UChicago vs Notre Dame

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I am a senior in high school at a Catholic all boys school with a lot of smart kids. I run track, and my times are currently close to D1 quality; I could probably do fine at a lower D1 school but most wouldn’t want me.

At the moment, I am in the process of being recruited by University of Chicago for track, which as a D3 school I am far beyond their standards. I am getting close to the point at which I would need to commit to Chicago, and I am a little hesitant for a few reasons.

1.) Notre Dame is pretty much my top choice, however I was deferred in early action and there are a lot of people who applied from my school as you can imagine being at a catholic all boys school.

2.) Although it would be a little naive to say Chicago is entirely about academics and everyone there is 100% focused on school, it does have a reputation for a reason.

3.) Notre Dame I think would have a more enjoyable social life and just more fun and relaxed atmosphere.

4.) Notre Dame is D1, I am confident that I would be able to walk on at Notre Dame and I think running D1 would be far more worthwhile. Plus Notre Dame has all the other big sports which makes the school as a whole more interesting.

My real question is, does it make sense to lock into a really competitive school like Chicago now, or do I wait on Notre Dame (and similar schools like Georgetown, Michigan, UVA, and more), even though I have no idea what my chances are of getting into those schools.

Additionally, I could reach back out to Notre Dame’s admissions representative and track coach and basically present them with my situation, explain to them that they are my number 1 choice and that I would go if admitted, and essentially see if there was any way for me to get some kind of assurance that I would be accepted or something like that. I hope that makes sense, really all that I’m getting at is that I think it would be stupid to turn down a great opportunity and Chicago when I do not even know if I will get in anywhere else.

Thank you in advance for any opinions/advice.

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Have you had communications with the ND track coaches regarding a walk on opportunity? I would not assume it a given nor is your admission at ND. You wont know your ND results until March, right? If you are being offered admissions support at UChicago, that is an amazing opportunity. If you want to run in college, that is your best chance.

If you want to wait for your ND decision and you are denied, then what? I’m guessing the UChicago opportunity will be gone at that point.

D1 sports is a higher level of commitment than D3. Something to keep in mind also.

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I have been in contact with a coach at ND and it is pretty much guaranteed that given my current times I would be able to walk on if I got in on my own. This is also not factoring in that I still have the remainder of my senior season left, during which I could improve my times further.

However you’re right, I could not wait to here from ND in march, Chicago would be gone by then. The one thing I am debating is presenting my situation to Notre Dame’s admissions representative for my area and the track coach again, and basically explain that I am either 100% going to ND if they let me in, or 100% going to Chicago if they don’t. I have no idea how they would react to that info, they could just tell me that I’ll have to wait till march, but I just figure I might as well talk to them since it is my number 1 choice.

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Have you already been admitted to an affordable safety you like (or another affordable university)? If you remove ND from the equation, do you like your safeties better than UChic (based on what you said it doesn’t sound like a great fit) and are you veing recruited anywhere else (Holy Cross, for instance?)

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Honestly I am not sure you should be considering Chicago at all. There are many other colleges I would consider to be more similar to Notre Dame, and it sure sounds like you should be thinking in that direction.

My two cents is this can be a bit of a trap for recruited athletes. Just because that can get you into a college you would normally not be able to get into doesn’t mean that is actually a good college for you.

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I have not been admitted to any safeties although I have 1 or 2 that I know I would be admitted to if all else fails. Most of the schools I’ve applied to are pretty top schools with both high tier academics and sports, which makes them difficult for the recruiting route. Basically there aren’t any safeties that I would want to pursue recruiting.

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I think you bring up a good point, but I do want to point out that I am not just following my sport, I am still concerned with the academic rigor of each school. However, you are correct that there are some other schools that I think could align better with what I’ve discussed, like Boston College for example. However, any of the other pretty competitive D1 schools like that are also somewhat of a risk for regular decision at this point. Boston College especially given the enormous number of applicants from my school. In the end, I could always transfer from Chicago, it might even be easier to transfer to a Notre Dame or Boston college coming from Chicago than get in as a high school senior.

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Other than prestige and the opportunity to join the track team, is there anything else you like about UChicago? I’m not sensing the kind of enthusiasm that should motivate an ED application.

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Don’t apply to a school with the intention of transferring. It’s going to prevent you from engaging effectively in the campus community.

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Chicago and ND are totally different places. Sure, both admit smart kids and they both are in Midwestern states that start with an I. At that point, it ends. If you want the vibe ND offers, you won’t find it at Chicago. It doesn’t really matter that you can get in through running. I don’t think it should really be on your list.

Please make sure you have some safeties that are a good fit for you. Holy Cross might be one. Odds are you won’t need it, but every year, there are people with great stats that somehow got their list wrong and ended up with zero to a few options they hate.

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My kid went to a very similar school as OP describes. Of a class of 130 they would routinely send 10+ to ND, GT and BC.

Op should talk to his GC as they self describe themselves as air traffic controllers as more than 65% of the student body at these schools tends to apply to some combo of the aforementioned three plus Villanova and Fordham in our experience.

Only the GCs can calibrate who is “done” post EA, who is hooked, who is applying as a safety or as reach. At our school they GCs could not only inform but they could influence so you need that perspective if possible.

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Well I like their global studies major, which is what I am interested in, I think Chicago could be a fun place to live for a while, and I like their reputation of being a top school which I think could help me post-college. Also you’re completely right about it being a bad idea to go into a school with the intention of transferring. If I ended up going I would most definitely give it my best try, but I just meant if it ended up being terrible I could transfer and that I shouldn’t approach this decision as being irreversible.

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I’m assuming by “GC” you mean a college counselor or something like it, and I will be speaking with my counselor in a few minutes actually and get some advice.

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Yes Guidance Counselor. I have sent you a direct message as well to protect your privacy.

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I do have some safeties that I think would be fine if I went, and I cast a pretty wide net with other schools that I think I have a solid chance for. I will still be talking to my college counselor and others before I make my decision.

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Do NOT contact your ND AO. It’s ok to contact the coach and say you would 100% go there if admitted and able to walk on, but you are looking at other opportunities. Do NOT give the coach an ultimatum.

It’s not clear to me if you have those apps in. If not, get them in ASAP.

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Agree completely and see if your coach or other people at your school have a relationship with the coach.

Schools like your HS and ND share a common philosophy with ND that stresses the importance of body, mind and spirit.

It can help you to have someone speak on your behalf as an athlete, leader, and or good person to the coach.

There are numerous back channels at your school. Were you involved in campus ministry such that some of your campus spiritual or charitable leaders would advocate for you?

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That should be a concern though - most EA/Rolling decisions should have been sent, though I know some state schools will send their priority decisions Jan 30.
Have you applied to non Catholic colleges or colleges where not everyone in your school has applied? What does your GC say? Have you been recruited by any college beside UChic ?

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I did not do EA to any safeties, nor do any have rolling admissions. The two that I applied to were William & Mary and GW which I am very confident I can get into. My college counselor supported that notion.

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That makes sense, I am just going to be speaking to the coach again. Notre Dame was already submitted back when I did EA. Chicago will be in tonight.

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