<p>I have been accepted to both Notre Dame and Washington University to do a dual degree program in both finance and mechanical engineering. These were the programs I was accepted to:</p>
<p>Washington University - BS in Finance (Olin) & BS in Mech E
Notre Dame - BS in Finance (Mendoza) & BS in Mech E</p>
<p>I want to go into investment banking and possibly work in Mergers & Acquisitions for Engineering companies. I would also like to continue on to get an MBA from Wharton somewhere down the line. I was just wondering if anybody has any input that could help me make my decision for the best possible opportunities for internships in the "bulge bracket" as well as careers in the same? Thanks!</p>
<p>I am biased but I think the best bet for that is Notre Dame. Mendoza is a great business college and with ND you get an unmatched alumni network which I really think will aid you in what you want to do. That is just my opinion, however.</p>
<p>A classmate of my son's didn't have a good experience at Wash U. Hated it, in fact, and transferred to a state school. I don't know why, though - could have been that kid and nothing to do with the school. He was also accepted to ND and I think he wishes he had gone there!</p>
<p>Why would you <em>ever</em> pick Wash U over ND??? The academics are just not a factor. The atmosphere at ND has got to be one of the best in the country. The campus is gorgeous. School pride means much more at ND due to the athletic programs representing the school. There is camraderie there that is almost nonexistent at Wash U.</p>
<p>WUSTL just makes me nervious. It went from being a very average college to where it is now in 10 years and it makes you wonder how that is possible. I don't know, I am sure they have good professors but I remember being nervous about it for some reason when I applied there.</p>
<p>With ND I felt very sure because it has been a good school for so long and you know you are going to be supported by the alumni no matter where you go. WUSTL? Well, kind of remains to be seen. That is my take at least.</p>
<p>Shopping academics at this level is ridiculous. You're talking about <em>slight</em> differences, if at all, in academics. There is just too many other criteria to consider that are actually much more important.</p>
<p>How about this: something like 97% of ND's freshman class return for sophomore year, and 96% graduate in four years. That's satisfaction.</p>
<p>I'm not sure how you know about both schools, but I agree with docmom - both schools are strong academically. If you have any interest in sports, ND has great programs for both participants and fans. Odds are, a decade or three down the road you'll still be able to flip on the TV on a fall Saturday and see Notre Dame. That isn't the most important reason to choose a college, but national TV does keep alums in touch with the school. In addition to the retention stats mentioned by docmom, ND is usually in the top three schools for percentage of alumni that contribute - yet another indicator of satisfaction.</p>
<p>ND has much better football. I have heard from friends and co-workers (who had gone to Wash U / Boston U) that if they had to do it again they wish they had gone to a school with a stronger tradition/network.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>if you went early decision to WashU, that's a binding committment, unless WashU has radically changed their admissions process in the last 4 years from when I applied to college....</p></li>
<li><p>as someone who has lived in St. Louis...yes WashU has a nice campus, yes they have good academic programs. Does Notre Dame have comparable academic programs. While there engineering isn't of the name caliber as WashU I would still argue it's a good program.</p></li>
<li><p>on a more serious note, 1)you sound motived and determined to do a dual degree...good for you, but I hope you know what you are getting in to with the engineering program as far as classes and level of difficulty. 2) If you decide to change programs both schools have enough variety you should be able to find a major that interests you. I say this because of the number of people who started engineering as freshman who I know, most aren't in it anymore. Or there like my roommate freshman year, an alcoholic who barely went to class yet scrapes by with b's and c's...but who is only in engineering for the money. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Personally the atmosphere up here at times can be amazing, yes football weekends are fun, but this place is special. WashU = great school in its own right. Alumni connections with ND as have been mentioned definitely do exist....</p>
<p>You have to make this decision, don't do it by a committee method based off of responses from this board....so good luck, hope things work out...</p>
<p>True story on the alumni networking thing...</p>
<p>My son worked in a nicely compensated internship program with a very large corporation last summer. He had a brace on one of his arms for an injured ligament and was frustrated because he wasn't getting much help from his doctor. One day he's helping one of the execs with a computer problem - the man asks him where he goes to college - he says ND - turns out the man is also an ND grad. Talked ND, asked about his arm, showed genuine concern and the next thing you know he has him hooked up with his son (an M.D.) who gets him in to see the best orthopedist in town for his arm thing (and it helped tremendously). Son said he enthusiastically stated if there was anything else he could ever do for him, just let him know. </p>
<p>Sure convinced my son that the ND support thing was real. And you can bet he'll be sure to do the same for some other ND student or grad down the road, as well.</p>
<p>Agreed, things like this are just what we do at ND naturally because we do consider ourselves to be a family. An example of this is for fall break I woke up at 4 in order to take a friend from Saint Mary's (neighboring college who we consider part of us for the most part) to the airport. We are not best friends, we have really only hung out on a few occasssions, but she needed a ride and I could give one so there was no doubt that I was going to do it (for free of course).</p>
<p>Likewise, today I need a ride to the airport (I don't want to pay for parking) and one of my ND friends stepped up and offered to take time out of her day to take me there even though she has a lot going on. She has gone on to refuse me giving her any money, even for gas, just because it is what we do (I will find some way to pay her back sooner or later, lol).</p>
<p>These are small things but what I am trying to say is that members of the ND family are constantly, and I do mean constantly, trying to help each other out. It is hard to believe or understand but it really is just the way it is here!</p>
<p>Now what I want to know DocMom is why was a ND grad having trouble with a computer, lol. I am not surprised that your son could help him out though.</p>
<p>Like helping with coursework in the dorms. My son says anytime you need help you can ask anyone, even upperclassmen when he was a freshman, and folks will try to help you out. His friends at other schools just don't feel comfortable doing that. There isn't the bond, or the camaraderie.</p>