<p>In a nutshell:
We are a full pay family - no FA.</p>
<p>ND at 50K+ per year, Marquette at $24K per year after scholarships.</p>
<p>Intended major: Engineering.</p>
<p>DD loves both for different reasons; loves the tradition and prestige of ND, has been her "dream school" forever. However, she reluctantly visited Marquette but fell in love with the city life and freedom that she thinks Marquette would offer. As a parent, I will admit they have done a superior job in making her feel "wanted". Anyone have experience choosing between these two schools (or another similar choice?) Any input into choosing one over the other? I think DD wishes she could go to both!</p>
<p>Absolute same boat! I’m stuck between Notre Dame and the University of San Diego. I’ve been dreaming of ND since I was a little girl (mom’s an alum), and I’ve gone to football games every year. Plus, I live in Indiana, so it’s a huge deal that I’ve been accepted. My grandpa is ready to disown me if I don’t go. But I received a huge scholarship at USD; I could graduate debt-free, which is particularly significant because I intend to attend law school. For that reason alone, I think I’m leaning USD. The other major factor for me is the personal attention that I would receive from teachers at USD, whereas students rarely have any kind of relationship at ND with their professors until they’re pretty far into their major. As my parents describe it, it’s the big fish in a smaller pond (USD, Marquette) vs the little fish in a big pond (ND) situation. Best of luck to your daughter- hope she knows she’s not alone!</p>
<p>It depends ultimately what is more of a priority to you… not having debt, or having a really great campus experience. I live by USD and my brother went there and his biggest complaint was that people just do not stay on campus… Each weekend everyone either went home to LA or SD and there really was not a campus life. With that said, if you plan on going on to grad school, the name of where you went to college really does not matter in the work place and so debt should be your largest concern. USD is known for highly superficial students, a large (exclusive) greek life, and empty school weekends. It is a beautiful campus and is a great school though as well. Plus it is in SD, which is a lot warmer than south bend. Notre Dame has a great campus life, people are there on the weekends, and dorm life is like greek life without the exclusivity. It is 19th in the nation, looking like 17 or 18 next year as stated by US News and World Report… The weather is what you have grown up with. Overall its where you think you will be most happy that matters. if you have to spend money on not being happy its worse than being in debt. If you are unhappy and in debt, thats even worse…</p>
<p>Bugaboo… sending you a PM. I have a daughter graduating from ND in May. I am a Marquette alum, and my senior son will be attending there in the fall majoring in engineering.</p>