<p>Could someone help me decide between these! They are really different schools. Amherst has the best academics, but I think it is too small and expensive. I have also heard some bad things about its culture lately. Notre Dame is good academically but I am worried that the student body is taken over by white, Midwestern Catholics. I think virginia is a good mix between the two. Wisconsin would be the most affordable. Please give me your opinions, I have like 10 hours!!!!</p>
<p>Cost differences?
Major?</p>
<p>Go where you feel that you’ll fit in the best. It also depends on what you’re planning on studying and how much each school will cost. Nobody can really give you any advice unless they know a lot of detail about each school. I certainly couldn’t tell you which school would be the best for you since I don’t know your circumstances. Then again, nobody here on this chat board would know your circumstances either.</p>
<p>Amherst or UVA. I would not be concerned with reports of Amherst’s supposed bad “culture.” UVA had the murder of female student Yeardley Love by LAX jock George Huguely a few years ago. Both were big UVA drinkers.</p>
<p>Some different places – we know kids at all but UVA so let me see what I can add. </p>
<p>Amherst – great school, pretty open curriculum (as I understand), a place lots of different kids can be happy and find their niche. Unlike the other 3 on your list, obviously, has the LAC advantages (and disadvantages). If your goals include professional school, a great school to come from. If you are interested in Ph.D. in particular field, you need to consider in detail the research strength, and size, of your target department. </p>
<p>ND: yes, it is largely Catholic and white. Not an open curriculum at all, all students go through the 1st year studies program and there are 4 semesters (total) of theology and philosophy required for all students, not just College of Letters & Science students. Obviously, huge sports culture, something like 80% of students are high school varsity athletes, so the dorm sports culture (and competitions, like interhall full-pad football, and Bookstore Basketball tournament) is big. Most people describe an experience, on visiting ND, as knowing it is for them – if you didn’t have that moment of bliss when you visited, toured, it may not be for you. For kids who are not backward-baseball cap wearing jocks, there is still a small, but strong, activist Catholic presence, through the Center for Social Concerns and other groups. A place where it is harder to find your niche if you are not a typical ND student. </p>
<p>UW: my son is a freshman there. Loves everything about it (except the winters, and we are from the midwest). Football season and the jump-around at Camp Randall, bball games – great spirit and of, course, great party atmosphere. His classes have been incredible – out of 8 classes so far (4 a semester), only 1 prof he says is not a strong lecturer and the great TA makes up for it. The strength of academics across the board is impressive – every department he has taken class in has world-class researchers. And the whole “anonymous” big school experience? One of his profs was emailing him, individually, over the weekend, from his phone, to respond to his questions about a paper. </p>
<p>UVA: no real info – reputation for great academics and great party atmosphere, more conservative. Unclear how the state politics with funding will go, after State tried to fire the Chancellor/President and the decision was reversed. </p>
<p>Personally, I can’t imagine paying full cost at UVA when you are into UW. I would see it come down to Amherst vs. UW as you have some concerns about the oppressive sameness of the ND student body and again, as most students have this moment of feeling ND is their home, if you didn’t see it that way, I would pass. </p>
<p>Good luck, you really are not going to go wrong with any of those schools.</p>
<p>From your post, it sounds like UVa is where you feel most comfortable. It is a great school so if your family can comfortably afford it, I’d go there. If money is a big factor, go to Wisconsin.</p>
<p>If it’s between UVA OOS full pay and Amherst, take Amherst. UVA is not as good as it imagines itself to be, which was why the President was fired and rehired after its entire board was to be dismissed by the VA Governor.</p>
<p>Amherst is tops in all areas: medical school acceptances, law admission at Harvard, Yale and other T14 law schools, and Ph.D. productivity.</p>