self-made man. Little did he know that LMU was not co-ed then. I was in the second co-ed class, and when the acceptance letter arrived, we were thrilled. His dream for me came true. I was in one of the first Honors classes. And the LMU tradition continues: My nephew graduated from the School of Film and Television in 2010 — with honors! We saved a chair for dad at the graduation ceremony. He died, peacefully, on Dec. 14, 2009.”
Lupe Gonzalez ’74
SMALL ENVELOPE, BIG SURPRISE
I seem to recall the acceptance came in a small envelope, not the much talked about big envelope, so I worried I’d been rejected. But that was a misguided fear. I got in!
Christiane Hoffman ’00
BEST DAY EVER
It was one of the best days of my life. I was very pleased and excited.
James Kearney ’78
FOURTH-GRADE DREAM COMES TRUE
I was relieved to find out I was accepted to LMU; I had wanted to attend since fourth grade. The experience and education was many times greater than I ever could have imagined.
Teresa Kosinski ’82
HITTING THE BEACH
I was very excited. I lived in Chicago and had never been to California before. The thought of a beach nearby, no winter to deal with and the ability to play baseball year-round was too enticing to pass up. The campus was beautiful, the people were warm and friendly, and the educational opportunity was terrific. It was an easy decision!
Dennis Desmond ’70
NO BIG THING
I filled out a one page questionnaire on Registration Day. I remember one question. Q: Did you have any honors in high school? A: Yes, I was valedictorian (I didn’t mention my graduating class had only seven members). I received my acceptance letter with great joy. Loyola was wonderful.
Bill Smith ’51
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT
A thick packet dropped through the mail slot, plopping to the hardwood floor. It had taken the carrier a time to shove it through. I froze. Having only applied to three schools, I handsdown desired to walk across the campus as I once did in the summers of ’83 and ’84 as a child. I crept over to pick up the package, trying not to wake my little sister from her nap. Quietly, I ripped open the materials to see the word, “Congratulations!” I jumped and cheered so loudly that the inevitable happened. I woke my 2-year-old sister, and I immediately began a myriad of phone calls to friends to confirm the great news.
Dechele Byrd ’94
WAIT, I HAVE TO PAY TUTION?
Was elated; not sure where the $220 a semester in tuition would come from.
Dave Cryan ’57
ACROBATICS
Our varsity men’s basketball team was playing for the state championship in Reno, Nev., and I was there cheerleading. My dad flew up and surprised me at the championship game with my acceptance letter. I did a back flip as I shouted with joy! We ended up winning the state title, and the entire weekend went down as one of my best high school memories.
Megan Tiedge ’06
REJOICING IN GERMANY!
I was 6,000 miles away, on an air base in Germany. Standing next to my dad, an alumnus from the ’50s, I tore open the envelope. Happy news: I would be the third generation in my family to attend LMU! Dinner was on him that night.
Chris (Kearny) Lundstrom ’80
CAN WE DO THIS AGAIN SOMETIME?
I WISH this would get me back into LMU. I miss those days like crazy!
Laura Robin ’08
FORGET THE DONS, I’M A LION
I was going to the post office to mail my acceptance of USF’s admission offer when my mom told me I received an envelope from LMU in the mail. I rushed home and opened it. I threw away the USF paperwork as I would be going to my dream school, LMU. GO LIONS!