So, I’m not really a religious person, but Notre Dame is a phenomenal school. Will it look bad if I put that I’m not religious on my application? If not, I can say that I am because I did and still do volunteer at a church in my town - it’s just that I don’t really worship with them. They’re just a good outlet to get some service through, and all the people are super nice. Anyway, does it matter?
It’s not going to hurt you. I’m not religious in fact I’m an atheist. As long as you don’t hate on religion in general you’ll be fine. Religion is a central aspect to the school and you wanna make sure on your app that it shows that you can appreciate religion without being religious. Hope this helped
Oh yeah, no, I definitely respect religion. Both my parents are Catholic, and I grew up in the church. It’s just that I’ve grown away from worship in recent years. Just wanted to make sure. Thank you!
Our child is there and I agree with the other person’s comment, you don’t have to be religious to go there and I don’t believe that you have to call it out on your application that you are to be admitted. What I did want to add however…! It is a religious university so be prepared to have to take two theology classes (whatever religion choice) to graduate. Be prepared to live four years in a dorm with at least one if not more than one priests living in your dorm with you overseeing the dorm. Our child attends and he has two priests in his dorm. It use to be you could move off campus but they just changed it. Welcome weekend includes a mass on the final day - you can skip it of course - but it does permeate the university. Just make sure that you are okay with the dorm situation and two theology courses would be probably the two our son would highlight. Good luck with your decisions.
Have you visited the school yet? On paper it was my daughter’s top choice but after visiting, meeting with professors, and students, it ended up feeling too religious for her.
Just to clarify what @RWolfe said, the university has a requirement beginning with the Class of '22 that you live on campus six semesters, not all four years. Study abroad will generally count towards the six semester requirement.
I’ve heard they try to keep it 80% Catholic. Who knows if that’s true or not but I’m here and I’m not Catholic.
Current senior at ND and about to graduate in 2 month. Lived on campus my entire college life.
I’m not religious, and in fact, I didn’t see religion impacting my college life. I never went to the masses and churches. The only thing I had to do was to fulfill two philo/theo requirements for core education, but you can take world religion and other religions classes so they don’t have to be catholic. Plus they are really fun and easy to get As. Most of my friends I hang out with are also not religious. I think it depends what kinda preference you have and trust me, there’s no religious pressure at all on campus.
Plus side is, since most ND communities are religious, they tend to be very nice and become your force of good both in academia and the corporate world.
@Jleto18 - My DS is a freshman this year. We are not Catholic. I was surprised by the lack of pressure to convert to Catholicism. I expected it to be present. I was incorrect. They will say “We are unapologetically Catholic”. They will help any seeking a relationship with God. That is very different than a pressure to become Catholic. As stated above, religion is present, everywhere. The dorms all have Mass during the week. So, keep that in mind. Good luck in your decision.