<p>Like I said, only been twice (from Texas, so not an easy trip). Once for the infamous Syracuse game a few years ago and then last summer for a visit/tour. So never while school was in session and it was just students and I never stayed overnight or anything. I’m not a legacy, though I had a cousin who went to ND a few years ago and was in Keenan (which probably doesn’t help matters, haha), so I’ve heard a little from him, but I’ve read a lot, too, and on here and other places, and it seems like everybody hates Zahm. I’m sure most of it’s in jest, but still it’s just a little disheartening. Don’t want a “Zahm vs ND” attitude, which it sounds like it might be, though I could just be incorrect on that. I’m sure I’ll love it, though, especially how close everyone is in the dorm. If not, due to the overall disliking of Zahm from everyone else, me not fitting in, etc I can move out after a year (though, hopefully, I won’t have to). Thanks, everyone.</p>
<p>I felt the same way going into Zahm that you did four years ago…not a big party animal, didn’t want the ND vs Zahm mentality. However, I being in Zahm was the best thing that could have happened to me. Senior year is now upon me and I have made lifelong friendships with guys from around the country and didn’t have to have be the biggest drunk to fit in. If I went to a party, guys would offer me other things to drink if I wasn’t up for a beer. Find your niche in the dorm in terms of sports or hall gov, etc.</p>
<p>The ND vs. Zahm mentality is more found in a group setting. I have actually grown to enjoy it…us versus the world type of thing. In a classroom, people could care less about the fact that you’re from Zahm. At the football games, doing the signature Zahm ‘X’, is one of the instances where people come out of the woodwork to harass Zahm. You learn to love it because it sets you apart. </p>
<p>The one thing you can do is not take the “moral” high ground to not drinking. Thinking you are better than others because you choose to remain sober will earn you a one-way ticket to having zero friends. Don’t be “that guy”. Make an effort to be a part of the community and people will recognize you as a valuable asset to the community. </p>
<p>And do the Frosh-O events…they’re really a lot of fun looking back at them and not sadistic or hazing like they’re made out to be by others. They’re what builds the initial foundation for the next generation of Zahmbie brothers. Go in with an open mind and don’t try to learn what actually happens ahead of time…that’s no fun at all.</p>
<p>Lastly, Keenan sucks. You can PM me for individual questions and I will be more than happy to answer them. Us Texans always help each other out.</p>
<p>A good friend of my son lives in Zahm. He is not a wild, party animal type guy (and I suspect many are not). The Zahm friend is very active around campus and has friends everywhere. I asked my son if the friend ever thought about transferring out to a different dorm and he said no, much of the Zahm craziness is reputation and what was real was manageable.</p>
<p>It is true that Zahm men are close, I think, more than many of the other men’s dorms.</p>
<p>^^Isolation will cause closeness — just kidding, but yes Zahm is very close but I do believe that dorms like Alumni and Dillion are also close b/c of their rivalry. Carroll is also very close because their physical isolation (not really something they can control). </p>
<p>Every dorm has parties and every dorm has its wild times - dorms like Zahm and Alumni are know for it more than others, but it happens everywhere. I would honest put the number of people who have had a good amount of alcohol multiple times before they arrive at ND somewhere between 30-40%. After your freshmen year, that number will be more like 75-85%. These are just ballpark guess, but from what I have seen as a freshman last year is that a lot of people maybe drank once or twice but not that much at all before college (granted there are a good amount who have), but as they year goes on more and more people start to drink heavier and heavier. There are always those who refrain from drinking, but that group continues to shrink and shrink.</p>
<p>All jest aside, Keenan is a good dorm with great guys- I happen to have several friends who live or lived there before moving off. They all loved it. Rooms and hallways are a little small, but that just means you will really get to know people. I don’t know if it is being renovated like Stanford is this summer.</p>
<p>I have been in Duncan once- it is amazingly nice. Basically a hotel, in my opinion. While this means you have many amenities, it also means it lacks the traditions and brotherhood formed by the older dorms. The first year it was open, they filled it with freshmen and the people who didn’t want to stay with their original dorm (read: socially or otherwise) and were looking for a place to themselves, so it will take a few years to get rid of that closed-door, don’t bother me mentality.</p>
<p>I know most of you are guys-but doesn anyone know about Ryan Hall. I know it is the new and have seen the pics, but what about the girls in Ryan or general reputation–is it too knew to tell?</p>
<p>I think it is a little too new to tell – the same sort of thing happened at duncan but ryan is like a hotel - basically all the things about Duncan apply to Ryan.</p>
<p>Sorry if I disrupt the dorm discussion but I was wondering what the car policy was on campus. College ******* says that freshmen are allowed to have cars in the 2nd semester is that true? Is there any places off campus that would allow for car storage during the year as I would be going home a lot (I have a 2 year old brother and my parents want me to be a part of his early years). If not, are there any bus/train stations near-by that could get me going in the direction of the Metro Detroit area?</p>
<p>^^ I have never heard about any place like this…</p>
<p>However, as more of a general announcement about cars — ND is introducing a new policy this fall of “Zip Car University”. There will be an official announcement coming before all the freshmen arrive on campus, but there is going to be cars available for “rent” (though I believe this is going to be free from what I have heard) that students can use. Your student ID will get you access to a car and the keys will be inside and you can go and drive. This is being done through the Office of Sustainability in an attempt to have less students bring cars from home (as these cars will be top of the line in terms of environmentally friendly). </p>
<p>Like I said, there will be an official announcement later with more details, but it should give all students (at least those w/o cars) a lot more freedom to leave campus w/o paying taxis.</p>
<p>Usually those ZIP cars are short-term rental, so they probably won’t help for getting to Detroit. I don’t know about Amtrak, but I’m sure there is Greyhound to Detroit, and you could get a friend to drop you at the bus station. Hawkswim - is there a way to find out about other ND students headed to Detroit over the weekends? Like a bulletin board for ride-sharing (sorry, probably dating myself here…electronic now?)</p>
<p>^ I haven’t really seen anything like that at all – i know there are train stations here in south bend and you could probably get a ride or a taxi. however, those charges will start to add up quite quickly. the only thing i can think of is to see if a storage facility has a big enough unit to store a car and you can use that (though you would have to get back to campus some how).</p>
<p>How do the meal plans works. For example: the standard meal plan is 14 meals a week so 2 meals a day. Are those interchangeable so I could use 1 on Monday, 0 on Tuesday, 3 on Wednesday, 3 on Thursday etc. In other words, is it just 14 a week * 16 weeks of school a semester that can be used anytime?</p>
<p>you get 14 meals a week so yes if you skip a meal (only eat one on a day) then the next day you can eat 3, but they reset after Friday. So it is not like you can have 21 one week and 7 the next. you get a fresh 14 each saturday morning. you can only use one meal per session, so you can’t go to dinner twice (or get someone else in along with yourself). But yes it is not regulated per day, but it is regulated per week so if you only eat 12 meals by Friday supper, you basically lost 2 meals. </p>
<p>The 21 meal plan isn’t a great idea b/c since you can only eat one meal per meal session, you must eat a meal in each session or you start losing meals automatically.</p>
<p>We just received our schedules and I was placed in two psychology classes, even though I intend to be a business major. How difficult is it to make schedule adjustments during orientation?</p>
<p>did you ask for those classes because that is odd to get you those classes … even if you don’t get both changed, you will be still be on track for business - you don’t take many if any business classes that you couldn’t take second semester as well. it is doable, but only if there is space to move which you can check in the class search. A lot of people make changes every year and I would just wait for your counselor’s talk during orientation. You can use the Class Search to kind of make your own potential schedule but this may change as spaces open up and close fast during orientation. </p>
<p>however, i made some changes and i know others that were able to and others that were not able to. there is no way to say in your case whether or not you can change, but it does happen.</p>
<p>Ryan Hall - my D was a freshman last year in Ryan. She had no complaints. They have started making there own traditions. The Rectress is absolutely amazing. There were tons of activites both my floor and by section. My D will be one of the leaders for freshman orientation and they have lots of fun things planned. As many will say you can’t beat living in the Taj Mahal. The dorms come with the beds already lofted and the ceilings are really high. My D is 5’ 4" and could almost stand on her bed. If you have any questions PM me or make sure she finds them on facebook (ryan hall class of 2014).</p>
<p>I just got my schedule, and I am taking 18 hours. I have Bio and lab and Chem and lab, so do you think 18 is too much? And would recommend dropping a class to take only 15 hours, because I feel like 18 is too much. Thanks</p>
<p>18 is a lot but i think it is manageable – i have never taken both at the same time so maybe someone else can comment more – i would talk to your advisor when you get to campus and layout a plan. you have until around midterms to drop a class so say after the first test you realize it is too much you can drop a class at that point as well — again you don’t want to do a lot of work in a class just to drop it, but the more you do now the less you do later which is something i kind of like.</p>