Denied at reach school (ND), help me pick school for me--Dayton, Marquette, Xavier, etc

College Search & Lists
1

Hello I am seeking some advice, thoughts on selecting a college from my admitted schools list. I was denied (expected but still sad) at Notre Dame, but I think that had to happen before I could mentally move on to select another college.

I think I have narrowed my choices down to Indiana University, Marquette, University of Dayton, and Xavier. Also in the mix are St Joseph’s University (PA), Butler, Miami of Ohio, Ohio State, and American University (yes I probably applied to way too many schools).

Some things that I think I am looking for:

A school with a strong Art and Letters or Sciences program, but I am undeclared so it is hard to pick based on a certain major being strong. Internship opportunities are important to me. Strong reputation to employers (I mean everyone who sees the ND degree goes oh wow, but I know there are thousands of other great schools as well). I have a learning disability that I have been working on for years (a combined adhd processing issue) and would like a school where I could get some assistance if needed.

I would like to study abroad. I would like to be involved in some community service.

I think I want a mid size school but have not ruled out an IU, etc.

Campus community and togetherness is very important to me–that is one of the things I loved about Notre Dame. I want a school where everybody doesn’t leave campus all the time or move out of the dorms right after freshman year. I would love a school where “off campus” living felt like you were still on campus. I would like a school that fosters community and promotes activities and traditions that students actually attend and participate in, etc. Strong dorm community. Sports are huge for me and I would like a school that has at least one good sports team (football or basketball) that has an active student fan base (students actually attend the games and get fired up).

I am a shy kid. I have trouble reaching out sometimes and making lots of friends if I have to be the person who initiates everything. I love having friends though so I am looking for a school that seems to have friendly, nice kids. I know that is hard to know about, but I guess I don’t want a school where everyone comes from the same high school and they have a group and aren’t really looking for new friends.

So does anyone have any thoughts, personal experience with any of these schools? I have visited 3 of my top 4 and am visiting the other in a few weeks. I’ve also visited one of the others on my list, however one visit doesn’t give you that much information so that is why I am seeking information. Thank you for reading

2

You have literally just written the brochure for Ball State, shoot an application their way and go visit. My son’s favorite “college” (mine too). He did end up choosing a higher ranked business school (Kelley). But what an awesome campus.

I’ve been but not “visited” Miami of Ohio, the campus seems just as you have described. Like most MAC schools a typical cohesive collage campus, D1 sports that are very accessible. Some of the schools at MOO are considered very good. Really a great place!

Good luck.

3

I’d suggest making a pros and cons list for each of your top schools. This will give you a visual representation of what each school will offer you and makes comparing and contrasting so much easier. If you find yourself defending one school more than the others, that’s one you should probably eliminate. You want to go somewhere that you feel naturally comfortable. Have confidence in the fact that you’ll end up where you’re meant to be! Best wishes.

4

We know kids at Marquette who have been very happy – great school spirit, not a suitcase school. Dayton, Xavier and Marquette are all good Catholic schools, with some big sports teams, good community feel. Kids love Butler too. Any of those 4 – Marquette, Dayton, Xavier and Butler, sound like good matches for your priorities. Have you visited those 4, done an admitted students’ day or overnight?

5

In this order, based on your criteria: Butler, Dayton, American, Miami-OH.
Butler is residential, has school spirit and sports, rather laid back.
Dayton is Catholic and like a smaller Notre Dame, excellent academics, traditions.
American would give you access to lots of internships, in fact one day of the week is set aside so students can go to their internship, it’s that common. Their academics are excellent especially in the social sciences and students come from all over the country to attend. But they’re not into sports.
Miami OH is larger than Butler, Dayton, or American, its campus is spectacular and there’s a lot of school spirit.
You should try and visit, do an overnight.

6

University of Dayton meets the following criteria:

As @MYOS1634 says, Dayton is like a smaller Notre Dame. You definitely know that you are on a Catholic campus at UD. Football is not much at UD, but basketball is huge! Social life is outstanding. Friendliest students (and staff) that I have personally met on any campus in the past two years.

7

Thank you all good thoughts and information. I am visiting Dayton, Xavier and maybe Miami in the next few weeks. I am worried a bit about the Dayton rumor that the school is a party school. Not that I am against partying at all, and I know every school has parties, but I am shy and quiet, if I went to parties would I be welcome if I didn’t heavily drink but just wanted to hang out and social drink?

If anyone else has any thoughts about any of these schools please share.

8

You would be fine hanging out at parties like that. And not all UD students party like crazy (though a good number do). The school and students support great outreach activities in the community.

9

Maybe I missed it, but I don’t remember seeing any mention of finances. If you also need to compare costs, run your numbers here: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/awardletteradvanced.phtml Don’t forget to account for different costs for transportation to and from home several times each year.

10

Since I last wrote I have visited Dayton, Xavier and Butler. I loved Dayton. It is definitely high on the list. Butler is still a strong consideration as well. I want to get to Marquette and Miami, but am leaning more towards Marquette if I could only pick one more to visit. My parents have run finances and we have merit and need aid info from all schools. Butler is the only one that is slightly out of range, but my parents said possible if it was my absolute top choice. If anyone else has any input or personal experience with any of these schools I would welcome any other input.

11

You missed Miami even though you visited both Xavier and Dayton? You practically drove past it. :-?

Oh well, I suspect you are correct that Marquette is a better fit anyhow. I visited both Dayton and Miami on the same day. Strongly preferred Dayton; mainly because of the people. Miami is prettier, but also seemed impersonal.

12

I think Dayton is a better fit if you like ND because it’s like a mini-ND :slight_smile: but Marquette would come a close second. Marquette’s downside is the terrible winter weather, even if you take midwestern winters into account Marquette is worse than that. If Butler is more expensive, forget it.

13

Yes, we had originally planned to do Dayton, Miami and Xavier over two days but in the end timing didn’t work out and we could only get to two during that visit so I picked Dayton and Xavier. Yes, Dayton seemed the most like ND, though it is hard to find a place like ND, but I need to get over that :smile:

Thank you it helps to write this all out and hear others thoughts.

14

I think you might really like Marquette. It has a strong Catholic identity, it is easy to get to the airport for trips home. The school starts everyone out as if they are undecided and has a strong core-type of requirement. Very friendly kids and lots of school spirit.

15

I went to Marquette. Like you, ND was my top choice, but I did not get in. I absolutely loved Marquette for all the things you are looking for. Very tight community, great dorm culture. Most Freshman and sophomores live on campus. Majority of juniors and seniors live in apartments and houses on the blocks immediately adjacent to campus, so it still feels like a Marquette neighborhood. All the sidewalks and restaurants in the neighborhood are filled with Marquette students. There’s a lot of drinking, but I think that’s typical, and I knew a lot of kids who did not drink or drink excessively, including myself, so many other things to do. NCAA basketball is huge at Marquette. And so are intramurals. The city of Milwaukee is at your doorstep. A very German, clean, friendly city. You can easily walk from campus right into the heart of downtown. So much to do. At the same time, for an urban campus, Marquette is self contained, slightly, apart, peaceful.

If you visit, would be best to spend the night as a guest in a dorm. I think you will fall in love with the school.

Best of luck!

16

I wanted to come back and post about my college decision. I appreciate everyone’s input. I have decided to attend the University of Dayton next year. I liked all of the schools on my final list, but Dayton just felt right. I hope it is! Thanks again

17

Congrats. Enjoy your time in Dayton. Make sure you visit the AF Museum some time.

18

Congratulations – hope you have a great experience there.

19

Great choice @dcin67! Congratulations!

20

UDayton sounded like the best “fit” for YOU. Thank you so much for the update, and congratulations on a sucessful strategy! :slight_smile: