UChicago vs Notre Dame

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Ok so I was all set on going to UChicago, then I was accepted to Notre Dame and it is someplace that I have always had a desire to attend. I love both schools, but there are certain things that I dislike about Chicago
- I would prefer to not go to school in a large city
- I really would like division 1 sports
- I am not sure I am quite as academically intense as the average Chicago student (and that is saying something as I am very intense)</p>

<p>I am a physics and/or econ major, which happen to be two of Chicago's strongest departments. In terms of getting into grad school in either of these disciplines, how much of an advantage is Chicago over Notre Dame? Also with employment if I choose that after an econ major?</p>

<p>I have to have the decision postmarked tomorrow (I am a transfer from BC). The biggest concern I have with ND is that it will be too much like BC and cause me to dislike it for similar reasons.</p>

<p>thank you for your opinions</p>

2

<p>This is probably a horrible source for grad school feeder rates, but there is a difference, somewhat noticeable, between Chicago and Notre Dame.</p>

<p><a href="http://wsjclassroom.com/pdfs/wsj_college_092503.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://wsjclassroom.com/pdfs/wsj_college_092503.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Chicago also has a better overall reputation than Notre Dame, a pretty significant one. It has a peer assessment of 4.7, compared to Notre Dame's 3.9, if you want to put stock into the peer assessment scores. In the US News Rankings, Chicago ranks 9th, Notre Dame 20th. All in all, there is a difference.</p>

<p>I'm a bit confused at your mindset though, what didn't you like about BC? Outside of the fact that it's located in a big city. BC has the sports you want, and weren't you in the Honors Program? Is it the religious environment that you don't like?</p>

<p>Personally, i've been to both campuses and know students at both campuses. I hate the area that Chicago's campus is in. It is a dangerous area where you have to take safety precautions. I hear crap about USC's campus being located in a bad area, Chicago's area isn't much better. People talk about how "fun goes to die" at Chicago. It seems like a serious academic school, and for someone who may want to have fun (i.e. Sports, Partying) during their undergraduate years, it may not be a good fit. </p>

<p>Notre Dame's campus is gorgeous, in a very safe and fun college town, and students are very involved. I'm fairly certain that many get into intramural sports, of course the football team is huge, and the basketball team is not a slouch either, with Mike Bray turning that program around.</p>

<p>I would rather go to Notre Dame. Then again, I don't like the religious commitment at Notre Dame. I don't think Chicago would be fun at all for someone looking for a college town with sports. Is reputation important? Yes, and Chicago has a fantastic reputation. However, do you sacrifice fit for reputation? Between Notre Dame and Chicago, no, the drop off is not that significant. This message board is addicted to prestige, but in all reality Chicago and Notre Dame will likely present similar opportunities to each graduate.</p>

3

<p>"People talk about how "fun goes to die" at Chicago. It seems like a serious academic school, and for someone who may want to have fun (i.e. Sports, Partying) during their undergraduate years, it may not be a good fit."</p>

<p>The "people" are the current students. "Where fun comes to die" is a slogan that appears on a t-shirt that students who live in Tufts House get to sell every year, and they're the most popular ones that are sold all year. We love making fun of our school, and if it actually reflected any sort of truth, I don't think people would buy it in the quantities that they do.</p>

<p>I don't think, also, that the school is going to be too academically intense for you. Imagine that the typical student here is a shameless nerd with a normal exterior. You're going to have lots of opportunities to watch stupid movies and talk about pointless things with your friends, who may or may not have intelligent comments to contribute, and then when you ask them about Aristotle, a wonderful conversation might emerge. People here do love academics, but it's not something that takes over them or defines them.</p>

<p>The reasons I would choose ND over Chicago are ones that have already been mentioned. ND has more of a football/party/college town culture that I don't think you can find at Chicago. HOWEVER, I would be naive to say that Chicago students don't party (I see photographic evidence on facebook and get party invites all the time), or that UChi has a big city feel to it. You don't need to use the city of Chicago if you don't want to, and it's not going to take away from the college experience.</p>

<p>Hyde Park itself is a great little area (A2Wolves, have you walked east of campus to the Museum of Science and Industry?) and you'll find tree-lined streets and gorgeous homes. You won't find much in the way of bars (Chicago is a 21+ city, and they love to catch fakes, I'm told), but you'll find cool coffee shops (Third World Cafe, Istria), awesome bookstores (Sem Co-Op, 57th Street Books, Powells, O'Gara and Wilson), gustatorial haunts (the Medici, Cedars, Thai 55, Noodles, on and on and on, cheap ethnic food is a Hyde Park specialty) so you'll find enough to do here. Be careful walking around by yourself at night. Other than that... enjoy.</p>

4

<p>very tough dilemma...if you think you will enjoy chicago then go, but if you think you will dread and regret it, then dont, although you will only get the best education in your field at Chicago.</p>

5

<p>I'm wondering what prompted you to want to transfer from BC. I would imagine that the culture and student bodies at Notre Dame and Boston College would be as close a match as one could get.</p>

6

<p>Having just visited both schools I'm amazed you're on the fence.Chicago was run down,dirty,in a bombed out section of the city.Granted it's ensconsed in a couple block wide buffer of Hyde Park,nevertheless,lots of very shady people ambled around.The brochures from Chicago portrayed an Oxford like ambiance,yet the reality was a disappointment.Nightime must be a challenge.
Notre Dame's campus was impeccable and beautiful.Safety is not an issue.
I was at both places in April while school was in session.The student bodies appear very different.Both schools enjoy outstanding reputations.Good luck.</p>

7

<p>Man, I don't know how you could get that impression. Chicago was pristine, clean, Gothic architecture aplenty. Certainly not run down. Hyde Park is a great neighborhood, though admittedly the south side not so much. I haven't seen the ND campus in person, but it does look quite amazing in pictures. But I certainly didn't get a run down, dirty feel from Chicago and there was a good deal of distance between the school and the south side.</p>

8

<p>I don't understand how there could be any dilemma here. The schools are completely different in feel, student body, environs, etc. Academics are better and more respected at UC. ND much more fun to go to if you are a "regular" kid.</p>

9

<p>I disagree that the academics are much better and more respected at UC, and I don't think the peer assessment score is a good measure of that because it is completely objective! If anything these are peer schools with ND having a stronger reputation nationally with your average person simply because a lot of people don't know how strong UC is. I firmly believe that you will not be at a disadvantage going to ND.</p>

<p>Also, as far as grad schools go, I did very well applying to PhD psychology programs. I really can't complain as far as that goes either.</p>

10

<p>Choose ND :p. Cant beat the school spirit there and I think traditions/parties/community/football is alot better.</p>

<p>I heard South Bend where ND is located is very shady.</p>

11

<p>I chose ND..it was extremely hard to turn down Chicago, but I figure that if I do well at ND I can go to Chicago for grad school..go Irish!</p>

12

<p>Sounds like it was the right choice for you. Some of the smartest kids I know end up at ND.. kids who could have gone to ivies if they wanted to, but wanted something a little bit different. Good luck with school!</p>

13

<p>Best of luck @ ND!</p>