<p>Hey guys, so as you guessed I'm a Jew. I'm not very religious, and I'm actually politically conservative (not so much socially. like pro gay rights and pro choice) but will i totally be left out? Or will I be able to fit in? I go to a public school with lots of jes, so its never really been a problem, but i love notre dame, although i am a bit nervous</p>
<p>Here check this old thread out:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-notre-dame/9862-religion-nd.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-notre-dame/9862-religion-nd.html</a></p>
<p>No need to worry you will fit in fine and you will not be left out. You will find many people who are outspoken and who share your political opinions and you will also find folks who are genuinely interested in your Jewish faith and will be interested in knowing what it personally means to you.</p>
<p>I TOTALLY disagree…I think ND is currently reaching actively to ALL religions - they have organized muslim, jewish, protestant, whatever groups on campus. The goal of the school is for students to explore their own personal spirituality, no matter what that is. There are jewish, muslim rectors in dorms! Like ALL schools, I believe ND would like to expand its student body and become more diverse. A jewish student open to the ND experience would be a big plus, in my opinion.</p>
<p>The presence of religion on campus is large, but the role of religion in YOUR LIFE as a student is whatever you want it to be. Being a non-christian, I am in the minority here but I have had really no dealings with religion. Notre Dame functions like any other university, religion is a matter of personal choice and while it is definitely available here if you choose to seek it, it is by no means forced upon you or a part of your life if you don’t want it to be.</p>
<p>However, to prevent you from making a mistake that I have made, I urge you to ask yourself how important diversity and cultural experiences are to you. You said you weren’t seriously Jewish so you should be fine, but if you want to go to college with people from different backgrounds (religious,racial, etc), then Notre Dame is not the place for you. That is quite simply not available here, the campus is homogeneous and the town not very diverse. I came from the Washington DC area and I have traveled to many parts of the world, so for me this was a shock. Most students here have not experienced other cultures and many are sheltered (many, not all!). So, if what I mentioned is very important to you, then please for your own good think very deeply about coming here. If it isn’t then you will be fine.</p>
<p>Thanks everybody!!
smithers, I’m not too big on diversity, especially of the engineered kind. The smartest and best kids no matter what race-give no preference either way. Honestly, it’s the cold weather I’m more worried about. I’m from Jersey, which is plenty frigid in the winter, but i always seem to get sick or sniffly. And I’m not a huge fan of 10 degrees, can’t even fathom -30…</p>
<p>I live in northern Indiana. Winter sucks, but I’m not sure it’s all that difference from NJ. You could look up average monthly temps on weather.com or somewhere. What will be different is the amount of lake effect snow and the wind…the WIND. S. Bend receives significant lake effect snow. We only live an hr south of S. Bend (we receive much less snow) and my S was amazed by the size of the flakes. ND keeps the walkways and such very clear. He lives in tennis shoes year round.
The wind is the killer, but mostly can be managed with layers of fleece and good water/wind proof shell/coat, gloves and hat. Good luck in your decisions. I despise winter and I wouldn’t eliminate ND because of it.</p>