In my first semester here, I feel like I learned more than I did in my last two years of high school. Classes really challenge you and they don't just teach you the material, they teach you how to think, as in how to approach an intellectual issue properly. It is very important to the professors not that they teach you what to think, but rather how to think. This intellectual atmosphere produces graduates who don't just repeat the ideas of their professors like parrots, but rather ones who can think independently and come to their own conclusions, which is much more valuable.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
The people here are amazing, classes are challenging and interesting, and being at Notre Dame has a certain magic to it. I love it here, but I won't say it's perfect. Notre Dame is lacking in diversity and South Bend is lacking in exciting things to do.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Financial Aid at Notre Dame is great. Very very few merit scholarships are given out, which to some seems ridiculous, but I like it. At other universities, if the richest kid is also the smartest kid, they will get more money, but here, if you get in, they meet your demonstrated financial need, which helps make the Notre Dame dream true for more of us, but it can still be very expensive for some.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
- Whatever you do, make sure you look into your area's Notre Dame Club. There are Notre Dame clubs all across the nation (and some internationally) and they offer scholarships. Be sure to apply for your club's scholarship because when it comes down to money, that could be the difference between being able to afford a Notre Dame education and not.
- I wasn't told this until later, but apparently recommendations from English teachers look stronger than ones from other subject areas.
- Be sure to send in A.P. scores if you have good ones. It can only help.
- For seniors hoping to save their application: focus on your essay. In the final months (or weeks or days ... or hours) before your application is due, your resume and test scores can't be helped much anymore, but your essays can.
- Stay positive, you'll end up where you're supposed to
Which types of students will excel at your college?
The majority of Notre Dame students are white, upper to middle class Catholics who were involved in a lot of clubs and/or sports in high school. There is a work hard play hard mentality among a lot of people here. Students who don't fit the description, can still definitely find their niche, but some might struggle with it.
In my first semester here, I feel like I learned more than I did in my last two years of high school. Classes really challenge you and they don't just teach you the material, they teach you how to think, as in how to approach an intellectual issue properly. It is very important to the professors not that they teach you what to think, but rather how to think. This intellectual atmosphere produces graduates who don't just repeat the ideas of their professors like parrots, but rather ones who can think independently and come to their own conclusions, which is much more valuable.
The people here are amazing, classes are challenging and interesting, and being at Notre Dame has a certain magic to it. I love it here, but I won't say it's perfect. Notre Dame is lacking in diversity and South Bend is lacking in exciting things to do.
Financial Aid at Notre Dame is great. Very very few merit scholarships are given out, which to some seems ridiculous, but I like it. At other universities, if the richest kid is also the smartest kid, they will get more money, but here, if you get in, they meet your demonstrated financial need, which helps make the Notre Dame dream true for more of us, but it can still be very expensive for some.
- Whatever you do, make sure you look into your area's Notre Dame Club. There are Notre Dame clubs all across the nation (and some internationally) and they offer scholarships. Be sure to apply for your club's scholarship because when it comes down to money, that could be the difference between being able to afford a Notre Dame education and not. - I wasn't told this until later, but apparently recommendations from English teachers look stronger than ones from other subject areas. - Be sure to send in A.P. scores if you have good ones. It can only help. - For seniors hoping to save their application: focus on your essay. In the final months (or weeks or days ... or hours) before your application is due, your resume and test scores can't be helped much anymore, but your essays can. - Stay positive, you'll end up where you're supposed to
The majority of Notre Dame students are white, upper to middle class Catholics who were involved in a lot of clubs and/or sports in high school. There is a work hard play hard mentality among a lot of people here. Students who don't fit the description, can still definitely find their niche, but some might struggle with it.