Notre Dame vs Boston College?

[Anonymous]

DD is entering senior year of high school and we want her to attend a Catholic school because of DH's beliefs. (I'm a lapsed Catholic). She likely won't get money at Georgetown (3.6 GPA from private school and 2240 SAT) and I don't want her going completely on loans, so just curious about the other two major Catholic universities. Notre Dame is higher ranked but it's in Indiana - BC is in Boston and seems to be a big hitter in the northeast. But I don't know much about how their academics, job prospects, and scholarship generosity compares. I am from Arizona, went to ASU - DH went to University of Maryland and only became really serious about his faith later.

Will check this thread later in the afternoon since am working - thanks.

[Anonymous]

I think BC had a few Presidential Scholarships for the very top applicants otherwise they do not give merit money. I don't believe ND gives merit money either.

[Anonymous]

Notre Dame suffers the way a lot of top-flight Midwestern and Southern schools suffer - they get looked down on because of their location when in fact they are excellent.

OP I know you are looking for Jesuit/Catholic environments, but there are some amazing secular universities in the Midwest where you DD will not only get a quality education but also get a higher chance of $$$. Schools like Wash U. in St Louis have not only the best faculty and facilities, but also massive endowments and are using them to attract bright kids who otherwise would not want to spend 4 years in St Louis.

I went to Purdue University and did really well out of it - Notre Dame and IU were our rivals and I can say that Notre Dame kids are as smart as any of the Ivy grads I've met in DC.

[Anonymous]

I think Holy Cross is more likely to give money than BC/ND.

[Anonymous]

BC has traditionally had a very strong network in the northeast.

[Anonymous]

My DD's a notch below yours and she's looking at Villanova. We're hearing (from guidance counselor and parents) that she'd get no money. I'm curious what others say.

[Anonymous]

BC is not going to give her money, I think. But she could get $$ from your flagship state university unless you live in Virginia.

Why does your DH need it to be a Catholic school? BC, Notre Dame and Georgetown are all fine schools, but that's not because they drill Christ's teachings into their students. Send your kid to the best school that'll give her money, and make sure she goes to church every Sunday. There, education, money and religious leanings all taken care of.

[Anonymous]

I second the suggestion to look at Villanova and also: have you considered Providence? Salve Regina? Holy Cross? Loyola in Baltimore? Mount St. Mary's?

[Anonymous]

I love all the Catholic Schools, but esp. Notre Dame and B.C. I have family members who went to these schools. Either way, you can't go wrong. The only advantage to B.C. in my opinion is if your child wants to live in the Boston area after graduation...he/she would make a lot of lifelong connections for that area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love all the Catholic Schools, but esp. Notre Dame and B.C. I have family members who went to these schools. Either way, you can't go wrong. The only advantage to B.C. in my opinion is if your child wants to live in the Boston area after graduation...he/she would make a lot of lifelong connections for that area.

Yes, same for ND: many, many, many end up in the Chicago area or other Midwest cities. So, if you'd prefer your DD to live closer to home after she graduates, this may be something to keep in mind.

~ ND '95

[Anonymous]

BC has a strong network in Boston and New York. Notre Dame has a really strong network in Chicago and the rest of the Midwest. But if you want financial aid from a Catholic school with you DC's qualifications, you might want to look a little lower in the rankings. Georgetown, BC and Notre Dame are the "Catholic Ivies" and I don't think your kid will get scholarships.

[Anonymous]

ND is ranked higher and they have strong networks across the country. BC is good too.

Villanova is called "villa nowhere"...not close in rankings to NC or BC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ND is ranked higher and they have strong networks across the country. BC is good too.

Villanova is called "villa nowhere"...not close in rankings to NC or BC.

ND is in a separate higher tier (Top 25) comparable to GTown. Both schools have been criticized as "too liberal" by conservative Catholics, but that shouldn't bother you as a lapsed Catholic.

[Anonymous]

I was just going to post about ND being liberal. Perhaps because I am a Catholic from Chicago I don't find ND and especially great school for undergrad. If you want to go the cheapest Cathokic route there are a ton of smaller Catholic schools which will give great discounts to good students.

[Anonymous]

CUA here in DC is solid across the board and very generous with scholarships (Presidential, Archidiocesan) for top students. It doesn't have the name cachet of the others but if a Catholic education is important to DH, it's the only Vatican-run Catholic university in the U.S.