<p>Does applying as a non-Catholic Asian count as a significant hook as far as admissions goes? I hear ND is 85% Catholic with only about 3% asian students. I am not sure if that would hurt or help me as far as what ND admissions would like to see.</p>
<p>Being non-Catholic doesn't help (I believe), but being Asian should.</p>
<p>Agreed; since ND is 85% Catholic I don't think they are too worried about diversity in that area.</p>
<p>Oh. Well regarding diversity, Vanderbilt University is seeking more diversity because of their huge predominant, lopsided Caucasian pool and lack of minorities. I know ND is catholic, but I am not sure if the president or admissions is adressing this issue. I guess would being Asian be an Underrepresented Minority?</p>
<p>Notre Dame is 85% Catholic because that figure is representative of their applicant pool. They do not aim for 85% Catholic. And I would guess that Asian is still considered a minority in the heart of the midwest (as opposed to California).</p>
<p>I believe that it is not entirely true to say that "they don't aim" at 85%. Although the applicant pool is largely Catholic, the president of the university has been quoted at saying that Notre Dame has no real interest in diversifying in terms of religion because a lack of diversity in religion "is not necessary a bad thing." Notre Dame has a very strong Catholic atmosphere, much stronger than that of Georgetown, for example. To keep that atmosphere, the student body must remain at the current level of "Catholicness" (haha, i know that is not a word.)</p>
<p>so being Asian, Non-Catholic..hurts? I guess could I lie in my college app and say that I am Asian but Catholic..I mean I am Indian but Hindu. I guess in your opinion, would it be best to say Catholic. I mean its really a huge lie or anything and I mean I know its best to be honest. But religion-wise, I am not making a major lie as if I were to say that I am African-American when I am really Caucasion. What do you think?</p>
<p>Lying would be a sin. Convert first, then apply. A Catholic school is where Catholics go to be around other Catholics--people who share their values and worldview. (Increasing the chances of finding a Catholic spouse is part of it, too). Adding "religious diversity" would be contrary to the mission of the school. You might not feel that comfortable at a school as Catholic as Notre Dame if you aren't Catholic.</p>
<p>are u sure? I thought Notre Dame was for everyone...?</p>
<p>It is "for everyone" in that some non-Catholics do attend. But the Catholic culture is very strong at Notre Dame and the vast majority of students are Catholic, so if you are not Catholic, you might not feel that you fit in as well. Just like you wouldn't fit in at a Baptist school if you're not a Baptist. . .</p>
<p>Overall I disagree. ND is a very strong Catholic school and the Catholic presence is very strong, I admit this, but I do think that others can fit in well too. I think being strong in your faith helps a lot, but ND does try to be very accepting as well and they have programs for other Christian denominations and probably non-Christian faiths as well (I am not sure but it wouldn't surprise me. If not, you could always start a group). I have several friends who aren't Catholic and overall it isn't an issue, most just complain about Parietals but that is about it. As long as you don't mind that most of the rest of the students are Catholic, I think you will do just fine. That is just my opinion, however, I don't know because I am also Catholic. Hopefully there is someone on here that isn't that is part of the ND family that can help you more, but that is just my $.02</p>
<p>irish68178- Do you have any friends that are non-Catholic Christians? I'm non-denominational. Though I have different theology, I share conservative values and have no problem with single-sex dorms and parietals. I have a lot of Catholic friends and the Catholic presence does not bother me. I consider the emphasis that ND places on Faith to be very refreshing in our current secular society. My only concern is that I will be looked down on for being non-Catholic, or that I will feel left out. How do non-Catholic Christians feel they fit into campus life?</p>
<p>Notre Dame admissions states that this number reflects its applicant pool. You are correct that they don't aim for religious diversity - they just take their applicant pool and proceed with examining their qualifications. Having a racially diverse campus is, however, a professed goal of ND Admissions, thus a qualified URM will have an advantage.</p>
<p>Catholics, as a whole, are not very dogmatic in their dealings with other faiths. We are pretty accepting of other religions. My son has Catholic and non-Catholic friends, and it is just not a big deal, as Irish has stated. Also - he has a lot of Catholic friends who are technically non-practicing Catholics at this point in their lives. All that being said, however, I believe ND would be more comfortable for a Jewish student than an evangelical Christian, whose faith dictates they should be consistently trying to convert others to their brand of Christianity. They would have a more difficult time, I am convinced. Many of the Catholic kids there, while never pressuring anyone else, are pretty convicted in their faith. An evangelical might find it a bit frustrating if conversion was a goal, but they would definitely not be looked down upon. They would probably have some extremely interesting theological discussions!</p>
<p>I agree with Docmom but it sounds like you have your head on straight (not about either being or not being an evangelical, I am not saying that, but just in general) and it sounds like you are easy going. I do have friends who are not Catholic and most people don't even know the difference other than they don't come to Mass on Sunday (though they could if they wanted to, and some still go). I think you will fit in well at ND, I really do, and I don't think that anyone will look down on you. We truly are a family and that usually trumps most everything else. Even so, if you are at ND I will personally befriend you; you sound like a good person and someone I would want to be friends with. If you would like to talk more about it, please feel free to either post or if you would rather PM me and I will email you back. I also think I have it setup so you can email me directly through my profile, so feel free to do that as well! Good luck!</p>
<p>Docmom- I am not attempting to convert others to any particular denomination or type of Christianity. I consider my Catholic friends to be Christians, and I see no need to try to "convert" them.</p>
<p>emswim - sorry if you thought I was referring to you in my response above. I was referring to evangelical Christians not being very comfortable at ND, and you never used that term to describe your religious faith, so I was definitely not responding to you in particular. I should have been more clear.</p>