Kids are devoted to religion because their parents want them to be. I have no problem with Catholic schools but I think it's a mistake to only apply to them. If your child really wants to stay super Catholic, she will find ways to do that anywhere.

I'd give her a chance to breathe a bit. I'm sure you are super excited she's into your religion, but she still needs exposure outside that little bubble in order to be prepared for the real world.

Why not tour Catholic and non Catholic schools?

I agree with 22:07!

There are some random suggestions on this thread, but 22:07's analysis is good!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hillsdale
Creighton
Fairfield

If interested in Liberal Arts school

Fairfield is a party school. There’s nothing to do there but drink on the beach. I don’t think she’s enjoy it. FYI I lived in Fairfield all my life and I went to BC.

Agree, but should have written "...drink on the beach while watching the sunset."

https://thomasaquinas.edu

Small (fewer than 500 students), 100% residential school in a gorgeous setting.

Anonymous wrote:Hillsdale
Creighton
Fairfield

If interested in Liberal Arts school

Fairfield is a party school. There’s nothing to do there but drink on the beach. I don’t think she’s enjoy it. FYI I lived in Fairfield all my life and I went to BC.

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's, next door to ND, is a massive party school. I know kids who left St. Mary's, after realizing it's a massive drunken place for Catholic school girls, and went to Marian University (Indianapolis), University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne), and Ava Maria (Florida.)

Not my experience.

Anonymous wrote:She’d be great at BC. Despite the other thread BC is not a party school the way Tulane is. It’s a social service minded smart kid wealthy school. If that’s your kid she will be great there. And then if a safety is needed Holy Cross is a baby BC however Worcester kinda sucks. Good luck with ND!

Worcester is nicer than South Bend.

I come from a family that really likes Catholic Education. I have a devout child and a "Jesus is cool" child. I also have nieces & nephews in NY & MA & PA who are on the Catholic track.

Here is how I would rank them for a daughter who is looking to really go to Mass and keep up Catholic culture:

1) Notre Dame+. (There is a party culture, but a strong sense of faith). I have relative there now with great stats.
2) College of The Holy Cross+ (People go there "on purpose" to attend a Catholic college
3) Boston College+ (Very strong academics. Nice school spirit. Suburban campus close to the city. They are serious about community service).
4) Georgetown. A stronger school academically but has so many great programs, people who do NOT want the Catholic part go there, so it is what you make of it. You WILL Get a great education. They have daily mass at 9 PM, which is kind of cool.
5) Fordham+. Multiple campuses make it a little harder to get an identity. Great reputation and on the rise. (My kid with a 3.98 did not get in). A friend's kid didn't like it b/c it has so many very wealthy students now, it was hard to keep up with the Joneses. My niece turned down a generous package b/c she didn't feel a sense of security on campus (but that could just be her)
6) Villanova+ is VERY competitive academically. The people I know who went there were "I was raised Catholic" folks but none of them talked about going to Mass, going on a retreat or getting to know any members of the church who had a vocation.

Unsolicited:
Catholic University+ is so strong. The people I know who went there or sent kids there....into the deeper thoughts about the faith. Some Irish Catholic culture stuff is going on (Step-dancing, Gaelic football) and it is right by the JPG center. Great merit aid.

Other people mentioned U-Scranton. Very strong school-may offer merit to a great student. Not showy. Great education. Lots of service.

St. Joe's & Loyola+ are very similar schools. Not where your valedictorian is going, but they may have great merit for a student with good stats. Both are Jesuit and fold the idea of men & women for others into campus life. Both have the presence of nuns & priests, but also honor diversity and are not so right wing but inclusive.


The schools with a + I have 1st hand experience/background info.

I also hear great things about Fairfield U.

We explored Mount Saint Mary and found generous Merit, but it is a very athletic place. Kid was worried people would always be away at games. If a major were of interest, it would be worth pursuing. Near a shrine. Lots of partying though.

Holy Cross is slightly easier to get into than BC, but it is every bit as rigorous. It is a bit more academically minded than pre-professional, although it’s graduates do quite well in business.

There is a faction of kids who attend mass daily, or at least regularly.

St. Mary's, next door to ND, is a massive party school. I know kids who left St. Mary's, after realizing it's a massive drunken place for Catholic school girls, and went to Marian University (Indianapolis), University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne), and Ava Maria (Florida.)

I would second Duquesne and Creighton. Also, Loyola Maryland depending on what she wants to study - smaller than the others. Good luck!

U Dallas if she wants to go far and Catholic U. If she wants to stay close. Both great for student athletes and performance as well as strong faith programs.

Neumann College.

Another vote for Creighton !

Hi stats Catholic/jesuit students are really fortunate to have such strong school choices. If she likes ND, I think BC would be next on her list unless she prefers Georgetown. As another pp mentioned, she could apply to BC ED2 if ND didn’t work out.