<p>I think that one could argue that Columbia and Northwestern could be a terrible fit for many other students as well. Our own student visited both schools and could not wait to leave the campus of Columbia, even tho we have family in the NY City area and a family member who graduated with an MBA. No regrets from our student about choosing ND, either! College choice is a personal decision–visits help a LOT. And, if one is still so terribly unhappy after a semester or two, there is always the option of transferring.</p>
<p>make sure you visit, and try to sleep over a night. they have a number of nights to sleep over. i don’t know if NU has a similar program, but visit both and ask about the environment. you don’t want to spend 4 years at a place you consider hell.</p>
<p>I concede, I cannot prove that maverick isn’t a rector at Notre Dame. </p>
<p>I’m glad we agree that good actions don’t redeem bad actions. I’m also sorry if someone blew up your father’s free clinic, raped your child and tortured your great grandfather. All I can say is that you shouldn’t live a bitter life because of it. Oh wait, you just made that up. My bad.</p>
<p>I stand corrected on the 4-year BA/MA thing. That being said, after completing all the econ requirements plus going through real analysis before the end of the junior year and then taking graduate seminars and completing a thesis senior year sounds like a miserable four years. That really is impressive nonetheless, not unsurprising that one would go on to be a professor.</p>
<p>I’m also intrigued by the idea of students signing up for any classes they want. That does sound like an easier system. Seems like there should probably be some kind of gatekeeper though. To keep sophomores from going to law school classes and such things. I have to admit that I took a class with 3Ls when I was a sophomore and I certainly wasn’t prepared. A Congolese priest and a middle aged Iraqi woman who worked for the UN were also in that class, so at least I wasn’t the only outlier.</p>
<p>I’m also sure that all professors at Notre Dame have to teach undergraduates, unless of course they are on leave. Actually, Alasdair MacIntyre (who has an international society dedicated to his philosophy) only teaches undergraduates. Teaching is important at Notre Dame, there’s no hiding that. But Notre Dame does involve undergraduates in research; there is a conference every May for students to present their research. The grant funding opportunities are fairly substantial I believe. Rather generous too (there was an RA in Farley last year who got paid to go to taverns in Germany and talk with the locals) I’m sure Northwestern and Chicago and other schools have similar programs. I don’t doubt that. But I do wonder if the difference isn’t as big as some might think. (As for the archaeological dig, I actually know a freshman who is doing one in Italy this summer with her professor) </p>
<p>On parietals–not everything anyone writes is to disprove what you write. I supplemented your information, adding substance to your assertion. Get a grip chico.</p>
<p>“It discourages underage drinking.” God forbid they discourage students from breaking the law. I also don’t understand why co-ed bathrooms would be a good thing in anyway, unless it saves you from having to go to the far end of the hallway. I must be unenlightened. Pour it on.</p>
<p>I’ll have to amend my suggestion. If no one had sex outside of marriage then STDs could be eliminated. Even if an STD originated organically, it would only be spread to one other person, not nearly epidemic as we have now in some places. Something like AIDS could of course be transmitted intravenously, but I think almost everyone discourages that anyway. So if there were no drug use (or there were infinite needle exchanges if you want to go that route) it would cut down on that problem. </p>
<p>airbag, “condemnation of sex and drug use limit the university’s growth potential as a true bastion of free thought and research” that made me laugh dude. Not sure how condemning drug use fits in with Catholic morality as something stifling. Even NYU condemns marijuana. </p>
<p>I also have to say that if anyone wants to live independently, without those rules they can just move off-campus. It’s not unheard of guys. Papa Kramer will take care of you.</p>
<p>Bottom line…I don’t think you have to be a genius to realize that the Notre Dame populace is probably the most esoteric of any student body in America. It will be a “dream come true” to those who value what Notre Dame offers, but it could be a nightmare for others. This isn’t a unique situation, though…I’ve known plenty of people at Ivies who went there JUST for the name. They didn’t fit in and didn’t have a great time. Sacrifices like that are well worth it for some.</p>
<p>Northwestern is a great school. The few I have known that went there ended up turning into pretty arrogant and weird people…nevertheless, that doesn’t negate my previous statement. I don’t see what the argument is, though…Notre Dame and Northwestern’s average ACT/SAT scores are pretty much on par–1434 SAT and 32.6 ACT at Notre Dame rival some Ivy averages by the way–so what is the problem? Everyone will gravitate toward the university they feel more comfortable at. I truly think that Notre Dame has more of an allure that Northwestern, but perhaps I am biased. I transferred from the University of Michigan to Notre Dame and have never regretted it for a moment.</p>
<p>How about this…go to Notre Dame for undergrad and Northwestern for grad school? I can only hope that ND invests more in research and enhancing its graduate school repertoire!</p>