<p>I am looking to double major in History (pre-colonial/colonial emphasis or European history emphasis) and Economics. My end goal is to attend a top law school.
Having to decide between Northwestern, Notre Dame and William & Mary.
All really good financial aid packages with ND being a little better. I have visited all the campuses. NU and ND are both about an hour and a half from home. W&M is across the country. Having a difficult time making a decision.</p>
<p>ND easily.</p>
<p>What are the reasons to attend ND over the others (besides great sports teams)?</p>
<p>It really depends on the type of city you think would work best for you. South Bend is pretty small town mid-west, but campus activities can keep you busy. Chicago has alot more going on, big city activities, great music scene, easy public transportation around, and the lake.</p>
<p>All are good options for your areas of study–Northwestern carries the most academic prestige and ND carries the most “social” prestige. The three schools provide very different locations which should be a consideration–Northwestern has easy access to Chicago and a reasonable college town in Evanston; ND has, unfortunately, South Bend; William and Mary has a quaint tourist town in Williamsburg. For “real” students, in your areas of interest, it probably would be Northwestern > William and Mary = Notre Dame.</p>
<p>Bagpiper12,</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptances at such top schools! Let me put in a word for W&M. </p>
<p>It has one of the three or four top colonial history programs in the country and grants PhDs in history so there are plentiful research opportunities (there is lots of historical and archeological work going on now in and around Williamsburg). W&M also has an exchange program with St Andrews in Scotland where you can study European history (or something else like physics (my son’s interest) for a year). </p>
<p>In addition, W&M is one of the very finest teaching institutions in the US – known for small classes, strong advising, plentiful (and often required) research opportunities, and close relationships with professors, Every year top graduates of W&M go the best grad programs in the country just like at NU and ND. </p>
<p>Further, a couple of days ago, 10 W&M professors were named by Princeton Review as among the Top 300 (I believe only Colgate had more professors on the list). While obviously somewhat arbitrary and I ma sure subject to numerous methodological challenges, this is at least some recognition of W&M’s focus on teaching. </p>
<p>Finally, W&M has a mandatory thesis requirement for all seniors, which will be very beneficial for grad school, as opposed to other schools (not sure whether NU and ND just have this requirement for honors or for all students) where students must connect with professors on their own for research or other opportunities leading to a thesis. </p>
<p>Now, if you wanted a top professional school for undergrad, then I would definitely recommend NU or ND over W&M. But for history (especially colonial history), I would go with W&M. </p>
<p>My son has also been accepted at W&M and is attending the program for accepted students this Saturday. Are you going to that? Might be a nice way to see if you like the Williamsburg area.</p>
<p>William and Mary is an excellent undergraduate school, and an amazing place, particularly given that it is a public institution with a private school feel. However, it does not carry the same social prestige as NU or ND, even though it very well could be the best of the three in terms of undergraduate teaching. Overall, NU is probably the best comprehensive university of the three.</p>
<p>Agree with medman re social prestige generally (ie asking the man on the street which is best). But disagree re prestige for grad schools etc where I think they are all about even and some would depend on major. The grad schools know about W&M’s excellent student body and teaching and the research opportunities set up W&M graduates for grad school in the liberal arts and science – perhaps more than ether ND or NU. You cna check the web site re outcomes and this will show you W&M has great results at top med, law, and other grad schools</p>
<p>Nevertheless, I want to to stress that ND and NU are awesome choices too and am not trying to discount them at all. But in my view for colonial history/history W&M is the place to go, with the caveat that if you are leaning more toward economics (and this includes business) then I would recommend NW (with a solid history dep’t and maybe the best business school in the country not named Harvard). Also, if non-academic factors play a big role in your decision making process ND would be tops for all around college experience (activities, spirit, sports etc; and ND has one of the five or six best alum networks in the country). As for NU, it is located in a gorgeous corner of the universe bordered by Lake Michigan in a fancy suburb with easy access to Chicago. Williamsburg is a nice quaint town, but not Chicago. </p>
<p>Based solely on your academic interests, however, I would choose W&M in your shoes. Good luck and you cannot go wrong with any of these schools.</p>
<p>Go where you feel most comfortable. Law schools care about GPA and LSAT period. Go where you think you can do the best.</p>
<p>I have now narrowed my choices down to William & Mary and Notre Dame. I visited Notre Dame and really felt a connection and really liked it. Was impressed by the politeness and respect of the students and the cleanliness of and respect for the campus. But, I also felt a connection at William & Mary, even though my visit was almost a year ago. Both have their pro’s and con’s. Winter…need I say more. Both have good professors, sense of family. ND is close to home and W&M is much farther, but I don’t plan on going home much as I want to enjoy the activities/friendships at college (even though I am somewhat introverted). Food at ND is quite good, but don’t know what food is like at W&M. Both have good alumni networks, but where I live, people are certainly ND proud. What I have heard is you either love ND or don’t. There is no in between. I am afraid that I really like it now, but when I get there, I won’t. Currently still want to double major in history (American) and economics or history and political science or government. ND’s financial package was better than W&M’s. Any input and assistance would be greatly appreciated as I am losing sleep over my decision. I want to enjoy my senior year, not stress over this decision!</p>
<p>If you felt comfortable on the visit you’ll feel comfortable at the school. Less money, more prestige, better alumni network, better sports… besides winter where’s the decision?</p>
<p>I am still trying to decide. ND is a great school, and I know I would get a great education and have a good time. I’m being drawn to W&M due to my love of Colonial American History. ND is closer to home (be that good or bad). Don’t know if ND can fulfill my history interest. I did look online, and there are good classes at both schools. Also, my bagpipe playing would be appreciated (or loathed) at both campuses. I know many of you reading this are trying to make a decision, too, about what school to attend. Good luck to you on your decisions.</p>
<p>I dunno where bagpipes would be bigger than ND. And I’m not sure what’s wrong with our history dept. in any respect. It’s pretty baller.</p>
<p>Notre Dame is a school known for pretty mediocre academics. Not really that respected among employers, and the only reason the average Joe knows of it is because of sports. Go to Northwestern. You’ll have better opportunities in research, and it has a better name among the people that matter.</p>
<p>Half my major is in med school, half in grad school. I have friends working everywhere and doing amazing things. Go ■■■■■ somewhere else.</p>