s/o BC thread - Recs for kids who won't get in to BC or ND

[Anonymous]

I'd check out Providence and St. Thomas (in St. Paul, MN) -- they fit your/his version of the BC model pretty well, are strong in finance/business, and he'd have a pretty good shot to be admitted to either/both.

For Big State U options, I'd look at UGA and Auburn.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Marquette has gotten super popular at our Catholic. No football, but basketball is huge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is it that DS finds appealing about ND and BC, besides the sportiness? If Catholic affiliation is key, that steers things in one direction. If being in a suburb near a real city is crucial, that's something different. If size matters... and on and on.

OP here. This is a good question. I know he appreciates the fact that the few kids he knows who went to one of those schools were kids he likes and relates to. Obviously, DH being an alum created a fan of DS, so since he's been to football games at both ND and BC, he knows the atmosphere in both places during football season. It's one that fits him. I think he believes that all the students at both of these schools are smart, but not too smart and not too bro-ish. That may be wrong, but it's an opinion he's kind of run with.

He goes to public HS in MD. He is more attracted to BC because of its proximity to Boston, without actually being in Boston. ND is simply ND in his mind and it's worthy of love, regardless of the fact it's in South Bend. Still, he's a realist and much more pragmatic than me and DH, he knows he doesn't have the resume to be accepted into either of these schools and it disappoints him. And, as a side note, it's really too bad that the middle-class, average to above-average, Catholic, sporty kid can't get into either of the two schools that were created for middle-class, average to above-average, Catholic, sporty kids. But, that's an argument for another thread.

He doesn't need to go to a Catholic school; however, we have heard (and a few PPs have confirmed) that they offer more merit aid. He wouldn't mind Big State U, but doesn't want to settle for 2nd tier state u. He'd rather go to smallish, private school and, based on his interests and financials, the Catholic universities seem to be a better fit.

I've really loved seeing all of these recommendations. They are opening up some schools that we never even considered. I'm going ask him to look into University of Rochester, Providence College, and Fairfield. Through my research since starting this thread, I've also found Siena, Stonehill, and Salve Regina. Does anyone know anything about these schools?

There are 25+ Catholic universities in that list, plus more Catholic affiliated and Catholic regional colleges. I’ve been less than impressed with academics at our Catholic HS in the DMV (barring APs and Honors, which are hard to get into). Are the academics at Catholics below ND, Georgetown, HC, BC really that great? I notice they usually rank lower than private’s: example Dayton is #11 Catholic but #100 nationally for private universities.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Dayton alum. Granted, I went there in the dark ages but I had several friends who had applied to ND and didn't get in and landed at UD. We used to poke fun at ourselves, saying we weren't smart enough to go to ND. But I loved my four years there and every alum that I meet, whether they are 22 or 82, has the same experience I had 30 plus years ago. The school has a genuine sense of a tight knit family and community.

Their website has a chart that shows how much merit aid they award based on GPA and SAT/ACT scores. My DS applied last year and received the exact amount of merit aid that was advertised. Also, they do not have any fees. Their advertised tuition is the bottom line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is it that DS finds appealing about ND and BC, besides the sportiness? If Catholic affiliation is key, that steers things in one direction. If being in a suburb near a real city is crucial, that's something different. If size matters... and on and on.

OP here. This is a good question. I know he appreciates the fact that the few kids he knows who went to one of those schools were kids he likes and relates to. Obviously, DH being an alum created a fan of DS, so since he's been to football games at both ND and BC, he knows the atmosphere in both places during football season. It's one that fits him. I think he believes that all the students at both of these schools are smart, but not too smart and not too bro-ish. That may be wrong, but it's an opinion he's kind of run with.

He goes to public HS in MD. He is more attracted to BC because of its proximity to Boston, without actually being in Boston. ND is simply ND in his mind and it's worthy of love, regardless of the fact it's in South Bend. Still, he's a realist and much more pragmatic than me and DH, he knows he doesn't have the resume to be accepted into either of these schools and it disappoints him. And, as a side note, it's really too bad that the middle-class, average to above-average, Catholic, sporty kid can't get into either of the two schools that were created for middle-class, average to above-average, Catholic, sporty kids. But, that's an argument for another thread.

He doesn't need to go to a Catholic school; however, we have heard (and a few PPs have confirmed) that they offer more merit aid. He wouldn't mind Big State U, but doesn't want to settle for 2nd tier state u. He'd rather go to smallish, private school and, based on his interests and financials, the Catholic universities seem to be a better fit.

I've really loved seeing all of these recommendations. They are opening up some schools that we never even considered. I'm going ask him to look into University of Rochester, Providence College, and Fairfield. Through my research since starting this thread, I've also found Siena, Stonehill, and Salve Regina. Does anyone know anything about these schools?

Honestly, take a look at UM Baltimore County. It is close and easy to visit. I bet he'd love it. And it is much cheaper than the alternatives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:University of Rochester

Also not Catholic

And not easy to get into.

[Anonymous]

Duquesne

[Anonymous]

University of Rochester and Villanova would be off the table win the current stats

[Anonymous]

Manhattan College

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dayton is a fan favorite at our Catholic HS.

It looks good - been checking it out online. Also John Carroll.

Cousins in Chicago who couldn't get into ND all went to Dayton. Might check out Xavier as well.

[Anonymous]

What about Miami of Ohio?

[Anonymous]

You know your kid, but from the description, I'd think he'd be happier at Marquette, SLU, Xavier, Creighton, Dayton, Loyola Chi, Loyola Bal, (also Providence and Fordham, but might have higher cost of attendance) than some of the smaller colleges that have been listed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cross
Villanova

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Dayton alum. Granted, I went there in the dark ages but I had several friends who had applied to ND and didn't get in and landed at UD. We used to poke fun at ourselves, saying we weren't smart enough to go to ND. But I loved my four years there and every alum that I meet, whether they are 22 or 82, has the same experience I had 30 plus years ago. The school has a genuine sense of a tight knit family and community.

Their website has a chart that shows how much merit aid they award based on GPA and SAT/ACT scores. My DS applied last year and received the exact amount of merit aid that was advertised. Also, they do not have any fees. Their advertised tuition is the bottom line.

This is OP. Dayton! We hadn't really thought about it because he expressed an interest in staying on the East Coast, but both DH and I have friends who went to Dayton and they also loved it. I will definitely have him look in to it. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about Miami of Ohio?

Yes! Miami of OH was a favorite among my Catholic HS peers...