<p>Seeing that not a lot of people applied to notre dame, i'm kind of convinced that it's second-rate school. I've heard that it is tough school, but everyone here (really competitive and smart people) doesn't really apply to Notre Dame. So how is Notre Dame compared to IVYs? Is it on the same level as Vandy ?</p>
<p>I think its a very self selective applicant pool. A lot of the apps are from kids whose parents went to ND or who otherwise knew thats where they wanted to be from a young age.</p>
<p>Very catholic and very sports oriented - if you dislike either of them, nd would be a very long 4 years for you.</p>
<p>That being said, it is pretty obvious that Notre DAme is known much wider than Cornell, Columbia, Dart, Penn or Brown. I would go so far as to say Yale, too.</p>
<p>It's not known far and wide for its academics however. Its long history of sports have overshadowed the fact that it is a very rigorous and academic school.</p>
<p>(All second hand information from good friends who went there)</p>
<p>Not in the same "league."</p>
<p>Great school-FANTASTIC alumni network. Perhaps the best Catholic school along with Georgetown and Holy Cross.</p>
<p>"Perhaps the best Catholic school along with Georgetown and Holy Cross."</p>
<p>Now there's a powerful endorsement. . .</p>
<p>And this thread is chock-full of sweeping generalizations.</p>
<p>A lot of students whose parents went to Notre Dame tend to apply there.</p>
<p>anything else?</p>
<p>I applied there but I am not really sure why, I don't really have a chance and I am not a huge sports fan... meh</p>
<p>Par just loves to mention Holy Cross in a list of top schools at every chance.</p>
<p>The biggest difference between Notre Dame and the Ivy League schools is the sense of community. Step onto the campus and you immediately feel it--it's something indescribable. There is an immediate bond among "domers," even between ones who have just met.
It's an amazing support network--people offer their help to you, alumni you meet will stay in contact with you and ask if you need any help with finding a job after college, et cetera. It is an amazing networking system.
The professors teach all the classes--TAs only lead Calculus (and some science) tutorials, which are held once weekly. The professors know you by name and work with you on a very personal level. I once sat next to my psychology professor at Mass! Also, if you see your professors, advisor, etc. around campus, they say, "Hi, (your name)," and talk to you. Teachers will invite you out to lunch, especially on breaks if you are stuck at school when everyone else went home.
Every dorm has a chapel, in which are held Sunday Masses for the dorm; most dorms also have Masses throughout the week. While it is true that Notre Dame is very Catholic (not just nominally so, like some other Catholic schools), you will find it is a very very welcoming environment.
It is a rigorous courseload, but not competitive. While in some schools, students are very aware that their classmates are the people they will need to beat out for a job someday, students at Notre Dame help each other, even offer their help. Professors will often talk to you if you are having noticeable problems.
I hope this has been helpful! I am not sure if this message board has a private message system, but if it does, feel free to send me one for more information!</p>
<p>NDStudent,</p>
<p>Dartmouth has exactly the same type of community, except it couples it with a much more diverse student body.</p>
<p>ND is a great school, but one on par with Vandy, Rice, Emory, WUSTL, etc. Its not Ivy caliber in student body, nor in overall reputation/ grad placement.</p>
<p>i got admitted to ND back in EA and i absolutley love the school. The applicant pool is not quite as impressive as the Ivy's, but still it takes about mid 1400s to get in Early there and upper 13's to get in regular (for the most part). I agree with everything ND Student said, about the community and stuff, all very obvious when you visit campus. The academics may not be of the same quality as the IVY's, but undegrad is the only focus of the univeristy, which i find very important. I agree though if you aren't Catholic, the school may not be right for you.</p>
<p>Some of the best things ND has to offer are the tight community, the united alum network, and the sports atmosphere. Academically speaking, though, it is pretty over-rated. They don't have a single program that stands out and most of their programs are barely in the top 30. It is a good school, dont get me wrong, but it does not compare academically to any top 10 or Ivy league school.</p>
<p>ND's ratings may in fact be deflated though because of the fact they are not a research University and soley focus on undergraduate studies.</p>