<p>Notre Dame is my second choice university, but I don't know much about it. Why should I choose Notre Dame?</p>
<p>I don't have much time to write (I need to study), but I'll say that you really need to visit to understand what makes ND so awesome. It wasn't really a serious consideration for me until I visited, and then it became my first choice.</p>
<p>i echo the above poster...but like them I've got to go try to do some hw before the day progresses too far....</p>
<p>well, if u dont know much about it... why is it your 2nd choice?? Not being rude or anything, im just wondering. I would think that any school in your top 5 would be VERY well known to you.
Could it be that it is your second choice because it is considered a great school?</p>
<p>you dont need someone to tell you a reason... ppl who want to attend nd know they belong there.</p>
<p>Does Notre Dame prefer people who have been going to parochial school all their life over the usual public school kid?</p>
<p>Given the admissions stats, I don't think so. They just want good kids who have been involved in their high school, competed in sports, and are great students. I know, they want it all, but I don't think going to a Catholic school is a make or break issue.</p>
<p>If you look back on my posts I know I have posted on why ND is special before but that was a while back. I can't now as I am about to have class but if this thread lives I will definately post it later. Just remind me.</p>
<p>One quick thought...look at the people on this board. You have quite a few ND parents and students and overall I feel we are quite good at answering questions and helping students out (and we will be later when we all have time to answer this one, lol). I don't know what the other boards are like but do you have lots of parents and students there to help? ND is all about helping each other and being a part of a family and it is something that you will notice from the moment you step onto campus on...it is just different here. Look at our board, how many current students there are (I am a junior at ND) and realize that we are here to help you guys because you are the future of our family at ND. I don't know how many other schools do that, I don't know if it makes us special or not, but if it does it may be something to think about.</p>
<p>Champion1one: From the ND wesite <a href="http://admissions.nd.edu/firstyear/statistics.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://admissions.nd.edu/firstyear/statistics.cfm</a></p>
<p>46% attended public high schools
44% attended Catholic high schools
10% attended private high schools </p>
<p>82% Catholic</p>
<p>Also -- take a look at <a href="http://alumni.nd.edu/Navigating.html%5B/url%5D">http://alumni.nd.edu/Navigating.html</a></p>
<p>It's a video and in it Daniel Saracino, Assistant Provost for Enrollment, discusses important factors in the ND application process.</p>
<p>Okay, I will try to give you a few of my thoughts on why I love Notre Dame. It is important to note that I transferred into Notre Dame a year and a half ago so I do know what it is like at other schools and I do know how things are different here.</p>
<p>The biggest thing I like is the Notre Dame family. It sounds hokey or strange but it is real and it is wonderful. What I think you will find is that Domers are always willing to help out other Domers. The alumni association as far as I am concerned is simply unmatched, no one takes care of their own like ND grads. They really will look out for you and always try to help. The students really help each other as well. I can tell you that I have found there is a lot less competition in your classes than at other schools and students are genuinely willing to help each other. On top of that, we are usually willing to go the extra mile to help whenever you need. I did this by taking a friend of mine to the airport at 4 in the morning the day after the USC football game, and I don't tell you this to impress you, but to tell you that there are a lot more people than just me that are willing to do that. We are a family at Notre Dame, it really is true.</p>
<p>If you are a sports fan then this is where you have to be. IMO there is no greater blend of sports and academics than Notre Dame. Also, Notre Dame is not as stuffy or stuck up as a lot of other schools IMO. It is a work-hard play-hard school but when I say work hard I do mean work hard. I don't personally party but some of my friends party very very hard but when finals hit they live in the library. At the end of the day we are all good students who really care about our education but still can have social lives. From what I have heard, not every top 20 university can say that.</p>
<p>By and large the professors here are excellent, just like every other top 20 school. That is one major difference I have noticed between ND and my old school.</p>
<p>One of my favorite aspects of ND is the religious nature of it. 85% of the students are Catholic (though others are welcome) and many are practicing Catholics. All of the dorms have chapels and Mass is very well attended. In my hall we actually have 25 people go to daily Mass every day, so if you are spiritually inclined you may be into that. Also, the grotto is a fantastic place to go and pray. There are preists in every dorm so they are veyr available to you and always willing to talk with you or help.</p>
<p>It should be noted that religion isn't forced on you and you can be perfectly happy here without it, but if you are into it, it is a big selling point IMO.</p>
<p>South Bend is a better city than you think it is, and ND is only 90 minutes outside of Chicago so don't let that sway you. Also, it isn't that cold (especially this year).</p>
<p>I will leave it here for now because I have no idea what you are looking for, what the other school is, or anything like that. Please post if you want more information but hopefully I have let you in on some of what makes ND special.</p>
<p>THanks for the post. ND has been my dream school for awhile now, but I am afraid I probably wont get in next year...:(
Ill just have to pray about it!</p>
<p>Do that and keep working...remember there is always transfer admissions if it doesn't work out. There is more than one way to get into ND and I am living proof or it :)</p>
<p>Notre Dame seems like one of those sort of "you just gotta experience it." I had my heart set on BC, but my dad forced me to go on a college visit to ND (although I was mildly interested). When I got there, there was 3 feet of snow on the ground from the night before, and it was about 7 degrees (-14 with the windchill, I believe). And I completely and absolutely fell in love with every single thing about the school, regardless. And it seems to have the same kind of effect on everyone who goes there and everyone who wants to go there. </p>
<p>But that's just my opinion, take it as you will.</p>
<p>I am several years out of ND- this is my 2nd post on this forum, but i really want to give my opinion b/c it seems to be pretty unique... Im going to graduate medical school in a month and then go to UCLA for residency.</p>
<p>I have to say to kevdude- same thing happened to me- i went for my first visit in the SNOW and COLD and i wussed-out of the tour half way thru. As I walked back to the morris inn, I knew that was it for me. </p>
<p>I wanted a COLLEGE experience, not a city-experience while trying to go to college. the ND campus is self-contained, fun, and like a family as another poster put it. The campus is GORGEOUS! Who wouldnt want trees and grass and fountains and flowers.</p>
<p>Seriously, I think the NICEST kids from all across the country go to ND. Bonding happens FAST. </p>
<p>IMPORTANT! ND is first and foremost and UNDERGRAD campus-- therefore, the focus is on YOU not on grad students, post docs, etc.</p>
<p>I am close with my parents, and I cannot think of place more inviting to parents. The administration of course loves them and will do whatever they say. Also, every weekend people had parents in town, and sometimes even staying in the dorms with them. The parents would take everyone out to dinner, hang out and watch movies. It was not dorky- everyone wanted to meet everyone elses parents--- it really increased that sense of family.</p>
<p>ND is the kind of place where people use sidewalks, trashcans, and recycle bins. They support open-mic night at the student union and read the student newspapers and magazines with the same vigor that they support the football team. </p>
<p>I hit a few rough patches at ND. I had SO MANY people to turn to-- my rectress, my professors, my classmates, my DEAN, etc etc. I tried to hide it but couldnt-- people here are just in touch.</p>
<p>And like the quote says: "you can say soul here and no one snickers." When i was there U2 did a SPECIAL concert for us (only college on the tour) b/c they met some ND students in Ireland, and Bono LOVED their response to what makes ND so great-- they said "it has a soul."</p>
<p>On another level-- I can't believe how HUGE the network is!! Everywhere I have travelled or interviewed over the past 4 years I have met people. They help you without asking-- its amazing-- they just know the quality of people that go to ND and the quality of work they can do.</p>
<p>You can feel this the second you get on campus. Go look and see. It will no longer be your second choice:-)</p>