US News best colleges 2025

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Another year with ND in the top 20. Another year the haters will say it won't last. Always get a chuckle out of this.

Notre Dame is 3.59% black. Shameful

A Catholic school in Indiana isn’t a huge draw for POC? Shocking!!

ahem. Using the same argument, there should be only 18% Catholics at ND because Indiana is only 18% Catholic.

No, when doing this analysis the experts compare to the national percentage of blacks, which is 14%. Hence, Harvard's black population is 14%. So it is at the other top schools. How do they achieve this? By offering generous merit and financial aid packages. Clearly, ND isn't vested in increasing diversity for the sake of its own student body by trying to increase the number if black students, Catholic or not.

4% of US Catholics are black. This lines up with the percent of blacks at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a religious school and has different institutional priorities than secular universities.

Agree. ND is well known for its religious priorities and the students it attracts. Why anyone would expect different percentages of ND is ludicrous. Move on folks.

+100

I am the one who posted that haters complain each year saying ND doesn't belong in T20. The fact of the matter is that ND will continue to focus it's priorities on its Catholic identity. This means there will be less appeal to the general non-Catholic public and limits its ability to attract people of more diversity. Despite ND's dedication to its strong Catholic identity, it manages to say on top of the rankings, likely because it makes up for this limitation with other very strong characteristics, like it's great academics, beautiful campus, strong athletics, and welcoming community. People here saying that other Catholic institutions manage to have more diversity, keep in mind that those schools are not as blatant about its religious affiliation. Specifically, ND has chapels in all of it's residence halls, a very active basilica on campus, Touchdown Jesus, the grotto, and many of the main student events have an element of religion sprinkled in. This might make some students uncomfortable -- hence the attraction is just not there. Still, it remains a T20 and that is what irks most people here on DCUM.

No, we just find the diversity numbers to be disturbing. ND could do something about that if it chose to. It chooses not to divert funds to recruiting black students.

Or if it wants to focus on Catholic students why doesn't it have more Latino students. It is weird to me that a school that emphasizes it's Catholic identity so much would have so few Latino students. Like ignore diversity for a second -- ND doesn't do a good job of merely representing the *Catholic* community. It's weird.

Catholic Latina mom here. My high stats (fcps grad) kid did not even apply to ND. Our main reason was tuition. We probably would not have qualified for much aid either.

Second reason, although my kids went to k-8 parrochial school, many Latin American Catholics are not super conservative in the religious sense. Most are culturally Catholic, so ND being very focused on their religious identity, was not a draw for my DD.

Third reason: Distance. Most college students in Latin America live at home and commute. Living on campus is not the norm still for US Hispanics. So when comparing percentages of Hispanic students in the US to those enrolled in universities, our numbers will always be lower at “isolated” campuses. In all fairness, my DD lives on campus at an in-state school.

Fourth: North Bend is freaking cold for “my people”. I mean, the word “North” is in the name of the town! Many kids are trying to attend schools in warmer regions anyway.

Thanks for the insight. Seems spot on. But it’s “South Bend.” Not that it makes it any warmer.

Oops! Thanks for the correction.

Also forgot to add…current low Hispanic numbers at ND will continue to make the school less attractive to future applicants. That good old self fulfilling prophecy.

I have never visited the campus, but from what I see in the football stands, the crowd does look very Caucasian, but let’s not forget, many Hispanics do look Caucasian. I’m thinking the few Hispanics that do apply, probably fit the Caucasian look. Those are the ones that are more likely able to afford the tuition. This due to the history of racism and colonialism in Latin America.

Hey, now you are sounding bitter. Are you sure your kid didn't just get outright rejected?

Not bitter at all. My kid did not apply to ND. We fit the “white presenting” Hispanic stereotype, but I am also aware of the history of Latin America.

I forgot to mention that most US Hispanics have mixed indigenous / African / European backgrounds, and probably have not seen many students at ND that look like them if they toured the campus. They would rather attend a school where they felt more students like them.

By the way, my DD is at UVA and enjoying minute of it.

Right, cause that's all you could afford. Nothing wrong with that! My kid also got into UVA but chose ND. Money is no object for us.

Thank you for response (?). I think my DD is doing just fine, being that my husband and I are both immigrants. UVA should provide our DD some upward mobility. And, yes, it is what we could afford without financial aid or loans.
In my view, and in her’s, she is blessed to be attending UVA.

Congrats to your DD for attending UVA! I did too as a FGLI and am doing very well professionally.

Also, weather-wise:
UVA > ND

UVA also has better weather than every school in the Ivy League.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Another year with ND in the top 20. Another year the haters will say it won't last. Always get a chuckle out of this.

Notre Dame is 3.59% black. Shameful

A Catholic school in Indiana isn’t a huge draw for POC? Shocking!!

ahem. Using the same argument, there should be only 18% Catholics at ND because Indiana is only 18% Catholic.

No, when doing this analysis the experts compare to the national percentage of blacks, which is 14%. Hence, Harvard's black population is 14%. So it is at the other top schools. How do they achieve this? By offering generous merit and financial aid packages. Clearly, ND isn't vested in increasing diversity for the sake of its own student body by trying to increase the number if black students, Catholic or not.

4% of US Catholics are black. This lines up with the percent of blacks at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a religious school and has different institutional priorities than secular universities.

Agree. ND is well known for its religious priorities and the students it attracts. Why anyone would expect different percentages of ND is ludicrous. Move on folks.

+100

I am the one who posted that haters complain each year saying ND doesn't belong in T20. The fact of the matter is that ND will continue to focus it's priorities on its Catholic identity. This means there will be less appeal to the general non-Catholic public and limits its ability to attract people of more diversity. Despite ND's dedication to its strong Catholic identity, it manages to say on top of the rankings, likely because it makes up for this limitation with other very strong characteristics, like it's great academics, beautiful campus, strong athletics, and welcoming community. People here saying that other Catholic institutions manage to have more diversity, keep in mind that those schools are not as blatant about its religious affiliation. Specifically, ND has chapels in all of it's residence halls, a very active basilica on campus, Touchdown Jesus, the grotto, and many of the main student events have an element of religion sprinkled in. This might make some students uncomfortable -- hence the attraction is just not there. Still, it remains a T20 and that is what irks most people here on DCUM.

No, we just find the diversity numbers to be disturbing. ND could do something about that if it chose to. It chooses not to divert funds to recruiting black students.

Or if it wants to focus on Catholic students why doesn't it have more Latino students. It is weird to me that a school that emphasizes it's Catholic identity so much would have so few Latino students. Like ignore diversity for a second -- ND doesn't do a good job of merely representing the *Catholic* community. It's weird.

Catholic Latina mom here. My high stats (fcps grad) kid did not even apply to ND. Our main reason was tuition. We probably would not have qualified for much aid either.

Second reason, although my kids went to k-8 parrochial school, many Latin American Catholics are not super conservative in the religious sense. Most are culturally Catholic, so ND being very focused on their religious identity, was not a draw for my DD.

Third reason: Distance. Most college students in Latin America live at home and commute. Living on campus is not the norm still for US Hispanics. So when comparing percentages of Hispanic students in the US to those enrolled in universities, our numbers will always be lower at “isolated” campuses. In all fairness, my DD lives on campus at an in-state school.

Fourth: North Bend is freaking cold for “my people”. I mean, the word “North” is in the name of the town! Many kids are trying to attend schools in warmer regions anyway.

Thanks for the insight. Seems spot on. But it’s “South Bend.” Not that it makes it any warmer.

Oops! Thanks for the correction.

Also forgot to add…current low Hispanic numbers at ND will continue to make the school less attractive to future applicants. That good old self fulfilling prophecy.

I have never visited the campus, but from what I see in the football stands, the crowd does look very Caucasian, but let’s not forget, many Hispanics do look Caucasian. I’m thinking the few Hispanics that do apply, probably fit the Caucasian look. Those are the ones that are more likely able to afford the tuition. This due to the history of racism and colonialism in Latin America.

Hey, now you are sounding bitter. Are you sure your kid didn't just get outright rejected?

Not bitter at all. My kid did not apply to ND. We fit the “white presenting” Hispanic stereotype, but I am also aware of the history of Latin America.

I forgot to mention that most US Hispanics have mixed indigenous / African / European backgrounds, and probably have not seen many students at ND that look like them if they toured the campus. They would rather attend a school where they felt more students like them.

By the way, my DD is at UVA and enjoying minute of it.

Right, cause that's all you could afford. Nothing wrong with that! My kid also got into UVA but chose ND. Money is no object for us.

Thank you for response (?). I think my DD is doing just fine, being that my husband and I are both immigrants. UVA should provide our DD some upward mobility. And, yes, it is what we could afford without financial aid or loans.
In my view, and in her’s, she is blessed to be attending UVA.

Congrats to your DD for attending UVA! I did too as a FGLI and am doing very well professionally.

Also, weather-wise:
UVA > ND

UVA also has better weather than every school in the Ivy League.

Too hot for too long for my kid. It’s 70 and sunny at his Ivy today. The weather has mirrored here (if not better). Not a kid that like humidity/heat either—so happier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The rankings are out now.

Once your kid in college the rankings fade away. All you care about is happiness, friends etc and good fit. These numbers don’t make kids happy. DD’s friend at JHU not happy with social scene.

I’ve heard similar a JHU.

But rankings don’t matter, my kid does to me. Screw rankings

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Another year with ND in the top 20. Another year the haters will say it won't last. Always get a chuckle out of this.

Notre Dame is 3.59% black. Shameful

A Catholic school in Indiana isn’t a huge draw for POC? Shocking!!

ahem. Using the same argument, there should be only 18% Catholics at ND because Indiana is only 18% Catholic.

No, when doing this analysis the experts compare to the national percentage of blacks, which is 14%. Hence, Harvard's black population is 14%. So it is at the other top schools. How do they achieve this? By offering generous merit and financial aid packages. Clearly, ND isn't vested in increasing diversity for the sake of its own student body by trying to increase the number if black students, Catholic or not.

4% of US Catholics are black. This lines up with the percent of blacks at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a religious school and has different institutional priorities than secular universities.

Agree. ND is well known for its religious priorities and the students it attracts. Why anyone would expect different percentages of ND is ludicrous. Move on folks.

+100

I am the one who posted that haters complain each year saying ND doesn't belong in T20. The fact of the matter is that ND will continue to focus it's priorities on its Catholic identity. This means there will be less appeal to the general non-Catholic public and limits its ability to attract people of more diversity. Despite ND's dedication to its strong Catholic identity, it manages to say on top of the rankings, likely because it makes up for this limitation with other very strong characteristics, like it's great academics, beautiful campus, strong athletics, and welcoming community. People here saying that other Catholic institutions manage to have more diversity, keep in mind that those schools are not as blatant about its religious affiliation. Specifically, ND has chapels in all of it's residence halls, a very active basilica on campus, Touchdown Jesus, the grotto, and many of the main student events have an element of religion sprinkled in. This might make some students uncomfortable -- hence the attraction is just not there. Still, it remains a T20 and that is what irks most people here on DCUM.

No, we just find the diversity numbers to be disturbing. ND could do something about that if it chose to. It chooses not to divert funds to recruiting black students.

Or if it wants to focus on Catholic students why doesn't it have more Latino students. It is weird to me that a school that emphasizes it's Catholic identity so much would have so few Latino students. Like ignore diversity for a second -- ND doesn't do a good job of merely representing the *Catholic* community. It's weird.

Catholic Latina mom here. My high stats (fcps grad) kid did not even apply to ND. Our main reason was tuition. We probably would not have qualified for much aid either.

Second reason, although my kids went to k-8 parrochial school, many Latin American Catholics are not super conservative in the religious sense. Most are culturally Catholic, so ND being very focused on their religious identity, was not a draw for my DD.

Third reason: Distance. Most college students in Latin America live at home and commute. Living on campus is not the norm still for US Hispanics. So when comparing percentages of Hispanic students in the US to those enrolled in universities, our numbers will always be lower at “isolated” campuses. In all fairness, my DD lives on campus at an in-state school.

Fourth: North Bend is freaking cold for “my people”. I mean, the word “North” is in the name of the town! Many kids are trying to attend schools in warmer regions anyway.

Thanks for the insight. Seems spot on. But it’s “South Bend.” Not that it makes it any warmer.

Oops! Thanks for the correction.

Also forgot to add…current low Hispanic numbers at ND will continue to make the school less attractive to future applicants. That good old self fulfilling prophecy.

I have never visited the campus, but from what I see in the football stands, the crowd does look very Caucasian, but let’s not forget, many Hispanics do look Caucasian. I’m thinking the few Hispanics that do apply, probably fit the Caucasian look. Those are the ones that are more likely able to afford the tuition. This due to the history of racism and colonialism in Latin America.

Hey, now you are sounding bitter. Are you sure your kid didn't just get outright rejected?

Not bitter at all. My kid did not apply to ND. We fit the “white presenting” Hispanic stereotype, but I am also aware of the history of Latin America.

I forgot to mention that most US Hispanics have mixed indigenous / African / European backgrounds, and probably have not seen many students at ND that look like them if they toured the campus. They would rather attend a school where they felt more students like them.

By the way, my DD is at UVA and enjoying minute of it.

Right, cause that's all you could afford. Nothing wrong with that! My kid also got into UVA but chose ND. Money is no object for us.

Thank you for response (?). I think my DD is doing just fine, being that my husband and I are both immigrants. UVA should provide our DD some upward mobility. And, yes, it is what we could afford without financial aid or loans.
In my view, and in her’s, she is blessed to be attending UVA.

She is. Her chances for social mobility are indeed greater. Talk about one i
of the greatest boosts in acsdemia and beyond: the Rhodes Scholarship. UVA has produced 56 Rhodes; Notre Dame only 9.

A little history goes a long way. Catholics (and Catholic colleges) received very few Rhodes Scholarships for the first 65 years or so of the award. Cecil Rhodes Anglo-Saxon England was Protestant. And while we are at it, NO awards went to women for the first 75 years. So think of that when you are looking at schools like Wellesley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Princeton
2. MIT
3. Harvard
4. Stanford
5. Yale
6. Caltech, Duke, JHU, Northwestern
10. UPenn
11. Cornell, UChicago
13. Brown, Columbia
15. Dartmouth, UCLA
17. Berkeley
18. Rice, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt
21. CMU, UMich, WashU
24. Emory, Georgetown, UVA
27. UNC, USC
29. UCSD
30. NYU UF UT Austin
33. Georgia Tech, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UIUC
37. BC, Tufts
39. UCSB, UW Madison

Cornell moved up? Why?
Duke, Northwestern, Vanderbilt and WashU all still TO - doesn't seem to hurt them?
UIUC above UW Madison? Wow.

JHU was test optional too and still is this cycle. They didn't count it against any schools which is very odd for T10

This is quite a big takeaway….
I think you are right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Princeton
2. MIT
3. Harvard
4. Stanford
5. Yale
6. Caltech, Duke, JHU, Northwestern
10. UPenn
11. Cornell, UChicago
13. Brown, Columbia
15. Dartmouth, UCLA
17. Berkeley
18. Rice, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt
21. CMU, UMich, WashU
24. Emory, Georgetown, UVA
27. UNC, USC
29. UCSD
30. NYU UF UT Austin
33. Georgia Tech, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UIUC
37. BC, Tufts
39. UCSB, UW Madison

Cornell moved up? Why?
Duke, Northwestern, Vanderbilt and WashU all still TO - doesn't seem to hurt them?
UIUC above UW Madison? Wow.

JHU was test optional too and still is this cycle. They didn't count it against any schools which is very odd for T10

This is quite a big takeaway….
I think you are right.

Is it a big takeaway since all the schools were test optional above for that cycle?

[Anonymous]

I expect post test optional, the test score ranges will change minimally.

[Anonymous]

For the top 15 schools anyways

[Anonymous]

Very few DC private kids apply to JHU. It is not a pleasant undergraduate experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UC Merced up to #58. Will be top 50 by next year.

93% acceptance rate, 9% yield!!!

Get in while you can!

It's time to rank privates and publics separately.

?? Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very few DC private kids apply to JHU. It is not a pleasant undergraduate experience.

So why is it so popular with the top montgomery county area schools? I'd say its social scene has improved a lot in the last 20 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UC Merced up to #58. Will be top 50 by next year.

93% acceptance rate, 9% yield!!!

Get in while you can!

It's time to rank privates and publics separately.

?? Why?

Because then everyone outside the top 15 gets ranked higher.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Another year with ND in the top 20. Another year the haters will say it won't last. Always get a chuckle out of this.

Notre Dame is 3.59% black. Shameful

A Catholic school in Indiana isn’t a huge draw for POC? Shocking!!

ahem. Using the same argument, there should be only 18% Catholics at ND because Indiana is only 18% Catholic.

No, when doing this analysis the experts compare to the national percentage of blacks, which is 14%. Hence, Harvard's black population is 14%. So it is at the other top schools. How do they achieve this? By offering generous merit and financial aid packages. Clearly, ND isn't vested in increasing diversity for the sake of its own student body by trying to increase the number if black students, Catholic or not.

4% of US Catholics are black. This lines up with the percent of blacks at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a religious school and has different institutional priorities than secular universities.

Agree. ND is well known for its religious priorities and the students it attracts. Why anyone would expect different percentages of ND is ludicrous. Move on folks.

+100

I am the one who posted that haters complain each year saying ND doesn't belong in T20. The fact of the matter is that ND will continue to focus it's priorities on its Catholic identity. This means there will be less appeal to the general non-Catholic public and limits its ability to attract people of more diversity. Despite ND's dedication to its strong Catholic identity, it manages to say on top of the rankings, likely because it makes up for this limitation with other very strong characteristics, like it's great academics, beautiful campus, strong athletics, and welcoming community. People here saying that other Catholic institutions manage to have more diversity, keep in mind that those schools are not as blatant about its religious affiliation. Specifically, ND has chapels in all of it's residence halls, a very active basilica on campus, Touchdown Jesus, the grotto, and many of the main student events have an element of religion sprinkled in. This might make some students uncomfortable -- hence the attraction is just not there. Still, it remains a T20 and that is what irks most people here on DCUM.

No, we just find the diversity numbers to be disturbing. ND could do something about that if it chose to. It chooses not to divert funds to recruiting black students.

Or if it wants to focus on Catholic students why doesn't it have more Latino students. It is weird to me that a school that emphasizes it's Catholic identity so much would have so few Latino students. Like ignore diversity for a second -- ND doesn't do a good job of merely representing the *Catholic* community. It's weird.

Catholic Latina mom here. My high stats (fcps grad) kid did not even apply to ND. Our main reason was tuition. We probably would not have qualified for much aid either.

Second reason, although my kids went to k-8 parrochial school, many Latin American Catholics are not super conservative in the religious sense. Most are culturally Catholic, so ND being very focused on their religious identity, was not a draw for my DD.

Third reason: Distance. Most college students in Latin America live at home and commute. Living on campus is not the norm still for US Hispanics. So when comparing percentages of Hispanic students in the US to those enrolled in universities, our numbers will always be lower at “isolated” campuses. In all fairness, my DD lives on campus at an in-state school.

Fourth: North Bend is freaking cold for “my people”. I mean, the word “North” is in the name of the town! Many kids are trying to attend schools in warmer regions anyway.

Thanks for the insight. Seems spot on. But it’s “South Bend.” Not that it makes it any warmer.

Oops! Thanks for the correction.

Also forgot to add…current low Hispanic numbers at ND will continue to make the school less attractive to future applicants. That good old self fulfilling prophecy.

I have never visited the campus, but from what I see in the football stands, the crowd does look very Caucasian, but let’s not forget, many Hispanics do look Caucasian. I’m thinking the few Hispanics that do apply, probably fit the Caucasian look. Those are the ones that are more likely able to afford the tuition. This due to the history of racism and colonialism in Latin America.

Hey, now you are sounding bitter. Are you sure your kid didn't just get outright rejected?

Not bitter at all. My kid did not apply to ND. We fit the “white presenting” Hispanic stereotype, but I am also aware of the history of Latin America.

I forgot to mention that most US Hispanics have mixed indigenous / African / European backgrounds, and probably have not seen many students at ND that look like them if they toured the campus. They would rather attend a school where they felt more students like them.

By the way, my DD is at UVA and enjoying minute of it.

Right, cause that's all you could afford. Nothing wrong with that! My kid also got into UVA but chose ND. Money is no object for us.

Thank you for response (?). I think my DD is doing just fine, being that my husband and I are both immigrants. UVA should provide our DD some upward mobility. And, yes, it is what we could afford without financial aid or loans.
In my view, and in her’s, she is blessed to be attending UVA.

Congrats to your DD for attending UVA! I did too as a FGLI and am doing very well professionally.

Also, weather-wise:
UVA > ND

UVA also has better weather than every school in the Ivy League.

Too hot for too long for my kid. It’s 70 and sunny at his Ivy today. The weather has mirrored here (if not better). Not a kid that like humidity/heat either—so happier.

Let's see what your kid thinks when that first blizzard comes through. The temperature dropped to -15 when I went to Harvard. https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/cambridge-chronicle-tab/2022/01/30/blizzard-blankets-cambridge-white-leaves-behind-huge-snowdrifts/9275158002/

And btw most Ivies like Harvard and Yale have gut-wrenching humidity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another year with ND in the top 20. Another year the haters will say it won't last. Always get a chuckle out of this.

Notre Dame is 3.59% black. Shameful

A Catholic school in Indiana isn’t a huge draw for POC? Shocking!!

ahem. Using the same argument, there should be only 18% Catholics at ND because Indiana is only 18% Catholic.

No, when doing this analysis the experts compare to the national percentage of blacks, which is 14%. Hence, Harvard's black population is 14%. So it is at the other top schools. How do they achieve this? By offering generous merit and financial aid packages. Clearly, ND isn't vested in increasing diversity for the sake of its own student body by trying to increase the number if black students, Catholic or not.

4% of US Catholics are black. This lines up with the percent of blacks at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a religious school and has different institutional priorities than secular universities.

Agree. ND is well known for its religious priorities and the students it attracts. Why anyone would expect different percentages of ND is ludicrous. Move on folks.

+100

I am the one who posted that haters complain each year saying ND doesn't belong in T20. The fact of the matter is that ND will continue to focus it's priorities on its Catholic identity. This means there will be less appeal to the general non-Catholic public and limits its ability to attract people of more diversity. Despite ND's dedication to its strong Catholic identity, it manages to say on top of the rankings, likely because it makes up for this limitation with other very strong characteristics, like it's great academics, beautiful campus, strong athletics, and welcoming community. People here saying that other Catholic institutions manage to have more diversity, keep in mind that those schools are not as blatant about its religious affiliation. Specifically, ND has chapels in all of it's residence halls, a very active basilica on campus, Touchdown Jesus, the grotto, and many of the main student events have an element of religion sprinkled in. This might make some students uncomfortable -- hence the attraction is just not there. Still, it remains a T20 and that is what irks most people here on DCUM.

No, we just find the diversity numbers to be disturbing. ND could do something about that if it chose to. It chooses not to divert funds to recruiting black students.

Or if it wants to focus on Catholic students why doesn't it have more Latino students. It is weird to me that a school that emphasizes it's Catholic identity so much would have so few Latino students. Like ignore diversity for a second -- ND doesn't do a good job of merely representing the *Catholic* community. It's weird.

Catholic Latina mom here. My high stats (fcps grad) kid did not even apply to ND. Our main reason was tuition. We probably would not have qualified for much aid either.

Second reason, although my kids went to k-8 parrochial school, many Latin American Catholics are not super conservative in the religious sense. Most are culturally Catholic, so ND being very focused on their religious identity, was not a draw for my DD.

Third reason: Distance. Most college students in Latin America live at home and commute. Living on campus is not the norm still for US Hispanics. So when comparing percentages of Hispanic students in the US to those enrolled in universities, our numbers will always be lower at “isolated” campuses. In all fairness, my DD lives on campus at an in-state school.

Fourth: North Bend is freaking cold for “my people”. I mean, the word “North” is in the name of the town! Many kids are trying to attend schools in warmer regions anyway.

Thanks for the insight. Seems spot on. But it’s “South Bend.” Not that it makes it any warmer.

Oops! Thanks for the correction.

Also forgot to add…current low Hispanic numbers at ND will continue to make the school less attractive to future applicants. That good old self fulfilling prophecy.

I have never visited the campus, but from what I see in the football stands, the crowd does look very Caucasian, but let’s not forget, many Hispanics do look Caucasian. I’m thinking the few Hispanics that do apply, probably fit the Caucasian look. Those are the ones that are more likely able to afford the tuition. This due to the history of racism and colonialism in Latin America.

Hey, now you are sounding bitter. Are you sure your kid didn't just get outright rejected?

Not bitter at all. My kid did not apply to ND. We fit the “white presenting” Hispanic stereotype, but I am also aware of the history of Latin America.

I forgot to mention that most US Hispanics have mixed indigenous / African / European backgrounds, and probably have not seen many students at ND that look like them if they toured the campus. They would rather attend a school where they felt more students like them.

By the way, my DD is at UVA and enjoying minute of it.

Right, cause that's all you could afford. Nothing wrong with that! My kid also got into UVA but chose ND. Money is no object for us.

Thank you for response (?). I think my DD is doing just fine, being that my husband and I are both immigrants. UVA should provide our DD some upward mobility. And, yes, it is what we could afford without financial aid or loans.
In my view, and in her’s, she is blessed to be attending UVA.

Congrats to your DD for attending UVA! I did too as a FGLI and am doing very well professionally.

Also, weather-wise:
UVA > ND

UVA also has better weather than every school in the Ivy League.

Too hot for too long for my kid. It’s 70 and sunny at his Ivy today. The weather has mirrored here (if not better). Not a kid that like humidity/heat either—so happier.

Let's see what your kid thinks when that first blizzard comes through. The temperature dropped to -15 when I went to Harvard. https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/cambridge-chronicle-tab/2022/01/30/blizzard-blankets-cambridge-white-leaves-behind-huge-snowdrifts/9275158002/

And btw most Ivies like Harvard and Yale have gut-wrenching humidity.

Not like UVA though and not as much during the school year. I will 100% live through 4 months of wading through snow to get to class in order to get a real fall and spring.

This is why I could also never go to Emory even though it's like my platonic ideal.

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Anonymous wrote:Another year with ND in the top 20. Another year the haters will say it won't last. Always get a chuckle out of this.

Notre Dame is 3.59% black. Shameful

A Catholic school in Indiana isn’t a huge draw for POC? Shocking!!

ahem. Using the same argument, there should be only 18% Catholics at ND because Indiana is only 18% Catholic.

No, when doing this analysis the experts compare to the national percentage of blacks, which is 14%. Hence, Harvard's black population is 14%. So it is at the other top schools. How do they achieve this? By offering generous merit and financial aid packages. Clearly, ND isn't vested in increasing diversity for the sake of its own student body by trying to increase the number if black students, Catholic or not.

4% of US Catholics are black. This lines up with the percent of blacks at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a religious school and has different institutional priorities than secular universities.

Agree. ND is well known for its religious priorities and the students it attracts. Why anyone would expect different percentages of ND is ludicrous. Move on folks.

+100

I am the one who posted that haters complain each year saying ND doesn't belong in T20. The fact of the matter is that ND will continue to focus it's priorities on its Catholic identity. This means there will be less appeal to the general non-Catholic public and limits its ability to attract people of more diversity. Despite ND's dedication to its strong Catholic identity, it manages to say on top of the rankings, likely because it makes up for this limitation with other very strong characteristics, like it's great academics, beautiful campus, strong athletics, and welcoming community. People here saying that other Catholic institutions manage to have more diversity, keep in mind that those schools are not as blatant about its religious affiliation. Specifically, ND has chapels in all of it's residence halls, a very active basilica on campus, Touchdown Jesus, the grotto, and many of the main student events have an element of religion sprinkled in. This might make some students uncomfortable -- hence the attraction is just not there. Still, it remains a T20 and that is what irks most people here on DCUM.

No, we just find the diversity numbers to be disturbing. ND could do something about that if it chose to. It chooses not to divert funds to recruiting black students.

Or if it wants to focus on Catholic students why doesn't it have more Latino students. It is weird to me that a school that emphasizes it's Catholic identity so much would have so few Latino students. Like ignore diversity for a second -- ND doesn't do a good job of merely representing the *Catholic* community. It's weird.

Catholic Latina mom here. My high stats (fcps grad) kid did not even apply to ND. Our main reason was tuition. We probably would not have qualified for much aid either.

Second reason, although my kids went to k-8 parrochial school, many Latin American Catholics are not super conservative in the religious sense. Most are culturally Catholic, so ND being very focused on their religious identity, was not a draw for my DD.

Third reason: Distance. Most college students in Latin America live at home and commute. Living on campus is not the norm still for US Hispanics. So when comparing percentages of Hispanic students in the US to those enrolled in universities, our numbers will always be lower at “isolated” campuses. In all fairness, my DD lives on campus at an in-state school.

Fourth: North Bend is freaking cold for “my people”. I mean, the word “North” is in the name of the town! Many kids are trying to attend schools in warmer regions anyway.

Thanks for the insight. Seems spot on. But it’s “South Bend.” Not that it makes it any warmer.

Oops! Thanks for the correction.

Also forgot to add…current low Hispanic numbers at ND will continue to make the school less attractive to future applicants. That good old self fulfilling prophecy.

I have never visited the campus, but from what I see in the football stands, the crowd does look very Caucasian, but let’s not forget, many Hispanics do look Caucasian. I’m thinking the few Hispanics that do apply, probably fit the Caucasian look. Those are the ones that are more likely able to afford the tuition. This due to the history of racism and colonialism in Latin America.

Hey, now you are sounding bitter. Are you sure your kid didn't just get outright rejected?

Not bitter at all. My kid did not apply to ND. We fit the “white presenting” Hispanic stereotype, but I am also aware of the history of Latin America.

I forgot to mention that most US Hispanics have mixed indigenous / African / European backgrounds, and probably have not seen many students at ND that look like them if they toured the campus. They would rather attend a school where they felt more students like them.

By the way, my DD is at UVA and enjoying minute of it.

Right, cause that's all you could afford. Nothing wrong with that! My kid also got into UVA but chose ND. Money is no object for us.

Thank you for response (?). I think my DD is doing just fine, being that my husband and I are both immigrants. UVA should provide our DD some upward mobility. And, yes, it is what we could afford without financial aid or loans.
In my view, and in her’s, she is blessed to be attending UVA.

Congrats to your DD for attending UVA! I did too as a FGLI and am doing very well professionally.

Also, weather-wise:
UVA > ND

UVA also has better weather than every school in the Ivy League.

Too hot for too long for my kid. It’s 70 and sunny at his Ivy today. The weather has mirrored here (if not better). Not a kid that like humidity/heat either—so happier.

Let's see what your kid thinks when that first blizzard comes through. The temperature dropped to -15 when I went to Harvard. https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/cambridge-chronicle-tab/2022/01/30/blizzard-blankets-cambridge-white-leaves-behind-huge-snowdrifts/9275158002/

And btw most Ivies like Harvard and Yale have gut-wrenching humidity.

Not like UVA though and not as much during the school year. I will 100% live through 4 months of wading through snow to get to class in order to get a real fall and spring.

This is why I could also never go to Emory even though it's like my platonic ideal.

I live in Charlottesville and went to Harvard. The heat and humidity are awful from May -September at both. But C'ville's winters are usually quite mild and you can continue to drive everywhere. Also, the worst of the humidity is during the summer at both places when the students are gone. I was miserable in my no a/c dorm at Harvard.