I spent many, many years at both UNC and ND. I spent a couple years at Chicago, and a summer on campus at Mich. Many of the comments here about these schools are on the mark IMHO. My impressions:
1. Chicago has a distinctive culture, and I do not like it. It is too cut throat, and requires lots of busywork and constant studying just to keep up. Unhappy people abound (esp if they do not like studying all the time). I met many students who regretted coming, but I also met many intense "study nerds" who loved it. Definitely requires the right fit.
2. UNC is large compared to the others. About 20k undergrads, and 10k grads. It is easy to get lost in the fray, but there are many good clubs and subcultures to get involved with. Students are generally smart, well rounded, and having fun despite working pretty hard. Campus and the area are very pretty. There is a big Greek scene, but most people are not in Greek life. Virtually any kind of student can find a home here. Also it's pretty close to the mountains and the ocean.
3. ND is small: about 8k undergrads. Almost everyone lives in the same dorm all four years (there is no Greek life, but there is Bookstore Basketball). It is like living in a cult (in a good way); ND people LOVE other ND people. ND grads tend to marry other ND grads. Campus is beautiful. The stand out here is that the undergraduate education is just better than the others in one respect: ND prides itself on having the really good profs actually teach. The great research profs at ND are also great teachers, and it really makes the classes different in a good way. At UNC and Chicago, the great research profs can avoid undergrad teaching, and grad students do much more teaching. The Freshman Seminar is a high quality experience at ND. Take "Ancient Wisdom, Modern Love" from David O'Conner.
In terms of generating happy, healthy graduates who live meaningful lives, ND > UNC > Chicago. I'd almost say UNC and ND are tied overall, and it is a matter of what culture you thrive in.
The money is fine for grads with a degree from any of these places. I would not give up happiness to have a slightly larger house and a slightly nicer car and slightly nicer vacations, etc. Choose happiness, not the money in this decision. The money will take care of itself.
Just my 2 cents.
1. Chicago has a distinctive culture, and I do not like it. It is too cut throat, and requires lots of busywork and constant studying just to keep up. Unhappy people abound (esp if they do not like studying all the time). I met many students who regretted coming, but I also met many intense "study nerds" who loved it. Definitely requires the right fit.
2. UNC is large compared to the others. About 20k undergrads, and 10k grads. It is easy to get lost in the fray, but there are many good clubs and subcultures to get involved with. Students are generally smart, well rounded, and having fun despite working pretty hard. Campus and the area are very pretty. There is a big Greek scene, but most people are not in Greek life. Virtually any kind of student can find a home here. Also it's pretty close to the mountains and the ocean.
3. ND is small: about 8k undergrads. Almost everyone lives in the same dorm all four years (there is no Greek life, but there is Bookstore Basketball). It is like living in a cult (in a good way); ND people LOVE other ND people. ND grads tend to marry other ND grads. Campus is beautiful. The stand out here is that the undergraduate education is just better than the others in one respect: ND prides itself on having the really good profs actually teach. The great research profs at ND are also great teachers, and it really makes the classes different in a good way. At UNC and Chicago, the great research profs can avoid undergrad teaching, and grad students do much more teaching. The Freshman Seminar is a high quality experience at ND. Take "Ancient Wisdom, Modern Love" from David O'Conner.
In terms of generating happy, healthy graduates who live meaningful lives, ND > UNC > Chicago. I'd almost say UNC and ND are tied overall, and it is a matter of what culture you thrive in.
The money is fine for grads with a degree from any of these places. I would not give up happiness to have a slightly larger house and a slightly nicer car and slightly nicer vacations, etc. Choose happiness, not the money in this decision. The money will take care of itself.
Just my 2 cents.
Statistics: Posted by William4u — Mon Apr 01, 2024 12:33 am — Replies 47 — Views 3695