Notre Dame or Colby?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm having a hard time choosing which school to go to. I want to do pre-med so I think both schools would be good for that. I really liked Colby when I visited and the students are really nice. They always seem to have an event going on during the weekends. The problem with Colby is that the social scene mainly consists of drinking and partying, but I'm not into that. I want to visit Notre Dame but I don't want to pay $300+ for a ticket to fly there. Notre Dame is an amazing school with tons of opportunities and a really good alumni network. I heard the students are also really nice but the problem is that I'm not Catholic so I don't know if I'd fit in. I'd also have to pay twice as much for Notre Dame than I do for Colby. Both schools are really great, but I feel like Notre Dame has more of a name and would give me more opportunities in the future.</p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated :)</p>

2

<p>I can’t believe that anyone’s prospects could be diminished by a degree from Colby. ND does have more of a name, but is that really worth twice as much? And the student body at ND is 80% Catholic, so the goodness-of-fit could be a factor if that’s a concern for you.</p>

3

<p>Consider Colby College. I think it will prepare you well for medical school.</p>

4

<p>Paying twice as much to go to Notre Dame and you’re not Catholic? Definitely not worth it in my opinion.</p>

5

<p>

If you’re talking about thousands of dollars here, as opposed to 1K vs 2K, then I’d lean towards Colby on financial reasons alone. On the other hand a school like Colby is small; if you’ve visited and don’t think the social scene is a fit for you, its not like you’re going to have that many options compared to a larger school where there’s a niche for just about everyone. </p>

<p>To be honest, spend the $300 and visit ND. You’re talking about thousands of dollars worth of expense over your college years, as well as a real difference in your life based on what your college is like. $300 is a drop in the bucket compared to what you’re going to spend anyway, and if it meant enough to you to go it wouldn’t take that long to earn the money in a part-time job to pay back your parents for the $300.</p>

6

<p>Colby.Colby.Colby.Colby.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$</p>

7

<p>Go with the cheese. </p>

<p>You can get an excellent pre-med education at either school. Med school is horrifically expensive. If you can get a basically comparable undergraduate education at half the price, jump on it.</p>

8

<p>I have to pay 6-7k for Colby but 15k for Notre Dame. My guidance counselor and I were pretty surprised at the difference because we both thought Notre Dame would give me the most aid. I think I’m leaning towards Colby because I felt really comfortable when I visited and everyone was welcoming. Also, the fact that I’m not Catholic and I’m Asian would make me a minority at ND so would I find my niche there? A lot of people, especially family members, are saying I’m giving up an amazing school if I go to Colby. What do you guys think?
Thank you for all of the insight so far!</p>

9

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<p>Are they going to help cover the difference or would that all be on you? If the cost differential isn’t landing in your lap, then ND could be a good choice.</p>

<p>Here are campus life synopses from Princeton Review:</p>

<p>Colby College Students Say…</p>

<p>Friends and a sense of community drive life at Colby, one senior writes. Students live together in coed, mixed-class dorms. Everything centers around the campus, which is “constructed on a gorgeous wooded hill near the Kennebec River in central Maine.” Since “there isn’t a ridiculous amount to do” in these self-contained environs, “Colby works hard to fill the day with countless events, lectures, discussions, and concerts. People can study hard, party, take advantage of the beautiful outdoors, and most do all three.” A student notes that “the size of the school is perfect: On any given day, I could see five friends or acquaintances (and countless familiar faces!) on my way to class.” This makes for a friendly atmosphere as "it’s easy to start up a conversation with pretty much anyone. When the great outdoors beckons, students answer the call by hiking in autumn and spring, skiing in winter, and participating in traditional outdoor sports like football. A senior explains, “People like to unwind after our incredibly stressful weeks with movies, skiing, and partying.” The “alcohol-centered social scene” usually takes place at small dorm parties or at the few local pubs. </p>

<p>University of Notre Dame Students Say…</p>

<p>Life at Notre Dame is centered around two things-“residential life” and “sports.” The “dorms on campus provide the social structure” and supply undergrads with tons of opportunities to get involved and have fun." “During the school week” students “study a lot, but on the weekends everyone seems to make up for the lack of partying during the week.” The school “does not have any fraternities or sororities, but campus is not dry, and drinking/partying is permitted within the residence halls.” The administration reportedly tries “to keep the parties on campus due to the fact that campus is such a safe place and they truly do care about our safety.” In addition to parties the dorms are really competitive in the Interhall Sport System, and “virtually every student plays some kind of sport [in] his/her residence hall.” Intercollegiate sports, to put it mildly, “are huge.” “If someone is not interested in sports upon arrival, he or she will be by the time he or she leaves.” “Everybody goes to the football games, and it’s common to see 1,000 students at a home soccer game.” Beyond residential life and sports, “religious activities,” volunteering, “campus publications, student government, and academic clubs round out the rest of ND life.”</p>

10

<p>Can’t miss with either one. You are very lucky! Might pick Colby on the basis of price. Graduate with low debt, and graduate school will be a feasible option(if you want…) Colby is a wonderful school.</p>

11

<p>My mom said she’s willing to pay for Notre Dame, even if it’s more expensive. She might struggle a little bit with the money because my younger brother has to go to college next year, but she still really wants me to go to ND. </p>

<p>And thanks for the reviews gadad! I’m pretty terrible at sports so I probably wouldn’t fit in with that sort of scene. I’m guessing Colby is the way to go.</p>

12

<p>My brother goes to notre dame, and it does not really matter that youre asian, because you are put into the same dorm for all four years(unless you decide to live off campus junior or senior year). my brothers freshman year roommate was asian (a boarding school kid orginally from hong kong), and is even now one of his best friends (hes about to finish his sophmore year). i cant imagine people outcasting you because youre asian or catholic, that just seems rediculous. however, i would not go to a school without visiting it, the $300 would obviously be worth it if you are really seriously considering both.
also, if money is a big deal, then go to colby.
both schools are VERY different, but either way theyre both awesome.</p>

13

<p>Your mother will pay $15,000 (a year?) for Notre Dame, but not $300 for a plane ticket so you can see if you like it?</p>

<p>Is the $15k gap before or after loans? If it would put too much financial stress on your family, then it’s not worth it. However, if it turns out to be affordable (possibly with a mixture of safe federal loans and family contribution), then visiting should help you decide, if at all possible.</p>