<p>I am looking for some good advice. I am looking at Boston College, Notre Dame, and Southern Cal as college choices. I have already been accepted at all three. I am Catholic, but that isn't necessarily the deciding factor. Money isn't a factor. I am a conservative Midwesterner, but very open minded. I'm sure I can find a niche at any school...anyway... there are things i like and hate about the above schools, and i just can't decide! here's what is important to me:</p>
<p>-solid academics/good alumni base
-location (warm weather and/or a city would be nice, but like i said i'm from a city of 200,000 in the midwest, and i'm used to snow...)
-good sports
-some people similar to me
-good reputation
-good food :-)</p>
<p>ANY ideas, suggestions, or comments on the colleges would be appreciated!</p>
<p>You can't really go wrong, as these schools have a lot more in common than not. Yet, BC is more socially liberal than USC I think and definitely more so than Notre Dame, probably the biggest difference. USC is most racially diverse I believe.</p>
<p>USC is also the most religiously diverse. BC is mostly Catholic but has small religious diversity (3% Jewish) while Notre Dame doesn't even have a Hillel.</p>
<p>my intended major is business (maybe international) with a second major or minor in spanish. at BC, i was admitted into the Caroll school of management honors program (only 30 students per class)</p>
<p>I'm at SC right now and I love it.
if you want warm weather, you definitely can't go wrong with So Cal!
The business program here is great, though do keep in mind that our dean just resigned, and they haven't found a replacement yet.</p>
<p>when you say they dont have a business program...what do you mean? they have the undergrad mendoza school of business. i guess they may not have "business administration", but i'm good with finance, accounting or something similar. i want to get my mba anyway</p>
<p>ND and USC offer much more in terms af academic prestige, athletics and alumni network. Boston College has a weak alumni giving rate of 25% while ND's is 50% -helps in job placement.</p>
<p>Sorry I take back what I said, I was incorrect and Notre Dame does have an undergrad biz school - I guess I just didn't think it had one cuz you don't hear about it alot.</p>
<p>ND's accounting program is one of the best in the country. You must know about that every freshmen participates in the First Year Studies before declaring majors, and this program in addition to excellent advising is credited for the amazing freshman retention rate 98%.</p>
<p>Have you visited each campus, had any overnights? </p>
<p>As ND EA you have a password to the admitted students discussion boards and there is a wealth of inside information about all of these concerns there. You will find others in your same situation.....trying to make this very big decision.</p>
<p>thanks for everyone's comments so far...
i do understand that ND has great academics and alumni, but what i just cant seem to get over is the fact that it is in south bend. i've heard there's nothing really to do there and that its more or less in the middle of nowhere. any opinions on that? i don't know how big of a deal that is, but i just love big cities, and boston seems to be the most college friendly. when you say that bc is less prestigeous, par72, do you think that is a big factor? because when i look at bc i see a top 40 school with a lower acceptance rate, and i think that the honors program will add something to my credentials...any thoughts? ...(If you can't tell, i am leaning slightly towards BC)</p>
<p>The academic and prestige differences between the 3 schools are relatively minor compared to the vastly different life you'd have at each. I'm quite familiar with each of them, and can't imagine somebody visiting all 3 without at least one dropping out of the picture and/or at least one rising to the top.</p>
<p>The L.A. location would seem to pervade every aspect of USC, for better or worse--L.A. seems to be one of those "love it or hate it" places (I happen to hate it). At ND there isn't much within a half-hour radius of the school, so you've got ND and if that's enough for you, you'd love it (if you want things beyond the campus, it might not be a great choice). Like Northwestern, BC seems to be one of the few "best of all worlds" places--beautiful and peaceful campus, but part of the campus is actually IN the vibrant big city of Boston; excellent academics (especially undergrad) as well as big-time ACC sports.</p>
<p>If you're concerned with alumni networking, your choice might be influenced by where you intend to live the rest of your life. USC is apparently a great ticket to have in California, but I'd guess that in the Midwest, South, or Northeast it doesn't mean as much. BC's influence is mostly in the Northeast. ND would seem to be the most national of the three. You can't go wrong with any of them--so go with your gut, not which is slightly higher on some list of fringe statistics (e.g., alumni giving). By the way, I went to BC, and am very very glad I did--especially every year when they beat ND in football.</p>
<p>I know a lot about BC and USC. USC is my 1st choice school, but I live near BC. They're very similar except for the fact that BC's Jesuit. I think USC is more prestigious, but then again, each school is well known in its own region. They're both very sports oriented, beautiful, wealthy, and full of school spirit.</p>
<p>USC's alumni network is much stronger, though DO keep in mind that its main strength is in California. So, if you want to work in Boston when you graduate, BC is obviously a better choice in that aspect.
Overall, SC is a stronger school..</p>