<p>Unfortunately, many are. While the professor claims that he can teach anyone to draw, many entering architecture are very good at drawing. There is a solid group that are not, but I think that many, many are very good. Drawing, according to many, can be acquired through practice. However, architecture entails watercoloring which is not easy and ND’s architecture program is based primarily in hand made drawings (they don’t use computers very much). If you really like architecture, then I say at least start off in the architecture class. If you don’t like it, then finish the class or drop it and if you finish it, the class counts as your fine arts/literature requirement. </p>
<p>But to answer your question, a lot of architecture is being a great artist and a large number of people are very good artists. However, there are those who are not who continue on in architecture. However, there is a weed out process in the class, so don’t feel that you are the only one who isn’t totally sure if you want to continue on. And trust me, you probably won’t be the worst, but won’t be the best. I had some drawing experience but wasn’t amazing either.</p>
<p>Actually my daughter is quite a good artist, and I was hoping that she might consider architecture. From what I know, while architecture does include the artistic component, it is basically an engineering-type degree with heavy math and materials engineering components. Or am I off the mark here?</p>
<p>Architecture actually is very much art based. This is the problem that I had with architecture in general - I was more math/science orientated and did not feel like architecture was right for me. Architecture students only have to get through 2 math classes and one physics class and the have a couple more structural classes (3 or 4). In addition, these are more for architecture and not engineering structural classes (and most architecture students hate math and physics in general). I was told that architects who have a feel for and understand structural engineering are much more lucrative in the workforce, so I started off in architecture, but it just wasn’t for me. I would say that your daughter was on the fence, then start in architecture and if you need to switch after your first semester then she can do so then. The architecture class could be used to fulfill the fine arts/literature requirement. If you do this and not take the engineering intro class and decide to switch, you just take one more engineering elective.</p>
<p>^ND is also a very art based architecture program - they have a focus on hands on architecture drawings - they rarely use computers and most prefer not to use computers at all.</p>
<p>What’s the intellectual atmosphere like at ND? Are philosophical discussions mostly confined to the classroom, or do they carry on throughout the day in students’ spare time? Are the students serious about their education? Do they enjoy learning?</p>
<p>This is going to sound so shallow, but I come from a very boring high school and I would like to have some fun in college.
Are the winters boring? Are there parties all year round? Do most students have an active social life as well as a sincere interest in their studies?</p>
<p>The winters are not too boring.There is just about always something to see or do on campus during the winter months. Parties are year round and many students are able to party comfortably and still have plenty of time to study. Don’t expect a rowdy party atmosphere or anything like that though.</p>
<p>First about the ND gear - believe some places like Kohls (I have them where I live, but I am not sure if they are where you live) carry some ND stuff. The bookstore is the best place, but again it is really expensive. There is an ND store that sells gear that is sponsored by ND, but is not at ND prices. It is like a thrift store, but everything is official ND gear, but at much lower prices. I believe that the gear is the older styles, but I think they still look really good. If you ask someone at your hotel in the area, then they maybe able to give you directions. I remember where it is very vaguely, but couldn’t give directions. </p>
<p>On a side note, I would say to give architecture a chance - if you visit talk to them, or really look through the architecture school’s website.</p>
<p>In addressing the intellectual nature of ND - there is a great balance. You have a good mix including very educated individuals. There are those who care a lot more than others in terms of academics, but at the end of the day, I say that the vast majority are very serious about their education and academics and take it quite seriously - of course first semester of freshman year a lot of people are experimenting with things, so it was not as serious as I thought, but as finals approached, you could definitely see a more serious attitude around campus especially with the freshmen.</p>
<p>However, a lot of students are very much sports orientated and football is big on campus, especially from a male perspective. There is a good mix, but academics is quite serious from what I can tell. It was the most important thing for me, and I could see it everyone that they were serious about their academics, even if they did not show it. Of course, there are exceptions who you wonder if they care at all about academics, but these were very rare for me. </p>
<p>In terms of have philosophical debates, I can see this but it is not like everyone does this. I would say that if you want to engage in debates, there are the avenues through the university to do so - I don’t know if there is a club or not, but I do think that the vast majority occurs in class, but professors are always willing to discuss this type of things in office hours. I know of two different cases. There is one person I know who is very, very educated and I can go on with debates with him for a really, really long time if I want. I know someone else who doesn’t want to engage in debate because he says it could ruin our friendship and he has seen it before ruin relationships. </p>
<p>Obviously I have not been on the campus of ivy leagues, but I would say that it is a very educated campus - there is a good group that won’t engage in debates for various reasons, but I think that you should be able to find people to argue with or at the very least professors could give you time and direct you. I would suggest that you visit and sleep over and get the opinions of the people you meet on campus. </p>
<p>If there are any other ND students that could comment on this that would be great.</p>
<p>If anyone else knows about places to get ND gear, that would be great - I only know of that thrift store with great prices a couple of miles from ND and the bookstore - these two locations are where I got a lot of my stuff - you can get stuff from the bookstore online too. I do believe that some chain stores may have ND gear as well like a Kolhs - good luck!</p>
<p>^^ Thanks for the very detailed response. It’s not as though I hope to go around arguing with everybody, but I do enjoy discussing meaningful questions with my peers. It’s something that my high school really encourages and that I’ve grown attached to. I find that when done cordially it tends to form and strengthen friendships more often than damage them. ND seems like a great fit for me in a lot of ways, but this is one of the most important factors for me. If any other students can offer a perspective on the subject, I’d be eager to hear it.</p>
<p>^I would also be interested in other perspectives from students. I really only know of one or two peers who has expressed a genuine interest about these kinds of debates, though this may be because I don’t really go out looking for it. I have to imagine though there are there are further forums for discussion if I looked harder, so hopefully some people can add some thoughts.</p>
<p>As a whole I believe ND does a good job promoting intellectual debate. In recent years ND’s administration has tried to engender a sort of “academic forum” culture. I cannot speak to the degree to which it is exhibited today, but I assume that ND students are far more willing and at ease to discuss pressing subjects than the average university student today is.</p>
<p>As far as ND gear goes the bookstore has the best selection and is not horribly expensive. The local Wal-Mart and just about every clothing store in the area also sells ND gear at a much more reasonable price. As far as I know though, the Shirt can only be purchased on campus or through the bookstore’s website.</p>
<p>I don’t go a single day without debating some sort of issue that was brought up in class or that was read in the newspaper, or something along those lines. I attribute this mostly to the fact that, living in a dorm where people are randomly assigned, you will also live with or near people of every major and interest, all of whom bring something different to the table. I myself am an English major, but some of my best friends are Mechanical and Computer Engineers, Math, Psychology, Finance, History, Political Science, everything. As long as you integrate what you’ve learned in the classroom and bring it up yourself in an attempt to see other points of view, you are certain to find people willing to bring other perspectives.</p>
<p>As far as ND gear - don’t go to the bookstore. For anything, really. Especially books - order those online and you will save a boatload of cash. The ND overflow store is a good place to get some stuff, and won’t cost you 70 bucks for a sweatshirt. </p>
<p>As far as the dorms go, I understand you’re randomly placed, but do they give you any options at all? Do all incoming freshman move in on the same day, or do they allow early move-in? What are the “Welcome to ND” sessions like?</p>
<p>Oh, and I see today that South Bend is getting a lot of “lake-effect” snow. Yeesh, we’re from Chicago, but we’re on the right side of the lake. Sounds like the snowplows are quit busy over there.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, no there are no options at all - everything is random (though there are rumors that if you have a sibling at ND, then they can “pull” you in to a certain dorm), but there really isn’t any way around it that I know. </p>
<p>All freshman move in on the same day - be patient it is a mess - though they say that everyone on the 1st and 3rd floors move in at 9:00 and people on the 2nd and 4th floors move in at 11:00 or something like that which helps. It all depends on your dorm’s efficiency. There are early move ins for international students and students trying out for the band, but other than that, there are certain rules, but I only know of the previous two. </p>
<p>The Welcome to ND sessions - I think these are the “Open Houses” in April right? - from what I remember, everyone went to the Jordan Hall of Science, which is the new science building, into one large lecture hall and there were about 35 people who all introduced themselves. Then about 2-3 people talked for a little while. Then there was a question and answer period outside the lecture hall with all 35 people (their introductions let you know who you want to talk to). There was also a performance in a new science lab thing - it was the one where you see all the stars - i am blanking on its name. Then there was the typical refreshments afterwards - the question and answer period was very informative. This is an opportunity for a lot of students to sleep over and visit classes. I also was on the weekend of the Blue and Gold game which was a cool experience.</p>