<p>I'm a senior in high school right now, and I've been accepted to many colleges. The two I'm stuck between are the University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University. Both are excellent colleges, and I know I would be extremely happy at both; that is why this decision seems almost impossible. I plan to major in biology (hoping to go to medical school). Also, I am Catholic, so that aspect of Notre Dame wouldn't bother me. I was hoping I would be able to make a decision after touring, shadowing, and spending the night at both universities, but I still have no idea which to choose. I know it is my decision, but I just want some other people's opinions. So...which should I choose? Notre Dame or Northwestern?</p>
<p>They are obviously both world class universities and you are certainly fortunate to have these schools as options. Personally, it would not be a terribly difficult decision: NU garners higher rankings by the most influential and widely observed university rankings, more interest (receives nearly twice as many applications as ND), enrolls a higher stat’d freshman class (2157 vs 2112 midpoint SAT scores), and offers a richness of experience through the talents, viewpoints, and backgrounds of a widely diverse student body that ND does not. As the Fiske Guide reports - Northwestern University is “regarded as the most elite school in the Midwest”. In contrast to the Ivy hysteria on CC, there are very few schools that would give me much pause in a decision to choose Northwestern.</p>
<p>That being said, ND does have an excellent fight song.</p>
<p>Both are excellent schools obviously. Congratulations on having the privilege to choose between these two. That said, your decision should ultimately depend on where you feel you would be happier and do better in. I would encourage a visit if at all possible. Honestly, I feel that NU is more diverse, more prestigious, has better-ranked programs across the board, and is in a much better location. NU is probably a better choice for those who want to go beyond their comfort zone and expand their horizons. I’m an NU student though so I’m biased.</p>
<p>Both are very prestigious schools, but for undergrad, I would choose Notre Dame. ND has excellent academics, a BEAUTIFUL campus, and extraordinary sports teams. It’s the perfect place for undergrad.</p>
<p>^I had not considered that. I withdraw my support for NU and instead support ND. I concur that proximity to your football stadium is a critical and determinative factor when considering college choice. Oh, but wait, before i completely switch my support… how close are ND’s private beaches to it’s gorgeous lakefront campus? Or it’s world renowned major city? Just want to nail down a few more details before switching.</p>
<p>behappy23:
NU’s campus is really pretty actually and scenic. NU has great school spirit whether it’s manifested through sports or not. People wear Northwestern gear or purple everywhere, not just at football games. That said, games are generally well-attended. It’s true the football stadium and basketball arena are 4 blocks from campus, but that distance is easily walkable. Additionally, NU provides a constant stream of shuttles whenever there’s a game. The lacrosse/soccer fields are located right by the lake and the view is breathtaking. To be honest, I’m not really into sports but I’m into fitness. I’ve run along the lake (there’s a bike path too) several times from Northwestern’s campus to downtown Chicago (it’s about 12 miles), and it’s absolutely great and exhilarating. </p>
<p>If by chance you want to consider living in the Northeast or West, Northwestern has significantly greater prestige.</p>
<p>Also, perhaps a minor consideration: I don’t know where you’re from, but in my area, it’s very common to wear ND apparel even if you don’t have an affiliation with the school (this is the south suburbs of Chicago). Some people say it cheapens ND’s prestige since it’s sold at the local store and everybody wears it everywhere. Others, however, actually enjoy that fact.</p>
<p>^I have never heard it suggested before that wearing a schools colors and/or logo without some sort of official affliliation could in in any manner cheapen the prestige of an institution. In fact, IMO, I am not sure how you could argue that it doesnt have the exact oppostive effect. I believe any college in this country would be ecstatic to have the level of dedication/spirit/support by non-alumni that ND enoys.</p>
<p>Well, somebody from my HS who got denied at NU and went to Notre Dame later transferred to NU. She said one of the reasons was that she wanted more prestige. Part of that was about being able to wear your school gear as a bragging right. If everybody wears it, it loses its “elite” aura. I have to agree, since whenever she wears ND gear, she blends in with everybody else wearing it, including people who might give ND a bad name.</p>
<p>That said, I’m in favor of democratizing NU’s fandom and NU’s marketing efforts to make NU “Chicago’s Big 10 Team” (holding games at Wrigley Field and all that jazz).</p>
<p>I think that prarie_dad has it spot-on. Northwestern is a great school in a great city. ND is a great school in the middle of nowhere. Seriously,Chicago is a great city for college students as well as for 20-something people just out of school with great museums, music, theatre, bars, restaurants as well as lots of great hospitals for internships, etc. The location of your university has a big impact on the quality of your college experience. My wife is an NU alum and I hope my kids can go there.</p>
<p>@ mildcat, I’m so glad you mentioned how NU still has school spirit. I actually heard from quite a few people that football and sports in general aren’t a big deal at NU. Since I personally love football, I’m happy you find this not to be true. The only thing about NU that I didn’t really like is all the “Greek Life”. Is it crucial to fit in socially to be in a sorority? Or will I still fit in if I opt not to? My other question is: how often do you honestly get to take advantage of Chicago’s proximity? It seems like that should be a major plus, but I have several friends currently at NU that say because of their course loads they rarely ever go to Chicago. </p>
<p>@ behappy23, I actually agree with that fact that ND has a beautiful campus. Don’t get me wrong, NU’s campus is gorgeous as well; there was just something unique about Notre Dame that I loved. </p>
<p>Something else I found very strange was how my friends on the east coast all think Notre Dame is so much more prestigious than Northwestern. I, personally, have always thought NU was more prestigious, but they disagree. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>@ hinsdale1, I like your perspective of non-ND people wearing Notre Dame apparel. The outside support of Notre Dame is unlike any other university I’ve ever seen, which I think is a plus.<br>
Also, I know NU is slightly better academically, and the students there have slightly higher SAT scores, but in a way could that hurt me? If I go to NU, I will be competing with brighter students for good grades in order to get accepted to med school. So would it be better for me to go to ND, where the academics are still excellent, but I would have a better chance at achieving high grades? Or am I looking at this all wrong?</p>
<p>^You’re overthinking the academic competition. You wil rise to the level of your peers - your peers do not take you down. Unless money is involved, I can’t think of many reasons anyone might choose ND over NU - except for perhaps sports enthusiasm (NU is also committed to well supported and nationally competitive sports programs).</p>
<p>^ I think I’m just over thinking everything because I don’t want to make the wrong choice. I also haven’t received financial aid information yet either, which makes me a little nervous. I’m assuming both universities will cost about the same (hopefully). Otherwise maybe the money factor will make my decision for me :)</p>