<p>Can anyone share their thoughts about Catholic Universities? They appeal to me from their size (bigger than a small LAC but smaller than a huge state school) and locations (near large cities). There are many and I don't know that I will be able to visit them. </p>
<p>Gonzaga, BC, and Georgetown have the basketball thing. BC and Georgetown have prestige. But what about the other ones...University of Seattle, University of San Diego, Santa Clara, University of Portland...etc. Does anyone know what their culture is? Are they conservative? Do they have diversity? Do they have smaller classes than large universities like UF and UT? Are they similar or is each school so different from the rest that it would be important to visit each?</p>
<p>Catholic universities seem to have a great social climate and many are terrific academically. Generally, students love them and graduate at a higher rate than you would expect.</p>
<p>I think the best are Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Boston College.</p>
<p>Notre Dame, BC, and even Georgetown sound so cooooold. It sounds silly, but I am miserable when cold. It is cold here today and no matter how much clothing I wear, I can't get warm. People say that a person can aclimate, but what if it doesn't happen? I could be miserable for months.</p>
<p>one you might want to take a closer look at is Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. smaller lac and near kc. were told they strive to give the students a well rounded college experience. were told that about 50 percent of students participate in athletics. 4 year private.</p>
<p>Their nitch is mid-sized college with smallish classes. They like to think they are the perect blend of university and college. Perhaps only DePaul is too big (size-wise) for its breeches. Anybody who knows the scene, knows that the Big 3 (BC, ND, Georgetown) are actually the Big 4 (add Holy Cross...the only top-tier one that is actually a liberal arts college without any grad school). Of these Top 4, only Notre Dame is not run by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).</p>
<p>The Jesuit priests are the academic storm troopers of the Catholic faith, and pretty much bow to no man, Ivy, Oxbridge, or otherwise. Graduates of Jesuit colleges are in a subtle and unwritten fraternity, the likes of which is probably unmatched by any other group of colleges in the USA. You can't go wrong with any of their 28 colleges in the USA.</p>
<p>My favorite "undiscovered" Jesuit colleges are U of Santa Clara and U of San Francisco. Both are mid-sized and are in exquisite areas (Santa Clara in the shadow of Stanford, and San Francisco in the most beautiful city in the world). Both have that incredible Northern California climate that is never too hot nor too cold.</p>
<p>I've graduated from 2 Catholic colleges (including one of the Big 4), and neither was overtly religious. I can't even imagine a non-Catholic feeling out of place at one of them. In fact, the mood at both of them was that they would bend over backwards to ensure non-catholics felt at home.</p>
<p>This sounds promising for me. I am not Catholic and don't know the scene at all. I don't want to go to a party school. Not interested in the greek scene (from what I can tell of it). I do want serious academics but don't really know what I want to study. Small classes appeal to me. Thanks for your advice on USF and USanta Clara. I have to agree that they are in a beautiful area. And since it may be the only time I can afford to live there...</p>
<p>You see the English movie "Bend it Like Beckham"? The two girls from England went to Santa Clara to play soccer. If it's good enough for them...</p>
<p>The best thing about Catholic colleges is that a lot potential applicants avoid them, thinking the religion is going to be overt, when it never is. So they tend do be easier to get into than comparable colleges which do NOT scare off a sizable % of the population.</p>
<p>Besides the Big 4, other good ones are Villanova, St. Louis U., Fordham, and Marquette. (last 3 are Jesuit).</p>
<p>My D loves USD. She is in the honors college, they have good scholarships, a great city, small classes, close relationships with professors, mid-sized university, lots of activities to get involved with. studying on the beach .The religion is there is you want it but is not required.</p>
<p>I play soccer, but have not seen the movie. LOL. </p>
<p>My SAT was 2280 (750M, 750V, 780W) and my grade point is 3.9 (uw). I've taken all honors and APs this year, and have solid ECs and rec's. It sounds like admissions shouldn't be a problem.</p>
<p>I want to go to a "good" school where I can learn a lot. I don't hear the Catholic schools (other than Notre Dame) mentioned much and just want to make sure they were considered "good". I am first generation college (but not URM), so don't really know what schools people respect (other than Ivy). It sounds like I should look into the Catholic schools. Do you think they give merit scholarships to non-Catholics?</p>
<p>I think religion would have NOTHING to do with scholarships. Any of the Big 4 would qualify as "Good" by any standard, and are serious places where you could learn a lot. </p>
<p>With those SAT scores and you being first generation, you should be able to get in just about any college anywhere and get tons of money. Any of the Big 4 Catholic schools would LOVE to have you, but the Ivies would probably love you too.</p>
<p>I have gone to Catholic school all my life and only skipped out of Catholic college for a change of pace. Personally, I think they are amazing. Both schools I attended are very accepting of non-catholic students and I expect colleges would be the same. Santa Clara is a very nice school and the Jesuits are absolutely wonderful. They are very focused on educations and run great schools, but they are also very down-to-earth. Apply to as many as you want; there is absolutely nothing to lose.</p>
<p>I need merit money and that is why I am not looking at Ivys. My mom and dad do fairly well (together) without having gone to college so, while they want me to go, they don't see a reason to spend all that money. They have worked really hard (and did without) to accumulate savings. I can't see just wiping them out in four years. And I also hope to go to graduate school.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for their responses. From what I hear, I think I'll look further into the Catholic schools.</p>
<p>if you are looking for merit aid, you might look at Fairfield. Not quite Georgetown, but then, they're more likely to give you non-need-based aid if you're a Georgetown-quality applicant.</p>
<p>In terms of Merit based aid, Saint Louis U., Creighton (Omaha), and Marquette are all good. I don't know much about the california jesuit schools. I am currently a HS senior and applied to lots of Catholic schools...got accepted to ND, BC, SLU, and Creighton. Notre Dame doesn't give any merit-based money, period. BC gives 15 full ride scholarships based on merit but nothing beyond that, so it is very competetive. With a 35 ACT (2300 SAT) and a 4.0 uw gpa, I wasn't even named a finalist for BC's full ride scholarship. This just shows the high level of competetion...but I would encourage you to definately apply anyway.</p>
<p>St. Louis University has 30 Presidential scholarships which cover full tuition. They ask about 200 to come for a weekend of interviews, and select from there. Those that do not receive the full scholarship do receive some sort merit aid. </p>
<p>My daughter loves it there. She has many non-catholic friends. The Jesuits are very popular with the students. They are very visible around campus -- in a good way. The Jesuits do know how to educate!</p>