hey guys, I am applying to ND for fall 2022 as RD. I am an international applicant and I am also an atheist. I AM NOT AGAINST RELIGION. However, I read that 81% of ND students are Catholic and i’ve heard from a lot of people about ND and Im just a little scared. Ive also heard a lot of amazing things about ND and I am very excited to apply.
Could you guys tell me if my nervousness is justified and if so, what should I expect???
Thank you.
" 81% of ND students are Catholic"
source - http://admissions.nd.edu/apply/admission-statistics/
Yes, about 80% of the student body identifies as Catholic. That can mean devout, attending Mass weekly if not more often, or it can mean “culturally” Catholic, someone who identifies with the traditions but not the religious practice. ND is often viewed as the most traditionally religious of the major Catholic schools in the US – Georgetown, Boston College. Each dorm has a small chapel where Mass is heard, each classroom has a crucifix. While the students and faculty are generally open to LGBTQ issues, abortion is pretty much a non-starter at the institutional level.
Someone who is comfortable with other people’s practice of their faith should be fine at ND. If someone had a stronger reaction against religion – scoffing at people who are religious and thinking they are deluded etc., – they might have a harder time finding common ground with their classmates.
IMO if you go to ND you should: 1) be respectful of religion; 2) have no issue with seeing religious symbols etc. on campus; and 3) look at the core curriculum and be fine with the idea of taking any required philosophy/theology courses.