Boston College or Notre Dame?

<p>I was accepted EA to Carroll's Honors College at BC, and guaranteed admission to the Mendoza School of Business at ND. I'm still waiting on some other places, but at the moment, it is looking like it will be between these two schools. </p>

<p>Obviously, some things about these two universities are very similar; both are premier Catholic universities with good business schools. I was wondering if anyone could comment on the student and academic life at both these schools? I can obviously look up the stats, but I'm looking for more an insider scoop, if you will. </p>

<p>Some questions:
-How intense is the religious life? As a non-Catholic, would I feel especially out of place?
-Is entitlement culture a big deal?
-What is the dating scene like? Do people actually date, or is it just hook-up culture?
-Are students intellectual, or just smart?
-How does administration deal with underage drinking?
-What do students do for fun?
-If you went to either of these schools, what were you favorite and least favorite things?</p>

<p>For BC: Is the fact that a lot of freshman end up at off-campus campus housing a pain, or does it work out okay? How often do you go into the city? </p>

<p>Any information or advice would be appreciated. :)</p>

<p>bump 10char</p>

<p>Many bc freshmen live on the Newton campus, which is not “off” campus. It’s a short bus ride away from the main campus. A LOT of your attitude towards college depends on your friends, and living on Newton with just other freshmen almost guarantees you’ll meet a lot of people just as eager to make friends as you are. </p>

<p>Its hard to express just how little pressure there is at BC to “be” Catholic. It’s against the very core of the Jesuit attitude to be pushy or make,someone feel pressured into religion. You’d never even know some Jesuits were priests. Catholicism is much more palpable at ND.</p>

<p>By far the biggest difference between 4 yrs at these schools would be that one is on the border of arguably the most interesting city in the world in which to be a college student, while the other had to erect a couple blocks of a fake downtown just so there was anything at all to do off campus. No doubt 8 afternoons the fall at ND would be amazing, but I don’t know what they do the rest of the time. ND does have superior "wow’’ factor and national name recognition…no doubt about that. Their average SAT scores are always higher, too, for what that’s.wortth.</p>

<p>Both have very pretty campuses…BC’s is much more compact but the hills can be a bit irritating. Both have their shareof wealthy folks. I’ve met insufferable jerks from both places. </p>

<p>Visit both schools–big differences in locale. Midwest/rural vs Northeast/urban. Both have strong academics. ND probably more name recognition.</p>