Notre Dame has been my dream school for as long as I can remember. When I was rejected last spring, I saw Holy Cross to be a smaller version of ND with the same tight-knit community feel. I am now a freshman at Holy Cross, and only five days into my time on campus, I can’t help but feel upset that I’m not at ND. While I’m trying my best to make the most of my freshman year, I’ve spent just as much time and energy into researching the ND transfer requirements. This is going to sound cheesy, but I need some reassurance; what does Holy Cross have that Notre Dame doesn’t? How can I be sure to make the most of my first few weeks at Holy Cross?
First of all, congratulations on getting into Holy Cross! As you know, it’s a very well-respected Jesuit Catholic school, with a strong, loyal alumni base. I have toured the school twice (with two different kids of mine), and have only gotten more impressed with the school. I also know two recent alums who are still very happy that they attended HC.
Would you have had a great experience at Notre Dame? I’m sure you would have, but Holy Cross is a great school-- give it some time before you think of transferring. Hopefully people who have atttended HC will chime in, but here are some strengths of HC as I see them:
- smaller classes, with professors committed to student academic success. I'm sure ND professors are committed to students as well, but it's just not possible to provide the same level of attention with larger classes.
- the Monserrat program, which helps kids get to know each other, encouraging friendships across all different interests.
- location in the Northeast, with easy road trips to Boston, NYC and Providence. Also, although Worcester is an old industrial town, it has a great downtown area with shops and restaurants-- really seems to have made a comeback economically from where it was even 10 years ago. Personally, I would prefer being in Worcester to South Bend, but I'm biased toward the East Coast.
Over the next few weeks, make an effort to get to know your Montserrat group members and others in your dorm – invite people to go to meals with you or to get coffee. Pick an extracurricular or two and get involved - one alum I know said she really started to love Holy Cross after getting involved in campus ministry and going on a retreat. I think once you commit yourself mentally to making the most of being there and let thoughts of Notre Dame go, things will start to come together for you. You’ve been given a great opportunity-- wishing you all the best!
Curious how it has turned out after one semester. Son is applying to ND this year and I think it will be a reach. I’m an HC grad myself and can’t say enough about it. You will get an amazing education at ND and a phenomenal network.