I am a high school student from Texas and Notre Dame is my dream school. I intend to visit soon, but I am trying to decide the best time/plans for the trip.
Thanks!
Disclaimer: I am not a current student but will be attending Notre Dame in the fall and I have visited multiple times.
I live close enough to not fly but I think most people that do either fly in from Chicago and ride the bus here or fly straight into South Bend. I originally toured during the summer and loved it, but I think during the school year it is a lot livelier and you get a better impression of student life and the kind of kids that attend ND. I can’t give an opinion on football weekends as I haven’t attended one (yet) but I would imagine there is a great atmosphere for the game but extremely busy and not so great if you are looking for an academics focused, regular student life type visit. Unless you really want to experience a ND football game I would recommend visiting during the school year but not for a game weekend.
Visiting during a home game is not a good idea. I was admitted this year, and am a local. During home games, there is no way you would be able to park on campus, and a visit would be really hectic.
Thank you so much for the advice @Bee007 and @npswimmer44. I will go to a game another time! If you had to pick between a summer tour or a school year tour, what would be the best option? I’m from Texas, so traveling during the summer would be much easier, however I don’t want to miss out on getting a great feel for the campus like I would if there were students present.
I think that it’s best to visit during the year, but even if you visit during the summer, you will still get a feel for the campus and environment. Just being able to meet some of the people involved with the school will give you a sense of the community. Going to some of the open house events really gave me a sense of how great the people are here.
Thank you again @npswimmer44! What types of open house events do they have?
They do host some at different high schools throughout the country during the year, so you could check if there is one near you. But, usually if you are planning on visiting you can just arrange something through the admissions office’s website. There are a lot of different things you can do on campus - I believe if you want to, you can arrange to even stay with a student.
I would definitely go during the school year, as well. It gave my DD a good sense of how students interacted with one another, the feeling of campus with kids attending classes, the school pride and friendliness of students and had the chance to eat in the dining all with all the students.
Hi Ashhh2017: My daughter is a sophmore at ND. It is such a great place! I think ideally a visit while students are there is best, but if you visit this summer to get an idea, couldn’t you go back for a second visit with the students there as an admitted student? I will have to say, though, my daughter really fell in love with the place during her first visit, which was in February of her junior year. The friendly helpful vibe on campus was what sold her.
We always fly into Chicago and drive to SB, and my daughter takes a bus to and from Chicago for breaks. The bus tends to be dedicated for ND students at that time, since it fills up, so usually non stop to the airport. The buses are regular and reasonably priced. She has occasionally flown into SB - but usually that is quite a bit more expensive. Good luck with your visit, and your college search!
Thank you so much @Ruby789, your post helped tremendously! Do you mind if I ask you some other questions about ND since your daughter attends?
Thanks!!
Hi OP, just got back from an admitted students overnight and open house. The most beautiful time to be on campus would be fall! Spring is nice too. Winter is too brutally cold for me :P. I flew in via Detroit and then the SBN airport. We flew out via Minneapolis, and lots of people use Chicago as well as their main hub.
I know that they offer overnights for prospective students on their admissions website. I’d highly recommend going to one to really see what student life is like in the residence halls!