Questions about PreMed at Notre Dame??? - Page 2

MidwestParent · 02-13-2007, 07:16 PM

Princess, you are a gem! Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions. I am sure we have many more, they just aren't coming to mind right now! Thanks again!
P.S. You have us on the edge of our seat - please post and let us know where you decide to go to medical school!

anglswings · 02-13-2007, 07:59 PM

One small question, if accepted. im having trouble deciding over whether to make my major Biology or Chemistry. Do you have any suggestions on the two of them, and which would be better?
Thanks alot,
Julie

lh2007 · 02-15-2007, 08:14 PM

Wow, congratulations on all of your acceptances, what I would do to be where you are right now!

Question: Is switching between majors/programs very hard? I believe I applied as a biochemistry major but now I'm considering going into the pre-professional program or SCPP. Do you recommend pre-prof over biochem?

PrincessND · 02-19-2007, 10:35 PM

lh2007,
If you are planning to go into medical school (and aren't interested in a research career in basic science), I absolutely recommend doing SCPP. Your life will be much happier. You can absolutely switch your major from the one you indicated on your application; actually, they only ask for that to get an estimate of which colleges people are interested in entering. No problem at all. You will get more information when you get your course selection packet during the summer before your freshman year. BTW, I would give anything to be where you are. ND was an amazing experience and I'm sad to go. Wish i could go back to freshman year! Good luck to you.

PrincessND · 02-19-2007, 10:38 PM

anglswings,
I'd say biology would be my personal choice, but you really just have to decide which you prefer. I'd say that Chem is probably more difficult, but ND has such a small number of Chem majors that you'd get excellent opportunities for research and some small class sizes once you get to the upper level stuff. If you are planning on med school I'd say bio's probably more relevant, but in the end it's up to you. Depends on what you like best.

lh2007 · 02-19-2007, 11:40 PM

Thanks princessnd

I just thought of another question. Did you receive a good amount of financial aid going into ND?? I know it's an issue for a lot of admitted students and I just wanted to know if there are a lot of grants, scholarships, aid available to the admitted, particularly science majors?
And also!
Do you have any idea of what career you want to pursue in and after med school? I'm just curious

PrincessND · 02-24-2007, 01:05 PM

Hi Lh2007,
Considering my parents income (which is misleading considering we're from California), my estimated family contribution was really high to start. I think I got like $6,000 in scholarships from ND and my parents paid around $37,000, which is steep. I got some full scholarships to some other really good schools, but ND has very limited merit-based aid.

But don't let that discourage you because I have friends who have gotten nearly all of their expenses paid through need-based scholarships. It all very much depends on your parents' salaries and assets, and has very little to do with you I'm sad to say.

There are no special scholarships specifically for science majors, but if you're planning on going to med school, paying for ND is probably worth it in the long run and you'll be able to pay off any loans you take it. For those English majors, I can't see how racking up that much undergraduate debt pays off in the end.

BTW, I want to do pediatric surgery and oncology. (Yes I know...residency forever!)

Let me know if I can help you in any other way.

ManUtd20Ole · 02-24-2007, 02:54 PM

When we say need-based aid, does that cover everything including room and board?

Or is that only for tuition?

lh2007 · 02-24-2007, 04:12 PM

ahh, $37,000 sounds very steep :/ I'm from California too, and from my fafsa worksheets, it looks like I'm going to have to pay around that amount as well, granted that I get in.

PrincessND · 03-04-2007, 11:20 PM

Hey future Pre-medical domers! Let me know if you have any other questions. If you would prefer to send me a private message, feel free to do so.

jmerc · 04-05-2007, 09:31 AM

Hey PrincessND,
Are minorities common at Notre Dame? I am hispanic and i always worried that I wont fit into a college that does not have a lot of minorities. Have you ever had any experiences with minorities?
Also, as an older prospective transfer applicant..(23 by the time i apply as a junior standing), do transfer students find it difficult to adjust to ND life?
I lived in NYC all my life so the thought of moving to a smaller town for college is pretty scary, and also the thought of not having many minorities around me, being that i take the subway everyday with so many diverse people and even attend a community college with students of so many different races.

PrincessND · 04-05-2007, 11:22 PM

Hi jmerc,
Honestly, as a California kid, I really miss racial/ethnic diversity. Notre Dame is moving forward though, and I think that 25% of those admitted this year were of a minority group. But, if diversity is really important to you (especially socioeconomic, religious, and political) I highly recommend that you consider searching around. ND is known for being a white, conservative, upper middle-class school, and after four years here, I perceive it to be just that. Come visit ND and determine if you'd be comfortable here. Some of my friends who are minorities here say that they feel isolated, others don't. It's probably an individual thing. But I will say that ND students are very friendly and caring overall and this is an absolutely incredible place to go to school; it's not for everyone though.

Also, South Bend is relatively diverse city, and there are plenty of opportunities to interact with and engage the community.

As a transfer student, I think you'd be fine. I think it's probably hard to transfer just about anywhere, but ND is a small enough school where you won't have much trouble making the adjustment.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

PutschCasusBelli · 04-05-2007, 11:50 PM

There are certainly a lot more minorities at ND than in my home town. Also, I would not describe the campus as conservative, just balanced. It's 50/50, which is far more right than most schools, but it really helps foster discussion which, I believe, is the whole point of diversity.

irish68178 · 04-05-2007, 11:54 PM

jmerc, I think I addressed some of this on my website at www.nd.edu/~mnadorff/transfer. Feel free to get in touch (my email is on that website) and I can give you more of a transfer student's perspective. I had no problem adjusting though, personally.

lh2007 · 04-06-2007, 12:56 AM

Hello again PrincessND!
Well, I got into ND regular decision and I had the opportunity to go to their Spring Visitation last weekend (which was spectacular!). I talked to many alums and current students there, and many repeated the flexibility of changing majors and schools and such. Did you switch around any majors during your stay at ND or were you generally on one track? Personally, is switching around a good thing?

Also, I just wanted to know if there is ever any instances of discrimination on campus. Do you notice any or is there a good mix? I didn't have the opportunity to stay long enough but that's only one of my few concerns.