<p>Hey College Confidential Bloggers!
So I was admitted to both Notre Dame and Northwestern and I was wondering about some of the differences between them, with regards to their Biological Science Programs and anything else you guys want to comment about.
Thank you!</p>
<p>Both are excellent universities and academically comparable. Obviously, Notre Dame is very religious, which is right for some people but not for others. However, the Catholic Church is accepting of science, and many priests are scientists, so you won’t see a difference in what is taught for Bio.</p>
<p>Also, Northwestern is closer to Chicago, so you have more access to an urban area, while ND is a giant campus without much around (well, South Bend…). ND has more of a sports culture, and the students tend to be more vocal for school spirit. They have a significant conservative population, which means that in their 2008 mock election, McCain and Obama almost tied (don’t know who won), so it’s about 50/50. Northwestern is typical of similar universities in that it leans liberal, but there are certainly conservatives, as well.</p>
<p>Either would be a great choice. Good luck.</p>
<p>“Both are excellent universities and academically comparable”</p>
<p>I’d agree they are both excellent universities but I’d have to give the academic edge to NU.</p>
<p>
Hm, for what reason?</p>
<p>Northwestern does have a significant academic edge and has CONSISTENTLY been a rigorous insitution throughout its entire history. ND, like USC and NYU has become a reputable institution in the last 20 yrs or so.</p>
<p>Notre Dame has been a reputable institution for far more than 20 years, but that’s not really a meaningful point. For graduate school, especially in engineering fields, I would agree that NU has an edge, but I don’t think it’s enough to significantly change a student’s undergrad experience.</p>
<p>
Wow, this is really inconsistent with the truth.</p>
<p>I’ll just express what everyone else is basing their opinions on but won’t say: Northwestern is “ranked” higher than Notre Dame.</p>
<p>Rankings are generally meaningless, but if it’s really a consideration, see this: [Best</a> Undergraduate Teaching | Rankings | Top National Universities | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/undergraduate-teaching]Best”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/undergraduate-teaching)</p>
<p>Undergraduate teaching: ND #4, NW unranked.</p>
<p>US News is a rag. Anyhow, if you look at ND historically - it simply does not match up with NU academically and there is a significant gap. Also, consider the opportunities being in a city like Chicago offers vs South Bend.</p>
<p>It doesn’t match up academically how? Where are you getting these historical records?</p>
<p>Historically? I really don’t know what you mean. What is this “significant gap”? You’re just making sweeping and unfounded statements to back your personal belief, and it’s really not helping your case.</p>
<p>However, yes, location should be considered. Hopefully visits can help determine which environment is preferred.</p>
<p>his·tor·i·cal (h-stôr-kl, -str-)
adj.
1.
a. Of or relating to the character of history.
b. Based on or concerned with events in history.
c. Used in the past: historical costumes; historical weapons.
2. Important or famous in history. See Usage Note at historic.
3. Diachronic.</p>
<p>BillyMc, NU has top-ranked programs in engineering, law, education, medicine, music, business, communications, music, journalism, theater, psychology, sociology, history, anthropology, political science, all kinds of natural sciences, etc. Graduate program rankings are important because that’s how you attract topnotch faculty and grad students who will in turn be teaching the undergrads. From experience, the professors at NU not only have superb credentials but are also very dedicated to their students. Given the NU’s selectivity in offering tenure to professors, they do not hire professors who aren’t dedicated to both high-level research and high-quality undergraduate teaching. NU takes the course evaluations very seriously and values students’ input.</p>
<p>ND is a nice school but to be honest, where are its top programs? Why is it considered an elite school?</p>
<p>That said, ND is a better match for some students. Others, however, might find the environment there suffocating.</p>
<p>does anyone know more about their respective programs in Biology by any chance??</p>
<p>There’s a distinction btwn being a good undegrad teaching school and “academic prestige” (among academics, not lay people) which correlates w/ having highly ranked depts.</p>
<p>
Yes, I am aware of the concept of history. I was asking from what you derived your opinion.</p>
<p>
I’m not the type of person that would be happy to see my undergrad tuition money spent largely on graduate research, rather than focusing on undergrad (the topic of this thread), but if some like that, then each to their own.</p>
<p>I don’t know of any major-specific undergrad rankings. There’s Business, where it has been ranked #1 two years running. I’m not a potential business student, though, so I don’t pay that much attention.</p>
<p>In my mind, the quality of undergraduate teaching and education is kind of important when choosing an institution of undergraduate studies.</p>
<p>I really don’t know the specific numerical rankings for the various graduate departments at either Notre Dame or Northwestern. Thus, I don’t know what you mean by “top rank” (top 10, 20, 30, what have you).</p>
<p>
I would suggest posting this in both the Notre Dame and the Northwestern forums.</p>
<p>
I’ll take the better education, you can take the better prestige.</p>
<p>But really, my whole point in posting that ranking was to show that rankings are conflicted between the two.</p>
<p>The only problem I’m having with Northwestern is the undergraduate majors available. I’m more interested in business; therefore, perhaps Notre Dame would be a better option. If I attended NU, I’d have to major in Economics. Can anyone tell me what I could do with an undergraduate Economics degree?</p>
<p>An undergrad degree in economics from Northwestern will get you better “elite” jobs like banking, finance, and consulting than a business degree from ND. Its shocking to most high school students, but most top firms usually prefer top school economics degrees over business degrees from anywhere except a few schools (Wharton, Sloan, Ross, etc). </p>
<p>However, if your interest is marketing, advertising, or “industry” directly out of school then ND will serve you better as these jobs look for more specific business backgrounds.</p>