<p>any input?
I'm torn between the two schools; I've visited both and I'm not sure which I like more. I realize they're incredibly different, but what do y'all think?</p>
<p>“they’re incredibly different” - that is the case. </p>
<p>ND has a strong Catholic identity, which as evidenced on other threads, clearly makes ND a great place for some and a horrible experience for others (and after reading the ND vs NU thread, i have come to agree with this statement). If you are Catholic or have a really thick shell (meaning you do not mind being in a Catholic School with a clear Catholic presence, then ND provides a great place to spend 4 years. If not, then maybe Washington U is better as it is more diverse than ND. </p>
<p>I have not visited Washington U’s campus, but ND’s is really nice - best one i saw. I think academically, they are close, but Washington U. is probably a little more competitive. Both are top academic institutions (as demonstrated by the fact that they are in the top cc universities).</p>
<p>ND will have a more of a sports atmosphere than Washington U which is great for sports enthusiast.</p>
<p>I think what attracts numerous prospective students to ND is the college experience, which I think is phenomenal. However, if ND is not for you (see above), then it may not be the best place to spend four years. </p>
<p>Definitely visit ND though and see if you would fit in. </p>
<p>Good luck on your choice.</p>
<p>I would take some of those posts on the ND/NU thread with a grain of salt. Maybe a shaker…</p>
<p>ya it has gotten become a little combative</p>
<p>There’s something about Notre Dame that brings out the crazies (pro and anti). This is the only message board I go on, I don’t know why people from other places come on here to bash Notre Dame. Is it perfect? No. Are its supporters pompous on occasion? Yes. But the fact that being a Domer means being in a family is unique. I can shoot an email to an alumni club anywhere in the country (all fifty states have at least one, Texas has ten) and know that I will get a helpful response a quickly as possible. </p>
<p>One example: During spring break this year I took a seminar group down to South Florida to examine conditions in the tomato fields. Within two days of sending an email to the alumni club I had arranged free lodging and meals for twelve students in Atlanta. I also got an invite to a Cape Coral mansion (this is was a bit of relaxation after spending a day in a tomato field) and a free dinner on the beach with alums. Those are the wealthy Domers that will do anything to help you (including lend you their car, boat, home, first born, definitely the car at least). The other type of Domer is the one I met in the poorest of poor migrant worker communities in South Florida. She works for practically nothing to fight for justice on behalf of migrant workers. One of the seminar students spent last semester making a film in Uganda with grants that ND gave her. One of the other students will do service in Costa Rica after graduation next month. One was from South Dakota (I’ve never met anyone from South Dakota until her). </p>
<p>Our reputation in this small migrant worker town is such that we were given six crates of free food at the farmers’ market (we had to give most of it to a homeless shelter). Other schools (Georgetown, Emerson, Vanderbilt) ask us what to do, where to go, whom to talk to. Learning as service to justice is embedded in what we do so much so that others come to us to learn. This is unique. The experiences there are a microcosm of what Notre Dame is in many places. </p>
<p>I truly cannot describe to you how difficult adjusting to Notre Dame can be. At the same time I cannot describe how unique, wonderful and important it is. With due diligence you can accomplish anything at Notre Dame that you cold elsewhere. But you will also have more. You will have a family. You will have a team to watch every Saturday (whether you care about football or not). You will have something more meaningful than the sum total of experiences in college.</p>