<p>Everything I read about Notre Dame I get this freakish religion school vibe with crazy rules that should have been gone a long time ago. Is the school really strict? Whats with this gender tension thing I keep hearing about?</p>
<p>I am disappointed in your lack of support for educational diversity.</p>
<p>"I am disappointed in your lack of support for educational diversity."</p>
<p>What does that mean?</p>
<p>Anyway yeah there are some outdated rules (namely parietals, which stipulate that the opposite sex is out of your dorm by 12am weekdays and 2am fri and sat nights) but they can actually be a good thing sometimes--especially on the weekdays--when you just want to sleep. Plus most people move off campus after sophomore year, so you only have to deal with the rules for two years and then you're on your own. I definitely wouldn't let this get in the way of your wanting to come to ND, because it really isn't that big of a deal.</p>
<p>Nameless, it is not correct that most people move off-campus after sophomore year. In fact, 50% of seniors even live on campus.</p>
<p>I have obviously attended ND but also attended a school with less-strict rules and I personally prefer NDs. Yes, things like single sex dorms seem outdated, but I think most people find that they like them, or if not would find that if they experienced the alternative. I lived on a coed floor at my old school and my roommate had a live-in girlfriend in our double. I much prefer having parietals which are enforced and having a single-sex dorm.</p>
<p>The rules really aren't that limiting unless you make them be. If you want to party after 2 on a weekend, you can move to the off-campus venues, you know? I don't see it as a big problem. It may not be as convenient, but it is part of what ND is.</p>
<p>I also have not noticed any gender tension, but I may just be naive. </p>
<p>Anyways, take that for what it is worth. I am a ND senior and I attended a different school for my freshman year, so hopefully that helps show where my opinion is coming from.</p>
<p>Personally, I'm a fan of parietals- at least most of the time. It does make it nice on weeknights when you want to study and it (mostly) prevents the overnight sexiling that you so often hear of at other schools. Also, I wouldn't say that most people move off campus after sophomore year- ND is something like 70% residential and I know of a lot of people who opted to stay all four years in the same dorm. But, of course, if parietals do bother you, then you are free to move off campus after freshman year.</p>
<p>Anyway, in response to the original question, Notre Dame isn't "freakishly" religious, but it is an undeniable presence on campus. I think its nice, because it offers all kinds of spiritual opportunities, but participation in religious activities is completely voluntary (except for 2 semesters of theology classes, if that counts). Also, there are definitely rules (such as parietals, as well as restrictions on on-campus alcohol consumption, etc). But I wouldn't say that they are super strict. Also, people definitely find ways around a lot of the rules. In regards to the gender tension thing, all I can really think of is that it takes a bit longer to meet close friends of the other gender. This is mostly because your core group of friends will be in your dorm- and all the dorms are single sex. But I wouldn't really worry about this either, because you will meet people in your classes, in clubs, at parties, etc. It just takes a bit longer than it might at some other schools.</p>
<p>As the mother of a freshman (who I just put on a plane back to South Bend, after fall break), I feel very confident about commenting on this subject. Son has been home a week, so believe me we were able to catch up with him on many things! Religion and rules-did not interpret any problem with this from son. He is not Catholic, but does not feel any pressure about religion from anyone. Rules-personally, I think that he is happy to have guy space in the dorm after certain hours. In fact, the priest in his dorm mentioned this during orientation. And, I might add, that this priest has been there over 20 years, so I am sure he has seen it all!! And, son made the comment more than once to family that he couldn't understand why anyone would want to live off-campus. Everything is available-dining, laundry, close proximity to classes. Of Course, he is in his freshman year, mid-term. As far as gender relations, he has met friends--guys and girls. Like Shellzie said, maybe not as quickly as at other schools, but to be perfectly honest, it sounds like he has not had a lot of down time to really think about this. Studying alot--engineering!!! But, I will tell you, he seemed very happy and content, just after 6-8 weeks.</p>
<p>Nicole07- another Freshman mom here, who also put a very happy son back on plane to ND. Like ND AL his is an engineering major ,and not Catholic, supports everything just posted by ND AL.
He loves it, religion is as important as you want it to be!!</p>
<p>Regarding the gender issues, I was concerned about this, especially when the Vagina Monologue concerns arose last year. Father Jenkins, put my concerns to rest, maintaining an open academic atmosphere. </p>
<p>Do single sex dorms isolate the sexes? Probably, but in some ways this is not a bad thinig- especially when you hear about the things that go on at other campuses. </p>
<p>My non Catholic son is LOVING ND, couldn't wait to get back, saw what may become the most exciting football game ever, and I am a grateful, and happy mom.</p>
<p>My guess, Nicole, is that if you perceive ND to be a "freakish religion school", it might not be the right place for you. The rules are not there because ND is too out of touch to change them, they are embraced and critical to the university. </p>
<p>Lots of other schools out there...</p>
<p>
If you believe the rules should be gone, you are not a fit for ND. And thats OK. And it's important to know this before bothering to fill out the application.</p>
<p>I think here on CC, people read about the "top 40 schools" list and start planning to apply to them on that basis. It would be a mistake to assume ND is the same as any other school in the USNews top 40.</p>
<p>It is important to understand that ND does have rules and there are other things that are significantly different about ND. ND is different than even Boston College or Holy Cross or Georgetown in student life. You should understand there is a chapel in each dorm and at times there are masses in the basketball arena where most of the student body attend. This is not just another top 40 college.</p>
<p>You may think ND's rules are old fashioned, but that is part of what makes ND a unique experience that is a right fit for certain people, who don't find this anywhere else.</p>