<p>I have been accepted to both University of Miami and Villanova engineering program, obviously I want to be an engineer, and would like to get the best education possible. That being said I do like do go have fun and not just do work, as well as I am not catholic. How close are the two schools academically? Is Miami that much more fun where it would be worth going there over Villanova? thanks!</p>
<p>I believe you should party in the city where the heat is on, all night on the beach til the break of dawn.</p>
<p>Seriously, though, my friend from Philly told me that he thought Nova was somewhat strict and that it was harder to have fun there. He’s just one person, though.</p>
<p>Have you visited either school? </p>
<p>Are they both affordable?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about the Catholic aspect. Villanova isn’t one of the few Catholic schools where a non-Catholic would feel odd.</p>
<p>I think Villanova would be considered the stronger engineering school.</p>
<p>As for “fun” complaints. The basis of that seems to be the issue that Villanova doesn’t allow the opposite sex to spend the night in dorm rooms. For the roommate, that’s probably a good thing that sexiling overnight isn’t possible.</p>
<p>U Miami has an excellent academic reputation, but I dont know specifically how strong their engineering program is, or what kind of engineering: computer, civil, electrical, aeronautical etc. </p>
<p>But…U Miami is also a huge party school. So going there you have to be disciplined. </p>
<p>Villanova is a very strong engineering school and will also give you a very broad education. There are party animals there as well, like all schools. Philly had a 100 year storm this winter and had at one point almost 4 feet of snow on the ground. </p>
<p>Its a coin toss on many levels, and depends more on you and your personality. How far from home you want to be in school. How hard you want to work. Engineering is one of the most demanding majors and the number of kids who drop that major is huge…at most schools. So if you are concerned about being distracted, then U Miami is probably not for you. </p>
<p>Finally, the ACC is top drawer for sports. If you are a sports fanatic its hard to beat. But Nova is the national champion in NCAA FCS (Div IAA) football and in basketball they are a top 10 team. So there too in athletics you have a flip of the coin.</p>
<p>mom has an excellent point. Sexiling is a HUGE problem on many campuses and its really annoying, not to mention immoral. It happens even in “good catholic schools with strict policies” because kids are very creative about how to sneak past the RA’s and such. Whether its a weeknight and you want to go to bed and get some rest, or are up studying or on a weekend night…it matters not…its rude, annoying and disrespectful…and immoral. So you have to put your foot down and simply say, “either the bf or gf leaves, or I get the RA and you both get written up.” I’m not talking about cuddling and such…I am talking about lewd behavior where you have to leave the room, often for the entire night. </p>
<p>Villanova has a reputation of being plain vanilla and boring. But I think that is overblown. There is plenty to do on campus and in Philly on the Main Line. Lots of other colleges too, Swarthmore, Penn, LaSalle all nearby.</p>
<p>if cost isn’t that much of a factor go to villanova… but if it is go to miami</p>
<p>Yes I have visited both schools, I liked the campus of both schools a lot but i liked Miamis more, partially because all of Catholicism on Villanova. Villanova also didn’t seem to have a lot of things surrounding it in the way miami has beaches. They are both affordable, that doesn’t really matter.<br>
So its fair to say villanova has better academics? and Miami the better ‘atmosphere’?
How much better would you consider the academics?</p>
<p>First, what is wrong with Catholicism? You treat it like there is something wrong with it? Villanova is a Catholic school and you wont find people there apologizing for being Catholic. Nobody will make you become Catholic or proselytize you. But neither can you expect them to hide, apologize for or pretend it doesnt exist. Instead, you should embrace the opportunity to learn something, explore your own personal spirituality and make new friends, regardless of your faith experience (if any). </p>
<p>Second, asking if someone would consider academics over social factors is very subjective. That is up to you. To me, you are paying for academics so getting the most out of academics is highly important, as well as for job prospects.</p>
<p>But you should go where you will do your best and excel and be happiest. Only you can decide that.</p>
<p>Most Catholic schools run about 60/40 Catholic to non-Catholic on campus. </p>
<p>UMiami will have almost as many Catholics as Miami is a high Catholic concentration and so is Florida. Both Miami and Villanova are expensive private colleges and will be full of preppy upper middle class kids. Its a coin toss and depends really upon you.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>UMiami will have almost as many Catholics</p>
<p>Very true…</p>
<p>I think what some non-Catholics fear about attending a Catholic U is that they will somehow be pressured to “become Catholic” or that a required theology class will really be a “become Catholic” class. None of these fears are true. Usually the required theology class is very ecumenical and has no problem with the non-believers (atheists) putting forth their ideas. No one is going to pressure anyone to become anything. </p>
<p>Yes, there will be Catholic imagery here and there, but so what. Within days, you won’t even notice if you don’t want to. </p>
<p>But, Ghost is right, no one needs to make apologies for being a Catholic U. At the time of 9/11, many non-Catholics (including nonChristians) felt very re-assured when they were on Catholic campuses at that time. The U’s immediately began prayer services and many students (regardless of religion) wanted to attend for comfort and reassurance. A Jewish student at ND posted that she was very comforted when she attended the prayer services that were held at that time. Did she feel any compulsion to convert? NO. It wasn’t about that.</p>
<p>“. Nobody will make you become Catholic or proselytize you. But neither can you expect them to hide, apologize for or pretend it doesnt exist”</p>
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<p>That rings true to me. I suppose the same could be said of Brandeis ,the most famous University with >50% jewish students.</p>
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<p>I don’t think he’s acting like something is wrong with it, he’s not saying that he hates Catholicism or that there’s something wrong with it or that he’s afraid he’ll be converted, just that he preferred the campus that wasn’t as religious…some people just aren’t as comfortable with religion. Over reacting, much? </p>
<p>And to the OP, after a while you don’t really notice the Catholic imagery. I go to a Catholic school, there’s crosses in every classroom and stuff like that, and when we had big meetings during orientation they would start it off with a prayer, and there’s plenty of religious clubs/activities on campus but now that I’ve been here for a couple of years I don’t notice it anymore/don’t feel uncomfortable with it all anymore.</p>
<p>So it appears your decision is based on 1-atmosphere, 2-academics and 3-secular vs Catholic.
I will try to help with your specific concerns regarding Villanova.</p>
<p>1a-Your choice boils down to North vs South:Miami is near the beach and in great weather, Villanova is not.But Villanova is near Philadelphia , not too bad.</p>
<p>1b-Party vs No Fun:The kids do party at Villanova, but maybe not like at the U. Most students are partying , it is college! There are even those that are fighting , puking , getting into trouble with the local police , and treated for alcohol poisoning at Villanova.If you want to party hard , you can.But many are also working hard at their studies. I suspect there is a partying disparity but it may not be a wide as suspected. </p>
<p>2-Villanova Engineering is very demanding , like most other schools engineering programs.Splitting hairs on academic quality , but outside world probably holds Villanova in slightly higher regard.</p>
<p>3-Many students at Villanova are not Catholic , but if being in a secular school is a BIG issue for you , Villanova may not be the right place for you.
Villanova is unapologetic about being an Augustinian Catholic institution.But if you don’t mind seeing priests on campus and crosses on the outside of the buildings , it will not matter.There is NO religious pressure at all or any issues if you don’t attend mass, are not spiritual or are of another faith.</p>
<p>However , there is a theology requirement (2 classes ) and the adminstration has shown no flexibility on the 1050 intro level class.There is some flexiblity on the upper level requirement.</p>
<p>Do not expect tp be allowed to substitute THL 1050. </p>
<p>The Core Curriculum
Theology and Religious Studies - 2 courses:
Successful completion of THL 1050 and a second Theology and Religious Studies course with a course number of 2000 or higher.
The required introductory course, Theology and Religious Studies 1050, is an academic presentation of Christian thought, suitable for any student. It is normally taken during the sophomore year. In special cases, the following courses may be substituted for this course with permission from the Dean: THL 2800; THL 5400; THL 5800; THL 5900. </p>
<p>ACS is also part of the Core requirement , but this more writing based than religion.
Augustine and Culture Villanova Seminar - 2 courses (during the first year of study): </p>
<p>Successful completion of ACS 1000 (Traditions in Conversation) and ACS 1001 (Modernity and Its Discontents). </p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptances , and good luck with your choices.</p>
<p>Both schools have great reputations.</p>
<p>Unless someone has attended both colleges, it is not fair to compare party atmosphere or academics.</p>
<p>I can tell you that Miami has great academics (son has a triple major), advising is wonderful, they treat the kids very well, partying is available if and when you want it. Lots of great stuff going on at the campus during the day. Pleasant environment. Convenient location in area. Great U transportation to night life.</p>
<p>Villanova- haven’t heard any negatives about it.</p>
<p>Unsure of religious atmosphere, other than to say that Villanova attracts Christian students. Many kids from LI Catholic schools end up at Catholic U’s. Personally, I went to a Big Ten School. Only Jew in my large “group” of friends. Love them all dearly and still keep in touch, but would have been nice to have that cultural/religious connection to someone else. (Yes, knew other Jewish kids, but did not have a close relationship with them.) My Miami son has friends of all religions and backgrounds but is very comfortable at Miami in that he shares a cultural bond (and holidays) with some.</p>
<p>Good luck in your choice. Both great schools.</p>
<p>I am trying to decide between Miami and Villanova also, but I’m majoring in International Business. This thread has been very helpful, but can anyone address the schools based on the business schools, career, and study abroad opportunities?</p>
<p>Miami has a study abroad link on their website with majors and locations. There are many. Just google it.</p>
<p>Son did a semester abroad (Miami student) second semester sophomore year. It was a wonderful experience. Haven’t heard of any student that did not like studying abroad.</p>
<p>I think Miami would be stronger for business and Villanova for engineering. Both are great schools.</p>
<p>As the mother of a freshmen at Miami I can tell you that the academics there are top notch. There are a lot of top students on merit scholarships as Miami is very generous with them. </p>
<p>Miami is not the huge party school that it is made out to be. Sure they party, but it happens off campus and is easy to avoid if you want to, but there if you want it. The school is actually fairly strict about on campus drinking.</p>
<p>At Miami, nobody avoids the party.</p>
<p>I’d go Nova. Northeast schools pay off better in the long term, whereas Miami will be a better experience during college just by weather alone.</p>
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<p>I have to strongly disagree with the former half of this statement. Villanova is much stronger for business (although I am unaware for engineering).</p>
<p>I think Villanova would be your best bet, its a great school and has given many I know that went there fantastic opportunities.</p>
<p>thank you for addressing the problem of Catholicism, it was mostly based upon fear that i would become an outsider or pressured, but it sounds like that will not be a problem.
Also it appears to me with regards to engineering villanova is the stronger of the two schools which is more or less what i expected. I don’t know if anyone will be able to answer this question, but is there really anything going on off campus - I know its located near philly - but do students utilize that? I got the feeling with lehigh that basically all entertainment was on campus and there is no real outdoors or outside activity to be had? I appreciat the help!</p>
<p>I was deferred EA from Villanova and accepted EA to Miami with a 20k scholarship. I qualify for a lot of FA (1140 is my efc) so I’m anticipating that I’ll get a lot of need-based aid from both schools pending if I get into 'nova. But I’ll have this decision to make as well (pending if I get into Villanova). </p>
<p>I am an intended finance majors, and the 4 schools im considering that I will probably be making my mind up on if I don’t get my two reach schools are Villanova, Northeastern, Miami, and SMU. Im flying up to Dallas to interview for their Hunt Scholarship in a few weeks, but SMU is 3rd on my list. I like Nova and Miami more. Nova is my first choice, but I’ve been told by many that the Villa-no-fun rep is very substantial. Miami has the lesser b-school but I have a friend there that keeps telling me that Miami is heaven. And it’s hard to pass up the Hunt Scholarship at SMU if I am chosen.</p>
<p>So the next two months are going to be very stressful for me. </p>
<p>As for the OP, Villanova’s engineering school is highly regarded. I think it’s ranked #9 in the nation. My mom has a client who’s a Villanova engineering alum who’s incredibly successful.</p>
<p>“At Miami, nobody avoids the party.”</p>
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<p>That is completely untrue! My daughter attends Miami and does not party. She has never even seen a party or kids drinking. She stays on campus and partakes of a lot of the great activities (free) that they have for the kids. The parties happen OFF campus. The university is very strict about on campus drinking.</p>