I was admitted to UMich LSA (won’t hear about Ross until April) and ND Mendoza. I am in-state for UM and have high stats with a decent shot at preferred admission for Ross, and I think I would also have a good chance at getting in after freshman year if needed. I am looking for input about general prestige, bang for my buck, and student happiness at these two schools. I am a UM legacy but also love Notre Dame, but few people from either school ever discuss their negatives-- especially my parents, who will have 3 kids in college at the same time and do not want to shell out 65k a year for ND when UM is less than half the cost. Is ND worth the cash? Is it comparable to UM overseas? Will I have a greater MBA or law school advantage from either? Is there a significant difference in business recruitment between the two, especially for IB?
Is ND worth 2x the cost if your family has financial constraints? No. At the same price? Also no. I would not say that ND is better, just different. MBA usually requires significant (3-5 yr) working experience, and no difference for law school. The risk you take a Michigan is if you do not receive Ross PA you will have to apply at the end of freshman year. If you are confident you can keep your grades high that isn’t much of an issue.
Both have very strong networks, but I’d give the edge to ND. On the other hand, Ross sends many graduates to management consulting. After you are in school you are likely to change your interests, so keep an open mind.
Both great universities…in very different, almost opposite ways. If CoA were not a concern, I would say go for fit. But at half the cost, this is a no-brainer. Go to Michigan.
I would have to say go with the guys who have better-looking football helmets.
In all seriousness, ND may be better than UM (especially with networking)- but not twice as better. The incremental gain you get by being able to say you went to ND vs UM isn’t worth the 2x COA for ND.
USNWR has the graduate business and law schools for UM ranked higher than ND and you would probably get a slight edge in admissions to those grad schools having come from the undergrad side. Forbes has Ross ranked higher than Mendoza too.
I’m not saying that you should pick a school based on rankings, but you did request input on general prestige so looking at published rankings is a way (but not the only way) to get some objectivity in the “prestige” point of view.
I hope lightning doesn’t strike me for recommending UM over ND when I am a practicing Catholic.
My H and S went to ND, both loved it and got great educations so we have warm feelings towards the school. But at half the price and money being a factor, if you get the pre-admit to Ross, I’d go to UM. If you don’t get the pre-admit and are certain you want to study business then the decision gets a bit trickier IMO (I know a number of people who went to UM and then did not get into Ross so no preadmit is a big negative to me). I still might choose UM and take my chances given the price difference and the fact that you want to go to grad school. If you do well out of either school you will be in great shape. I’d hold on to both acceptances for now and see what happens come April.
