<p>Hey. I've recently been accepted to ND and University of Michigan, getting a full ride from Notre Dame and a very not-so-full-ride from U of M. And I'm considering turning ND down... for the sole reason that they don't have a study abroad program in Scandinavia. </p>
<p>I was hoping for some input, or for someone to slap me and say "Stupid, its a full ride to ND! How can you turn that down?" Or, if for whatever reason, that isn't a stupid idea, feel free to tell me that as well...</p>
<p>I'm hoping for a political science major, minor in history or classical studies (at U of M, it would be Scandinavian studies) contemplating involvement with the theatre program. Something like that, at least, it's definitely open to change.</p>
<p>But one of the main things I want to do in undergrad is study abroad, and I don't see a lot of opportunities at ND for the locations I'd like. Maybe I missed something, but from what I can see, U of M's study abroad is FAR more encompassing.</p>
<p>So, yeah, a wake-up call would be nice, seeing as I'd be turning down a FULL RIDE to ND. Do people even do that? Any help is seriously appreciated!</p>
<p>ND’s not ranked that high. I turned down a really great opportunity collegewise for U of M, just because of the atmosphere of the school- internationals from all parts of the globe in massive numbers, amazing party scenes at so many diverse levels, ridiculously accepting, highly ranked speakers coming all the time,
and I was scared for a bit that I needed to go the other universities I was accepted in to because they’d look a bit better on an application (UMich’s prestige is very, very hard to beat in the world) or I wouldn’t be able to get a research position or something similar at U of M because of so many students,
but then I realized, I’m very, very confident in my own abilities to do well for myself. I would love U of M just because it is the most amazing atmosphere (in this country) I can imagine for college, with only a few other places atmosphere-wise being remotely competitive.
I didn’t get much $ at U of M either, but I think I’m going to be very happy with my decision.</p>
<p>That was my decision anyway, hopefully that helps^ Besides that, I chose all my colleges based on location alone really.</p>
<p>Parent here, not student but I can share something I learned earlier this year about study abroad and ND. My son is a senior at John Carroll, the Jesuit college in Cleveland. He did two immersion trips to El Salvador and wanted to spend a semester there but John Carroll did not have a program of study in that country. So he went to El Salvador through a program at Santa Clara U. One of the students that attended the same program a few years ahead of my son, was from Notre Dame. She wanted to study abroad, specifically at the Casa de la Solidaridad program in El Salvador. ND was apparently not happy with her studying abroad outside their school-sponsored programs but finally allowed her to go–with one stipulation: they would not give her credit for any of the courses she took at the University of Central America.(All six classes he took counted for my son!) My son and husband met this woman in November, when she went back to visit the Casa program. She said that she carefully planned her courses around this trip, taking enough extra courses each semester so she could afford to go to El Salvador and not earn credit, but still graduate on time. She said she loved Notre Dame and despite the hassle they gave her about going to El Salvador, she felt the experiences she had in both places were worth any inconvenience. So, while I cannot tell you if things have changed in the few years since this woman was at ND, I can tell you it sounds like it is possible to negotiate with them about where you want to study. </p>
<p>As to your other question: take a full ride at ND vs pay for Michigan, that seems easy to me, both as a parent and as somewhere who went to very large schools (including U Mich for graduate school). IMHO, I would suggest that it’s better to get your undergraduate education for free if you can, saving your money for graduate school or entering the job market unencumbered with debt. I would also suggest that there is a distinct advantage to going to a smaller school where you can be known personally and not have to compete with dozens of other undergrads to get into a class you want. It’s entirely possible to attend a big school and remain anonymous; at a smaller school that is less likely to happen and having the attention of faculty and other students can itself foster learning. ND isn’t small, but it’s not the U of M either. Ann Arbor clearly get the nod over South Bend: it’s a great place to go to school. On the other hand, you are not going to find the kind of student there who will push you to excel as you will at ND (unless you are in engineering). At ND, everyone admitted is pretty serious about their studies; you will find very bright kids at Michigan but not on par with ND. I had enough contact with undergrads while I was there to wonder how some of them got admitted. </p>
<p>Not sure why this is a hard decision but make up your mind: if you aren’t going to go to ND, let them know.! If you aren’t going to use that tuition money, there are hundreds of kids who want to go to ND, but can’t without assistance. Let them have it. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. It only took me a day and this many posts to realize I shouldn’t even be questioning ND, and unless something huge happens, it looks like I’ll be attending. One program shouldn’t be enough for me to relinquish the opportunity completely.</p>
<p>The money I got looks like it was ALL from need-based financial aid… I think. So, even with the in-state tuition from U of M, it’d still be a stretch for my family to afford. I’m the first kid in my entire immediate family to attend college, so this has all been a huge learning experience for us (ESPECIALLY financial aid…) which is where most of these absurd questions come from. So I apologize if they seem a little too ridiculous to be asking :)</p>
<p>Anyways, thanks for slapping me into shape.</p>
<p>You made the wise decision to go to ND for free. Your questions were not absurd, only the responses from certain posters. Best of luck to you at ND!</p>
<p>If you’re set on studying abroad in Scandinavia, you could always try to find a summer program there through another school or apply for a grant from ND. I know people who have gotten ND to help finance trips to study/research in all sorts of locations.</p>