<p>I want to become a business major with perhaps an interest in finance. I know that all three of these schools (Notre Dame, Northwestern and University of Virginia) have very good business programs. I just want a general opinion of what to do. Right now I am leaning towards NU because of their amazing campus and location, but noting the prestige of the ND business program, I am having last second thoughts.</p>
<p>I cant rule out UVA either because it also has a very good undergrad program. Its a tough choice >.<</p>
<p>Yea the Notre Dame business school ranks 2nd in business week, and noting that the largest department in Mendoza is the finance department, then you should give a Notre Dame a hard look. I will admit though you cant go wrong with NU</p>
<p>i think that all 3 are pretty dang close to each other in business that it won't really make a difference where you are in terms of academics (i actually think ND and UVA are probably a little higher than NU)</p>
<p>i think ND is rated 3rd and UVA 2nd just to be fair, but i really think that there is barely any difference if they are rated that closely</p>
<p>finally, i think that ND has that spirituality and tradition aspect that the other schools do not have (UVA does have some pretty awesome tradition, but most people would admit that ND does have something much more special about itself than any other place in the world)</p>
<p>in the end, i, as a biased onlooker, think you would be correct in choosing ND.</p>
<p>In all honesty, it's a good problem to have. I'd say to just ignore each individual b-school, and just look at what campus has the right feel for you.</p>
<p>ND is the most unique and special among the three. Ask yourself if you want to part of that uniqueness? Ask yourself if you want incredible football, tradition, school spirit, faith, community, an education of the whole self, an incredible fraternity of alums past and present, the most intense devotion you will ever have to any group of anything (save for the Catholic Church itself, possibly). Ask yourself if you want these things. They're not for everyone. Initially I didn't think I wanted them. After much thought though, I do want these things. And there is truly nowhere else like ND. Its so much more than just a school unlike the other places you mentioned. </p>
<p>For ibanking and finance, it might actually be your "worst" option in terms of prestige. NU would be your best, just take a look at ibanking recruitment to know that. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, ND is not much worse. You're still gonna get a great job, maybe even a better one if the person hiring you is an ND alum. </p>
<p>Knowing all this I chose ND over Northwestern and Cornell b/c I am confident in my ability to succeed and I want to go somewhere more than just a school. </p>
<p>If ND is the right fit, screw prestige and come here. You won't regret as 4 years at ND is a life-changing experience, at least that's what I've been told by alums.</p>
<p>well..the fact that ND is heavily associated with the catholic church is making me hold out for now. however, considering the quality of the education i probably will receive there and the fact that i still know very little about campus life is making me have second thoughts about what was initially my strong first choice of NU</p>
<p>Last year, D1 seemed like a perfect fit for ND. Unfortunately, she was waitlisted and ended up at her back-up school, but she seems perfectly happy there. She did not look at NU and probably would not have been a good fit. She really wanted to go to a Catholic school.</p>
<p>This year, D2 did not apply to ND, but was admitted to NU. NU seems like a perfect fit for her (and ND would not have been as good a fit, which is why she did not apply).</p>
<p>It is somewhat pointless to compare schools in a vacuum. What is important is whether it is a good fit for you. ND and NU are both academically top-notch. But, NU would not have been right for D1 and ND would not have been right for D2. Which is better for you depends upon your intended course of studies, whether you like the Catholicism of ND, whether you prefer the relative isolation of South Bend, Indiana or the excitement of the Chicago area, etc.</p>
<p>The catholic presence can be a huge pro, but it does not have to be a con. You don't have to be a part of it. My student host was an athiest who doesnt do anything religion related and still loves ND.</p>