Notre Dame as non-typical student

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a Catholic with degrees from 2 Catholic universities (neither of which I attended BECAUSE they were Catholic), it seems like non-Catholics often overestimate the cohesion & exclusivity among Catholics. Yes, there are few extremist factions within Catholicism, but at ND, BC, Villanova, etc there are no secret handshakes or special privileges. In fact, anybody who would try to establish something like that would be scorned.

Also I Catholic with a degree from a Catholic college, and kids in Catholic schools, and while I don't disagree with what pp says, I don't think it can go with out saying that ND and Villanova are much more traditional Catholic than Georgetown and BC. My own kid has toured and will apply to several Jesuit colleges and zero non-Jesuit colleges.
But if OP's kid feels a connection with ND, then good for both of them.

You feel the way you do because of your own baggage and your son feels the way he does because you have handed down your baggage to him.

[Anonymous]

I went to a Jesuit college and Notre Dame for grad school. There wasn’t much of a different with respect to the Catholic thing. Jesuit school graduates and parents of students routinely overstate this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Best of luck to your kid, OP. He will love it if he is drawn to the aspects you highlight.

Not sure why race is a part of this discussion. It's irrelevant except to OP.

Not being Catholic is to be considered.

You must be white.

Yep

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to a Jesuit college and Notre Dame for grad school. There wasn’t much of a different with respect to the Catholic thing. Jesuit school graduates and parents of students routinely overstate this.

Grad school and undergrad are not comparable when all undergrads live on campus for 3 to 4 years.

[Anonymous]

There’s no rational argument against the statement that ND is more traditional Catholic that BC. And neither school tries to hide that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a Catholic with degrees from 2 Catholic universities (neither of which I attended BECAUSE they were Catholic), it seems like non-Catholics often overestimate the cohesion & exclusivity among Catholics. Yes, there are few extremist factions within Catholicism, but at ND, BC, Villanova, etc there are no secret handshakes or special privileges. In fact, anybody who would try to establish something like that would be scorned.

Also I Catholic with a degree from a Catholic college, and kids in Catholic schools, and while I don't disagree with what pp says, I don't think it can go with out saying that ND and Villanova are much more traditional Catholic than Georgetown and BC. My own kid has toured and will apply to several Jesuit colleges and zero non-Jesuit colleges.
But if OP's kid feels a connection with ND, then good for both of them.

Wow, you seem very close minded. You need to get over the Jesuit thing. There isn't much difference between the vibe at ND and BC. You eliminate a top 20 Catholic university because it isn't Jesuit? Your poor kid.

Save your faux pity. DS eliminated ND & Villanova because he felt they were too traditionally Catholic, too close-minded, and not aligned with his personal values. He felt very comfortable at BC and felt he could fit right in. It's his decision making process. Kids have eliminated schools for all sorts of reasons. Notre Dame will do just fine. As I said, if op's kid feels that connection with ND, then that's a win for both the kid and ND.

Fine for your kid, and great that he's happy and found a good fit. That is the most important thing for any student.

For others trying to learn about these schools, this particular take makes zero sense. None of these schools are any more or less "traditionally Catholic" than the others. Many of us have family members at each. College is college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s no rational argument against the statement that ND is more traditional Catholic that BC. And neither school tries to hide that.

Can you explain what this is supposed to mean though? What exactly is different for a given student?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think your chIld may be seen as an outsider, especially not receiving communion or attending Sunday mass in the dorms.

Completely wrong.

[Anonymous]

Traditional Catholic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Traditional Catholic

Interesting you chose this icon to prove your point. There are much more sacred spots at Notre Dame, namely the grotto and the Basilica. You probably don't even know about them and chose this because of your lack of exposure and knowledge about the school. You can spot this structure during every football game on NBC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Traditional Catholic

college is college ....

[Anonymous]

If iconic artwork is a problem for you, there are many colleges you should avoid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If iconic artwork is a problem for you, there are many colleges you should avoid.

They should have serious problem travelling European countries as most of the iconic/landmark architecture, art, tourist attraction, etc. are Catholic related.

[Anonymous]

ND needs its own forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to a Jesuit college and Notre Dame for grad school. There wasn’t much of a different with respect to the Catholic thing. Jesuit school graduates and parents of students routinely overstate this.

Grad school and undergrad are not comparable when all undergrads live on campus for 3 to 4 years.

I understand that. But I studied on the Notre Dame campus for three years and had many friends there who also went to Notre Dame as undergraduates. It’s a very tight knit and cohesive community. I had about as thorough an exposure to the ND undergrad experience as any non ND undergrad could have. Certainly a lot more of an exposure than you.