How "Catholic" is Notre Dame?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about U Mich or U Wisconsin? Rah rah large schools like ND, in medium-small college towns

Purdue?

Purdue is a much better value than ND. I am from South Bend and it is a very boring city. It is Democratic and not very conservative for an Indiana school.

You base this on what? Purdue is good for engineering majors, but Notre Dame is a far superior school.

[Anonymous]

ND alumna her from 12 years ago. I go to mass every week but am a very socially liberal person and did fine just there, and am probably a better person for going there. I knew a lot of people that were catholic just on paper. Since everyone is sooooo nice no one judges of people are super catholic or not. A visit is a must. Some of the things that people knock it for are actually not bad when you are a student. Yes the dorms are single sex but it isn't like that stops people!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about U Mich or U Wisconsin? Rah rah large schools like ND, in medium-small college towns

Purdue?

Madison is a medium-small college town? Huh?

[Anonymous]

If you have to ask, don't go there,

[Anonymous]

They are suing the government in order to basically forbid students from getting birth control via campus health services, so tell your son to pack condoms if 18 years of child support looks unappealing at age 20.

[Anonymous]

Notre Dame is very Catholic. DH and I both graduated from there and so did our oldest DD just five years ago. It is also much more Republican and Conservative than in was in the 1970's. Younger DD is at University of Michigan and is getting a great education in a great town with a much more diverse student body.

[Anonymous]

NP here. I graduated in '97 so not recently, but I would say that most of my friends from there are liberal Catholics. Lots of people involved in social justice. In fact, my required theology class was the first place I'd heard that argued against the train of thought that the Bible condemned homosexuality. I personally am a mix of things (pro-life, anti-death penalty, pro-gay rights, and an animal rights activist).

I'd also say a visit is a must. I'd considered it before (grew up in the south where ACC/SEC schools ruled) but fell in love with it after a visit. I'm not white, though I'll admit that it was pretty white when I was there. From the newsletters I get today, it seems there are many more diversity organizations/clubs/awareness than when I was there.

[Anonymous]

Another NP here. I also graduated from ND in the mid-90s. However, I (and two of my freshman roommates) are the unicorns you're seeking. I am not (nor were they) Catholic. Honestly, it didn't affect me too much. The dorms all had a nun or priest living in them and mine knew that I was not Catholic. She encouraged me to attend mass but, when I didn't, it was no big deal.

My two roommates did end up converting to Catholicism. I think they were much more inspired by the Catholic connection to social justice than they were by the thought of the Holy Trinity. Still, they made the choice to become lifelong Catholics. For me, the required theology classes were interesting and I had grew a lot exploring my spirituality. I learned that I didn't appreciate the institution of Catholicism and, as a result, I have no plans to ever convert.

I had a blast at ND. It was the perfect school for me, even though I had been raised without religion. I think the single-sex dorms and general "goodness" of the student body had a positive effect on this kid who, truly, could've gone off the rails at a more liberal, looser institution.

The friends I made there are still some of my best and, if I could afford it (HA! see, there's the irony -- go to ND, become a fed, keep yourself from being able to afford it for your kids), I would definitely encourage my kids to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another NP here. I also graduated from ND in the mid-90s. However, I (and two of my freshman roommates) are the unicorns you're seeking. I am not (nor were they) Catholic. Honestly, it didn't affect me too much. The dorms all had a nun or priest living in them and mine knew that I was not Catholic. She encouraged me to attend mass but, when I didn't, it was no big deal.

My two roommates did end up converting to Catholicism. I think they were much more inspired by the Catholic connection to social justice than they were by the thought of the Holy Trinity. Still, they made the choice to become lifelong Catholics. For me, the required theology classes were interesting and I had grew a lot exploring my spirituality. I learned that I didn't appreciate the institution of Catholicism and, as a result, I have no plans to ever convert.

I had a blast at ND. It was the perfect school for me, even though I had been raised without religion. I think the single-sex dorms and general "goodness" of the student body had a positive effect on this kid who, truly, could've gone off the rails at a more liberal, looser institution.

The friends I made there are still some of my best and, if I could afford it (HA! see, there's the irony -- go to ND, become a fed, keep yourself from being able to afford it for your kids), I would definitely encourage my kids to go.

The grammatical errors in this post only highlight my age and lack of texting ability. In no way do they reflect the education I received at ND!

[Anonymous]

Three of my brothers graduated from Notre Dame in the 1970s and our oldest daughter in the late 1990s. All would say that the Notre Dame provided a wonderful, spirited campus life that has continued through continuing close contact with their Notre Dame friends over the years. There is a very strong Notre Dame "family tradition" which I have seen in action over the years. And also a strong alumnae network which can help in future job endeavors. One aspect to consider is the very harsh. long winters and weather the isolation which one can feel there is what your DS would want. Dorm life was in many respects a center of the social life as well as their sports. The facilities are wonderful.
Given the price tag of most colleges today, you will want him to visit to be sure. I will tell you that "Junior Parents" weekend is one very special time. Academics are very strong at ND and the impact of social justice is very much alive and good for college students to experience. I would not disregard the impact of the conservative outlook at ND, but then a counter-balance would be the wide swing on liberalism and other crap on other college campuses that a college freshman might have to balance if not on that wave length.
Sending a daughter off to college to a single sex dorm with SYR - "Screw Your Roommate" dances was certainly a lot more preferable to the one night stands and "hook-up" mentality of so many colleges today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Three of my brothers graduated from Notre Dame in the 1970s and our oldest daughter in the late 1990s. All would say that the Notre Dame provided a wonderful, spirited campus life that has continued through continuing close contact with their Notre Dame friends over the years. There is a very strong Notre Dame "family tradition" which I have seen in action over the years. And also a strong alumnae network which can help in future job endeavors. One aspect to consider is the very harsh. long winters and weather the isolation which one can feel there is what your DS would want. Dorm life was in many respects a center of the social life as well as their sports. The facilities are wonderful.
Given the price tag of most colleges today, you will want him to visit to be sure. I will tell you that "Junior Parents" weekend is one very special time. Academics are very strong at ND and the impact of social justice is very much alive and good for college students to experience. I would not disregard the impact of the conservative outlook at ND, but then a counter-balance would be the wide swing on liberalism and other crap on other college campuses that a college freshman might have to balance if not on that wave length.
Sending a daughter off to college to a single sex dorm with SYR - "Screw Your Roommate" dances was certainly a lot more preferable to the one night stands and "hook-up" mentality of so many colleges today.

Um, what is that?????

[Anonymous]

"Screw Your Roommate" dances, or SYRs, are just informal, dorm dances. I think back --- waaaayyyy back ----- they actual were blind date dances. Hence, your roommate could potentially screw you in setting you up with someone you may not find attractive.

These days, or at least when I was there, they were simply referred to as SYRs and you asked your own date.

[Anonymous]

So assuming it's highly unlikely to find a Jewish student there? Asking as the mother of a Cathokic/Jewish DD who has ND on her list....

[Anonymous]

I second the suggestion to take a look at the midwest Jesuit universities. My experience was that you can be as Catholic as you want to - or not.

List can be found here: www.ajcunet.org

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So assuming it's highly unlikely to find a Jewish student there? Asking as the mother of a Cathokic/Jewish DD who has ND on her list....

I doubt you will find a Jewish undergrad at ND.