PLEASE Help me decide between these two Colleges!!!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am having an extremely tough time deciding between UC San Diego and Notre Dame. I have to decide ASAP as I have already asked for deadline extensions twice. I greatly appreciate any comments, and I’d like to thank you for your time. </p>

<p>Background: I’m an Asian American male entering college as an undecided major. I am leaning towards the areas of Music, Engineering, Cognitive Science, and International Business. My major goal in college is to find a passion that I would die for and take this passion to graduate or business school. Personally, weather and school spirit (football) are nice to have, but will have no influence in the long run. I accept all religions and value their positive influences. </p>

<p>Unfortunately, I have not visited either college. I think that Notre Dame and UCSD are completely opposite schools, and I can’t seem to weigh one school over the other. I’ve spent a TON of time researching both of the colleges, and here are some of the main points: </p>

<p>-Academically, UCSD does not offer any business majors and Notre Dame does not have a Cognitive Science department. UCSD goes by the quarter system and Notre Dame goes by semesters. It seems like I can sample more courses at UCSD, but the quarter system may also work against me. </p>

<p>-UCSD has more courses and research opportunities to offer, but the 4-year graduation rate is quite low. This is because many of the courses get filled up quickly and thus have waitlists. At Notre Dame, 4-year graduation is pretty much guaranteed. In addition, they academically “hold your hand” at ND so nobody really gets screwed major-wise. </p>

<p>-I really can’t say anything about the environments since I haven’t visited. Notre Dame has a huge community feeling. However, I may be more comfortable at UCSD because there are more Asians (but then again, I don’t know). </p>

<p>-I’ll graduate debt-free at UCSD (in-state tuition). For Notre Dame, I’ll graduate with a 16-20k debt. Considering that I will attend Graduate/professional School, I really can’t say how much this debt will play a factor. The ND Alumni network may be a factor, and my parents are financially secure. </p>

<p>Thank you again for your opinions and comments!</p>

2

<p>I really don’t think ND is worth 20k more than UCSD.</p>

3

<p>I think Notre Dame is the better school for you. Honestly, if you are not studying anything related to biological sciences at UCSD, you will feel left out. Notre Dame has the better social life and more well-rounded academic program and more programs of greater strength than UCSD.</p>

4

<p>I also think Notre Dame is a better fit. It may be worth that extra 20k and your going to have a new experience. UCSD may be more like home depending on where you live. If it was me I would not go with the safe choice. I would take a risk and see what happens.</p>

5

<p>I agree w/ the other 2- Notre Dame sounds better. It is worth 16-20K in the long run I think, as you mentioned the alumni network is so strong. At Notre Dame you will get a more well rounded education, which will benefit you in grad school</p>

6

<p>If only 16-20 K WITH interest N Dame better choice all around…if much more than 16-20 then the debt is not worth it - it’s only a burden after graduation.</p>

7

<p>Usually I side with the better out-of-pocket option. But not with this. The problem within the UC system of not offering enough classes so that a student can graduate in four years is significant. One can only wonder given the current economic situation whether this will get even worse. Notre Dame reports 90 percent of students graduate in 4 years whereas UCSD reports 53 percent. Avoid like the plague.</p>

8

<p>Thank you all for your responses. </p>

<p>I just graduated from a high school in Arizona. The student body diversity was about the same as that of Notre Dame’s (with my HS having a higher percentage of hispanics). In retrospect, I was a bit unhappy with the school’s student body overall. I don’t know if this is another factor, and Notre Dame might be a whole new experience because of the Catholicism.</p>

9

<p>I’m not a fan of Notre Dame to say the least. However, I need to be fair - Notre Dame is quite tolerant. I spoke with a rising sophomore last week back from his first year at Notre Dame. He loves it. He told me the attention from President Obama’s visit was caused by 2 percent of the student body exploited for all it was worth by the media starved for a story. The difference between Notre Dame and say Providence College is significant. If you are not a practicing Catholic at PC, you will feel a bit disconnected, not so much at Notre Dame. Connect with students via facebook and make your own decision.</p>