<p>Hey all,
I'm considering Notre Dame and I really like what I know about the school so far, but the staunchly catholic image kind of scares me off. I am not catholic, and in fact not very religious at all, I believe in God, but I don't really o to church or see a need for the pomp and circumstance surrounding religion and religious activities. At the same-time I do not drink or do drugs, and I really do not plan to start. Lastly, I'm not that into football. So my question is if I were to come to Notre Dame would I be an odd-ball in terms of social life, and do you think I would be accepted by typical ND students, thanks for advice I really appreciate it. </p>
<p>I am curious what it is that is attracting you to Notre Dame? If you take away the Catholicism and football, how is it so different from any of a number of top tier universities with good academics and involved students? I say this as a parent of a child who may be attending ND next year- the Catholic atmosphere and overall enthusiasm for athletics found at ND are two things that appeal to my son that are not found at every top school. </p>
<p>I applied to a slew of top universities, Notre Dame among them, I’m merely curious about fit at Notre Dame on the possibility that I end up there next fall. I don’t have a problem with people being religious, in fact it is interesting to me, I, however, am not very pious. Notre Dame also appeals to me because of the location (not in a big city), I feel this really contributes to campus life being campus life, and am also attracted by the absence of fraternities and sororities. </p>
<p>The religion thing should not be an issue. As long as you are OK with being around religion and taking the 2 required theo classes, you should fit in just fine. Not everyone at ND is religious and there is no pressure either way. </p>
<p>Your reasons for being interested in Notre Dame are solid. The lack of frats/sororities and the fact that South Bend is the pits really does draw ND closer as a community. However, you should be advised that you will pretty much have to get into football if you come to ND and want to fully be involved in the ND community. I suppose there are a few students who remain apathetic but they are few and far between and the wonderful and awesome campus life that ND does have does include football. If you can’t get involved in that, you will miss out on a large part of the community life that is ND. That being said, it isn’t hard to do. I didn’t care at all about football before I went to ND. I only attended about half a game in high school and found it super boring. But Notre Dame games and all the activities that surrounds them is awesome. You don’t have to become a football expert or anything, but almost everyone goes to the games and will talk about football a lot in the fall. If you are open to giving that a shot, ND may be a good place for you. If not, </p>
<p>I doubt you’d have an issue with the religious factor here, as long as you’re willing to take the 2 theology courses (which are actually pretty academically interesting). As for football, it really is your only option on home game Satursdays (apart from studying–you’d probably have free reign over the library). Football Satursdays are amazing, though, and almost all of your friends will be at the game. Trust me, you’d learn to love football if you came here. Go Irish! </p>
<p>I also had the same question. I am considering attending Notre Dame, but I am not a Catholic Christian. I’m happy to find, as you guys stated, that Catholicism isn’t imposed on ND students, but I have another question regarding race. I’m an Asian, and I found that only 6% of ND is Asian. In other words, the minority population at Notre Dame is not very prominent. Are there any diversity challenges at ND? And I think a 34% Asian population at UChicago is a bit too much…</p>
<p>I am not proposing a quota. Just making an observation. As of the 2010 census, only 5 states had Asian population in excess of 6 percent. The number of Asians on campus is higher that the general national population and the representation in 45 of 50 states. Notre Dame is a private, catholic univ located in the midwest. It does not feel like UCLA (which is a great public univ. in CA).</p>
<p>At ND, you will be accepted for who you are and how you treat your classmates. People do not pre-judge bc of your ethnicity. If you are accustomed to a high school with 40% Asian students, it may take some adjusting. ND has an Asian student club where you can find people who may have a more traditional “Asian American” experience than the white kid from Iowa on your hall. The great thing is that you can build relationships with people from both groups. You get decide if you fit in. </p>
<p>ND has kids from catholic schools, kids from catholic families, and even some kids who are serious catholics. Also, lots of kids who are not catholic. I have friends who are Jewish and Muslim and Bhuddist. Not a lot but they are here. I think it is easier to be non-Catholic but religious (belief in a God) than to be an atheist. Theo / Philos class are interesting regardless of you beliefs.</p>