Hi, I was recently accepted the University of Southern California, University of Michigan, and the University of Notre Dame and very conflicted on which one to choose. Cost is not a factor, as I have a full tuition and expenses scholarship via ROTC. I am planning on majoring in Biology on a pre-med track. Any insight into the colleges would be much appreciated!!!
Thank you in advance!
All great choices, congrats! What is important to you? Location, weather, size, program…is the scholarship equally inclusive across all schools? I’m not familiar with how ROTC works at different schools, but we did have those three as a selection for one of mine, but our factors/priority were likely different than yours.
Thank you! The reputation of the program (especially in the terms of which will prepare me best for applying to/attending med school) and the culture of the school are the most important factors to me. The scholarship will cover everything for wherever I end up going, which I am very fortunate to have.
Count me as a vote for Michigan.
They are all outstanding schools with strong pre-med programs. This is a case where three reasonable people could make three different choices and all be extremely happy. Think about the attributes you want in a college, visit if possible, and choose the one that feels right to you. (For full disclosure my H is a ND alum and my S went to ND for grad school so I’m a fan.)
Congratulations on your fantastic options as well as your ROTC scholarship.
Thank you!! I’m planning on visiting them in the coming weeks and hoping one will be the obvious choice. But, as of now I am leaning towards Notre Dame!
Are you Catholic? What region of the country are you from?
Are you going to ND Admitted Student Days April 10-11? I was also admitted (and going then on the 10-11!) but if you have the time to visit, I think it’ll help you understand more all that ND has to offer and get a better feel for it!
I am Catholic, and I am from the New York area
I am going there for the 10th-11th, maybe I will see you there!
Outside of the premed programs. Look into any differences in the ROTC programs at each school. Which branch?
Although approximately 20% of students at ND are not Catholic, I think culturally, being Catholic will be helpful. I say this, but the one person I know who transferred out was both a legacy and Catholic. They just came from a Jesuit tradition and felt ND was too conservative culturally for them.
Coming from NY will be helpful weather wise. The only person I know who hated (and at the same time loved) UMich was from CA and just couldn’t deal with the lack of sun during the winter months. SAD? Coming from NY, you’ll be fine.
Wow! Those are three incredible schools! I am an ND grad with a biology/premed son in the ND Class of 2025. I think you just need to experience the campuses (if possible) and think about where you fit. My son is liberal minded and came from a large, very diverse, East coast, public high school and seems to feel at home there–but I’m sure that ND has a very different vibe than USC, for example. How do you feel about single-sex dorm life? ND requires students to live on campus for 3 years. My son has found his classes to be VERY challenging (although virtual learning his senior year was sub-par) so I am not sure if he will be able to maintain a high enough GPA for med school–but you’re going to be in a challenging environment at all 3 schools. Feel free to ask any additional/specific questions about ND.