ND vs Michigan Honors, late waitlist decision. Please Help!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
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<p>IO know this post is long, but please, I need some help!</p>

<p>I have a problem, I love both Michigan and Notre Dame. I didn't think I would get in to ND, but now that I have I've got until June 1st to make the biggest decision of my life so far.</p>

<p>I'm not sure what I want to do yet, but it will have nothing to do with science and be something along the lines of business or political science. Both are amazing in business (although I would automatically get into ND's business school and have to apply for Michigan's) and from what I understand, the two are pretty much equal in non-science majors. I would be an honors student at Michigan (for now at least) and a regular student at Notre Dame.</p>

<p>Both have the big sports atmosphere and school pride that I want. I love Notre Dame's campus because it is really beautiful and everything is so close together, but I love Michigan's because it is ingrained in the city and there's tons to do. I like the idea of going out of state, but staying close to home has its benefits too. </p>

<p>One thing I'm not so sure about ND is the religious atmosphere. I was raised catholic but am not that big on going to church. I'm also worried because I've heard the academics are a lot more smothering at ND, and I want to have a good balance of school and extra curriculars.</p>

<p>One downside to Michigan is it's huge size. Also, a lot of people I know (some who didn't work all that hard in high school) are going next year, too. It's also kind of a bummer that the campus is so spread out although that won't effect me much as I'm not an engineer and get automatic south quad residence for being in the Honors Program.</p>

<p>I could go on forever, but I think this is enough to allow for a pretty good oppinion. Thank you very much for any response!</p>

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<p>Go to Michigan. You just cannot beat the U-M and Ann Arbor college experience for four years.</p>

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<p>If it weren’t Honors, it would be a tougher decision. However, I definitely think you should choose Michigan Honors over Notre Dame, especially because you said you want to do either Business or Political Science. </p>

<p>Yes, you will have to apply to Ross as a freshman, but only because it is such a good business school (much more highly regarded than Notre Dame’s in the corporate world). If you were accepted into Michigan Honors, you are smart enough to get top grades as a freshman, and get into Ross (as long as you participate actively in a couple solid extra curriculars, which isn’t hard at all). Remember: you are only competing with Michigan kids to get into Ross, and if you are in the Honors program, that means you are probably in the top of your class in terms of intelligence (and thus ability to do well in school). On the other hand, if you decide to do PoliSci, you will not be disappointed; we have the best department in the country. I have taken two PoliSci classes here, and have really liked both of them, great professors too.</p>

<p>The size of Michigan will not affect you very much. South Quad is a fantastic location: it is 5 minute walk to class, good restaurants, and bars (not to mention a few fraternities). Most of your daily life will revolve around a 15 minute walking radius of where you live. I’ve actually lived in the general area around South Quad for the past 2 years, and will do so for the next 2 years, because it is such a great location to be in.</p>

<p>You say you are concerned about the religious atmosphere at Notre Dame. Don’t worry about that at all at Michigan. Michigan has a HUGE diversity of people. All kinds of races, religions, opinions, thoughts… you name it. You can’t get much more diversified than Ann Arbor.</p>

<p>If you have any other questions about anything, feel free to message me.</p>

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<p>UM Honors is better than ND by a long shot</p>

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<p>Michigan is amazing and I do not think I need to state the reasons why as the above posters have pretty much covered why. However, I encourage you to visit both schools and make a decision after. I have some friends who enjoy Notre Dame, while I have friends that love Michigan as well. It all depends on your personality and your fit, the one thing I can say that impressed me about Michigan is that you can meet so many different kinds of people from various backgrounds that share similar interests.</p>

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<p>“I’m not sure what I want to do yet, but it will have nothing to do with science and be something along the lines of business or political science. Both are amazing in business (although I would automatically get into ND’s business school and have to apply for Michigan’s) and from what I understand, the two are pretty much equal in non-science majors. I would be an honors student at Michigan (for now at least) and a regular student at Notre Dame.”</p>

<p>First of all, although both are amazing in Business, Ross is better than Mendoza. Don’t let the Businessweek ranking fool you. Mendoza is not better than Wharton and it is not better than Ross. And Michigan is significantly stronger than Notre Dame in Political Science and Economics. You will get as good an education at Notre Dame as you will at Michigan, but it is not possible to compare actually department quality. In terms of department strength, Michigan edges Notre Dame.</p>

<p>“Both have the big sports atmosphere and school pride that I want. I love Notre Dame’s campus because it is really beautiful and everything is so close together, but I love Michigan’s because it is ingrained in the city and there’s tons to do. I like the idea of going out of state, but staying close to home has its benefits too.”</p>

<p>With the exception of sports and campus aesthetics, it seems like Michigan is a better fit. </p>

<p>“One thing I’m not so sure about ND is the religious atmosphere. I was raised catholic but am not that big on going to church. I’m also worried because I’ve heard the academics are a lot more smothering at ND, and I want to have a good balance of school and extra curriculars.”</p>

<p>Like you, I am Catholic and like you, I was not too keen on being in a university where 85% of the students are Catholic.To me, faith is a very personal thing but I do not associate with people based in religion. Again, Michigan seems like a better fit for you.</p>

<p>At any rate, Notre Dame is designed for a certain type of student and I don’t think you are that type of student. If Michigan were more expensive (I assume it isn’t) or if you really associated with Catholics, I would say go to Notre Dame. As it stands, you neither seem fixated on having Catholic peers and you are admitted into the honors program. I say go to Michigan. And don’t worry about getting into Ross. First of all, Michigan Econ and Political Science are amazing and secondly, most honors students who apply to Ross get in. </p>

<p>Good luck and let us know where you end up going.</p>

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<p>Thank you very much for the responses everyone. I’m visiting tomorrow and making a decision before June 1st. I’ll let you know as soon as I decide.</p>

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<p>Good luck. I like both schools and I’d love to have a choice like this to make.</p>

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<p>urcuzinvinnie. Have you decided yet?</p>

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<p>Not yet, it’s getting down to the last minute though… This is going to be really hard.</p>

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<p>How do you like South Bend? There is virtually nothing to do once you step outside the campus. And Chicago is too far away.</p>

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<p>Thank you to everyone or your help. This was easily the toughest decision of my life so far. In the end, I chose Michigan because I think that is where I will be more comfortable and because it’s been my dream since elementary. I just hope that I’ve made the right decision as I still wasn’t 100% convinced…</p>

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<p>Urcuzinvinnie, you cannot go wrong with Michigan. Everybody can find their niche at a such a large and diverse university. I think you made the right decision. Michigan Honors is truly excellent. I am fairly confident you are going to love your experience at Michigan. Welcome to the Wolverine family!</p>

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<p>Thank you Alexandre. I’m pretty confident about that too.</p>

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<p>Congrats urcuzinvinnie. You will never regret your decision. It’s an exciting time to be in Ann Arbor. So many new buildings completed and nearing completion. Also. the new Ross building is amazing. I hope you got a chance to go inside when you visited. You’ll be in South Quad most likely. Best location on campus. :-)</p>

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<p>You did fine…I had similar issues about choosing where to go to college when I was a high school senior…had been a Michigan fan since I was in first grade, I’m not disappointed with my choice of Michigan. And having been to South Bend, I have to give my vote to Ann Arbor…You might have your doubts from time to time, but I think it will be extremely hard to regret that you decided to attend the University of Michigan.</p>

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<p>yeah, welcome to Michigan! See you around campus in September.</p>