Tell me about Villanova

[Anonymous]

I live in NYC and we have very few applicants and maybe 1 kid go there every few years. Nothing like BC etc.

[Anonymous]

Very similar to BC.

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but can somone comment on pre-med. I heard it isn't great, but why?

I do know the science building is very old. Any plans to renovate any time soon?

[Anonymous]

Nova and BC are not known for pre-med.

[Anonymous]

Can you compare the Holy Cross. People say they gave a great. pre-med program? Why? what distinguishes.

[Anonymous]

Well known for business and computer science, no idea about pre-med.

[Anonymous]

Ron Delaney - 1956 Olympic gold medal winner in the 1500 meters, and the first of many national and world class track athletes at Villanova, passed away today. He was 91.

Villanova is so well known in the track world - really worldwide - and this formed the bulwark of the school's reputation prior to its rise in the last 20 years.

This sounds quirky, but when I was recruited there they had no indoor track, but built an 11 lap board track right in the middle of the campus - in the middle of the social hustle and bustle. World record holders speeding around a rickety board contraption with students watching. A source of pride for the school.

A big four audit partner friend who led the US practice and became a senior exec at the SEC ran for Villanova in the 70's. He related it was the best network he ever had.

[Anonymous]

It’s kind of a Goldilocks school for dc area catholic kids. Far enough but still close. Tough to get into but not crazy like bc or nd. Small enough to be manageable but not tiny. Rah rah but not a big 10 or sec school.

[Anonymous]

Villanova sounds great; but we are not Catholics or even Christians so I was wondering if you guys know of similar schools without religious part?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nice school. Lots of investment in their campus, good spirit and becoming a BC alternative after a long history of being a regional school.

They will yield protect, think demonstrated interest and ED.

At DS’s Jesuit HS there’s virtually zero overlap between BC & Villanova applicants.

I'd be curious to know how exactly you know this?

[Anonymous]

For pre-med would highly recommend Holy Cross. They have a great track record if success. Agree others Jesuit High schools push kids to Jesuit colleges like Georgetown, HC, and BC.

[Anonymous]

To the PP who asked about HC I would say they are pretty different. HC is Jesuit, much smaller, and outside of Worcester. Villanova is Augustinian, almost twice the size, has three train stops on campus to take kids into Philly, and has Greek life. A lot of kids from my kids' private Catholic go to both and they all seem happy. I do think the demographics in terms of students seem similar just based on what I have observed. And both seem to have great alumni connections/loyalty (again, just what I have observed and heard). Just my two cents!

[Anonymous]

The popularity of Villanova seems tied to the well being of its Men’s Basketball program. Assume that their new Coach is highest paid employee. Misplaced priority imo and Nova has a poor ranking by US News at 57.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but can somone comment on pre-med. I heard it isn't great, but why?

I do know the science building is very old. Any plans to renovate any time soon?

We have a doctor in the family who went to Villanova for undergrad. I would think it would be fine -- certainly, great access to Philadelphia-area hospitals and research facilities. I can't speculate about overall numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DD was accepted but the price is hard to swallow without merit.

Yes, great school, but is it really worth 100 K a year? It’s hard to make an argument that it is.