ND, Yale, Duke or Vanderbilt?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
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<p>My S is deciding between ND, Yale, Duke or Vanderbilt. Financial aid is similar at the last 3 schools; ND is $2000/yr. less f/a. We live in a small, rural, conservative area in the midwest. He likes sports and school spirit.</p>

<p>His 1st choice is ND, even for more money. There is absolutely no prestige factor or pressure at his school.</p>

<p>I would like feedback if any current ND students have made this choice or what things to consider regarding the choice. Everyone else, would you turn down Yale or the others for ND? ND stole my heart too, but I want him to be very positive about his choice before turning down the others, esp. Yale.</p>

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<p>S was in similiar position last year. He was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania and figured he was 75% sure he was going to attend. However we attended accepted student day at Penn and he knew he would not fit in. He is a big sport fan in participating and attending.</p>

<p>Notre Dame has been everything he hoped and wanted. Challenging academics, great friends, school spirit and the strong sense of community.
He loved Bengal Bouts this year, never boxed before, celebrating in the quad after the Michigan State game and even celebrating the Eucharist every Sunday in his dorm. He already has great memories of his first year of college.</p>

<p>He has a brother who attends a prestigious techinical school who came for a football game and as he was cheering at the game just turned to us and said I hate my school. Now, he really doesn't but he misses the sports and full college experience. He also has great college memories, it is just each child is different.</p>

<p>It is hard to turn down an Ivy for Notre Dame but in our family no one has any regrets... Good Luck with your decision and you really cannot go wrong with the opportunites you S has.</p>

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<p>anonymom7,
Thank you. Your information is very helpful and exactly the sort I'm seeking. My son has played basketball and golf for 4 years. He loves the sports portion of ND and also the sense of communtiy.</p>

<p>At one Ivy admission session, the student leader said, "Well... we might go to a game here or there, but it's certainly not like we go to a game every Friday night." My S looked at me like the kid was definitely nuts.</p>

<p>I'm fairly certain ND is a better fit for S. I also think ND has wonderful values and ethics in addition to great academics. At the risque of being flamed on this board, I find some on the east coast (read Yale administration) to be more brusque in their demeanor. Now we need to completely convince Dad, who is the one having the most difficult time with turning down Yale.</p>

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<p>My son was accepted to Princeton, Brown, Georgetown, and a few others, along with ND. It is a tough decision because he has loved ND since he was very young. When he visited last summer, he said the place and people were just amazing. The only reservation he has is the distance. We are on the east coast. I think the reasons you mentioned for why your son might be happier at ND are legitimate. Congratulations on the great acceptances.</p>

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<p>Any place but ND!! That way my wait-listed daughter has a better shot. lol.</p>

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<p>"Nowhere else but Notre Dame..."</p>

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<p>OK, this is kind of long and some of it might sound a bit cheesy, but here goes:</p>

<p>I know how difficult it is to turn down an Ivy League school, since I have done it myself. Last year I had to make a similarly difficult decision when I was deciding between Amherst, Dartmouth, and Notre Dame. I had always envisioned myself going to an East coast school, preferably an Ivy League or small LAC. I actually only applied to Notre Dame as an afterthought and a semi-safety school. But after I was accepted EA, I did some more research on it and started to like it more and more. I figured it'd be an OK backup school if I was rejected everywhere else. But after I was accepted to several other schools and went to visit, I realized they weren't actually the best fit for me. I went to Dimensions at Dartmouth (I know Yale has a similar program you might want to consider) and realized that it couldn't live up to Notre Dame. </p>

<p>The students at Dartmouth/Amherst were nice, but they weren't a family like at Notre Dame. Also, I didn't find either of the other schools to be as well rounded as ND. At Dartmouth, the social scene revolved heavily around partying and drinking, with very little else. There were some students who didn't drink, but they seemed kind of segregated from those who did. I don't object to going to parties on occasion (and there are definitely opportunities at ND), but I would hate it if that was all there was to do. I think a lot of schools that lack the athletics Notre Dame has also lack a lot of the social alternatives. Not to mention the fact that there is no way you can beat a Notre Dame football game. I pretty much hated sports in high school, but I love going to football games and other athletic events at ND. It's not just about football, its about Notre Dame football and becoming closer as a community.</p>

<p>Another factor that I considered was the political atmosphere. Most of the Ivies (including Yale) is so heavily skewed to the left that the conservative opposition is virtually nonexistant. ND gets a reputation for being super-conservative, but its probably one of the closest to a 50-50 split.</p>

<p>The last thing that was a major factor for me was the religious aspect of Notre Dame. At most top schools, spiritual life is almost nonexistant. I remember being at Dimensions and leaving to go to mass at the Aquinas House and getting a very strange reaction from the people I was hanging out with- they clearly thought I was super religious and kind of strange. People may claim to be liberal and accepting, but after going through high school with the reputation of being some sort of uber-Catholic (which I am not...), I didnt want that again. On the other hand, students at Notre Dame, while the majority are Catholic, seem to be more accepting. No one will look down on you or think you're weird for going to mass, not going to mass, or going off campus for some other religious service. There are plenty of opportunities to be as religious as you want without any pressure to conform.</p>

<p>I also don't think your son would be sacrificing anything academically by going to Notre Dame. Of course it depends on what he wants to study, but Notre Dame has strong programs in nearly everything and an amazing alumni network. Of course, so does Yale, and Duka and Vanderbilt. Ultimately it comes down to the other factors that determine a good fit.</p>

<p>If I were your son, I would choose Notre Dame, but I'm probably a bit biased. I wonder sometimes what it would be like if I were at a different school and I'm sure I could have been happy somewhere else, but I don't think I could love another school as much as Notre Dame. I'm just coming up on the end of my freshman year here and already I wonder how I'll tear myself away in 3 more years. I don't even want to go home for Easter break. Anyway, I'll leave this here for now, if you have any more questions let me know.</p>

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<p>Thanks Shellzie! BTW, you don't have to go home for Easter...I am hanging around. We still need to get all the CC people together one of these days if you are still up for it.</p>

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<p>Thanks to everyone, especially, Shellzie and irish. I really appreciate it, and I didn't think it was long or cheesy. I like details...</p>

<p>Shellzie, the factors you mention are exactly the ones with which I am concerned (Yale being the concerned about party, not ND!), especially the lack of sports and heavily left political atmospheres.</p>

<p>All of you have confirmed/reaffirmed his desire to be at ND. You are correct--it is difficult to turn down an Ivy League school. The parental units are old enough to be cautious....</p>

<p>I appreciate the honest replies and input. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Haha, I'm actually not going home for Easter. :) My parents bought me plane tickets, but I told them I'd rather stay. Of course, I told them it was because I had so much work, which is true, but it's also because I would rather stay on campus, go to mass in the basilica for Easter and hang out with my friends. (Not that I wouldn't love to see my parents too, but...) We should definitely try and get everyone together sometime. Let me know if you come up with when/where.</p>

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<p>Easter Mass at the Basilica is AMAZING. GET THERE EARLY THOUGH as seats go fast. Also, the lunch at South afterwards is really really good! I really like staying for Easter, though it will probably be cold this year :(.</p>

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<p>Irish/shellzie you are absolutely spot on, last year wife and I started what we hope is an annual tradition while the D is in school we travel out to visit her verses coming back to the east coast for that short period of time.</p>

<p>Mass is wonderful(and thats coming from me a non Catholic) and the campus is starting to come in full bloom,grotto at night is simply something to behold and no matter what your faith or beliefs are you realize that there must be something much bigger at work.</p>

<p>Anyhow great time to visit, relaxing,peaceful and makes your think about more important things in life.</p>

<p>Unfortunately as you indicated it suppose to be cold.</p>

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<p>Based on everything you've told us about your son, I would say ND is a no-brainer. He seems like the kind of person who would have a great experience here (although I must say that I think very few people wouldn't have a good experience). I'd give reasons why but I'd just be repeating stuff that other posters have already mentioned. Just know that if he's looking for a school that values "sports and school spirit" he won't find one that beats Notre Dame. (And of course ND's academics and job placement are top notch as well.)</p>

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<p>Ivies $$$$,You name it U $$$, Notre Dame Priceless...... As Lou Holtz would tell recruits kid this is not a four year decisions its a forty........ </p>

<p>Take this for what its worth no matter where you go and who you meet in life people will talk to you about ND long after they might have a 5 minute conversation about where you went to school. Some will love you others will tell you what they hate about the place...... </p>

<p>You know why ? every school would like to catch just a litte of the magic that is ND.Its that special............</p>

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<p>Hey! I've been looking for some one like you. I'm from Long Island and had a lot of the same aspirations; when I applied to ND I never actually intended to enroll. My first choices were actually Swarthmore, Williams, and Columbia...all of which I have been waitlisted from. I visited ND and I know I would be very happy with it. Here's the thing, though. I'm atheist and live 13 hours away. The religiosity at ND doesn't bother me at all; I like the idea of faith, but I don't like the fact that Catholicism has a slight "team" flavor to it. I love sports and lovvvved the dorm life at ND. If I got in to Columbia, for example, I would not know what to do. Any input?</p>

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<p>I am not sure what you mean by team nature of Catholicism, but if you feel like you fit at ND, I would come here. You certainly don't have to be Catholic and will not be excluded for not being Catholic. In fact, who knows, maybe you will find truth here regardless as to if it is the Catholic faith, some other faith, or strengthening your belief that there is not a God. I think this is a great place to ponder those questions.</p>

<p>Anyway, I am not sure what input you are looking for, but I think ND could be a good place for you.</p>

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<p>soo what did you pick in the end?</p>

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<p>^^If you are asking the OP, that's me. My S picked ND and is very happy with his choice. He stayed overnight at ND in April and that further confirmed his decision. He attended Yale's Bulldog Days. The parental units strongly encouraged that, if for nothing else, to confirm his decision. It certainly did. He decided against visiting Duke again because although he thought it would be a decent fit, he was sure he'd pick Notre Dame over it. Ditto for Vandy.</p>

<p>Two comments for someone in a similar f/a scenario--On the phone, ND says they do not match offers. However, Duke, Vandy and Yale were all similar to each other AND better than ND, by several thousand $. I requested a review, sent the 3 other offers, plus addt'l medical documentation, and ND increased his package. I have been very pleased with their friendliness and kindness since his acceptance.</p>

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<p>while there really isn't a bad choice among the group, you need to visit all 4 schools. while vandy and nd are basically differentiated by the culture, duke and especially yale are easily more prestigious (i know you said it doesnt matter). if ND has that magic that your kid likes, then its an easy decision. however, imo, yale is the best of the 4...and would be my choice without hesitation.</p>

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<p>I found this thread really helpful, actually, so I want to thank all the ND kids that posted here. I picked ND over Penn right before May 1, and was relieved that my decision was over. However, on Friday, I got a call from WashU saying that they took me off the waitlist. I was tempted, but I will call later today to turn down the offer of admission. I loved reading what you all said about ND considering that athletics, politics, and religion were also important to me. I have to say that it was a little hard checking the "I do not accept the offer of admission" box on the Penn reply card, but ND will be totally worth it. :)</p>