Looking at Catholic colleges

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi! I am a junior and am trying to look more seriously into college choices--something I haven't done much of yet! Basically, this is what I'm thinking about so far: </p>

<p>Since I am a Catholic myself and want to learn about and grow in my faith, I want to go to a Catholic college where faith is taken seriously and where I can take classes about Catholicism--I've seen some colleges with a Catholic Studies minor, which I would be very interested in, so something like that. Also, I'm quite conservative!</p>

<p>I've taken AP Bio, Lang & Comp, Stats, and am currently taking Calc AB. I've gotten 5's on all of my exams. I've also taken A&PI, Comp I, and Genetics at the local community college. I plan on taking more. I would like to find a college that will let me use these credits.</p>

<p>I have a 36 ACT score and missed only 1 question on the PSAT/NMSQT, so am looking at quite probably being a National Merit Scholar. I hope this shows that I do like to be challenged, so I want a college that has good, challenging academics.</p>

<p>I want to major in Biochemistry or something similar with the view of becoming a veterinarian. Because of this, I need a college with good merit financial aid (four more years of vet school afterwards won't help my debt load!) and with a good pre-vet program.</p>

<p>Finally, I want to stay in the Midwest probably in a fairly rural area--certainly not a big city like Chicago! I hope to be a mixed animal vet, so I need to be around the farms--plus I just don't like cities!</p>

<p>I don't know if this is really the point of this forum, but does anyone have any thoughts? Do you know of any schools that are like this? Is there a good way to go about looking? I am feeling overwhelmed with all the possibilities, so help is very much appreciated! Thank you!</p>

2

<p>I’ve been looking a little and saw that University of Dallas has a program where you can study in Rome. Something like that would be amazing! Anyone know how to even start looking???</p>

3

<p>UD sounds like an excellent choice for you. It is in Dallas, but the campus itself doesn’t feel ‘big city’. There is so much to do on campus that you don’t need to leave if you don’t want to, but there is a new light-rail system opening soon so that students who want to get around Dallas (including directly to the airports) will be able to easily and inexpensively. They also have campus sponsored trips to area attractions (museums, concerts, dancing, Ft. Worth Stockyards, etc.) where students are taken by bus and at reduced prices.</p>

<p>UD offers a full-tuition scholarship to National Merit Finalists (limit of 20 scholarships per incoming class). My daughter is currently a sophomore at UD on that scholarship. She is a Biochemistry major with a Physics Concentration and is currently studying in Rome, and yes, it is an absolutely amazing program. </p>

<p>UD also has a special summer scholarship program for incoming freshman called the O’Hara Institute that you would most likely be able to take advantage of. (My daughter did this as well.) It’s a full scholarship for the program except for books and travel expenses. It covers the first two general Chemistry courses (8 hours of credit). It’s very tough because it moves so fast, but an awesome experience. The students really bond and the professors are fantastic. It also helps clear room in your schedule for all those science and math classes in addition to the Core Requirements.</p>

<p>Theology is fantastic at UD, and you could major in Biochem and minor in that.</p>

<p>I would be happy to answer any questions on the board or privately.</p>

<p>I’ve also heard good things about Benedictine in Kansas, so you could also check them out as well.</p>

4

<p>Also be sure to check the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College: [The</a> Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College](<a href=“http://thenewmanguide.com/]The”>http://thenewmanguide.com/) or in your bookstore.</p>

5

<p>Thank you! I’ll look into that!</p>

6

<p>thans.i to</p>

7

<p>You’ve probably considered it if you’ve been looking into this for a while, but I’d suggest the University of Notre Dame. You didn’t list your GPA, but judging by your 36 ACT, you’d have a good shot of getting in (class of 2015 has an average ACT of 33).</p>

<p>It is Catholic (and pretty strongly so, with 85% of the student body being Catholic), and offers minors in Catholic Social Tradition and Philosophy Within the Catholic Tradition. It is also (unfortunately, in my view) very conservative. The vast majority of my friends in my dorm are conservative/Republicans. There are groups for various views (College Republicans, College Democrats, College Libertarians, Progressive Student Association), so students here aren’t just conservative, but it does seem like a pretty significant majority. Also, the student body is pretty uniformly pro-life (regardless of political affiliation), and generally pro-gay-rights.</p>

<p>If you want strong, challenging academics, Notre Dame is a great choice. Possibly the most academically challenging Catholic college/university (people from Georgetown would disagree, I’m sure), the academics are really top notch. It’s a major step up from whatever high school you went to, especially since you want to be a science major. Almost all of the courses are challenging, and a lot of professors are the top of their field (I’m in a class this semester where the professor is THE expert in his field, having written a number of field-defining books through Oxford and Cambridge Presses). </p>

<p>Notre Dame will take your AP credit, [see</a> this page for details](<a href=“http://fys.nd.edu/curricular-information/credit-by-examination/advanced-placement-program/]see”>http://fys.nd.edu/curricular-information/credit-by-examination/advanced-placement-program/). There is a strong biochem major, which is popular with pre-med majors. You could put together a good pre-vet program through Pre-professional Studies in the College of Science, too, though several number of College of Science majors would be good for that. I’ve met at least one person studying to be a vet, so there are ways to do it here. A Notre Dame degree will be very helpful in applying to professional programs (given the academic prestige) and in finding a job (with a large, strong alumni network).</p>

<p>Financial aid is very good here, as Notre Dame claims to meet 100% of need and is one of the few universities that really comes through on that the vast majority of times. I come from a working-class family, and I got basically a full ride on financial aid. They had me fill out the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and IDOC, to get a really accurate picture of everything financially, and put my EFC significantly below where the more limited FAFSA put it. Of course, they can afford to do this because the large majority of students here are upper class and don’t need it. </p>

<p>You mentioned maybe wanting to go to Rome. Over 50% of Notre Dame students study abroad, putting ND as the #3 college/university in the country for number of students studying abroad. There are programs all over the world, including several in Rome. Most people who study abroad do it for a semester or year, but summer programs are also available. I just received word today that I my grant request was approved by the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures for a fully-funded 4-week course in Ireland this summer. I’m a freshman, so these opportunities are open for students all throughout their time here.</p>

<p>Notre Dame is planted firmly in the Midwest (alas, the winters!), and South Bend is pretty far from a “big city” environment. You will not leave campus, unless you need to go to a store for something that the on-campus convenience store doesn’t have, or if you want to go to an off-campus party. Everything you need is on Notre Dame’s campus, so it’s a very insulated community.</p>

<p>Good luck with your college search, application, and decision process.</p>

8

<p>Ditto on the ND post above. CC thought will vary on how conservative ND students are. I think most polls show the students are about 50/50 split on Repub/Democrat. It is probably more conservative than many colleges, which is something S appreciated.</p>

<p>Also, 20 minutes any direction is going to put you in the vicinity of farms, something S also appreciated.</p>

<p>ND admissions is very score centric, so your ACT is excellent. They like rank to be in the top 5%. I’m guessing from your AP results that your GPA is also good. Catholicism is taken seriously and the theology classes are excellent.</p>

<p>As mentioned, financial aid is very good. Best wishes in your search.</p>

9

<p>Some of the Jesuits are the top universities in the country–and obviously Catholic. As a Catholic, you may get an edge and with your present stats, you have a good shot at the best. Georgetown is amazing but is still in the Dark Ages regarding its application process. They do not use the Common App. and so your teachers and counselors have to attach their recs to paper, mail them, etc. You have to take not 1, not 2, but 3 SAT IIs, even if you submit the ACT. Pain in the rear. Right up there with GT is Boston College. Sometimes called a Baby Ivy, it’s right in Boston with all the other amazing universities. Fordham is recruiting top students aggressively now and offers decent aid. On the West Coast, Loyola Marymount and Santa Clara Universities are very good–and with high scores, you could get Presidential Scholar awards and honors program status, which amounts to close to a free ride. I’m amazed at the FA packages my son has gotten from the Jesuit universities to which he applied. Just google Jesuit Universities for a complete list. Do not be thrown off by their high costs; they really can offer amazing FA.</p>

10

<p>Might look at Holy Cross-along with ND and Georgetown-one of the best Catholic schools. HC has great science program and nice campus 1 hour from Boston. The Holy Cross website is very informative.</p>

11

<p>Much that is now taught at Notre Dame and other “Catholic” colleges is not truly Catholic, but a watering down of the Faith so that it is palatable to liberal Americans. If you want to sincerely learn about the Truth as handed down by the apostles, check out the Newman Guide. University of Dallas,Franciscan University of Steubenville and University of Dallas would be my top two recommendations and also look into the Catholic University of America and Providence College. Best wishes.</p>

12

<p>Our son applied and was accepted to Villanova, Saint Louis University and Creighton - all good schools, with Villanova being the strongest academically. With your test scores, you would qualify for a Presidential scholarship at Villanova. I second the other posters recommendations for Notre Dame and Catholic University of America in DC. Also, Boston College - our son attends a Jesuit school and several guys from his high school attend BC every year. It’s a gorgeous campus. As with most things in life, if you seek out like-minded Catholics at any institution, you will find them, regardless of the school’s politics. Ultimately, our son chose to attend a large, public university, not a Catholic college. He said he’s solid in his faith and will continue to be wherever he goes. Visit the schools that sound like a good fit for you and see what they’re really like. Our son visited several schools and eliminated a few based on our campus visits. Good luck!</p>