Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 20:30     Subject: Re:Schools that are one step below Villanova?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Providence

Fairfield

Loyola MD

Loyola Chicago


+1


Loyola Chicago is really appealing--great location at the edge of the Loop and the near the fun and active North side, easy bus up to Northwestern. Great for internships and fun city life. Safe part of the city.

Loyola Chicago is a great school...but it is, IMO, a different vibe from Villanova. Villanova is preppy, pre-professional, white, conservative (relatively speaking), suburban, sporty, relatively balanced male v. female ratio (54/46 female male). Loyola Chicago is much more liberal, artsier, super lopsided male v. female (31% male 69% female), quite diverse, not sporty (NCAA run a few years -- and sister Jean!!-- withstanding), decidedly urban.

If you're thinking of the midwest, I think St. Louis U, St. Thomas (MN), and Marquette would be the comparisons.


Thank you for this, pp!
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 20:28     Subject: Re:Schools that are one step below Villanova?
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.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 20:22     Subject: Schools that are one step below Villanova?
Anonymous wrote:Villanova has a national name so you need to think of another national name. I think Loyola/Chicago is the obvious answer.


Then you don't know a whole lot about Loyola Chicago.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 15:23     Subject: Schools that are one step below Villanova?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Villanova has a national name so you need to think of another national name. I think Loyola/Chicago is the obvious answer.



Loyola-Chi ain't any more national than Providence is.


+1. I never heard of it until about five years ago, when a friend's daughter matriculated there.

Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 15:21     Subject: Schools that are one step below Villanova?
Anonymous wrote:Villanova has a national name so you need to think of another national name. I think Loyola/Chicago is the obvious answer.



Loyola-Chi ain't any more national than Providence is.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 15:09     Subject: Schools that are one step below Villanova?
Villanova has a national name so you need to think of another national name. I think Loyola/Chicago is the obvious answer.

Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 15:08     Subject: Re:Schools that are one step below Villanova?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Providence

Fairfield

Loyola MD

Loyola Chicago


+1


Loyola Chicago is really appealing--great location at the edge of the Loop and the near the fun and active North side, easy bus up to Northwestern. Great for internships and fun city life. Safe part of the city.

Loyola Chicago is a great school...but it is, IMO, a different vibe from Villanova. Villanova is preppy, pre-professional, white, conservative (relatively speaking), suburban, sporty, relatively balanced male v. female ratio (54/46 female male). Loyola Chicago is much more liberal, artsier, super lopsided male v. female (31% male 69% female), quite diverse, not sporty (NCAA run a few years -- and sister Jean!!-- withstanding), decidedly urban.

If you're thinking of the midwest, I think St. Louis U, St. Thomas (MN), and Marquette would be the comparisons.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 13:57     Subject: Schools that are one step below Villanova?
Anonymous wrote:St Joe's is regional


It's also Jesuit. Providence College is the obvious answer if you're looking for a junior varsity Villanova.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 13:57     Subject: Re:Schools that are one step below Villanova?
Santa Clara
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 13:55     Subject: Schools that are one step below Villanova?
Anonymous wrote:The obvious choice is St Joe’s. Cmon now. It’s obvious.


I do love St. Joe's. Doesn't get a lot of DCUM love.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 13:48     Subject: Schools that are one step below Villanova?
St Joe's is regional
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 13:37     Subject: Re:Schools that are one step below Villanova?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:St Joes and Fairfield.

George Mason/CNU/MaryWashington if in VA.


I think that Fairfield is a step above at Joe’s. It’s pretty similar to Villanova, but not as big and colder. Bonus that juniors and seniors live on the beach. They have a pretty strong bio program.


This.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 13:23     Subject: Schools that are one step below Villanova?
The obvious choice is St Joe’s. Cmon now. It’s obvious.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 13:17     Subject: Re:Schools that are one step below Villanova?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Providence

Fairfield

Loyola MD

Loyola Chicago


+1


Loyola Chicago is really appealing--great location at the edge of the Loop and the near the fun and active North side, easy bus up to Northwestern. Great for internships and fun city life. Safe part of the city.
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2024 10:34     Subject: Schools that are one step below Villanova?
I don't think that Marist College has been mentioned yet. While it is no longer Catholic, it has Catholic roots. I've heard nothing but positive things from people I know whose kids attend. 5k students undergrad. ~60% admit rate. My guess is that, culturally, it is way closer to Villanova (and Fordham for sure) than to its neighbor Vassar.