I live in Indiana, actually right in South Bend so I’ve grown up next to ND. I’ve gone to Catholic schools my whole life, but wouldn’t consider myself an extreme Catholic. I am mainly between IU and Notre Dame, and somewhat Emory and Loyola. I want to study pre med with a major in Bio or Biochem. Also greatly interested in continuing research because I did extensive research at ND throughout high school.
I got a lot of merit based aid from IU and got in their honors program. I got 1/2 off tuition (not including r&b) from Notre Dame. I didn’t get that much off of Loyola and Emory. I also do not know much about Loyola or Emory.
I think I’m between IU and Notre Dame. Anyone who has thoroughly researched these schools, has attended these schools, or has any insight into these schools PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SHARE.
Should I save money for med school and go to IU? Plus be able to leave South Bend and explore a new town? What are the benefits of paying more for Notre Dame?
IU for sure. You will need the $ for med school!
I also would be able to transfer many high school credits to IU. I would have to get 5’s on AP tests for Notre Dame.
I’m mainly unsure of attending a public or private school for pre med.
IU - a friend’s son made a similar decision two years ago (I don’t know what the other schools were). He is also pre-med and has had a fantastic experience at IU - great research and volunteer opportunities at the nearby medical facilities.
I would do IU unless the cost of ND wont deter you. ND would have a bigger network of people for you to explore, but with added effort you could accomplish similar things at IU. ND would give you a “better education” and prestige added to your name. However, honors programs are very good to be in, you may have a more specialized experience at IU but a better overall at ND. I would say ND unless you are broke and your parents wont help you out :^)
You should definitely be choosing between IU and Notre Dame. Can your parents afford to pay for tuition at ND and also med school, ND is definitely the way to go. Otherwise you should save money and go to IU.
Which loyola is this? Is this loyola marymount university in LA or the one in Chicago, or the one in NO?
IU, no question for a pre-med student who is admitted to Honors at IU. Growing up around SB, you’ve probably grown up with ND mystique so that could seem compelling. But Med school acceptance is largely gpa and test scores, followed by lots and lots of debt. Minimize the undergrad debt, take advantage of IU Honors and don’t look back.
For what it’s worth, we know kids who turned down ND and Northwestern for IU, largely for financial reasons, and have had phenomenal experiences at IU. Take the money, and don’t look back!
Thank you everyone for the input!!!
I’m still unsure. I can see how attending IU would save a significant amount of money, but I am also worried about acceptance into med schools. Notre Dame’s name recognition might help in that regard. My mom works at ND which is why I got 1/2 of tuition. Whether I attend ND or IU, I know I have to put in the work to be successful, and I can see myself doing so at both schools. 
@CitizenSen Loyola Chicago
Can you give us an exact amount(do not count loans) of how much you will be paying for ND and IU. 2 hours left, tick tock…
Med schools don’t care about undergrad name or prestige. They care about your GPA and MCATs. Absolutely go to IU! You’ll need the money you save for med school.
@CitizenSen I know, I would have decided way earlier but I did not receive my financial aid package from ND until this past Friday! Long story short, they thought I had not turned in financial aid info when I had months ago.
Tuition and Room & Board for IU: $12,182
Tuition and Room & Board for ND: $38,947
I saw your post! Did you decide?
What does your parents say? At this late hour, it’s something that you should be discussing with them.
Save your money for Med School !! You can’t get into Med School with name recognition. It is all about GPA and MCAT scores.
@carolinamom2boys My parents are willing to pay for either school. They do want me to take out a loan for a portion of what we have to pay so I feel responsible for making the most of my education, which I completely understand.
Yeah I feel you I’m from Indiana as well (Butler still hasn’t sent me my financial aid package since I forgot to send the parent verification form)
Anyways IU is pretty cheap. I’m paying full at $24k so be grateful about that(of course my parents have a really high income so that’s the reason).
I would pick ND but I’m a little biased cause I don’t see 24k as a lot.
So over the span of 4 years, ND will cost you over 40k more. How important is that 40k to you?
@CitizenSen Go Hoosiers! Yeah I am pretty grateful. We actually didn’t receive need-based scholarship either, I got a merit based scholarship of $8,000 per year from IU.
I’m not sure if my revised comment went through, but that 24K was just tuition. With room and board its about 38K per year for Notre Dame. $50,000 vs. $152,000. My parents are leaning more towards ND due to its strong alumni network and the overall quality of education. Still deciding though.
So have you made a decision?
Notre Dame…If a parent works there and you are a serious student and would do well at both schools, go for ND. The connections with someone on the inside will help you out. As long as you feel comfortable going to school where a parent knows the system, go where the connections will take you the farthest. Make your own decision and no matter what, stick to it.
Oh I didn’t see your revised post. I guess we are in a similar situation then lol. To save a lot of money or not.
I would have applied to ND too and it would have been top of my list. Unfortunately I didn’t finish all my apps till Jan 15 so I didn’t get to apply to elite colleges like ND. And no I still haven’t decided.
Are you a 21st Century Scholar? If you are, I believe you get a huge discount to public colleges in Indiana.