<p>I was recently accepted into my dream school as a sophomore transfer. Ever since the age of 13, I've known that Notre Dame was the place for me. Now that I'm actually in, I'm beginning to worry about a couple of problems which might make ND the less attractive offer compared to the other school I'm considering (UVA). </p>
<p>First and perhaps most important of all is the financial aid situation. My family is currently in deep debt (70K) and my father is a pastor, which pretty much means that that 70K hole is probably gonna get worse before it gets better. Although I've heard that Notre Dame is very generous with their financial aid, I did a little research on some of the older threads in this forum and I can't help but be a little worried at some the horror stories from students who have a low EFC and yet are expected to pay upwards of 20-30K per year. As a low-income student, I understand that a university education, especially a Notre Dame education, doesn't come cheaply. But I also don't want to put my parents in an insurmountable situation where they have to live miserably for the next 20 years. Again, I may be thinking a little too skeptically, after all, I haven't received an FA letter yet. But having finally attained that which I've sought after for the past 4 years, I'm really scared that I won't be able to attend Notre Dame.</p>
<p>My second worry is the GPA situation. I consider myself an above-average student with good work ethic and a bright mind. Problem is, at Notre Dame, everyone's either like me or better. During my freshman year at UCSD, I maintained a 3.8 GPA without too much trouble. But from what I've heard, I might as well kiss that goodbye because at Notre Dame, academics are so hard that I should start coming to terms with the fact that I'll probably hover around a 3.3 no matter how hard I work. I would have no problem with this but I'm really interested in applying for law school after I graduate and I've read that for the top 15 law schools, the cut-off is usually a 3.5. I'm all for working hard and earning one's way to success. But if I can maintain a better GPA at UVA with less effort, that kind of puts me in a tough spot as far as decision-making.</p>
<p>I would greatly appreciate any input on these concerns.</p>
<p>2.) Seeing as you are looking to go to law school after graduating, I take it you would be transferring into the College of Arts and Letters. There is a debate simmering on campus that there is some grade deflation going on around, but infrequently is that attributed to Arts and Letters. Many Engineers and Science majors use this in building their own case for superiority, claiming that A&L is really “Arts and Craft” or is not worthy of any respect. As an English major, I disagree.</p>
<p>I have suffered from the necessity of university, college, and program requirements, which have often brought my grades down a bit. But when it comes to classes you really enjoy, put in the time and effort they deserve, and you will get a good grade. As I mentioned, I haven’t heard of any grade deflation in A&L - if every single person in the class does the work, everyone will earn an A. A&L professors don’t (seem to) care about the Bell Curve. That said, there are probably exceptions.</p>
<p>In any case, if ND is your dream school, would you really give it up just because you would have an easier time at UVA? Seems sort of opposed to the spirit of intellectual pursuit that is particularly supported by the College of Arts and Letters.</p>
<p>Issac, YOU REMIND ME OF MYSELF SO MUCH! It did not hit me right away that I was accepted, and at first I trying to find reasons not to like it. I think its mostly human nature though, and anything new can be scary. </p>
<p>I am a realist though, and I understood Notre Dame is my dream school, and so no matter what I am going to attend. That hits my extra hard, because I am losing almost a whole Year for attending Notre Dame due to the fact that alot of credits did not transfer. Combine that debt with the debt I have already accumulated, plus the debt I might accumulate in Grad School, and BAM!! thats alot of debt. But Notre Dame is something I always dreamed of and was never able to reach. Now its within my grasp and I will not pass it up.</p>
<p>I know your situation is a tough one, but if YOU love Notre Dame that much, YOU and the Notre Dame will find someway for you to attend.</p>
<p>If you absolutely, positively know that you want to attend a top law school, and you are reasonably confident that you will have the requisite high LSAT score, then you should choose the college that will help you maximize your GPA and minimize your debt. That school might well be Notre Dame, but it could also be your current institution or U-Va. You can get into a top law school from any number of good but not necessarily top colleges, and legal employers will ONLY care about your performance in and the quality of your law school. This approach may seem cold-blooded, but given the cost of legal education and the level of competition for top law schools/legal positions, it’s the only sensible one for students with limited finances. </p>
<p>That said, Notre Dame is a unique institution, and you might be surprised both at how much financial aid your family will get and your ability to earn good grades there. Don’t be so quick to assume that you won’t get top grades at Notre Dame. You’re a smart, hard-working student who was able to win admission as a transfer, so you clearly have what it takes to succeed, if you choose to apply yourself. </p>
<p>In that regard, keep in mind, also, that law school is not a cake-walk. Coasting through UCSD or another comparable school is not going to give you the necessary background to perform well at a top law school, so you might be better off with a more demanding undergraduate program that forces you to push yourself. Just like you’ll be doing for years at a top law firm…</p>
<p>It sounds like you have gotten a lot of good advice, I just wanted to add a bit on how difficult ND is as a transfer. If you really want to do well and are focused on your classes I found that the coursework was very manageable (and prepared me well for graduate school). I transferred in from Creighton University with a 3.5 GPA (probably wouldn’t have gotten in nowadays) in 2004 and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.9 from Notre Dame. Just because you are a transfer does NOT mean that you cannot hack it at ND! UCSD I would guess prepared you well for this, you just have to be focused!</p>
<p>First of all, a huge congratulations on your acceptance to ND. Concerning financial aid, I have little input but have confidence that ND will make it affordable for you. I hope that their offer comes soon so you can get that resolved in your mind. </p>
<p>I am certain that you will do just fine in your classes should you decide to attend. My daughter was a freshman last year, admitted in June after being waitlisted. She was a bit intimidated too, and had a feeling that she was not quite worthy of their standards as she was not admitted in the regular round. She did so well, and even ended up on the dean’s list. She proved to herself and to ND that she could perform well. Best of all, she had quite a well rounded life, lots of social time, volunteer opportunities with children and involvement in the hall government and dorm life. It was an incredible first year and it wasn’t all about academics. You will do just fine, and I am confident that when it comes time for you to apply to law school, you will have some fine choices. </p>
<p>Back to the affordability issue. Would you give thought to attending a less expensive undergraduate institution, and then attending ND for law school? I have no idea how the law school is ranked but it is just a thought. I wish you the best of luck in this endeavor!</p>
<p>ND law is good, but the undergrad program is ranked higher. Remember that debt can always be paid off (and the payments deferred until after graduation) but a ND education is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wish I could do it again!</p>
<p>While we would never encourage anyone to incur debt, esp in these economic times, I would strongly encourage you to consider the value of a ND education. Yes, some will say that “it really does not matter where you attend undergrad”; however, when it comes down to the bottom line, we happen to think that perhaps it does pull some weight. Yes, the academics at ND are indeed challenging–yes, kevdude, even in A&L according to our Eng major student! But, there is a reason for those challenging academics. Perhaps, you will indeed be better prepared for law school than at other undergrad institutions. I cannot in all honesty comment on the fin aid aspect of ND, only to say that if you can possibly afford it, attend the best school you are admitted to and are comfortable, yet can afford. Good luck in your decision!</p>