Notre Dame vs Carnegie Mellon

I got into both Notre Dame and Carnegie Mellon and I can’t decide between the two. I plan to major in chemistry. I know that both schools have great academics. However, I am wary of how stressful the workload can get at CM. My parents don’t like how small the Asian population is at ND and how it is a Catholic university (I am Asian and not religious). Can anyone give me feedback on the overall student life at each school, which one might be better for job opportunities, which one would be better for a chemistry major, and which one has more flexibility to venture out of my major and take classes I find interesting?

First and foremost find out how much money your parents are willing to spend and how much each institution will cost you. Depending your parents’ financial situation, this may decide the problem for you.

Have you visited the schools? I recommend you go for Admitted Student day if you can. My D is at Notre Dame (she’s a humanities kid) and non-religious (was not raised Catholic) and has never had a problem with that aspect.

ETA: Congratulations on your fabulous options!

@mademoiselle2308 I am paying roughly the same amount for both schools so I am focusing more on school life and academics to decide which school I want to attend.
@suzy100 thank you! I am visiting the schools next weekend but not on Admitted Student day.

Please let us know how your visits go. I am admittedly biased toward ND - it’s really a special community. However, I can understand about being wary of the small Asian population at ND. I do know that she reports that the atmosphere is collaborative. Hopefully you’ll get some folks chiming in here about CMU. Good luck to you!