<p>Bsonln, my son's decision came down to exactly your two: ND or PSU Schreyers. Interesting.</p>
<p>We had the luxury of being exactly 4.25 hours from both schools, but the difference between 2.5 and 6 hours wouldn't be a factor to me. It's a drive either way, and 6 hours is just an easy drive. You might be thinking of ND as two states away, but it's just not that far and there are many kids from Pittsburgh at ND.</p>
<p>We loved ND and we loved Penn State. Those were the only two schools he applied to. But I think your daughter might always regret not attending ND. She sounds like she'll do well no matter where she goes, but if she chooses PSU, all her life she'd have a little asterisk in her head, "** But I was also accepted to Notre Dame and I wonder if I made a mistake not going there.**" I don't think the opposite would be true. </p>
<p>My son was also going to live in the honors dorm at PSU and loved the prof he met from the Engineering school, but he has <em>never</em> questioned his decision to go to ND since the day he set foot on campus. Both schools are large enough that she will have a plethora of choices when it comes to a major. ND's alumni are <em>extremely</em> supportive of each other. I've heard if an ND resume crosses an ND alum's desk it almost guarantees an interview, because they know, generally, what kind of formation, not just education, that person had in college.</p>
<p>As far as study abroad, ND's program is one of the oldest and now most extensive in the country. My son is going to London next year, and our regular tuition payment covers tuition, room, board, air travel over and back, and a small stipend. This is a heck of a deal.</p>
<p>I wouldn't let friends enter the picture. At either school she is going to have new best friends within two days of getting there. This should be a moot point. ND is big enough you'll never meet everyone in your class in four years, so you're always meeting new people, but not so huge that you can get lost.</p>
<p>Notre Dame is one supportive place. The profs are really caring and helpful in a small school kind of way, and no matter how large the class. My son has learned this and goes to them whenever he feels the need, which at times is often. When the profs say they have open office hours they want you there!</p>
<p>We loved the two block area North of PSU's campus. We loved how Penn State is on one big huge square piece of land. We loved the people we met in State College, and the landscape of the surrounding area is beautiful. But I believe Notre Dame provides a much more intense collegiate experience. It's a great place to finish growing up.</p>
<p>But all in all, my hunch is that this decision will make itself after you make your trip to ND. It will either be obvious that this is the place for her, or she'll feel stronger about PSU after the ND visit. Either will be telling. </p>
<p>If you have any other questions you can pm me if you'd like, or ask them here if you think it'd be helpful to others.</p>