<p>It's starting to get down to crunch time and I want to get as many opinions as possible. Basically I am wondering whether the social atmosphere at Notre Dame is overly controlling or stifling. Can the "college experience" be found at ND or do students have to bend over backwards to find parties? I am by no means a big partier but I am concerned that I will feel like I am stuck at "church camp" if you know what I mean. I don't want to feel like I can't make my own choice as to that matter.</p>
<p>In other words, does life at Notre Dame directly revolve around its religion or are there students there who are attracted to it, like I am, purely for its academics, sports culture, dorm life, etc.? I hope this post doesn't seem disrespectful, but I am trying to find out my best fits and I am curious how students who are not involved with the religious aspect of Notre Dame fit in and are viewed by their peers. </p>
<p>FYI, I have visited campus twice, the second time with a student and I did enjoy myself although I was not there long enought to get a good feel for social life. This question is aimed more at ND students, if there are any on here, but I would love to hear from anyone who knows better than I do.</p>
<p>not a student, but a dad here. please, no disrespect intended - but for example marquette is a jesuit school - why don’t people ask this stuff about marquette ?? </p>
<p>if anything, most more devout catholics find themselves challenged and shaken to their core at ND, thru actual theology. church camp is over. my D is more or less an atheist, and to the extent it comes up ( which no more or less than she wants it to ) this has likewise been challanged ( and strengthened ) by her studies at ND. </p>
<p>ther campus is treated with repect, as are people - this is perhaps something that carries into practicality. there are certain things you do not do at a place like ND - you do not hold a drum circle in the grotto, for example. if you wish to go to a place where they will let you hold a drum circle wherever you want, ND isn’t the place for you. if you wish to explore and challenge your belief sytems, it can certainly do that as well or better than anyplace. if you just want to find people who will say stuff outloud you already ( think you ) believe, then again go to madison WI or berkeley or someplace. </p>
<p>partying is everywhere if you wish to experience, and not if you don’t - not a problem either way.</p>
<p>Actually, I agree with Zerchi. There are some schools out there that you have to work to find a party (according to college guidebooks, Brandeis comes to mind). Not to say students at Brandeis don’t like to have a good time, but on-campus parties can be a lot harder to come by.</p>
<p>People party, and although it could no doubt be said about many collegesm the word that comes to mind at ND is awkward. There are no frats (which I actually think is a good thing), and although there are many positves to the unique dorm system, it just makes interactions between sexes kind of weird. There’s always the specter of du Lac, parietals, and Catholic guilt hanging over many students’ heads. Not that they don’t drink, just things get very strange around 2 am on a weekend night. By no means am I trying to advocate a life of meaningless hook-ups, because that is something that happens, albeit to a lesser extent at ND, I’m just saying that the interactions I’ve observed between boys and girls are noticeably more strained at ND than they are at other schools. And I generally like ND. </p>
<p>I think “church camp” is a bit of an overstatement, and the sports, academics, and dorm life are all big plusses, but if you’re looking to screw around, find some looser hoes, etc., ND is not at all conducive to this. Additionally, South Bend is a dump and local police seem to have a vendetta against students.</p>
<p>haha no worries zerchi. Notre Dame parties hard enough for you. Lucky for you I have a test i should be studying for. It all depends on what you want while youre here. You just have to find people who like to do the same thing you do: have a good time. It’s not hard to do and the only people that complain about the social life are the (sorry for the harshness) losers who don’t ever hear what’s going on. network well and youll have something to do every night. but you dont even have to do that. dont get me wrong there are many weeks when you cant do anything til thursday or friday night, but there are just as many easy weeks. syllabus week for instance is, yes, defined as a ‘week’ but it really lasts for about 3 to 4 weeks. enjoy it while it lasts though. three weeks before finals on through the end of the semester sucks. And i dont consider myself extremely religious, and many of my friends are not at all, but I do attend weekly mass in the dorm. it’s a great time to ask for forgiveness. but social life is pretty good. also diff from other schools notre dame is extremely relaxed on in-dorm drinking therefore weekends are especially busy all over. highlights: football season, beer olympics, halloween, christmas formals, chariot race (yeah roos), st patricks day, syllabus week(s) pigtostal (this weekend), februtosis, look out for Keoughs “fortnight” next year… etc… hope that helped a little. and screw Marquette. church camp? really?</p>