<p>I just thought I would post my $.02 on this because it may help some of you out there. If you are a female looking at Notre Dame, I STRONGLY encourage you to look at Saint Mary's as well. Saint Mary's is the all-girls college across the street from Notre Dame that is run by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. The longer I have been here the more I have started to respect it and I do believe it to be a really good school. I have several friends there and most of them just love it, even if they did only go there because they didn't get into ND. I honestly would have gone there had it not been single sex (since I am a guy, lol). It is a great option and they get a lot of the same privilages that ND students get. You can get football tickets, basketball tickets, eat in our dining halls, take some classes over here, and pay a whole lot less tuition than we do. It is a nice campus and a good atmosphere (smaller, if that is your thing) which is nice because while SMC is more quiet, ND is usually going nuts all the time so you can be over at ND when you are going nuts or what not and then use SMC as a refuge. Just look into it, I think you may be surprised.</p>
<p>My mom went to Saint Mary's and she has always told me that it was really cool to go there and be apart of ND too going to all the football games and such... I know this is a bit of a stretch but do you think since my mom went to Saint Mary's it would have any sort of "legacy" value to ND?? I don't really think it will matter at all but just wondering what anyone thought?</p>
<p>well i didnt start this thread so this is just an idea....ehy might value it to some degree...well depending on who is looking at your application.....but I dont believe that it will have a huge impact</p>
<p>Irish68178 - thanks for the shoutout for Saint Mary's! I'm a SMC chick myself, and I love that school. I had such a great experience there - wonderful teachers, small classes, plus the opportunity to take classes at ND. It's true that you do get a lot of the advantages of ND by being at SMC - sports events, clubs, dances, etc. I met my husband while at SMC, and made the best friends of my life there. My niece is there now.</p>
<p>I don't really think that being a SMC legacy will help you at ND, though. Sometimes even having an ND parent isn't enough to get you into ND. My daughter is applying to both ND and SMC - my husband went to ND, I went to SMC, and we'll see what happens with her!</p>
<p>did you two meet that way?</p>
<p>Irish68178 - thanks for the post! The little school across the street from you does not get much attention, but it is indeed, a superb place to be! D#1 stumbled across Saint Mary's while searching for a small, Catholic LAC in the Midwest. After her visit, it was the only school she applied to. D#2 seemed determined NOT to land in the same place as her sister, but applied to Saint Mary's as well. She was accepted at four schools and waitlisted at ND. She ultimately decided that Saint Mary's was her school of choice. Speaking with the professors there really tipped the scales for her. The academics, professors, small atmosphere, tradition, and yes...proximity to ND make it a best of two worlds kind of place. (Even if your sister is there!) </p>
<p>Both girls love this school. Their parents could not be happier.</p>
<p>Go Irish!</p>
<p>I'm a Notre Dame girl... St. Mary's is a good school, and I almost applied there. Good luck to any of you going there next year! :)</p>
<p>I just want to point out that SMC girls have somewhat of a "reputation" around here. Not all of them, by any means! It's just that the ones at ND all the time create a stereotype for the rest of the college. Don't believe everything you hear, but I just wanted to throw that out there.</p>
<p>I know they have a reputation of sorts but I don't think that should factor in anyone's decision honestly. The longer you are here the more you know that much of what is said about SMC is bunk and you get to know a lot of SMC girls. I think that if you leave ND and believe half the stuff that is said about SMC then you just don't get it. Plus, I believe it was about 3 years ago when the women of ND were outraged because the Observer ran a pole and ND men voted by a large majority that they would rather date SMC girls than ND girls. That was before my time here but just what I have heard.</p>
<p>SMC is a good school regardless of "reputation" and I think the fact that I am here praising it shows that. I have no connection to SMC other than that I am a ND student and it is across the street. However, I truly hope my sister will look at going there because it is a really good school</p>
<p>irishgirl...do you know ANYONE at SMC?? I'm thinking not. Apparently you do believe everything you hear, or you would not have thrown this out there. It seems there always is a small percentage of girls with "reputations" at ND, SMC and every other college/university in the country. My guess is the vast majority of women at most schools are like you and my daughters ...they are at their school of choice to receive a great education. It saddens me that some students at a university that is so selective, choose to perpetuate a stereotype that disheartens many outstanding students at SMC. </p>
<p>As you know, there are not many places to walk to around the ND/SMC campuses. There are no quaint strolls into a downtown with activities and shops. To get anywhere in South Bend, you must take a bus, taxi, or car. Naturally, many SMC students (mine included) head to the larger campus where there is more variety of things to do. D#1 is studying abroad this semester in Europe so she is not on campus (shameless plug for Saint Marys Rome Program), but D#2 has gone to football games, masses, lectures, the art museum, concerts, swing dance classes, movies, etc. She respects and appreciates these opportunities. Believe me, if I tell her she is developing a reputation because she is at ND a lot, she will NOT be happy! She has many friends there and simply enjoys the fun things (within walking distance), during her down time from studying. My daughters have met amazing people on both campuses that have become their best friends. Heres hoping you do the same!</p>
<p>i would like every SMC alum to hear this. I am male and I have been in the underground tunnels. yes, its true. I can provide a full description to validate this. sorry for the impending outrage. i couldnt keep it in any longer...</p>
<p>also, SMC is consistently ranked the #1 Women's Liberal Arts College in the nation and is highly respected, regardless of whatever "rep" they may undeservedly have.</p>
<p>Well, I hate to disappoint you, but you're not the first guy who has walked through the tunnels, and I doubt you'll be the last.</p>
<p>I personally never used them when I was there -too creepy!</p>
<p>while there may have been some others, there haven't been many... i'm quite proud. don't rain on my parade... : )</p>
<p>actually you might be the last of a group. As I understand it, as of early this year (2005) the tunnels are closed due to increased stricture with the building codes. I forget the specifics, but while service maitenance can still get in there to get to pipes, they are no longer available to the girls to get between dorms and the rest of the buildings over at SMC. I know a friend of mine who was an RA over there last year was frustrated because she actually had to go out in the cold...</p>