<p>I started one of these threads last year and I think it helped a lot people so I will do it again this year. Basically you can ask any question(s) - about ND, about ND compared to other schools, etc - you want and I will try to answer them as honestly as I can. </p>
<p>I am a sophomore at Notre Dame (major is Civil Engineering), but I am involved in a lot activities (including the Athletics Department if anyone has any questions about working there just ask) so I feel that I can answer a lot of questions or at least direct you to someone who can. </p>
<p>The only thing I ask is that you please don't post the "chances" thread. Those are very subjective. If you want to know how to improve your application I will answer those questions, but I really don't have the time/will power to read through all the applications. </p>
<p>Finally, the best way to get to me after I get back to ND is through personal messages. I don't have the time to check the board often, but a personal message will go right to my email and will get my attention.</p>
<p>Ok, while that is a little specific, I will do my best. </p>
<p>The major obstacle that I can see is that there are only 11 people on the team. I do not believe that all of them get scholarships (I may be wrong, but I think most of them have partial scholarships), so some maybe considered “walk-ons” but are really told they will be on the team, they just have to pay. Now that being said, if I were you I would still look into it.</p>
<p>Here is what I would do if I were you: </p>
<p>1) Look into the golf team’s results and the talent already on the team. ([University</a> of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site](<a href=“Notre Dame Athletics | The Fighting Irish”>Notre Dame Athletics | The Fighting Irish)). Look at their statistics (maybe a golf course where you have played) and see if you would be competitive with their team (or if you are somewhat close and using college practice could get there).
2) Email the coach. Communication and contact with the head coach is vital. His email address is located to the right of the pictures on that webpage. It should say “Email Coach Kubinski” under the Miscellaneous heading. Express that you have been ACCEPTED to the University and that you are very interesting in playing golf at the collegiate level. Of course the more you are able to say the better, but I will leave the writing of the email to you.
3) Wait for a response.
4) Either way, email the coach back expressing your thanks for him spending the time to read your email. If it something that he says something like “we will see, contact me when you get here,” then continue trying to get better and like he said, contact him when you arrive. If it is a no, then there are two things you can do: a) move on and maybe try to get friends together to golf on the weekend or b) ask the coach if there is any position like a manager that assists him and the team.</p>
<p>Now, there is something called student managers and one senior will be assigned to the men’s golf team, but I would take it that you would want to work with the golf team exclusively from the start, so maybe if you go down the b) route, then make sure he knows that you understand that there is a student manager, but that you would like to work with golf exclusively from the get go. </p>
<p>Does this make sense? If you have any questions on why I said anything just ask! And congratulations to being accepted to one of the best institutions in the country!</p>
<p>Ya that works. Thank you. I have tried to contact the coach several times with just automated responses but hopefully being able to say that I am accepted will change. (even being able to type that I am accepted is incredible, I can’t believe it)</p>
<p>I assume you applied to some safety public schools in addition to ND. How strongly should I consider financial aid and other factors when decided whether to attend ND vs. a state school like the University of Kentucky. Basically, is Notre Dame worth the cost? I was just admitted today and I’m so excited and worried at the same time.</p>
<p>Goldendome…this is a very hard question to gather because every situation is different. </p>
<p>I was lucky enough to be in a situation where cost was not a huge impact (still an impact, but not a huge one). I could have gone to schools for 4,000 a year. I am not saying this to float my own boat, but I think it is important to know where I am coming from. I also got into other top schools that are much better in terms of engineering than the University of Notre Dame. But Notre Dame is special. Visiting other campuses, there is something special with Notre Dame. However, that comes with a price that is higher than a lot of places. </p>
<p>I would say that first you need to visit Notre Dame and make sure you can imagine yourself there. Beyond that, it really comes down to how far you will be set-back when you leave the university. What I would do is for now, just apply wherever you want to go. Don’t make cost a category quite yet. Apply for financial aid and any and every scholarship that you can. When you get the final packages back, take a look and see where all the colleges stack up. I would say that Notre Dame is worth the cost most of the time. However, and I know this will upset a number of Notre Dame people, if you can go to a strong public institution (like the University of Michigan) for something that you can afford whereas Notre Dame would put you into a big financial deficit, then I would go to the public institution (but it does depend on how strong your public institution is). </p>
<p>I truly hope this helps. Maybe some other people can comment about their situations! Enjoy the acceptance but continue to look at where everything stacks up.</p>
<p>olegirl - as MImama posted there are only sleep-over and campus visits during the spring. However, there are “Open Houses” several weekends in April and there are Early Action Open House(s) that should be publicized about - they are in February if I remember correctly. However, I really suggest going to these and sleeping over. That is how I knew ND was the place for me. Seeing how someone lives and seeing if that is how most people operate is so important to getting a feel for campus. But also realize that this is just what one person does. It is good to try to absorb and watch what multiple do – and also realize that maybe your host has a lot of homework that week and that is why he is getting only 4 hrs of sleep that day. </p>
<p>But true orientation occurs on the Friday of August before classes start. The upperclassmen move in on the Sunday and classes start on Tuesday. </p>
<p>As far as classes go, in June you will get a sheet that asks you to suggest classes (they give you a list of all the classes offered). Your advisor puts together your schedule and then during the first week (I think they start on Monday), you can go talk to your advisor and make any necessary changes (maybe in June you wanted to take a language and now in August you don’t anymore). But you will get your schedule in early August and then can make changes when you get on campus.</p>
<p>futurepresident - Notre Dame is definitely trying its best to improve the surrounding campus. Across the street, Eddy Street Commons just went up and it has a number of restaurants (like Chipotle, Five Guys, Hot Box - pizza place) and a new Irish pub. However, other than that you really need a car to go to some places - or a taxi … there are some movie theatres around and there are a lot of places to eat, but not too much more (without taking the bus into Chicago). However, there is a ton to do on campus - and don’t worry there are enough off-campus parties too if that is what you are worried about. In the beginning of the year, South Bend police were really strict but that seems to cleared a little bit as the semester went on. But there are houses around the campus that are with-in walking room that students use (or taxis are a good bet). Notre Dame also now uses a trolly on Friday and Saturday nights to go around the area, so this can be used to get around for parties. But like I said, there is a lot to do on campus as well. </p>
<p>If you have any particular questions about what you can do in the surrounding area, just let me know. There is a good amount to do, but you definitely would need transportation for a lot of things.</p>
<p>Since they aren’t actually playing an instrument, I don’t believe that you need any marching band experience. As long as you are 6’2" I am almost positive you can try out. Try-outs are usually publicized but I don’t couldn’t find anything online.</p>
<p>Momdoc - Like I said, I am almost positive that your son would be able to…he should practice not laughing under any circumstances - they are literally emotionless when they are on “duty”…it is very impressive. Even though they don’t need marching band experience (as far as I have heard), I would contact the marching band because I believe that they operate under the band department.</p>