<p>Hawk, what dorm are you and which dorms do you like most and least?</p>
<p>I could go on for days about this topic - lol - but i am a proud dawg of Alumni Hall (the only hall to have greek letters and the best dorm). Seeing as I am in Alumni, I am an avid enemy of Dillion and Zahm Halls. I am living in O’Neill over the summer and this dorm is very nice though I have friends in Keough which is O’Neill’s rival so that complicates things a little. </p>
<p>But dorms usually fit a mold: </p>
<p>God Quad = Sorin and Walsh - these two dorms are the oldest and have a lot of special traditions. They are right next to the Basilica and the Golden Dome which is nice. No A/C</p>
<p>South Quad = Alumni, Dillon, Badin, Lyons, Morrissey, and Howard - these dorms are rather old but also have a lot of tradition. It seems to me that Alumni and Dillon have the most tradition, but that is because I am closer to them. But south quad is a great location - get quad to play sports on and such - South Dining which is the best is close (now whatever dining hall is closer is the one that you will love the most mind you). No A/C</p>
<p>South Quad II - Fischer and Pangborn are also on South Quad but they I feel like for whatever reason they are a little newer. They also have no A/C</p>
<p>All South Quad dorms are a little cramped for space - a general rule is the new dorms have bigger spaces but less traditions. </p>
<p>West Quad - Welsh Fam, Keough, O’Neill, McGlinn, Duncan, and Ryan - these are the newer dorms on campus - also called DeLux Quad - they have A/C which is nice and newer rooms, but not as many traditions (especially Duncan and Ryan) - the others have some but not as many as an Alumni for a example. </p>
<p>North Quad: Zahm, Cavanaugh, Breen-Phillips, Farley, Stanford, and Keenan - No A/C a little older - these came after South Quad I believe so they aren’t as nice as as west quad - they like north dining hall better, but I obvioulsy don’t agree) - they are next to LaFun and the Golden Dome which is nice (and the library if you like to study lol)</p>
<p>Mod Quad - Knott, Siegfried, PE, and PW - these are newer and have A/C if I am correct - they are nicer but not I don’t believe they are as new as west quad - they also have some cool traditions. </p>
<p>the outliers - Lewis - not so bad - behind the Golden Dome and it is kind of out of the way - nice dorm - just got a 2.5 million dollar upgrade so that is nice. </p>
<p>St. Ed. - not really an outlyer but it is next to North Quad but a little bit farther</p>
<p>Carroll - the furthest away from everything - good 5 minute walk to the edge of South Quad - the down fall is they are away from campus but they are a very tight community which is nice </p>
<p>NICE I GOT ALL 29! haha </p>
<p>but to answer your question directly, </p>
<p>my top 5 men’s dorms </p>
<p>1) Alumni
2) Keough
3) O’Neill
4) Duncan
5) maybe Fischer or Keenan/Stanford </p>
<p>Five girls dorms that are nice (but in no order)
- Ryan
- Walsh
- Welsh Fam/McGlinn
- Lyons - has a great arch and view
- I guess I could include Cavanuagh here - a lot of tradition or Lewis - a nice dorm too</p>
<p>However, I like newer dorms in general, but a lot of people in Sorin loves Sorin so that would not be a bad bet either </p>
<p>If you want me to delve in a little more to a particular dorm let me know!</p>
<p>[Residence</a> Life & Housing: Hall Profiles](<a href=“http://orlh.nd.edu/halls/index.html]Residence”>http://orlh.nd.edu/halls/index.html)</p>
<p>This is a great website to get dorm profiles, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to make this thread, hawk! </p>
<p>Question: how dressed up do most people get for class/hanging out around campus? I’m in the process of cleaning out my closet right now, and am not sure what kind of stuff I need to get…</p>
<p>Hey Hawk,
1.) What is your major?
2.) How difficult do you personally think it is?
3.) Do you know any science majors or pre-med intents and what are they like?
4.) What do you do over your summers and what do most ND students do?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>too add to the list…</p>
<p>5) What are the best on-campus jobs?
6) What’s the typical freshman dorm? A double?
7) Do the dorms have cable? Is it recommended to bring a small tv?
8) You said you are staying at ND over the summer. Are there a lot of opportunities for students to stay and work over the summer like that?</p>
<p>Rose39, </p>
<p>It is general casual - as a guy - I will wear shorts and a normal shirt for the first couple of weeks and then it turns to jeans/baggy cargo pants and a shirt with sweatshirt/light coat, and then to the same pants but a heavier coat and then the reverse in the spring. I know some people who go to class in sweatpants. </p>
<p>Now, for some classes especially seminar classes there may be one or two presentations and for those you want to go formal - and there are also formal dances and events so I would recommend at least two formal outfits maybe 3-4 depending on what you like. </p>
<p>But overall it is very different from my high school where everyone is in a shirt, tie, and sport coat - it is much more relaxed. People are rather casual in terms of class and in bigger classes that is where you get even more casual wear, but in general it is casual and not formal - some people will come to class in a dress shirt and pants but maybe 1 or 2 in a class of 150 - this is what I have seen. </p>
<p>But like I said, I would pack 3-4 formal outfits and the rest stuff you would wear on the weekend - additionally - make sure that you bring some cold weather stuff even before fall break b/c you never know when the temperature will fall - it could happen in early October, you never know - it is not like you have to bring all your cold weather gear, but bring something with you. </p>
<p>If you have anymore questions or want clarification, just ask.</p>
<p>NDFan41</p>
<p>1) I am a Civil Engineering major intent and hope to do a program where in 5 years i get my Civil Engineering degree and my MBA from Mendoza. I was originally an architecture major intent though. </p>
<p>2) If you take academics seriously you will be fine - I personally was extremely successful last year and it was because nothing came before academics - I would occasionally be caught working on Friday and Saturday nights and get up rather early to continue to do work. However, I only went to the study lounge maybe 5 times and I never worked in the library. I know people who did well that would never work on Friday or Saturday nights (but with my job I had to work on weekend nights to get the grades I wanted). However, I know people that wanted to socialize more and they struggled to pass several classes. I also know people in the middle that probably got around a 3.3-3.5 that would be very social but also realize that they have to work as well but struggled in a couple of classes. I would say that you should not settle b/c ND is “harder” than high school. It is definitely do able to get straight As or A-s (I think something like 40 people did it first semester). However, you do have to dedicate yourself to academics you should be fine - mind you if you are in pre-med a B/B+ is extremely good in a class like orgo - so just remember that everything is in perspective but it is very doable - you just need to make sure you spend the time.</p>
<p>3) My roommate was a pre-med major and he was very intelligent though struggled a little bit in orgo - he was in the marching band but it is hard to categorize them. I think they definitely fit into the Notre Dame culture and is any typical student at Notre Dame - I don’t really think they are any different than any other student - everyone at ND has their strengths and weaknesses and they are just really good at the sciences especially chemistry. If you have a particular issue about the students, just ask or PM if it is more personal. </p>
<p>4) Notre Dame students by nature at intelligent and competitive and don’t usually take too much time off - therefore most are working in some capacity over the summer - i know some that have internships and some that just have some type of summer job - there are those who will just take the summer off to relax, but I think the majority of students are either preparing for next year or are doing something to further their resume for their intended career. Many will catch up with summer classes if they had to drop a class, some stay at ND and do research with professors, many go summer mission trips or some kind of community service trip, many will perform internships, and many will get normal summer jobs of some kind - but the vast majority of people do something during the summer. </p>
<p>Personally, last summer I was a summer camp counselor - helped with responsibility and communication as I was in control of 20 5-7 year olds (crazy!) - this summer I stayed at ND and I have two jobs: 1) An “intern” with the Sports Information Department - this is about 30 hours a week but I hope to break into the sports management market and work in sports (that and civil engineering are like 1 and 1a right now) so this was a perfect opportunity to get some experience with the sports information market and 2) I am working with Residence Life for about 10-20 hrs a week and this is just as a desk clerk but this provided a free room which is a great deal - it also allows me to interact with people and work on interpersonal skills - so as you can see every job provides some opportunities even if you don’t notice it at first. </p>
<p>If you have anymore questions or want clarification, just ask - i hope this helps and answers your questions.</p>
<p>Thickfreakness, </p>
<p>5) I personally love my job during the year working in the sports information department - it is rather competitive to get in, but we work at various sporting events and I get to work in the press box during football games and on the court during basketball games (which saves money while you earn money) - though it is rather tough to get these jobs. However, any jobs in the athletic department are rather good jobs. Sport Managers is a risky job - you don’t get paid anything the first two years but if you make the cut at the end of sophomore year (they select 21 people out of about 100 i think) then you are guaranteed a 65% scholarship in your senior year and it could be up to 100% and you get to fly everywhere with the sports team that you select (you choose based upon the final selection ranking). You also get a lot of free ND athletic clothes. A lot jobs at the resturants can be difficult and may have weird hours (especially south dining hall which can be very busy). I don’t know much about library jobs or mail distribution jobs either, but I personally think that the athletic jobs are really great - what I would do is think of a couple of jobs that you are interested in and then contact those departments and see if they have a student job and inquire about that, but I honestly love my job in the athletic office and I spent an entire summer here this year continuing working with my job. </p>
<p>6) These vary as each dorm is different but you will definitely have a roommate - the vast majority are doubles I believe but there is a fairly good chance that you get a quad which can be one very large room or three rooms (each outside room has two people in it and the middle room is a common area/social area). I have never heard of any freshman gettting a single and I think that is impossible - but I think most are doubles but there is a good amount that get quads and there maybe some triples in the older dorms but I don’t believe that there is. Usually freshman get the standard rooms and as you stay in a dorm longer, you get better and better rooms. </p>
<p>7) All dorm rooms have cable (or at least all the rooms I have been in). Almost every guys room I have seen had a TV in it ranging from 19 inch to 50 inch TVs. Girls rooms are not as TV oriented in that not all girls rooms have TVs but I think a lot of them do - it is kind of a must in my mind to have a TV in your room - it is just really convenient and easy. - I would definitely recommend one. </p>
<p>8) There are about 100 spots with Residence Life and I know that various programs will have summer events (like a lot of athletes stay around to help run camps and such) - a good number stay to do research (actually a lot more than i thought) - and more stay here for classes but not too many - I would say it is a possibility but definitely not a lock to get an opportunity on campus. I would say that maybe there are 250-350 student on campus but that is a complete and utter guess it could be much higher or a little lower - you can do it but it is not a guarantee is the best way to put it. </p>
<p>If you have anymore questions or want clarification, just ask - i hope this helps and answers your questions.</p>
<p>When do first year students get their class schedule?</p>
<p>Also, hawkswim, we chatted on another thread about architecture vs. engineering. My son picked Math 10550 (wants a refresher even though he tested out), Chem 10171, EG 10111, and Arch 11011, plus a university seminar. I’m hopeful if he gets those choices, he’ll have his options open for either architecture or CE. What do you think?</p>
<p>One more question: if he fails the swim test, is swimming one of the PE options or is it an additional course first semester? He loves the water but doesn’t have good form.</p>
<p>Hawk, do students bring a lot of money with them and did you spend a lot of money?</p>
<p>Last year we got our schedules on August 1st - it was not right at midnight like they said which caused a lot of people to freak out - kind of like SAT results or college acceptances in general. But they were up during the day on August 1st. </p>
<p>That is going to be a very difficult schedule and it is a good idea to retake the math so that class does not require a lot of work - both architectural drawing and the intro to engineering class are very difficult and time consuming - it is imperative that your son does not begin to fall behind during the semester. I know that other people have been able to complete that class schedule, but that resulted in a number of all-nighters and additional very long nights. If your son has the dedication to do that kind of work, then go for it, but I would definitely try to pre-learn some of the chemistry and review the math so those classes are not as daunting and are kind of “cup-cake” classes. The chemistry class is also difficult and the seminar will result in a lot of reading - but let me warn you and also anyone in architecture - use every minute that you have in class, I would basically waste my time during class and socialize with people and “practice” but if you are taking all of those classes you must be on top of your studies and it may result in working on several friday and saturday nights. </p>
<p>I am not saying that it is impossible, but there is a reason only about 4-5 people go down that route - the good thing is that if you choose engineering, the architecture class counts as a fine arts class and therefore you won’t be behind in engineering - you may be a little bit behind in architecture just because the two engineering classes could be used to get rid of other university requirements. </p>
<p>It is nice because you will be able to fulfill the requirements of the individual majors on time. Best of Luck and make sure that your son is focused - i think that if he stays focused and does not start to fall behind he will be fine, but if he just takes a weekend here and and a weekday there off things start to build up quickly. Also, don’t expect As in everything with that schedule. If you are not good at drawing, the architecture class is difficult (I pulled As in every other class but got a B in the architecture class and proceeded to get As/A-s in the my second semester). </p>
<p>From a parent’s/student’s prospective don’t worry about grades - take this first semester as a learning period and a time to discover what he likes best and not a time to get straight As - the As will come once he settles into a more normal schedule. </p>
<p>As for the swim test - if you can steadily move you usually pass - it depends on your “grader” but usually if you just keep moving you will be fine - it is the people that are do more floating than moving that usually have problems - there are exceptions, but if he is just lacking in form but still can steadily move and can do a freestyle/backstroke looking form, he will be fine - if for some reason he doesn’t pass, swim is just the gym class that he would get assigned to - it is not an additional gym class. </p>
<p>If you want any clarifications, just ask and if you have any more questions just ask - remember to that I was as honest as I could about the architecture/engineering - i did not take both, but my opinions would probably the harshest that you would here I would imagine, but I think they are reasonable opinions.</p>
<p>NDFan41, </p>
<p>I brought about 150 when I came and that lasted me a while. First off, I would suggest you go with the 14 meal plan - you will most likely not have time for either breakfast or lunch every day and eventually you won’t feel like getting up for breakfast eventually - you will never (i guess maybe some people do, but i know of no one) that uses all 21 so that is a waste of money in my opinion. With the 14 meal plan you get 330 dollars to spend at starbucks, subway, burger king, sbarro, the huddle mart (like a grocery store) and all the other restaurants on campus (except the Morris Inn and Legends I believe). Therefore, that money will go a long way if you spend it wisely and don’t by a sandwich each day. </p>
<p>secondly there are domer dollars which work just like cash on campus. You can use them at all the restaurants i mentioned plus the bookstore, for laundry, etc. Additionally parents can just put money on the domer dollars (which is used through your ID) online. It is really easy and simply and therefore avoids using cash on campus. I almost never use cash on campus (only to donate to certain causes and things like that - or to pay for a shirt from my dorm or somehting like that). </p>
<p>I think the 150 is a good start and also I liked using the notre dame federal credit union - if you work then you can put direct deposit on there and then you are really using your own money, but also that money won’t disappear or anything so you can be over generous with that as well. I always liked to have about 20-35 dollars on me at all times just in case we go offcampus or something have something at the dorm and I want to buy a shirt or somehting like that - but I just like using domer dollars - I recommend having some money (maybe like 300-500) in ND federal credit union and then on breaks coming back with about 100-150. If there is ever an emergency, there is the couple of hundred dollars in the notre dame federal credit union.</p>
<p>however, i feel like flex points (the 330 dollars for food) and domer dollars covers a lot. </p>
<p><strong><em>WARNING</em></strong>**** from what I remember you cannot use domer dollars on football tickets. You must have either cash or check and they cost 238 dollars last year so they are probably going to be 250-260 dollars so make sure you plan for that before your parents leave campus - it would be good to have about 300 when your parents leave just for football tickets and maybe some apparel for football games (like a hat and THE SHIRT) - also, there are dorm taxes so that you don’t have to pay individually for dances and such. </p>
<p>If you have any other questions, just ask or if you want clarification, just ask - i will try to answer in the same day. </p>
<p>Best of Luck</p>
<p>Hawk, </p>
<p>I just completed my Course Selection Form, and since I am intending to be a Bio major, I selected Chem 101 and Bio 101 for first semester in addition to Calculus (which I have already taken). Will this schedule be overwhelmingly difficult?</p>
<p>I just looked up what a typical biology major takes and you are taking what every biology major should take. Now realize that you are taking two lab sciences which may be a little intimidating at first. However, I have heard that two lab science classes is manageable but three would be a little too much. In fact, I am taking Physics II and Chemistry I next semester so I am taking two lab sciences as well. Like I said, three is where it gets very complicated. </p>
<p>Now, where you are ahead is that you have already had calculus. This is an advantage b/c you are taking 4 1/2 classes rather than 5 or at least the work of 4 1/2 classes seeing as though you already know calculus - this will help you but do remember that it doesn’t mean that you can just skip lectures and disregard the class - if you do so you definitely won’t get an A in the class. Some new topics may be taught and for math you do need to stay on top of the studies. </p>
<p>But like I said, that is the typical and standard course load for a bio major and next semester you will have to do something similar. However, credit wise, your first year will be your toughest with your junior year being the second toughest. You will be taking around 18 credits both your first and second semesters and usually people will take anywhere from 15 to 17 credits. So, you will have a challenging schedule but a doable schedule. </p>
<p>My general rule is that your schedule becomes more difficult when you do things that are outside what is considered normal for your major. It doesn’t make it impossible, but like the arch/engineering question - that schedule is not normal for either an architecture or engineering major so it is more challenging than the majority of that student’s classmates. In your situation, you will have about the same difficulty as your peers (depending on teachers and subjects for your other classes) and therefore, it should be up to you and I won’t say that As/A-s are out of the question. It will depend on your work ethic, but is a challenging but doable schedule. Also, make sure you really focus on your math, chem, and bio classes. Those are each worth 4 credits and therefore count more than your other electives in terms of GPA. In other words an A in Chemistry is more important than an A in your history class in this case for GPA.</p>
<p>As a bio major at ND I’ll clarify the curricula. Soph year is the hardest for most despite being the lowest credit wise. First sem. is Hyde’s Genetics which is the toughest lecture class in the major for most along with Orgo II. Second semester soph isn’t horrible unless you take the research lab with Whaley, it becomes your life. A word of warning is that Bio is much more difficult than SCPP with a lower average GPA despite more intelligent/harder working students on average. If you want med school though we do significantly better on the MCAT and get in at a higher rate. Just be prepared to work.</p>
<p>Freshman Year: Bio I and II, Chem1 and Orgo 1, Math, electives.
Sophomore Year: Orgo II and Chem 2, Genetics, Cell Bio, Physics 1 if going abroad
Junior Year: Physics I and II, Physiology, other core requirements
Senior year: Unfullfilled requirements, electives</p>
<p>^ thanks for clarifying I was just going off credit and also that the student was going to take the normal course load - and my basic point was that if you want to major in bio, you are going to have to do it, but as for the other poster with the arch/eng topic, you don’t have to have that schedule to get a degree in either … hope that is not too confusing, but thank you bio-domer for that help - like i said, I may not know 100% of the answer (especially with other departments), but I am pretty good with most things.</p>
<p>Biodomer, what makes SC-BIOS much more difficult than SC-SCPP? I am leaning toward BIOS but I’m not sure yet. I want to do whatever makes my chances of getting into medical school as high as possible.</p>
<p>^this is also a great discussion to have w/your advisor as well, tho biodomer probably has a solid answer as well.</p>
<p>As you will learn, the 1 credit lab attached to most science courses entails more work than the lecture itself. As a freshman you will be taking 2 lab courses (bio and chem) while the pre profs only take 1.</p>
<p>Going through this will cause the weaker students to drop bio quickly meaning your curve in majors classes will be harder to beat. SCPP can best be described as science for non majors. A Physics premed will take Physics major Physics and non majors orgo/chem/bio. A Pre Prof takes less difficult (though still hard) science classes.</p>
<p>On the first day of Genetics Soph year Dr. Hyde gets in front of the class and says “The average in this class will be the C+ B- breakpoint. I expect the average student with full maximal effort could get a B. I would be willing to bring a B- student into my lab.” Then he tells you the other things you could be doing during his 4 hour final. The joke about the class is that your Archie room mate will soon ask you where you’re going all the time. Also, Genetics tests are always the tuesday before Orgo tests. Considering you will likely be worried about failing Genetics, Orgo will not get the attention it deserves. Then you take Cell Bio which most like more but some struggle with because of how memorization heavy it is. Junior and senior year you knock of recs for the major and stop having classes with all the bio majors.</p>
<p>So Bio is not for the weak of heart. However, it gives you much better access to research, and your classes will be taught by better profs. You will have more flexibility to study abroad, and your mind will be sharpened likely helping you with the MCAT. Just to put things in perspective, ND average MCAT: 30 MIT average MCAT: 32.5 ND BIO MCAT: 33 Harvard MCAT: 34.5. Both ND kids who got into Hopkins this year were Bio, as was the student who got into Harvard I believe.</p>
<p>I also took Honors Calculus I and II if anyone wants to know about that.</p>