<p>In the tough economic times we are going through, many parents have to weigh the benefits of a Notre Dame education vs. the cost to attend. In states such as Indiana, local students with the academic record to get accepted at ND, can qualify for up to full tuition scholarships at Indiana University or Purdue University. This is a tough decision. Our local Notre Dame club has seen many students accepted at Notre Dame, go elsewhere simply for monetary reasons.</p>
<p>Parents who are unfamiliar with Notre Dame hear stories of what a great network of alumni we have and the wonderful benefits that can flow from this network. Parents must wonder how much of this is true or perhaps simply hyperbole. </p>
<p>My son recently received and accepted a job offer with a Big 4 accounting firm several weeks before his senior year at ND started. What a relief it is to have a job a year in advance of graduation when so many fine students, including recently minted lawyers, are struggling to find work.</p>
<p>This job was the result of an introduction, during a baseball tournament my son was volunteering in, by my son's high school advisor, an ND grad, to an umpire, another ND grad, who two days later forwarded my son's resume to his friend, an ND grad in Houston in need of talented accountants.</p>
<p>Three months later, while interviewing in Houston, my son was hosted by several recent ND grads who had just started their careers in accounting and who made him feel welcome in a new city.</p>
<p>A job and new career were launched by a string of Notre Dame alums who a day earlier did not know one another for the most part. The common denominator was a degree from Notre Dame and the desire to help one of their own.</p>
<p>While I am sure this happens with other universities, I don't think that many other universities can muster the national and international reach and bond that the Notre Dame network can and does.</p>
<p>There are many other fantastic reasons to attend Notre Dame and that make it well worth the investment. Parents of high school seniors often feel like they are taking a leap of faith when presented with the possibility of taking advantage of Notre Dame's benefits vs. the cost to attend. As a Notre Dame alum and admissions volunteer I am proud to say that the reward is truly worth the price. Notre Dame is a special place and will benefit your student for many years to come.</p>
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