<p>Hi, I am new to this forum. I was admitted to both Notre Dame and UPenn. I don't know which one to pick. I plan to major in business so I would be in Mendoza if I go to ND, Wharton if I go to UPenn. I'm planning to do finance/economics/economic public policy. I know UPenn is strong in all of those fields (esp. finance); ND is pretty strong in economics and has a very strong political science department (makes up for the public policy concentration that Wharton offers). ND seems to have a better community than UPenn, and classes don't seem as 'cut throat' as Wharton's. I visited both campuses and I loved both of them. Also, my sister is at UPenn, my best friend will be at ND. Thanks for your opinions!</p>
<p>first of all…you have two great schools. </p>
<p>i have heard bad things about the surroundings of UPenn and that some people think safety is an issue, but I am positive that security on campus is fine. </p>
<p>both schools have great business programs, but i do feel that there is a more aggressive nature at the ivy league schools than at a school like ND. When I visited, everyone was willing to help each other even for extended periods of time, whereas, I think that ivy league schools can be as you stated more cut-throat, which can make your time less enjoyable and limit social life. </p>
<p>ND has a great campus, and by your username, if you like football, ND has a lot better football team and sports environment. </p>
<p>I would say that UPenn may have a better name, but ND has great alumni connections. I think the thing that kept me cautious about ivy league and similar schools like MIT and Caltech, was their over competitive nature. I have only heard rumors, but many at that. I think ND has a great community atmosphere.</p>
<p>Also, my sister is at UPenn, my best friend will be at ND. Thanks for your opinions! </p>
<p>Our S is Junior (engineering) ND, another family member’s daughter is senior at Penn.
Go to ND …</p>
<p>My daughter will be a junior at ND majoring in accounting. What you observed concerning the community feel is definitely true! The students really work together to help each other succeed. Furthermore, her experience with the professors has been phenomenal. Most really go way out of their way to help the students grasp the material. My brother attended UPenn for his MBA. (Wharton) No doubt it is an incredible program but it will be much more competitive. It all depends on what you want. However, coming out of ND I do believe that you will have incredible opportunities. How blessed you are to have such fantastic choices. Best of luck and ask away if there is anything we can do to help.</p>
<p>As much as I love ND, if you go to Wharton, you will be set for life. Notre Dame may bring more to athletics and community, but Penn is just amazing.</p>
<p>ND has a great business school, is safer, and has a much different atmosphere than Penn. That said, as the other poster said, the Wharton name is far more presigious than the Mendoza name, and that name will be on your resume for life.</p>
<p>Spouse graduated Wharton 35+ yrs ago and our student is now at ND (tho not a business major!), so this question hits home! Spouse says Wharton (and it will be a very different atmosphere with regards to community, safety, competitiveness, etc), as spouse has no regrets about Wharton. I can tell you that our student never even bothered to apply to Penn after visiting (even tho legacy was a factor!) as the school just didn’t have the appeal that ND does. Have you visited both campuses? Go with what fits–as previous posters have mentioned, both are great business schools. Fit is important as you will be most successful where you think you will be happiest! Good Luck to you as I know this is a tough decision!!</p>
<p>It all depends what you want to do. For IB jobs in NYC wharton will give you an edge, though an ND degree will definitely give you a chance there as well. Rankings aren’t the best measure, but it is noteworthy that ND was ranked above ND for undergrad business by BusinessWeek. Wharton stands on its name but not an exceptional alumni network, whereas ND grads are the most loyal and rabid there are and will go out of their way to help someone from ND. IF you want to work in Chicago, ND has an edge I think. The atmosphere and the people at ND (athletics and community) will mean every bit as much after you graduate. Both will give you a leg up against most other degrees, and neither will be at a disadvantage in a hiring situation.</p>
<p>UPenn (Wharton) for the resume shock…but Notre Dame if you want a feeling of pride for the rest of your life :).</p>
<p>We are from the midwest and my little brother looked at only Notre Dame and Penn. I don’t know what it was about the campus, but he was very turned off by it–along with the surrounding areas–when he went for a visit. However, Ivy league is Ivy League so it all depends on what you want!</p>
<p>Can’t go wrong either way…but go to ND!!</p>
<p>ya, if you want to get the best college experience with great community feel then go to ND.</p>
<p>if you want to get UPenn on your resume but deal with insane competition for 4 yrs, go to UPenn. </p>
<p>this is the trade-off with most ivy league schools. They are ultra-competitive, and many of my friends refers to the 4 yrs as “hell.”</p>
<p>My son, who is a junior at ND, had to make the same decision and has never regretted his decision. He thought he was set for Penn but after visiting the campus and meeting students he felt no sense of community… Good Luck and be happy you have these great choices…</p>