Notre Dame vs. Northeastern vs. William & Mary (PLZ HELP!)

Okay so I’m new to College Confidential, and I’m in a sticky situation here. I was recently accepted in Notre Dame, Northeastern, and W&M with an intended biological science/neuroscience major. I’m absolutely torn between the three colleges because although Notre Dame is the most prestigious college out of the three, I’m not sure I’d fit in as an Indian-American, Catholic student - do you think I would fit well into the Notre Dame student body? I also can’t eliminate Northeastern because of their great Study Abroad programs and location in Boston (I think I would like the city a little bit more than South Bend, IN or Williamsburg, VA ), although they are less renowned than Notre Dame. So, for a bio major in the position that I’m in, what’s your opinion/advice on three?? Any solid advice would be greatly appreciated!

Have you visited each college? If not, I strongly suggest you try to do that. If so, what were your impressions? Are each of them affordable for your family?

Yes, I have visited each of the three colleges. I have mixed feelings about each of the visits, while I liked each of the campuses, I felt most comfortable in Northeastern - but I also really admired Notre Dame’s campus although it was in a much more rural area than where I live. W&M was, to be completely honest, a little bit of a disappointment because there wasn’t really a lot of energy and seemed a bit boring (although perhaps that’s just because I visited on a Monday afternoon). In terms of academics, Notre Dame seemed to be more well-rounded, although any thoughts on which of the three is most reputable for their science department would be great. All of them are affordable for my family, but obviously tuition is still a big factor in my decision.

All three of these schools have pretty strong academic reputations. It sounds like you’re getting a bit caught up in prestige/rank. From everything you said, it sounds like Northeastern is the best fit. What are the net prices for each?

You have three very nice acceptances. I don’t think anyone here should decide what the best fit school is for you.

In terms of your initial question, the Notre Dame student body is welcoming and accepting. Period. I’ve had two children there, and they both have had wide circles of friends, some Catholic, some not, some conservative, some liberal, and of all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. As far as your particular demographic, you won’t be the only Indian-American Catholic there, by a long shot. Also as far as study abroad, ND has one of the most extensive programs available. The most recent data I could find ranks ND 4th in terms of percentage of students who study abroad. This doesn’t take into account all of the other opportunities for experiences abroad, whether it be research, internships, etc. (My daughter is doing an internship in Dublin this summer through ND.) All that being said, if you are more comfortable at Northeastern, perhaps that is a tipping point. If you have any other questions, please feel free to pm me.

They are all good. You should focus on fit for you.

Notre Dame and William and Mary strike me as schools that have a strong sense of community and very loyal alumni (provided they were a good fit to start). I also think they are very strong for undergraduate teaching (perhaps W&M in particular).

Notre Dame is best known, although perhaps a lot of that comes from athletics, predominately football. I know less about Northeastern, but it will be undoubtedly be a more urban experience than the other two if that is what you are looking for.

Good luck. You have very good choices.

Thanks to everyone that responded! It was very helpful.

@happy1 Agreed. My intent was just to gain some insight into these schools based on the experience of parents and students who are more familiar with these schools than me, as well as their opinions in relation to my briefly-described background, to help me in making the right decision. Thanks.

My daughter is a Neuroscience and Behavior major in the College of Science at ND. I can only speak to that college. Simply put it is amazing. She loves it. The sense of community that others speak to is real there. She has had so many great experiences and met wonderful teachers staff and students. I can not recommend ND enough. Have you visited each school? And what are the financial aid packages offered. Money is an issue. ND is not cheap. But it is like few others. And remember your blessed to have such good schools to choose from. God Bless and good luck with your decision. Message me if you have any questions for my daughter or me.

I am very familiar with Notre Dame. Very welcoming community with lots of energy and lots of opportunities. Yes, it’s Catholic but if you’re not, no one there cares.

William & Mary has a different vibe. It’s more intense and it’s not that surprising that it seemed low energy.

W&M has more of an alternative/crunchy feel than either ND or Northeastern, which comprise (overall) more mainstream student bodies. W&L is, thus, a bit more like a LAC.

I think if they were all tied for fit and cost about the same, I’d go with Notre Dame due to the edge in national and international recognition – everyone has heard of Notre Dame. That’s if they are tied in those two extremely important categories, fit and finances.

I would look at things like class sizes and available majors – you might change your mind – as well as cost, environment/location, housing, and social/sports vibe, to help you make this decision.

@lastone03 what exactly do you mean when you describe W&M as “more intense”?

@prezbucky @Dadof4greatkids Thanks for the helpful info and advice!

there is a typo in #11 – it should read “W&M (not W&L…) is, thus, a bit more like a LAC.”

W&L is, of course, a totally different school and is already a LAC.

@mk57575 William & Mary attracts very bright, very competitive students, and students get an excellent education there. Having said that, it has historically attracted some super intense kids that sometimes can’t handle life’s pressures. I remember the article below, from several years ago. Obviously the vast majority of the student body is mentally healthy and excels, but it’s sad when an alum says she was always worried about not being good enough when she attended.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/04/15/suicide-at-william-mary-fourth-this-year-triggers-concern-about-mental-health/?utm_term=.bbbeace3d224

@lastone03 I think that happens at all schools to some extent and that was an exceptional (in a bad way) year. But William and Mary ranks 5th on Princeton review’s list of happiest students (see below) and if I recall correctly, it has the highest alumni giving rate of all public national universities.

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=happiest-students

@IzzoOne I don’t know how much stock I am putting into those happy rankings. I know 4 kids transferring from Tulane and it is high on that list. Another list has VT as the happiest university. Regardless, when you ask a student if she enjoyed her 4 years @ W&M and she replies, “Not really, but I got a good education” then that says something (mostly that it wasn’t a good fit). I live in Central VA. W&M attracts a certain type of student. Personally, I think Notre Dame provides a much more well rounded experience (and no issue for an Indian-American Catholic), but it’s obviously up to the OP. If he/she is looking primarily for a competitive and intellectual community, then W&M may very well be it.

@lastone03 I certainly don’t think rankings should be the be all and end all. But nor do I think we should put put too much focus on a really limited data set or a data point. My understanding is Princeton Review is at least based on surveys.