Michigan vs. UVA vs. ND

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
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<p>Soo, I haven't exactly gotten into ND yet, but I was admitted to Michigan, and received a "likely letter" from UVA. I figured I'd throw ND in there just in case ;)</p>

<p>I realized this will probably be very, very biased, but if anyone could help me compare these schools, it would be great. I'm just trying to get my "ducks in a row," so to speak, so that I have a better idea of what I'm lookin at next year. I'm not sure what I want to major in, probably something along the lines of English and Public Policy/Public Relations. I'm from Southern CA, if that makes a difference to anyone, I'm really into sports (though all those schools are in major conferences), and political biases at the schools will have no bearing on my decision. </p>

<p>I'll have an updated thread once I find out about remaining decisions. Just wanted some early ideas about these universities. Thanks!</p>

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<p>all very different schools! it's late and i'm tired, and would be happy to Pm with you, but some quick thoughts...UVA and Michigan...major weather diffs. UVA awesome and great college town. ( don't know Ann Arbor) ND dismal area outside campus and very Catholic. academically all similar. great you have such choices!</p>

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<p>lol all I can tell you is I chose UM over ND..</p>

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<p>anything but ND</p>

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<p>okkay, that doesn't really help me. I'm Irish Catholic, so I really don't have a problem with ND's environment, and it is a great school. All 3 are. So just "anything but ND" doesn't really help me out too much. If anyone who has experience with similar decisions, or knows these schools could respond, that would be awesome.</p>

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<p>Did you get an invitation for Honors anywhere?</p>

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<p>vc..i m sure you know that's supposed to be a joke...but mentioning ND on a michigan board is pure trouble :PPPPPPP</p>

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<p>I personally would go to Virginia..(if I wasn't instate for michigan). I think UVA definitely has a better atmosphere. The weather is beautiful and the people are nice (mich and notre dame are freezing). Academic-wise, all three are in similar ranges. All three are extremely into sports. A good website to compare these three is theu.com </p>

<p>University</a> of Virginia Main Campus Ratings
University</a> of Notre Dame Ratings
University</a> of Michigan Ann Arbor Ratings</p>

<p>watch the videos if you want</p>

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<p>^^ Agreed. Ann Arbor weather sucks!!!</p>

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<p>I went to UM. Our son is at ND. For him, ND is a much better undergrad experience. He loves ND. But he is not interested in staying there for law school. He wants something warm (we're from NC.) UM is best known for grad programs, not the undergrad experience. ND is the opposite. Only thing I know about UVA is that the campus is pretty and it out-preps Princeton. Undergrad on par with UM but grad schools not as uniformly good.</p>

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<p>I didn't apply to UMich because of the weather. So if freezing to death ain't your cup of tea, go for UVa. ;)</p>

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<p>My daughter goes to UM - and was accepted at UVa. She is an excellent student who was excepted at a number of other places as well. </p>

<p>Here's my take: </p>

<p>UVa - an excellent school - smaller than UM with better weather. But academics and the course of study are key. Liberal arts - maybe I would choose UVa. But if choosing engineering, comp sci, or undergraduate business (and Ross is very hard to get in), I would choose UM in a heartbeat. </p>

<p>ND is an excellent school - but it is what it is. One can't separate the Catholic experience from the school - and if that is your cup of tea - great. </p>

<p>No one will suffer going to any of these three schools.</p>

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<p>bearcats: I'm sorry, but deal with it. ;)</p>

<p>20legend: I got into U-Washington honors, but not at any of those schools (again, I haven't gotten into ND yet--decisions don't come out til the 1st of April---just theoretically speaking here). Also, I visited Michigan last week, and didn't find it so bad (and I'm from San Diego!). I mean, it was COLD, but it's going to be cold at any of those schools. If that's the only complaint people have about UM and ND, I think I can handle that!</p>

<p>j89: Thanks for the links, I've actually been watchin those vids for a while. But I agree, it is a great site!</p>

<p>bdmrad: haha, agreed on the warm thing! Interesting that you note Michigan's lack of undergrad experience. Though it is better known for its grad schools, I'd always heard it provided an enriching undergrad experience as well--socially, athletically, and academically. Now that your son is at ND, and you are an alum on Michigan, could you perhaps compare your experiences for me? I know it might be hard bc of time/interests differences, but you seem pretty familiar with all the schools. Also, does UVA accept diversity, or is it more of a "I'll just turn my head and look the other way bc they aren't white" sorta thing? In other words, are they over the Civil War yet? I might be overreacting, but just curious! Thanks a ton!</p>

<p>mam: great input! The thing is, I'm not exactly sure what I want to study. I'm leaning toward public relations/policy...and both UM and UVA have great Public Policy programs (UVA is close to DC, but UM has the appealing new Ford School of Public Policy). And advice on that? Or on which of those schools would be best if one isn't sure what they want to major in?</p>

<p>And Alexandre, where are you on this one?!</p>

<p>Thanks guys, you're great!</p>

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<p>Why not just go to U Washington Honors then?</p>

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<p>^ Or Berkeley...it blows all other choices outta the park! Plus, in-state tuition is tough to beat ;)</p>

<p>But, that's right, vc08 wants a different experience and go away.</p>

<p>Personally, if costs are similar between your options, it would be a tough choice. </p>

<p>Since you're a sportnut, living in SoCal, I'd choose Michigan. At least you'd be able to root for them on TV, cause they're ABC/ESPN darlings, not to mention the new Big 10 network. If you went to UVa and resettled back in SoCal, you'd have to dig a little more to follow your team. </p>

<p>Notre Dame is a no-brainer in terms of football at least - just turn on NBC...and watch 'em lose! If they don't turn things around by the time you graduate, you might have a hard time following 'em, cause NBC might reconsider renewing their contract with the Domers.</p>

<p>This is a very stupid way to choose, but something to take into consideration.</p>

<p>Truthfully, I'd wait until all of your acceptances and financial aid awards are in hand....the choice, hopefully, will become much more clear.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>bc UW honestly isn't quite on the same level academically as UM, UVA, and ND (it mainly has an awesome west-coast reputation, but I want one that will take me really far in any subject I choose to study..in any state, etc. And I feel that these schools give me the best chance to do that) ...and bc it rains way too much! It doesn't even snow a lot, just constant rain, the one thing I DONT like!</p>

<p>haha, UCB you crack me up! I love Cal, but "blows all other choices outta the park" is probably well over-stated. Even my brother, a faithful Cal student, is urging me to check out these schools...and he is having a fabulous time at Berkeley.</p>

<p>I'm NOT choosing my school based on a tv contract, however. I just want sports teams to follow...and either way, I'll have tradition and excitement on my side. So I'm not too worried about that.</p>

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<p>it's the first time i have ever seen TheU ratings, it's ridiculous. Admissions: Very Easy, Academic Reputation: above average, for umich, it looks like they did the study at OSU!</p>

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<p>haha, yeah, ALL their stats are off. For every school. They had Cal's population at like 16,000, when it's twice as many! But I think the vids are decent, I don't pay much attn to the other stuff!</p>

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<p>serious w/ this one?</p>

<p>ND</p>

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<p>I contrast my experience as an undergrad many years ago with my son's experience at ND. At UM, I was fortunate to be part of a small program(50 kids) that gave me a sense of identity. I felt sorry for the other undergrads in athe great morass that was the LS&A. That being said, there are ways to make UM "small" but you have to realize that you will be one of thousands. </p>

<p>ND, on the other hand, does a great job of instilling a sense of community and family. The line about the ND family is not BS. Like I said, my kid LOVES ND. I could never say that about UM. I am proud to have graduated from there, but there is not the emotional tie that I suspect my son will have with ND. It is truly something you will carry with you for the rest of your life. Look at Regis Philbin for example and that President character from West Wing.</p>

<p>However, ND is not for everybody. Our son is a sports fanatic, especially college FB and he is at the perfect school for him. His first two years were great. Lucky for him, he spent last fall in Rome so he avoided the pain of last season. He was raised Catholic but it is not a big part of his life by any stretch of the imagination. I think he has been to Mass a couple times in three years, though there are plenty of very religious kids. The Catholic nature of the school only affects the curriculum in a positive way as far as I can tell, i.e., inculcating a sense of responsibility for your fellow man and service, not the dogma of the Church.</p>

<p>One of my more vivid memories about ND occurred when as a high school senior we used the "college visit" as an excuse to attend the Michigan-ND football game(he was a Michigan fan at that time.) At the beginning of the game, the announcer had a short recitation that sounded like something out of Mass. I remember leaning over to my son and saying "You'll never hear anything like that at that godless University of Michigan." We laughed then, but were sorely disappointed when ND beat UM.</p>

<p>But, it was his exposure to the good natured ribbing we got from that ND students as we walked around with our Michigan jerseys on that sold him on ND. He had had no intention of applying until that Saturday. Although the winters are long (as they are in Ann Arbor) he in no way regrets his decision.</p>