Hi!
I’m headed to Notre Dame in the fall. I don’t know much about the dorms because everything is so vague in their descriptions! Could anyone provide insight / rankings / descriptions of dorms (I know they’re random, just curious!) for both men and women?
Which dorm are you in? That, to you, will be the best dorm. I’ve had two daughters there, one in PW, one in Lyons. Very different dorms, opposite sides of campus. They both loved their experience. The newer dorms (Dunne, Flaherty, and to a certain extent Ryan and Duncan) have the reputation of being relatively posh, but some of the what would be considered less desirable dorms in terms of physical plant have the tightest communities. Would take too long to describe the dorms. I know that info is on the website. As far as rankings go, if you ask 100 people, you will get 100 different answers.
In terms of best location, what would you say is the best woman’s dorm?
depends on what you want to be by. Dorm locations go along with their personality. living on south quad means you will be in the middle of it all with a bigger and most think its better dining hall. alumni hall for boys is known as “the center of the universe” but really it just depends where you want to be. North quad has zahm on it so that always makes things interesting and north dining hall is smaller but newly renovated. mod quad and west quad dorms all have their perks too. perks wherever you go
Okay well that sounds pretty good. I’m a girl and I like to go out and have fun. What female dorms are typically synonymous with being social? I know they all probably are, but what would you say are he top 4/5 for this?
Might be helpful if you said which dorm you were assigned to. You are more likely to get comments on a specific dorm rather than general comments on all of them. That being said, I don’t think any dorms have a reputation for not being social.
My girlfriend is in Cavanaugh, and I agree with her that it is one of if not the best spot. Literally feet from the Huddle, short walk to either Club Hes (library) or NDH, and 5 mins from Debart where a ton of our classes are. No AC, but that is really a majority of the dorms so we just deal with it. Get a good fan for the two and a half months it is hot. Everyone likes whatever dorm they get into. There isn’t an objective best dorm, just preferences and normal “we’re better…no I’m better” stuff.
Sorry all! I’m in Lyons and my friend is in Ryan. What are some honest opinions about these?
Ryan is nicknamed “Hotel Ryan”. Until last year, it was the newest and, in terms of the building itself, considered the nicest dorm. While housing is for the most part random, those with university connections (children of large donors and other influential alums) can often be pulled into the dorm of their choice. For girls, that is usually Ryan. Take that however you will. A lot of people would argue that it doesn’t have the best location, as it is next to the bookstore and south of the West Quad. Reputation aside, both of my daughters have good friends in Ryan. As far as Lyons goes, I am somewhat biased as I have a daughter in Lyons. The building itself is old, beautiful, has tons of character. Also is unairconditioned and has no elevator, but has some of the prettiest views on campus. Both freshman and sophomore years, my daughter had lake views. A few years ago the building was renovated, so the kitchens, bathrooms, and common spaces are really nice. (The common spaces all have air conditioning, the rooms don’t.) Lyons has a good location, tucked in a corner of South Quad, very close to the dining hall and all the other South Quad action. It is a bit far from some of the classroom buildings, particularly Jordan and McCourtney Halls. (The same can be said for Ryan.) As far as the social reputations of the two, let me just say, without getting too specific, that my daughter in Lyons has thoroughly enjoyed her college experience so far, as have her friends in Ryan. The residential experience is one of the real draws at ND. You will find great communities in all the dorms. There will be some people who go out 4 or 5 nights a week, some who tend to stay in. No one is judged. If a fun time is what you are looking for, which can be an important balance to what will be a grueling workload, you can easily find it no matter what dorm you are in. Hope this helps. Also feel free to pm me if you have any Lyons specific questions.
What would you say about the “dorm spirit” in both Ryan and Lyons? I know many notre dame kids are proud of their dorm, and my friend and I really hope that we can be part of something like that!
Go21 – the ND dorms are not self-selecting soriorities.
Nerds, party kids, jocks, whatev kids are randomly assigned to all the dorms. So there’s really not a “type” of kid that is going to be concentrated in any particular dorm. Which is the whole point of why ND does it that way, right?
Rah rah kids (of which ND has tons) will be in every dorm. Pretty much every ND kid thinks their dorm is the best. Since everyone pretty much lives in only one dorm, they are all equally right (and equally wrong) based on their limited data set. Which, again, is the whole point of the stay-hall system.
The only thing you can really distinguish among the dorms are the physical aspects – old or new, AC or no AC, location, etc.
I was in Lyons and my daughter '16 was also in Lyons. I think Lyons is the best dorm - so beautiful by the lake, great rooms, and great hall spirit. They have a wonderful rector, and fun traditions like little black dress night before the first home game. You will find your niche there, and, if not, you will find a group somewhere else. You can always move to a new dorm after the first year. It’s normal to feel some anxiety - but look on it as a great adventure, and be open to the experiences - both good and bad- and you will have a wonderful time! Father Hesburgh often advised people to pray “Come Holy Spirit” and, trust me, it will guide you!
I have just heard from some past ND students that some dorms are just less excited and have less dorm spirit. I know it is random, but people can be influenced by those in dorms. If no one really cares, that’ll carry through. Regardless, I am excited! Hopefully it will be a good year. Thanks for your answers.
As an alum, as well as a parent of an incoming student, I can tell you what others have said is spot on. I’m not a fan of the “Greek” system (sororities and fraternities) and love that students are randomly thrown into dorms at ND. And yet those dorms develop their own identity and the residents find a way bond and feel superior (in a fun, non-serious way) to other dorms.
With all of that said, Lyons is a very special dorm in an amazing location on campus. You are close to the lakes which are pretty to look at and fun to walk/run around to clear your head. And, also close to the Grotto, Basilica, Dome, South Dining Hall and “The Rock” which is the old gym/recreations center (really old). The architecture is stunning (for fun watch/re-watch Rudy as the Lyons arch is the backdrop of a few scenes.). South Quad is really special.
As with anything, you will love your dorm if you put yourself out there and get to know and appreciate your Lyons sisters. You will other friends from classes, study session, clubs and other activities, but my guess if you will make some lifelong friends in Lyons.
As for Ryan, I know nothing about it since it was a golf course when I attended ND! It does appear to be dangerously close to the book$tore though!
Feel free to PM me with more specific questions as I have a daughter starting in the fall who will be living near you.
You are in Lyons, wonderful! Its an older dorm, no doubt but in a great location at the end of South quad overlooking St. Mary’s lake. It has a beautiful arch through which you can see the lake as you approach. A further walk to classes than some dorms, but who cares? Its not far to walk anywhere at ND. Its close to the South dining hall and the “Rock” (old athletic facility with pool, basketball courts, raquet/handball courts etc). Doesn’t have the AC or larger rooms of other halls but it is a classic ND hall. You will have the rest of your life for “creature comforts”, you only have four years at ND. Right next door is Morrissey (my hall). The women of Lyons are a very close group. I had many friends there.
I was lucky enough to meet my future wife, a Lyons resident, during welcome weekend of our junior year 32 years ago!
Enjoy every minute of your time at ND, it goes too fast!
When a ND freshman goes out at night - where might they be going? I went to a school with a lot of bars that were easy to get into so I’m just curious about the social life at ND/SMC. Are there parties in the dorms?
The bars around ND are not easy to get into if you are not 21. There are parties off campus and in dorms. There are other activities around campus - concerts, plays, movies, etc. It depends on what your interests are. On football weekends in the fall, there are a lot of activities involving that, but the bar scene isn’t big in freshman year.
As a SMC alumna ('84), married to a ND '84, I also had two kids graduate from ND. A daughter in '11 lived in Welsh Family hall and really liked it. (rectoress aside!) The location was great, West Quad, near the bookstore, dining hall, south quad and the main drive. Classes were close too. She enjoyed the camaraderie of the other west quad dorms too. Son, '17 lived in St. Edward’s Hall and loved it as well. “Steds” as it is called is the oldest around, but has so much character! Living right next to the Dome on “God Quad” was stellar for him and he stayed all four years. I really think that wherever you are placed becomes your home, your brotherhood/sisterhood. I LOVE the dorm system at ND and think it is one of the best aspects of residential life there. No need to find a frat, or friends, they are built in right from the start, complete with colors, rivalries, events and charities. You will love wherever you end up! Go Irish!
Another alumni who lived in Lyons. Remember one year being in a triple and one of our room’s windows opened to a flat roof. We had some parties out there, and also remember writing in my journal, while being out there, looking at the lake. Probably not the safest idea to be out there but some of my fondest memories. Lyons has a lot of uniquely shaped rooms.
I married a Lyons “girl” so I think Lyons is the best women’s hall. Morrissey next door great for men!