Notre Dame vs UC San Diego - Help!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
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<p>Warning! Many comments and questions ahead... </p>

<p>I am torn between these two colleges. I'm basically entering as an undecided, but I'm leaning either towards engineering or music. I was admitted to UC San Diego Bioengineering, but I don't know if BioE is the path. I'm studying for the biology AP and I get the sense that I can't do biology for the rest of my life. Thus, I want to explore more than anything during my freshman year. </p>

<p>So... </p>

<p>Academics</p>

<p>First, I wanted to address music. I do love music, but then again, I don't know if my absolute passion is in music. I was wondering about the strength of Notre Dame’'s music department. I'm a strong instrumentalist, but if I choose music, I would want to major in composition and conducting. In addition, how does Notre Dame fair with UCSD in terms of music? </p>

<p>Because I am still undecided, I want to take courses in both the engineering and music fields. As far as AP's, I got a 4 on chem, 4 on APUSH, 4 on Physics B, and 4 on English Language and composition. I'm working hard towards AP Calc BC, Biology, English Literature, and American Government. I'm probably also taking some music courses over the summer. Assuming that I do well on the AP's, do I have a chance in taking both engineering and music "sampling courses” during my first year? For those who know the quarter system, do you think Notre Dame’s semester system or UCSD’s quarter system would suit me better? Finally, how many courses on average per semester does the average Notre Dame student take as a freshman?</p>

<p>Engineering</p>

<p>How does Notre Dame in general rank with other colleges in getting into graduate school engineering? I heard that many first year engineering students work 5-6 hours on weekdays just to finish their homework… How would you describe the workload and GPA curve for Notre Dame Engineering (especially chemical)? </p>

<p>Finally, how would you compare this with UCSD? </p>

<p>Factoring it all in with price</p>

<p>I got $20,000 in financial aid (including loans) from Notre Dame, but I appealed. As for UCSD, I'm from out of state, so I have to pay full first year at UCSD. My dad lives in CA, so we'll be able to pay in-state tuition from soph on</p>

<p>Some final questions/thoughts to consider... </p>

<p>As an asian american, I don't think I'll have a difficult time at either of these colleges. Notre Dame has the family feel and UCSD has the asian feel (I guess :D). </p>

<p>Which came first... the chicken or the egg? </p>

<p>Thank you for your time and I hope I diddn't bore you all too much!</p>

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<p>Hi! Congrats on having such a great decision to make! First of all, I am probably not able to answer all your questions, but since no one had answered as of yet I felt I’d let you know what I do know!</p>

<p>My daughter is a current sophomore at ND. She is majoring in Science, pre-professional studies and Music (!) so, I can say a little about that. She came in to ND with 40 AP credits which has allowed her to do the double major thing without too much trouble. She claims that the Music department is great, with wonderful faculty. She wishes it was bigger, but then again the smallness is part of what makes it great too. She says that everyone majoring in music has another major, so to double with engineering is workable although most of the double majors are in the college of arts and letters and not science.</p>

<p>I can’t speak on the actual coursework, but I can tell you that as a freshman, she took the required chemistry (science and engineering) as well as a music theory and musicianship class, so she easily was “into” the real classes of her major. There is some room for that within the freshman year of studies program.</p>

<p>You do have a nice choice! I wish you well in deciding. I was born in San Diego, so the weather etc. is truly hard to beat, but, well, there’s nothing like spring on the campus of ND after a long winter!!!</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

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<p>i can speak a little to the course-load. </p>

<p>freshmen usually have pretty intense schedules. Most have between 15-19 credits each semester. each class is worth 3, math 3.5 and lab science 4. you have to take 2 science, 2 math, 2 english, 2 theo, 2 philosphy, gym, 1 social science, and 1 history, but these do not all have to be competed in the first year, and it sounds like you may be able to get out of a couple. the physics b will get you out of 6 credits, the chem will get you 3 (so i don’t think you may have to take any sciences); you don’t get anything for a 4 in history, and 3 credits for english; additionally, a 4 on ap calc bc will get you out of all math credits, a 5 on gov will get you 3 credits, and a 4 on english will get you out of another english (so you do not have to take any english if you get a 4). </p>

<p>this is what i have been told, i will be attending in the fall, so i am not 100% sure, but thought i would give you this. these scores are based off what they required last year. if you do well on the ap exams, then you will be able to skip a number of classes, and will be able to free up some classes for electives. if you have any particular questions, you can call the office of undergrad studies. </p>

<p>for music, ND has the oldest marching band in the country!!</p>

<p>ND is a unique and great college experience too!</p>

<p>when i visited a number of people were double majoring, so it is possible. </p>

<p>good luck!</p>