I’m a non-traditional first year college student. I applied to both Georgetown and Villanova’s respected Continuing studies schools for a Bachelors degree fully online. I was admitted to both schools for the Fall of 2024 class. I’m struggling because Villanova’s program matches my boxes a lot more than Georgetown’s program. Georgetown’s program is a lot cheaper tuition wise which is why I’m probably choosing that route instead unfortunately.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Englander here. If looking north around Providence and Holy Cross, Merrimack might fit the bill. We have a few other smaller Catholic colleges up there are not as well known out of the region as well.

Include Assumption on that list!

And Stonehill. Some hidden gems that don’t have name recognition outside of New England but are great places for smart kids to grab up opportunities.

Beautiful campuses too.

yes

Anonymous wrote:Marist was suggested before and is a great addition to the list. Based on our visit seems kids really do have a nice balance there.

YES

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VA Tech
William and Mary
Longwood
Liberty

???

W&M is, if anything, slightly more selective than Villanova, especially for non-VA residents.

Longwood and Liberty, if they are one step below, are a BIG step below. VA Tech is probably right, but not generally similar to Villanova. Villanova is suburban Philly and 6000 students. VA Tech is rural and 30,000 students.

Size of attendees has nothing to do with it.

W&M is below based on most majors

Rubbish.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Englander here. If looking north around Providence and Holy Cross, Merrimack might fit the bill. We have a few other smaller Catholic colleges up there are not as well known out of the region as well.

Include Assumption on that list!

And Stonehill. Some hidden gems that don’t have name recognition outside of New England but are great places for smart kids to grab up opportunities.

Beautiful campuses too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Englander here. If looking north around Providence and Holy Cross, Merrimack might fit the bill. We have a few other smaller Catholic colleges up there are not as well known out of the region as well.

Include Assumption on that list!

Assumption is several steps below Villanova though.

As are most of the schools that have been mentioned in this thread. The bottom line is that if you're looking for a non-Jesuit Catholic university with a Villanova feel but a bit less prestigious and a bit easier to get into -- in other words, ONE step below -- the answer is Providence. If you can't get in there, you need to be looking more than one step below. That's where options like Duquesne, Dayton, Merrimack come into play.

AU is on the same level as Merrimack - give them another look. It's not just about "levels" and steps below, if your kid needs merit aid they should be looking down the ladder so to speak.

Anonymous wrote:How about Georgetown?

OP's kid is a Sophomore somewhere already.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Englander here. If looking north around Providence and Holy Cross, Merrimack might fit the bill. We have a few other smaller Catholic colleges up there are not as well known out of the region as well.

Include Assumption on that list!

Assumption is several steps below Villanova though.

As are most of the schools that have been mentioned in this thread. The bottom line is that if you're looking for a non-Jesuit Catholic university with a Villanova feel but a bit less prestigious and a bit easier to get into -- in other words, ONE step below -- the answer is Providence. If you can't get in there, you need to be looking more than one step below. That's where options like Duquesne, Dayton, Merrimack come into play.

Marist was suggested before and is a great addition to the list. Based on our visit seems kids really do have a nice balance there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Englander here. If looking north around Providence and Holy Cross, Merrimack might fit the bill. We have a few other smaller Catholic colleges up there are not as well known out of the region as well.

Include Assumption on that list!

Assumption is several steps below Villanova though.

Anonymous wrote:New Englander here. If looking north around Providence and Holy Cross, Merrimack might fit the bill. We have a few other smaller Catholic colleges up there are not as well known out of the region as well.

Include Assumption on that list!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. One of the things that gives Catholic college campuses a different vibe than a lot of other privates IMO is not the influence of religion, which is waning, but the lack of Greek life.

Greek life is huge at Villanova. I thought it would be a good reach for my kid but he was turned off by that.

We were surprised by that as well. Over 30%-much higher than non Jesuit schools DC was looking into. The frat parties are held off campus - so something else to consider. Typically on campus frats are a bit safer since the school has more oversight.

Fordham is right below Villanova without Greek life. Fairfield in CT is another option.

There is another Jesuit university in Philadelphia - St. Joseph’s University. It is a much easier admit (70% acceptance rate) but there are a lot of familial overlaps between the two universities, such as one kid at Villi and two at SJU, alumni of Villi w kid at SJU, etc.

Once again, Villanova is not Jesuit.