<p>Thanks so much, everyone!</p>
<p>@ cheers- </p>
<p>"do you envision yourself in Asia at any time int he future? Are you planning a career in Asia?"</p>
<p>It is possible I might spend some time in China after college. Probably not as a permanent career move, but I may by interested in working there for a short time.</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>Then you shold go where you heart tells you to go. One parent Cc poster has this suggestion. On Wednesday, pretend that you are going to Notre Dame. Imagine what it feels like, imagine what you will look forward to. Check you gut for any signs of hesitation. </p>
<p>On Thursday, do the same for Dartmouth. Take the whole day to imagine that you ARE going to Dartmouth. What does it feel like?</p>
<p>If you did paln to live and work and Asia, as I once did, I'd have to say Dartmouth is the better career choice simply becaseu it is an Ivy league school. This might also be a factor if you plan to develop a career working with Asian clients, as I have.</p>
<p>Asian society prizes prestige.</p>
<p>I would advise you to open yourself up during your college years. ND is something like 80 percent Catholic. I'm guessing you have been going to mass, and perhaps to Catholic school, much of your life. Why would you want to restrict yourself to people of the same religious belief during this formative period of your life? College is a great time for experimenting and getting acquainted with other ideas. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>That's a good point, cheers. Also, I think Dartmouth's Chinese program may be stronger than Notre Dame's (although no one has been able to tell me much about either), also, Dartmouth's schedule would allow more flexibility for study abroad (although Notre Dame's SA program is quite good) and perhaps make it easier to complete a Chinese minor as well.</p>
<p>Also, thanks for your input, SuNa. Although it might be worth mentioning that I kind of like the idea of having a strong Catholic community at Notre Dame. I'm sort of a Catholic convert and so I've already spent a lot of time questioning my beliefs (and I think I'm pretty much set in my ways in that regard :)). At the school I am going to now, I am one of three conservatives and the only practicing Catholic in my grade- which doesn't allow for healthy debate so much as me vs. everyone else when it comes to politics or religion- which again is a plus for Notre Dame, since it seems like the political divide is more 60:40 rather than 15:85 at Dartmouth). Although, I do like the idea of a more geographically diverse group of students at Dartmouth- since I've lived in the Midwest all my life and plan to return after graduation- getting further from home may be a better option. </p>
<p>Anyway, I'm rambling again, just thought I'd share my thoughts on those issues. Thanks again!</p>
<p>I see where you're coming from, Shellzie. A few years ago there was a wonderful, conservative Christian girl at our rather liberal private school. As a senior she commented to her mom that high school had been about being different, and that for her, college would be about finding people that were more like her. I thought that was a good approach.</p>
<p>I've looked at the websites course listings at both schools, shellz and the programs are surprisingly similar. If you do pursue Chinese, I recommend the summer CET immersive program in Beijing. My son has done two courses and the other son will go next summer.</p>
<p>If you're also interested in Theology, though, ND is sure to come up trumps in that dept.</p>
<p>Try the experiment of pretending and come back to us...</p>
<p>shellzie: Which of the two colleges has the better Chinese program? That's great that you are planning to continue your Chinese studies.</p>
<p>@ bookiemom, I think that Dartmouth's program is probably slightly stronger; however, Notre Dame's seems good as well and would allow me to take it more continuously than at Dartmouth (because of the semester vs. quarter system). I think both schools use the same textbook, although I believe Dartmouth offers more courses than Notre Dame. </p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion, cheers- I will definitely look into the program. I'll let you know if I find out anything else.</p>