<p>I want to become a business major with perhaps an interest in finance. I know that all three of these schools (Notre Dame, Northwestern and University of Virginia) have very good business programs. I just want a general opinion of what to do. Right now I am leaning towards NU because of their amazing campus and location, but noting the prestige of the ND business program, I am having last second thoughts.</p>
<p>I cant rule out UVA either because it also has a very good undergrad program. Its a tough choice >.<</p>
<p>Pick based on non-academic factors. Really. Job recruiting, graduate school placement, academics, etc will be very similar at all three. Cost and campus life, weather, etc are very different at each one. Choose on those factors.</p>
<p>I just went through my freshman year at ND... and now I plan on transferring to UVA in the fall. I'm not business so the quality of the business school wasn't a huge concern of mine, but I will comment on why I think I'd be a better fit at UVA than ND. </p>
<p>ND has single sex dorms, which definitely foster strong guy friendships. Unfortunately they also hinder gender relations... it takes considerably more effort to hang out with girls at ND than at other schools. Not to mention the tiny fact that the girls at ND are considerably less attractive than UVA girls, (not that that should be a deciding factor). </p>
<p>ND is also a catholic school, which translates into parietals (rules against guys/girls in opposite sex dorms after certain hours), and other obvious consequences. That could be a positive or a negative for you, but I think there's a reason about 80% of the student body is Catholic.</p>
<p>UVA and Northwestern are both amazing schools so I don't think you could go wrong academically with either of them. That being said, ND has an amazing alumni system, so for business, it could be hard to beat. Decide what you want out of college and then pick the school that best fits that description. They're all great academically.</p>
<p>And what I'm trying to tell you is that you're wasting your time by trying to do so. Seriously.</p>
<p>edit: Maybe, if anything, ND/NU place more in Chicago and the midwest, and UVa places more in DC, Charlotte, NYC, Atlanta and other east coast markets. Still not a huge deal.</p>
<p>Kenone,
I remember your ND post on the ND site about your first semester there. Hah! I thought it was very informative, particularly because I chose UVA over ND on May 1 last year. You took a lot of grief for speaking so honestly, but I have to tell you that I admired that you spoke so openly and politely about your impressions.
I'm glad to hear that you are following your heart and transferring to UVA! CVL is gorgeous in the fall. You're gonna love it here!</p>