<p>I am very interested in Notre Dame but I am still fuzzy as to how religion impacts the school life at all. Are curfews strict and parties few? I am somewhat a religious Christian but I am not Catholic and I would like to know how much of an impact religion really is on student's social lives.</p>
<p>hahaha! sorry, i had to laugh. i was just having a discussion with my friend about her brother that is at notre dame. apparently, he parties quite and often calls my friend drunk. so, if you want to party, the opportunites are definitely there! :)</p>
<p>ND is work hard/play hard. I went to a state school where a party or drinking buddy could be found every day of the week. My son's at ND and the weekends are definitely filled with parties - mostly beer. But Sunday through Thursday-Friday are down to academic business for the most part.</p>
<p>When you ask what impact religions has at ND, I think it's fair to note that "religion" does not play much of a part in curfews. ND can be as spiritual of a place as you'd ever find, but there's no bible thumping going on. And people from other religions feel pretty comfortable. That said, not sure if an avowed atheist might not struggle a little there :). I think the aura on that campus is awesome - to me the spirituality there is almost palpable while not being in your face. It's all around but almost like an atmosphere rather than a concrete thing. I love visiting.</p>
<p>My son likes to party on weekends, and likes to head down to the Grotto when things get a little stressful or he just needs to feel a little peace and quiet. He generally makes mass, but they make it incredibly convenient to do so. I read somewhere that there are around 150 masses a week said on campus; not sure if that's true. At ND your faith life can easily be integrated into daily living and supported by most of your peers, <em>if you want it to be</em>. If you don't, there's absolutely no pushing and a lot of acceptance.</p>