<p>I toured the University of San Diego last year with my daughter. We both thought it was a beautiful campus and had some real positive things going for it, but it didn't feel very Catholic to us compared with other Catholic universities we had toured. In the end, our daughter to it off her list of schools. However, our son, who is a Senior this year is very interested in the school. I don't want to impose my thoughts on him based upon my personal impressions, if he really likes the school. Our son's Catholic faith is very important to him, so I'd like to hear from Catholic students at USD to get your thoughts and feelings on this issue. I've heard from non-Catholics who say they don't feel that the religion is not pressured on them and that campus is very inclusive, etc., but I'd love to get impressions from Catholics. </p>
<p>
This is my understanding too. I have never visited USD, but have looked closely at it. You and your daughter’s impressions seem accurate. Only about 40% of students are Catholic (yet this seems normal for Catholic colleges on the West Coast). Has a reputation for students being wealthy So. Cal kids and it sounds more than a little worldly with BMWs and Mercedes on campus.</p>
<p>Personally, I think that it is an excellent school for NROTC (my specialty) because San Diego is a great Navy town, and USD provides an excellent room and board subsidy for NROTC scholarship students. From that angle, and because I am Catholic, USD would be on my list of 5 colleges for NROTC. Otherwise, though, it is not special.</p>
<p>In sum, USD can be as Catholic as your son wants it to be, but it would be totally up to him. </p>
<p>@NROTCgrad - Yep, this is his top NROTC Scholarship school! He’s been awarded the scholarship there, so I want to insure he really loves the school before he makes his final decisions in the end. </p>
<p>My daughter went from being a non-practicing Catholic to attending Church on campus every week by the time she finished her time at USD. It’s up to the individual what they want to get out the experience. Very pricey place to live but the sun shines every day. </p>
<p>I absolutely recommend USD for Naval ROTC, especially for a Catholic, but even for a non-Catholic. Sure, it’s not Notre Dame, or Boston College, but it is an excellent school. Smart students.</p>
<p>From what I can tell, USD has a wide variety of types of Catholics… conservative, liberal, lukewarm.</p>
<p>The only real negative is the temptation of the beaches. B-)</p>
<p>I know you visited once with your daughter, but he should visit too. You never can tell, he might not like it. Also, have him double check that it has the kind of academics he wants. Like most Catholic schools USD has a load of mandatory courses. </p>
We toured this campus. We are catholic. Our son did not like it at all, yet we loved it. In doing research, They are currently having a lot of trouble with their catholic identity. The president is allowing many non catholic issues. April 16, 2015 was their 4th annual Drag queen show. This show seems to have divided and caused confusion among many students. I saw a news video where at least 100 students were praying outside the venue during the show. It is really sad. Yet, there are lovely statues and crucifixes in the buildings we toured.