Notre Dame Class of 2020 here. Pleas post any questions--would love to help!

Moreau classes are generally disliked by the student body because of its lack of use, from my observations.

Notre Dame is much more Red than most top universities.

which major is most selective?

@3daysuntilEA I’m confused by what you mean by that. Besides Mendoza, I don’t think there are any majors that don’t allow any eligible student to declare that major.

Does the learning atmosphere tend to be more collaborative or cutthroat among the students? Is there grade deflation in the science classes? D18 is considering preprofessional studies and I read on the ND website that it is grueling (their word, not mine!)

@sdteak The learning atmosphere at Notre Dame is pretty collaborative, something I’ve heard does not happen at many other prestigious universities so I am grateful for it. We do problem sets together, study for exams together, edit each others essays etc. I am not a science major so I cannot tell you anything definitively, but from what I hear from my science friends the science exam scores are generally pretty low so the professors will curve the entire class.

Thank you @anttiniemi

The courses are grueling, but I doubt you will see the level of collaboration at any other top institution. People are always happy to help, even if it may “curve” themselves. I think we realize that it is the group collectively that makes the place special, not individuals. @sdeak hope it answers your question, sorry for the late reply.

Thank you @Darude!

How did you register for classes as an incoming freshman? I read somewhere that a First Year advisor will assist, but it was unclear to me whether incoming students visit the ND campus in the summer to register or whether it takes places electronically. My daughter did call Admissions to learn how the process works, but they are out until next week. We are trying to schedule a family vacation and ND is one of her top two schools:)

@sdteak: There is no visit to register. The first schedule involves a discussion with the counsellor, but I think my D conducted hers by email. The counsellor actually registers the student, and then changes can be made once on campus in the fall. Go ahead and make your vacation plans! The only visit you might want to make is in the Spring for admitted students, but you can choose from a wide variety of dates for that, and it is optional.

Thanks @Ruby789 I really appreciate it!

@sdteak: You are welcome. I should mention that you might want to look at the Notre Dame calendar for fall 2017, because Freshmen move in earlier than other students, and have orientation activities. So if you are planning your vacation, you will want to consider that. It looks as though freshmen move in on August 19, 2017, starting at 9 am. So in at the past, we were in town the night before, and made a Target run already before moving in on move in day.

I noticed that students that have siblings in (another) college can move in a day early.

Do the majority of students go home during the mid-semester break in October?

The vast majority of students go home during fall break in October. And flights are very reasonably priced then.

@Ruby789 Thanks brother, was AFK in China for vacation

@Ruby789 What do ‘orientation activities’ entail?

@reformedman: I hope I can remember everything. There’s an ap with the schedule, but I deleted it after Orientation!
There’s a welcome gathering in the Joyce Center from the President and other notables(this sounds boring, but it was very fun. And Father Jenkins is a very engaging speaker). There is a first “Moreau” session with the students, There are different barbecues, and a lot of offices are open for visits. There are meeting sessions with advisors. The most fun activities for students are the dorm events that occur in the evenings. I don’t know what all they do, but there are mixers with the other dorms (particularly with an opposite gender dorm) and I think freshmen are introduced to the dorm traditions and building dorm spirit. Sometime in there freshmen learn all the traditions that are carried out at football games. If I remember correctly there’s a visit to the grotto.

Additionally, there are talks at the different colleges. There are also talks for parents - financial aid, the career center, and other essential resources. Some of the clubs have booths out, but the main club fair is later. There’s a mass on Sunday for the whole family. That’s the last event. Freshmen start moving in this year on August 19, 2017, and the other students mainly move in on August 21, so two days worth of activities.

It is very busy. Freshmen and families also will need to juggle Target runs, and getting books and other moving in details.

The whole process is very efficient, and fun. One of the things I love best is that the marching band marches around campus playing the fight song. There’s no way anyone could be on campus during this time without being absolutely thrilled to be part all that.

A little tip to those admitted REA - have your parents make hotel reservations now for Orientation before the rush.

@Ruby789
uh, is it normal that while reading what you wrote that I get goosebumps?
Really hoping to see an acceptance letter two long months from now…

@reformedman: Well, I hope it is a “sign” you will be admitted! Good luck to you!