Chats » Regular Action Admitted Student Chat, 2009
Patrick - Boston, MA
What is the criteria to have a car for a second semester freshman student t?
ND Admissions
Freshmen are allowed to have a car on campus starting second semester. The only requirement for parking in the designated parking lots (and avoiding expensive parking tickets) is that you register your car with the school and buy a parking pass! I think the cost of that is about $100 per year.
Allison - South Bend, IN
Is it true that as an incoming freshman when you are admitted, it is not literally into the specific school that you indicated on your application, but into the University of Notre Dame itself? (ie: not "The college of arts and letters" but admitted, nonetheless)
ND Admissions
Hi Allison,
All freshman entering Notre Dame are a part of the First Year of Studies program . At the end of your freshman year, you declare what college you would like to enter into, such as the College of Arts and Letters. And most students declare their major at the end of their sophomore year.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
Ok, so they're community bathrooms right? Like outside the rooms? By bathrooms I mean where you shower and stuff.
ND Admissions
The bathrooms are communal for all freshman, and after freshman year, some rooms on campus are available with bathrooms attached. And yes, the bathrooms have showers as well as the typical facilities. Each student room has a sink.
Marcos - Seminole, Fl
I have received my AA degree from college while finishing high school. Will ND accept any of my college classes?
ND Admissions
Marcos, if you took those courses at your high school, then none of them could be transferred. If you took them at the college’s campus, then nine credits could be transferred.
Teresa - Haddon Township, NJ
I am concerned with ND's large size. How close are student-professor relationships? Does the campus feel more like a bunch of small communities stemming from residence halls or is it a single cohesive group despite its size? Do students still run into each other by chance in dining, studying, or athletic areas or is it usually necessary to make plans to meet someone?
ND Admissions
Student-Professor relationships definitely depend on what you put into them! Make an effort to get to know your teachers, have conversations with them and visit them in their office hours and it will pay off! Even if you are in a lecture of 200 students, get to know your teacher! It is possible but it is entirely up to you to take the initiative.
At times campus can feel like a bunch of small communities. There is a lot of dorm pride and spirit and you will most likely find a majority of your friends within your residence hall. This being said, however, Notre Dame is one big family and there is no prejudice based on your residence hall! It happens all the time that I run into my friends in the dining hall, student center, library and fitness center! If you have friends that live across campus and generally eat at the opposite dining hall, it might be necessary to make plans to meet up, but in general you will see your friends multiple times a day!
Personally, I think Notre Dame is the perfect size. It is small enough that you feel like you know a lot of people and recognize lots of faces throughout the day. But it is large enough that you can always meet new people and make new friends!
Brian - Neenah, WI
I know that ND has recently promoted undergrad research and has programs including Glynn Honors which afford undergrads the opportunity to do research. But how well regarded by medical admissions is this work compared with the research undergrads do at colleges such as Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, or Wisconsin?
ND Admissions
Notre Dame focuses on the undergraduate experience. With that in mind, we encourage students to participate in research beginning freshman year. Undergraduates are given priority in the research facilities, therefore they are well-versed in their particular field of research come senior year. We are not certain of how medical schools view undergraduate research at other universities, but research done at Notre Dame is looked upon quite favorably in the medical school application process.
Anthony - Long Grove, IL
What are the different meal plans available?
ND Admissions
There are two meal plans available: the 14-Flex plan and the 21-Meal plan. The 14-Flex plan has 14 meals in the dining halls available each week as well as an allowance of $325.00 Flex-points, which can be used at all ND Food Service locations on campus, which include the Burger King, Subway, Sbarro, as well as the various small cafes around campus. The 21-Meal plan offers 21 meals per week. Most students opt for the 14-Flex plan at first and if they feel this is not sufficient, will switch to the 21 meal plan.
Jared - Niles, MI
My dad works at ND and his benefit requires me to work during college. Do you know how many hours a week this requirement is, and if I am allowed to work more than that and receive compensation?
ND Admissions
Hi Jared,
Students can earn a maximum of $2,600 a year through campus employment. During the academic year, the maximum number of hours that students can work is 20 hours per week. Pay rates for on campus jobs vary; for more information on pay rates and campus employment opportunities, please visit our website at http://studentemployment.nd.edu/.
Marcos - Seminole, Fl
As compared to a public school, do you think the classes are harder or easier? Do the teachers use a curve to grade?
ND Admissions
I would say that whether or not a student finds the classes harder or easier depends on their school. I went to Catholic school and found the classes to be harder. Some teachers grade on a curve; others do not.
Alexandria - Coral Springs, Fl
I am not familiar with the loans system; however, a representative at another school seemed to say that they had a cap on the amount of loans a student can take out. Given that I know my FA packet will not provide enough for me to attend, will I have the opportunity to take out loans and if so to what degree and amount? Thank you.
ND Admissions
Dear Alexandria,
There are maximum annual loan limits for Federal Stafford Loans and Federal Perkins Loans. Please visit our website for specific information about loan limits: http://www.nd.edu/~finaid/undergraduate/loans/
You also will find information at that location about private education loans. The student is the borrower in a private educational loan and typically requires a credit-worthy co-signer. The Federal PLUS loan is available to parents of undergraduate students. The maximum amount the borrower can request from these programs is determined by taking the cost of attendance and subtracting financial aid.
Peter - San Juan, PR
How many applicants did you receive for this year's freshman class?
How many applicants were accepted?
ND Admissions
Peter,
This year we received 14,353 applications for about 2,000 spots in the First Year class. We admitted about 3,850 students to fill those spots. We “over admit” knowing that, if you are admitted to Notre Dame, you were probably admitted at several very fine universities. We know a certain percentage of students we admit will choose Notre Dame, and a certain percentage of admitted students will choose to go elsewhere.
lucy - atlanta, ga
when is the earliest student can freshmen can move in?
ND Admissions
Lucy, Friday, August 21 is the move-in date for the fall semester. Some students move in a day or two earlier if they are in ROTC, auditioning for the band, members of fall sports teams, or signed up to take language placement or math course credit exams.
Peter - San Juan, PR
What kind of laptops are more condusive to classes at ND. Do you recommend one application over another? Mac or Windows? Do you offer any special discounts?
ND Admissions
Hi Peter,
You can use whichever type of computer you’re more comfortable with and both Macs and PCs are supported on campus. Learn more about recommended specifications and purchasing options through the university.
Marcos - Seminole, Fl
I am from Florida. How do you get from building to building when it is snowing?
ND Admissions
The landscaping team keeps the sidewalks clear. You shouldn’t have a problem walking from building to building.
Christopher - Stony Brook, NY
How is the cell phone service? Is ATT, Verizon, or Sprint best?
ND Admissions
The two most common services on campus are Verizon and AT&T. However, many regional services also have service available and work. Sprint is the third most common, but does not have quite as good of service as the other two.
Jonne Santoli - Grain Valley, MO
How many Notre Dame Scholar awards were given to incoming freshmen?
ND Admissions
Hi Jonne- About 6% of our applicants were named Notre Dame Scholars this year.
Selina - Madison, AL
How competitive are the classes at ND? Is it a very intense learning atmosphere? For an example, a university where I would be spending half of every day studying.
ND Admissions
As a top 20 university, it is not a surprise that Notre Dame has a very competitive and rigorous academic program. That being said, I do not and know nobody who spends half of everyday studying. Depending on your major and your workload, on average I would say that students spend between 2-4 hours a night doing homework or studying. However, you may have nights where you spend 30 minutes finishing your homework (very rare) and you may have nights where you are in the library for 7 hours working on a paper, project and studying for a test.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
How much do we have to swim for the swim test (in a measurement like meters or feet)?
ND Admissions
The swim test depends on your performance. The first round of the test consists of two 25 meter laps, and if a student has not proved their ability to swim competently, they will be asked to do the same. The test’s proctoring varies from year to year, so that is just a general idea. However, you will not be required to swim a distance that is beyond the ability of any amateur, recreational swimmer. You won’t be asked to swim 5000m, don’t worry!
Charles - Omaha, NE
Is there a Wells Fargo bank around the South Bend area?
ND Admissions
Yes, there are many locations close to campus and throughout South Bend/Mishawaka. There are a number in downtown and a few next to the mall.
Marcos - Seminole, Fl
Are all the classes taught by priests?
ND Admissions
Hi Marcos,
Although we’re a Catholic university, somewhere around 10% of the classes are actually taught by priests.
Steven - Buffalo, NY
I took an AP exam last year, but didn't have ND as a recipient, how would I go about sending the score there now?
ND Admissions
Steven, if you are taking AP exams this spring and designate ND as the recipient, the junior year score should be included on the score report.
Chiamaka - Union, NJ
What type of laptops is most Notre Dame friendly?
ND Admissions
Good evening,
You can bring a Mac or a PC laptop to campus and either will be supported. You can learn more about the recommended specifications from the OIT website .
Daniel - Chandler, AZ
I sent in some required documents for my financial aid via fax last Saturday. I want to know if ND safely and successfully received my documents?
ND Admissions
Dear Daniel,
I suggest you email our office at finaid@nd.edu to see if we have received them. Since we do not have your identifying information in this environment, I am not able to answer your question.
Roger - Seminole, Fl
Does ND have an undergraduate curriculum that would lead to graduate work in genetic research? Also, given the recent changes in government funding, what would you expect to be ND's position on stem cell research?
ND Admissions
Hi Roger. I would suggest a major in the Biological Sciences or BioChemistry would be great preparation for graduate work in genetic research. Opportunities for undergraduate research at ND would certainly help you in that pursuit. You might want to read about one of our professor’s alternatives to stem cell research at http://newsinfo.nd.edu/news/11141-notre-dame-research-plays-prominent-role-in-alternative-stem-cell-method-2
Dianna - Davidsonville, MD
How often do you go off campus, and how do you like South Bend in general?
ND Admissions
Freshman year, students do not go off campus nearly as often as upperclassmen. This is in large part due to the fact that freshman don’t know as many people off campus. There are activities on campus, and most everything you might need is here. If there is something you need that isn’t available, there is a bus system that goes between here and a couple shopping complexes, one that includes the mall and one that includes Target. For activities, there are many things to do on campus throughout the week and on weekends, but there is a somewhat lively scene in South Bend and artists visit the area regularly. Just remember, Chicago is just an hour and half away!
Mason - Bryant, IN
Where is wireless internet available on campus?
ND Admissions
Yup! Almost every building on-campus is wireless. The signal gets a bit spotty lounging out in the middle of the quad though…
Jessica - Lockport, NY
For students who are doing work study: How much free time do you have? Do you have enough time to do homework, to work, and participate in activities such as sports or clubs?
ND Admissions
I personally am not involved in a work study program but I do have two jobs on campus! I work around 10-15 hours a week between these two jobs and feel like I have more than enough time to get my work and studying done. To put it into perspective: I have these two jobs, am taking 5 classes as a double major, am the rising president of my club ice hockey team, am involved in a few other clubs AND have time to just hang out with my friends. Personally, I find the busier I am, the better I am at managing my time for my other commitments- maybe you will find the same thing!
Kate - Ellicott City, MD
Is the Economics major at ND well regarded? Do econ majors typically find jobs right away or do they usually go to graduate school?
ND Admissions
Hi Kate, we believe that all of the majors at Notre Dame are highly regarded. In terms of job placement, it really comes down to personal placement. I was accepted to graduation school after Notre Dame but decided to enter the job market instead – others I know chose the other path.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
Sorry to ask so many questions. 1) On average how big are rooms? 2)Are the bathrooms private (rooms annexed to the bathrooms) or are they outside rooms?
ND Admissions
Rooms become better as the student progresses through their career here. In other words, freshman rooms are not as spacious as a senior’s room will be. However, the size of rooms depends largely on which dorm the student is in. Most of the newer dorms will have pretty standard room sizes, whereas the older dorms will have more variation. There are some rooms on campus that have their own bathroom, but the majority do not. EVERY room does have sink, though. You can see some of the variation here:
http://orlh.nd.edu/halls/index.html
John - Stony Brook, NY
How much time is allocated to religious activities per week for a student? Are non-religious students required to participate in those activities?
ND Admissions
Students are not required to participate in religious activities offered on campus. However, because it is such an integral part of the University’s identity, we strongly encourage students to take advantage of the opportunities for spiritual growth at some point during the Notre Dame experience. Your religious experience on campus is truly what you make of it.
Brittani - Effingham, IL
I live in downstate Illinois. Is there a way to get to Chicago othe than by train? If I take the train I think that there's a nine hour wait. Is there a bus or something?
ND Admissions
Hi Brittani,
There is a train that leaves from the South Bend Airport and drops you off in downtown Chicago, though I don’t think it’s a nine hour wait! The train usually takes about 2.5 hours to go from SB to Chicago, and there are a number of trains running throughout the day.
There’s also a bus that leaves from campus; one runs to O’Hare and another to Midway in Chicago. Chicago is easily accessible to our students, and you don’t have to worry about a nine hour wait!
Nathaniel - Franklin, WI
So, can you apply for work study jobs right away?
ND Admissions
Hi Nathaniel,
You can certainly contact departments on campus about employment. Typically, however, students wait until they arrive on campus to apply for a job.
Mayra - Bakersfield, CA
I took Philosophy 3 and Human Genetics at the UCSB will I be able to transfer these credits to ND?
ND Admissions
Mayra, the Human Genetics course would not transfer. The philosophy course would have a good choice of being approved. You would need to bring your transcript and course description to your First Year of Studies advisor when you arrive on campus in August.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
What type of credit cards do you accept? I mean, for example, at some schools they don't accept AmEx, while at others that's the only one accepted.
ND Admissions
Ramon,
Good question. Different parts of the university – like the bookstore or a restaurant – may have different policies on what credit cards they accept. I would imagine you would find that Visa or MasterCard may be more widely accepted than American Express.
Carlos White - Caracas,
Im an intenational sutdent but am an American citizen.Is it too late to apply for financial aid? My family's financial situation has changed in the previous month thanks to this world crisis.
ND Admissions
Dear Carlos,
I am sorry to learn that your family’s financial aid situation has changed.
As a US citizen, you are eligible to complete the regular financial aid process for Notre Dame. We require both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS/PROFILE application. You may find more information about our process at: http://www.nd.edu/~finaid/apply/index.shtml
Although our priority deadline was February 15, I would suggest you submit these applications to the processors as soon as possible and forward copies of your parents’ 2008 tax returns to our office.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
How does the meal plan work and how much more does the 21-meal plan cost compared to the 14-meal plan?
ND Admissions
Both meal plans cost the same amount of money to the students. The majority of students opt for the 14-Flex plan because it offers more options for the student outside the dining hall. It’s usually a better idea to start off with the 14-Flex plan and then move to the 21 meal plan if they feel like that would be a better option.
Christine - Chicago, IL
How easy is it to change your major once you declare sophmore year?
ND Admissions
Once you declare your major at the end of your sophomore year it is slightly difficult for you to change. If you change majors within your college (for example from Finance to Accounting) it is a little easier because several of the requirements are the same. If you want to change colleges (for example from Finance to History) it would be really hard for you to change and graduate on time because you would then have to fulfill all of the requirements of the college of Arts&Letters in addition to your history classes.
The way the requirements and curriculum are set up though give you lots of time to try out different sorts of classes before you have to declare sophomore year!
Brian - Neenah, WI
If I score high enough on my Spanish SAT II subject test, will I still have to take a semester or two of foreign language? If yes, what score will I need?
ND Admissions
Brian, a 590 or above on the SAT II. would complete the language requirement for the College of Science. A student in College of Arts and Letters would need to complete one additional Spanish course above the intermediate level.
Brian - Neenah, WI
I have been invited to apply to become a Glynn Honors student. It looks very interesting. I am planning to go onto medical school where having a high undergraduate GPA is a very important factor. Is it more difficult to obtain top grades in the required liberal arts classes if I am in the Glynn honors program?
ND Admissions
Congratulations on your invitation to the Glynn Honors Program! Invitations are very selective into the program – we wouldn’t have invited you if we didn’t think you could be successful in these courses. While the courses offered in the honors program offer a different type of challenge, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t be able to obtain a high GPA that would be competitive in the medical school application process.
Christine - Chicago, IL
How can I get football tickets so that I am sitting with my friends?
ND Admissions
Freshman year, students buy their tickets in a group of people at a given time that you will be notified of in the fall. When that time comes, simply gather a group of friends and follow the procedure.
Patrick - Boston, MA
What is the criteria to have a car for a second semester freshman student t?
ND Admissions
Freshmen are allowed to have a car on campus starting second semester. The only requirement for parking in the designated parking lots (and avoiding expensive parking tickets) is that you register your car with the school and buy a parking pass! I think the cost of that is about $100 per year.
Allison - South Bend, IN
Is it true that as an incoming freshman when you are admitted, it is not literally into the specific school that you indicated on your application, but into the University of Notre Dame itself? (ie: not "The college of arts and letters" but admitted, nonetheless)
ND Admissions
Hi Allison,
All freshman entering Notre Dame are a part of the First Year of Studies program . At the end of your freshman year, you declare what college you would like to enter into, such as the College of Arts and Letters. And most students declare their major at the end of their sophomore year.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
Ok, so they're community bathrooms right? Like outside the rooms? By bathrooms I mean where you shower and stuff.
ND Admissions
The bathrooms are communal for all freshman, and after freshman year, some rooms on campus are available with bathrooms attached. And yes, the bathrooms have showers as well as the typical facilities. Each student room has a sink.
Marcos - Seminole, Fl
I have received my AA degree from college while finishing high school. Will ND accept any of my college classes?
ND Admissions
Marcos, if you took those courses at your high school, then none of them could be transferred. If you took them at the college’s campus, then nine credits could be transferred.
Teresa - Haddon Township, NJ
I am concerned with ND's large size. How close are student-professor relationships? Does the campus feel more like a bunch of small communities stemming from residence halls or is it a single cohesive group despite its size? Do students still run into each other by chance in dining, studying, or athletic areas or is it usually necessary to make plans to meet someone?
ND Admissions
Student-Professor relationships definitely depend on what you put into them! Make an effort to get to know your teachers, have conversations with them and visit them in their office hours and it will pay off! Even if you are in a lecture of 200 students, get to know your teacher! It is possible but it is entirely up to you to take the initiative.
At times campus can feel like a bunch of small communities. There is a lot of dorm pride and spirit and you will most likely find a majority of your friends within your residence hall. This being said, however, Notre Dame is one big family and there is no prejudice based on your residence hall! It happens all the time that I run into my friends in the dining hall, student center, library and fitness center! If you have friends that live across campus and generally eat at the opposite dining hall, it might be necessary to make plans to meet up, but in general you will see your friends multiple times a day!
Personally, I think Notre Dame is the perfect size. It is small enough that you feel like you know a lot of people and recognize lots of faces throughout the day. But it is large enough that you can always meet new people and make new friends!
Brian - Neenah, WI
I know that ND has recently promoted undergrad research and has programs including Glynn Honors which afford undergrads the opportunity to do research. But how well regarded by medical admissions is this work compared with the research undergrads do at colleges such as Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, or Wisconsin?
ND Admissions
Notre Dame focuses on the undergraduate experience. With that in mind, we encourage students to participate in research beginning freshman year. Undergraduates are given priority in the research facilities, therefore they are well-versed in their particular field of research come senior year. We are not certain of how medical schools view undergraduate research at other universities, but research done at Notre Dame is looked upon quite favorably in the medical school application process.
Anthony - Long Grove, IL
What are the different meal plans available?
ND Admissions
There are two meal plans available: the 14-Flex plan and the 21-Meal plan. The 14-Flex plan has 14 meals in the dining halls available each week as well as an allowance of $325.00 Flex-points, which can be used at all ND Food Service locations on campus, which include the Burger King, Subway, Sbarro, as well as the various small cafes around campus. The 21-Meal plan offers 21 meals per week. Most students opt for the 14-Flex plan at first and if they feel this is not sufficient, will switch to the 21 meal plan.
Jared - Niles, MI
My dad works at ND and his benefit requires me to work during college. Do you know how many hours a week this requirement is, and if I am allowed to work more than that and receive compensation?
ND Admissions
Hi Jared,
Students can earn a maximum of $2,600 a year through campus employment. During the academic year, the maximum number of hours that students can work is 20 hours per week. Pay rates for on campus jobs vary; for more information on pay rates and campus employment opportunities, please visit our website at http://studentemployment.nd.edu/.
Marcos - Seminole, Fl
As compared to a public school, do you think the classes are harder or easier? Do the teachers use a curve to grade?
ND Admissions
I would say that whether or not a student finds the classes harder or easier depends on their school. I went to Catholic school and found the classes to be harder. Some teachers grade on a curve; others do not.
Alexandria - Coral Springs, Fl
I am not familiar with the loans system; however, a representative at another school seemed to say that they had a cap on the amount of loans a student can take out. Given that I know my FA packet will not provide enough for me to attend, will I have the opportunity to take out loans and if so to what degree and amount? Thank you.
ND Admissions
Dear Alexandria,
There are maximum annual loan limits for Federal Stafford Loans and Federal Perkins Loans. Please visit our website for specific information about loan limits: http://www.nd.edu/~finaid/undergraduate/loans/
You also will find information at that location about private education loans. The student is the borrower in a private educational loan and typically requires a credit-worthy co-signer. The Federal PLUS loan is available to parents of undergraduate students. The maximum amount the borrower can request from these programs is determined by taking the cost of attendance and subtracting financial aid.
Peter - San Juan, PR
How many applicants did you receive for this year's freshman class? How many applicants were accepted?
ND Admissions
Peter,
This year we received 14,353 applications for about 2,000 spots in the First Year class. We admitted about 3,850 students to fill those spots. We “over admit” knowing that, if you are admitted to Notre Dame, you were probably admitted at several very fine universities. We know a certain percentage of students we admit will choose Notre Dame, and a certain percentage of admitted students will choose to go elsewhere.
lucy - atlanta, ga
when is the earliest student can freshmen can move in?
ND Admissions
Lucy, Friday, August 21 is the move-in date for the fall semester. Some students move in a day or two earlier if they are in ROTC, auditioning for the band, members of fall sports teams, or signed up to take language placement or math course credit exams.
Peter - San Juan, PR
What kind of laptops are more condusive to classes at ND. Do you recommend one application over another? Mac or Windows? Do you offer any special discounts?
ND Admissions
Hi Peter,
You can use whichever type of computer you’re more comfortable with and both Macs and PCs are supported on campus. Learn more about recommended specifications and purchasing options through the university.
Marcos - Seminole, Fl
I am from Florida. How do you get from building to building when it is snowing?
ND Admissions
The landscaping team keeps the sidewalks clear. You shouldn’t have a problem walking from building to building.
Christopher - Stony Brook, NY
How is the cell phone service? Is ATT, Verizon, or Sprint best?
ND Admissions
The two most common services on campus are Verizon and AT&T. However, many regional services also have service available and work. Sprint is the third most common, but does not have quite as good of service as the other two.
Jonne Santoli - Grain Valley, MO
How many Notre Dame Scholar awards were given to incoming freshmen?
ND Admissions
Hi Jonne- About 6% of our applicants were named Notre Dame Scholars this year.
Selina - Madison, AL
How competitive are the classes at ND? Is it a very intense learning atmosphere? For an example, a university where I would be spending half of every day studying.
ND Admissions
As a top 20 university, it is not a surprise that Notre Dame has a very competitive and rigorous academic program. That being said, I do not and know nobody who spends half of everyday studying. Depending on your major and your workload, on average I would say that students spend between 2-4 hours a night doing homework or studying. However, you may have nights where you spend 30 minutes finishing your homework (very rare) and you may have nights where you are in the library for 7 hours working on a paper, project and studying for a test.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
How much do we have to swim for the swim test (in a measurement like meters or feet)?
ND Admissions
The swim test depends on your performance. The first round of the test consists of two 25 meter laps, and if a student has not proved their ability to swim competently, they will be asked to do the same. The test’s proctoring varies from year to year, so that is just a general idea. However, you will not be required to swim a distance that is beyond the ability of any amateur, recreational swimmer. You won’t be asked to swim 5000m, don’t worry!
Charles - Omaha, NE
Is there a Wells Fargo bank around the South Bend area?
ND Admissions
Yes, there are many locations close to campus and throughout South Bend/Mishawaka. There are a number in downtown and a few next to the mall.
Marcos - Seminole, Fl
Are all the classes taught by priests?
ND Admissions
Hi Marcos,
Although we’re a Catholic university, somewhere around 10% of the classes are actually taught by priests.
Steven - Buffalo, NY
I took an AP exam last year, but didn't have ND as a recipient, how would I go about sending the score there now?
ND Admissions
Steven, if you are taking AP exams this spring and designate ND as the recipient, the junior year score should be included on the score report.
Chiamaka - Union, NJ
What type of laptops is most Notre Dame friendly?
ND Admissions
Good evening,
You can bring a Mac or a PC laptop to campus and either will be supported. You can learn more about the recommended specifications from the OIT website .
Daniel - Chandler, AZ
I sent in some required documents for my financial aid via fax last Saturday. I want to know if ND safely and successfully received my documents?
ND Admissions
Dear Daniel,
I suggest you email our office at finaid@nd.edu to see if we have received them. Since we do not have your identifying information in this environment, I am not able to answer your question.
Roger - Seminole, Fl
Does ND have an undergraduate curriculum that would lead to graduate work in genetic research? Also, given the recent changes in government funding, what would you expect to be ND's position on stem cell research?
ND Admissions
Hi Roger. I would suggest a major in the Biological Sciences or BioChemistry would be great preparation for graduate work in genetic research. Opportunities for undergraduate research at ND would certainly help you in that pursuit. You might want to read about one of our professor’s alternatives to stem cell research at http://newsinfo.nd.edu/news/11141-notre-dame-research-plays-prominent-role-in-alternative-stem-cell-method-2
Dianna - Davidsonville, MD
How often do you go off campus, and how do you like South Bend in general?
ND Admissions
Freshman year, students do not go off campus nearly as often as upperclassmen. This is in large part due to the fact that freshman don’t know as many people off campus. There are activities on campus, and most everything you might need is here. If there is something you need that isn’t available, there is a bus system that goes between here and a couple shopping complexes, one that includes the mall and one that includes Target. For activities, there are many things to do on campus throughout the week and on weekends, but there is a somewhat lively scene in South Bend and artists visit the area regularly. Just remember, Chicago is just an hour and half away!
Mason - Bryant, IN
Where is wireless internet available on campus?
ND Admissions
Yup! Almost every building on-campus is wireless. The signal gets a bit spotty lounging out in the middle of the quad though…
Jessica - Lockport, NY
For students who are doing work study: How much free time do you have? Do you have enough time to do homework, to work, and participate in activities such as sports or clubs?
ND Admissions
I personally am not involved in a work study program but I do have two jobs on campus! I work around 10-15 hours a week between these two jobs and feel like I have more than enough time to get my work and studying done. To put it into perspective: I have these two jobs, am taking 5 classes as a double major, am the rising president of my club ice hockey team, am involved in a few other clubs AND have time to just hang out with my friends. Personally, I find the busier I am, the better I am at managing my time for my other commitments- maybe you will find the same thing!
Kate - Ellicott City, MD
Is the Economics major at ND well regarded? Do econ majors typically find jobs right away or do they usually go to graduate school?
ND Admissions
Hi Kate, we believe that all of the majors at Notre Dame are highly regarded. In terms of job placement, it really comes down to personal placement. I was accepted to graduation school after Notre Dame but decided to enter the job market instead – others I know chose the other path.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
Sorry to ask so many questions. 1) On average how big are rooms? 2)Are the bathrooms private (rooms annexed to the bathrooms) or are they outside rooms?
ND Admissions
Rooms become better as the student progresses through their career here. In other words, freshman rooms are not as spacious as a senior’s room will be. However, the size of rooms depends largely on which dorm the student is in. Most of the newer dorms will have pretty standard room sizes, whereas the older dorms will have more variation. There are some rooms on campus that have their own bathroom, but the majority do not. EVERY room does have sink, though. You can see some of the variation here:
http://orlh.nd.edu/halls/index.html
John - Stony Brook, NY
How much time is allocated to religious activities per week for a student? Are non-religious students required to participate in those activities?
ND Admissions
Students are not required to participate in religious activities offered on campus. However, because it is such an integral part of the University’s identity, we strongly encourage students to take advantage of the opportunities for spiritual growth at some point during the Notre Dame experience. Your religious experience on campus is truly what you make of it.
Brittani - Effingham, IL
I live in downstate Illinois. Is there a way to get to Chicago othe than by train? If I take the train I think that there's a nine hour wait. Is there a bus or something?
ND Admissions
Hi Brittani,
There is a train that leaves from the South Bend Airport and drops you off in downtown Chicago, though I don’t think it’s a nine hour wait! The train usually takes about 2.5 hours to go from SB to Chicago, and there are a number of trains running throughout the day.
There’s also a bus that leaves from campus; one runs to O’Hare and another to Midway in Chicago. Chicago is easily accessible to our students, and you don’t have to worry about a nine hour wait!
Nathaniel - Franklin, WI
So, can you apply for work study jobs right away?
ND Admissions
Hi Nathaniel,
You can certainly contact departments on campus about employment. Typically, however, students wait until they arrive on campus to apply for a job.
Mayra - Bakersfield, CA
I took Philosophy 3 and Human Genetics at the UCSB will I be able to transfer these credits to ND?
ND Admissions
Mayra, the Human Genetics course would not transfer. The philosophy course would have a good choice of being approved. You would need to bring your transcript and course description to your First Year of Studies advisor when you arrive on campus in August.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
What type of credit cards do you accept? I mean, for example, at some schools they don't accept AmEx, while at others that's the only one accepted.
ND Admissions
Ramon,
Good question. Different parts of the university – like the bookstore or a restaurant – may have different policies on what credit cards they accept. I would imagine you would find that Visa or MasterCard may be more widely accepted than American Express.
Carlos White - Caracas,
Im an intenational sutdent but am an American citizen.Is it too late to apply for financial aid? My family's financial situation has changed in the previous month thanks to this world crisis.
ND Admissions
Dear Carlos,
I am sorry to learn that your family’s financial aid situation has changed.
As a US citizen, you are eligible to complete the regular financial aid process for Notre Dame. We require both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS/PROFILE application. You may find more information about our process at: http://www.nd.edu/~finaid/apply/index.shtml
Although our priority deadline was February 15, I would suggest you submit these applications to the processors as soon as possible and forward copies of your parents’ 2008 tax returns to our office.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
How does the meal plan work and how much more does the 21-meal plan cost compared to the 14-meal plan?
ND Admissions
Both meal plans cost the same amount of money to the students. The majority of students opt for the 14-Flex plan because it offers more options for the student outside the dining hall. It’s usually a better idea to start off with the 14-Flex plan and then move to the 21 meal plan if they feel like that would be a better option.
Christine - Chicago, IL
How easy is it to change your major once you declare sophmore year?
ND Admissions
Once you declare your major at the end of your sophomore year it is slightly difficult for you to change. If you change majors within your college (for example from Finance to Accounting) it is a little easier because several of the requirements are the same. If you want to change colleges (for example from Finance to History) it would be really hard for you to change and graduate on time because you would then have to fulfill all of the requirements of the college of Arts&Letters in addition to your history classes.
The way the requirements and curriculum are set up though give you lots of time to try out different sorts of classes before you have to declare sophomore year!
Brian - Neenah, WI
If I score high enough on my Spanish SAT II subject test, will I still have to take a semester or two of foreign language? If yes, what score will I need?
ND Admissions
Brian, a 590 or above on the SAT II. would complete the language requirement for the College of Science. A student in College of Arts and Letters would need to complete one additional Spanish course above the intermediate level.
Brian - Neenah, WI
I have been invited to apply to become a Glynn Honors student. It looks very interesting. I am planning to go onto medical school where having a high undergraduate GPA is a very important factor. Is it more difficult to obtain top grades in the required liberal arts classes if I am in the Glynn honors program?
ND Admissions
Congratulations on your invitation to the Glynn Honors Program! Invitations are very selective into the program – we wouldn’t have invited you if we didn’t think you could be successful in these courses. While the courses offered in the honors program offer a different type of challenge, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t be able to obtain a high GPA that would be competitive in the medical school application process.
Christine - Chicago, IL
How can I get football tickets so that I am sitting with my friends?
ND Admissions
Freshman year, students buy their tickets in a group of people at a given time that you will be notified of in the fall. When that time comes, simply gather a group of friends and follow the procedure.
