<p>Both schools are outstanding secular Universities. You will raise eyebrows when you tell them where you go/went, whereever you go, whichever you choose.</p>
<p>The Dartmouth name is more impressive. That just is.</p>
<p>Seriously, AlDomerDad? Notre Dame is NOT secular. Say what you want about the Obama deal, but if someone is looking for a secular university, they will be VERY disappointed by Notre Dame. Also, in terms of name recognition among the general populace (including many employers), the Dartmouth name is more impressive out East, but more people in the midwest seem to be impressed by Notre Dame. I found that out when I was trying to decide between the two schools. A lot of people had no idea that Dartmouth was an Ivy and really didn’t know why I was considering it along with Amherst and Notre Dame.</p>
<p>Sorry for the consecutive posts, but I would also like to mention that in spite of whatever wahoomb thinks, Minnesota is not all cornfields and cows. I live in one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the country (16th if you believe wikipedia). And in any case, even though I may be from MN, I have traveled pretty extensively and found that Notre Dame is pretty well known. Outside of the coasts, it is often better known than Dartmouth (even to some of the people I talked to in China- which really surprised me). Sometimes that’s because of the football reputation, but that doesn’t always matter in terms of hiring potential. Also, a lot depends on where you are planning to work and what your major is. Since I am applying to medical school, I don’t have anything to worry about, especially since most of the schools I am applying to are either in the midwest or tend to favor ND students (or both). But don’t underestimate the power of the ND name in the midwest. I have yet to meet someone here who hasn’t heard of Notre Dame. But have definitely been asked if Dartmouth was “that one in California.” Fair or not, sometimes those are the people doing the hiring…</p>
<p>There are of course many excellent schools that most people have never heard of. Here in the East, people outside of academia seem to think that the University of Chicago is a state school (and in my opinion it’s better than any of the Ivies), and virtually no one has heard of schools like Rice and Pomona. It’s also amazing how many people in New England have never heard of the superb trio of Swarthmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr, which are only a few hours away. Again, I mean OUTSIDE of academia.</p>
<p>Regarding Notre Dame, everyone here has heard of it, but I think there’s more ignorance concerning it WITHIN academia, and though this sounds like a superficial take, I truly think it’s fair to say that many academics simply can’t reconcile scientific research and the more humanistic pursuits with a religious mission. I think that, in general, the peer assessment in US News’s rankings is the most questionable datum employed, and that Notre Dame, in particular, suffers in this area.</p>
<p>I was a big Notre Dame fan, but this weekend it will lose a lot of my respect. To sell out its values for a good presidential photo op is disgraceful. The torch is passed to BC.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>Schmaltz,</p>
<p>I do not think I understand your response or why it is posted on this forum.</p>
<p>But since you posted, I am not sure what you mean by “selling out” and how the torch has been passed to BC. Boston College, in all likelihood, would love to have Obama speak at its graduation. Just a few years ago they had Condalezza Rice speak at graduation. The interesting thing is that the faculty did not want her speaking at graduation.</p>
<p>As far as this whole Dartmouth/ND thing goes, it really depens upon what you are studying. To exaggerate to make my point, among theology programs I am sure ND is better know. At the end of the day, at both schools, study hard, get good grades and you will have plenty of oppotunites.</p>
<p>And Shellzie, you can have the best of both worlds and go from ND to Dartmouth Medical School.</p>
<p>Lol, I’ve actually thought about that a lot. But I’m hoping to go back to Minnesota. :)</p>
<p>BC would love Obama…it’s jesuit aka quite liberal</p>
<p>Irish- Did you major in Psych at Notre Dame? What was your opinion of the school’s psych program? Research opportunities? I’m considering Notre Dame and definitely want to do something with psychology.</p>
<p>Sorry for hijacking the thread a little bit…</p>
<p>From my point of view (Florida) Notre Dame is pretty well known, however, I wouldn’t go so far to say it’s a school known for its academic excellence. It’s more of just well known, I guess? However, Harvard is second to University of Florida where I live, so…yeah. That’s a Florida perspective.</p>
<p>Consider where ND was 50 or so years ago–a midwest football powerhouse. Hesburgh and Malloy, et. al, turned it into the academic powerhouse it now is as well, and continuing to become moreso. Others, (i.e. Ivy League plus some) have reputations a hundred plus years old to stand on.</p>
<p>that is a great point BPK043, but lets hope this year we get back on track to being a football powerhouse…lol</p>