What are the pros and cons of notre dame, also compared with the ivies + top schools

<p>I just want to know what the title says.</p>

<p>Given your post about sex at ND, I am thinking that ND would be a better fit for you than ivys and other top schools. Yes, sex and drinking happen, quite a bit, but there are also people who are waiting until marriage and don’t drink. However, I think there are a lot fewer of those individuals at other schools. I was in the same place that you are in and I loved ND. Other people made their choices, but they respected mine, and that is all I needed.</p>

<p>Let’s say I’m not catholic, which is true, how is that going to affect my expierence. I am willing to look into catholicism, and will probably try out mass</p>

<p>Catholicism will not be forced upon you at Notre Dame and you will not be forced to accept its tenets. You will have to take two Theology classes but they are highly academic in approach. Most people are very accepting at Notre Dame and will not judge your faith or think less of you for not attending mass. I have studied at several universities (both private and public) and I thought ND was the most accepting of different cultures and ideas. Of course, if you are looking for a top notch Catholic experience rooted in pastoral and doctrinal elements of the faith, ND is the place to be as well. But this experience will not be forced upon you. It is voluntary.</p>

<p>But are there other “churches” on or off campus?</p>

<p>There’s a chapel in every dorm, along with the basilica on campus. I’m not sure about the surrounding city, but South bend is a pretty large area so I’m sure there are other “churches”.</p>

<p>I’m trying to decide between Brown and Notre Dame, both are completely different schools and I feel like I’m never going to pick one without feeling regret about not picking the other.</p>

<p>ajsfkks stressful.</p>

<p>As far as the city of South Bend goes, I believe most denominations and faiths are represented. Campus Ministry can help point you in the right direction. Their site has a lot of information.</p>

<p>[Campus</a> Ministry // University of Notre Dame](<a href=“http://campusministry.nd.edu/]Campus”>http://campusministry.nd.edu/)</p>

<p>Many people think that Notre Dame is either be a “best-place-ever” college or a complete disaster. However, I believe that the single most crucial thing in college is yourself. If you take the intiative, put yourself in uncomfortable situations with confidence, and follow through, you will have a great time at any college. I know tons of people at Notre Dame who hated their first semester, decided to take initiative the second semester, and are now enjoying their time here. </p>

<p>That being said, I think the only valid solution in the “Is Notre Dame the right college” question is to visit. The culture here is so unique from other colleges that only a visit (or perhaps even 2) will decide for you. Make sure to go all out in the visit though. Make a plan (and even schedule) of what to do before the visit and try to spend AT LEAST 2 days visiting. </p>

<p>Nonetheless, let me tell you now that some of the happiest people here are not Catholic at all. Many men here are varsity athletes (esp. football and basketball) and you can draw a variety of implications from that. In general, the happiest people tend to be the ones who are most confident in themselves and dont rely on external rewards or other people to make them happy. This is because their own confidence attracts other people to be with them, and so on.</p>