Chats » Regular Action Admitted Student Chat, 2009
Charles - Omaha, NE
Is an Economics major at Notre Dame considered part of the Mendoza school of Business or the College of the Arts?
ND Admissions
It is in the College of Arts and Letters.
Charley Liu - South Setauket, NY
How does the Glynn Family Honors program work course-wise? Will students participating in the program be able to take regular courses available to all the students at Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Charley, the honors programs offers a mixture of honors program-specific courses in addition to regular university offerings. You should come and try it out!
Chiamaka - Union, NJ
In terms of travel by plane, how is it to fly directly into and out of South Bend?
ND Admissions
Flying into South Bend, you typically would fly in on a smaller plane. A number of students opt to fly into one of the Chicago airports and ride the bus down because it’s typically cheaper and the bus drops off right onto campus. Riding the bus, you don’t have catch a cab from the South Bend airport either!
Christine - Chicago, IL
I would like to have a job while in school. How difficult is it to find a job on campus?
ND Admissions
Finding a job on campus is very simple. There are many options for employment here, including your typical work-study jobs like working in food service or serving as an attendant at a computer cluster. However, there are also opportunities to work in departments (including yours, most likely) as a clerical worker, at places like the night club on campus, or for the Student Union Board, which stages a lot of what happens here, just to name a few. Finding a job is easy, and maintaining it is not usually a trouble.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
Just curious, would you consider most of the people at ND religious fanatics?
ND Admissions
Hi Ramon- Thanks for joining us from Honduras! I think that our students, faculty and staff are sincere and thoughtful about their faith practice. This is a special place where we hope to nourish both your intellect and your spirit. The Catholic character of Notre Dame is evident in our everyday experiences, allowing you to celebrate life’s many blessings.
John - Phoenix, AZ
What is the aspect of ND that students dislike the most?
ND Admissions
It is really hard to say because it depends on the student and personal preferences. Something that you hate about ND might be another person’s favorite part. Personally, I dislike how conservative a lot of the student body and administration is here but that is probably because I am a liberal attending a Catholic university!
Adan - Bosque Farms, NM
In a letter from financial aid, it was asked that I submit an outline of savings and investments reported on the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE. What exactly does this mean? Is there another form or how should I go about outlining?
ND Admissions
Hi Adan,
Great question. Sometimes, upon reviewing the financial aid applications, the Office of Financial Aid will need further clarification in regards to the amount of savings and investments. This request does not require a specific form; in fact, it can be as simple as emailing the Office of Financial Aid (finaid@nd.edu) a list of the amount of funds in each of your and your parents’ savings/checking accounts and a list of the amount of funds in each of your and your parents’ investment funds (as well as a list of any debt against these funds). Please note that the amount of funds should be accurate not as of today but as of the day you filed the FAFSA.
John - Phoenix, AZ
Sell Me!
I have been accepted to a Jesuit University that is offering me a substantial scholarship. If I went there, I would only have $20,000 of debt, whereas at ND, I would have $140,000. This school has the same engineering program that ND offers.
Why should I come to ND, given that I can get what I want at a much lower cost?
ND Admissions
John, that’s easy. The ND experience is priceless. The sense of family, tradition, faith, and intellectual pursuit as a complete package are unmatched in american higher education. We can certainly tell you that most of our students are in your situation (being offered tons of merit money elsewhere). Picking ND is a life decision – it’ll affect you for the rest of your life, not just the 4 years you’re in college.
John - Phoenix, AZ
The following questions are for students/faculty in the Engineering Dept.
Are undergrad students permitted to use the windtunnels (and/or water tunnels), or are they only for graduate students?
Are students required to take a machine shop class?
What kind of computer would you recommend, and what should the system specs be?
How many Aerospace Engineering students recieve fellowships for graduate studies per year, and from who?
What kind of internship opportunities are offered to AE students?
Given the economic difficulties, are any programs being cut, and do you anticipate making cuts in the future?
ND Admissions
Hi John,
1) I’m not sure about the wind tunnel question, but I bet some undergrads are able to use it. Contacting the Aerospace Engineering Department at 574-631-5430 or amedept@nd.edu may get your answer. 2) I don’t believe a machine shop class is required. 3) Again the College of Engineering could answer your question about fellowships. 4) You can learn more about internship data at the Career Center website . 5) Departments and offices across the university are being asked to be fiscally responsible in their spending, but there are no EG programs being cut and no plans for that in the future.
Brian - Neenah, WI
How many students are at Notre Dame with a declared major in Biochemistry? How many BS degrees in Biochemistry have been given each of the last two years?
ND Admissions
You have some great questions, but as they are very specific to the College of Science, it would be to your benefit to speak with a representative from the department.
For specific questions in biochemistry: 574.631.7058
For specific questions regarding medical school: 574.631.4890
Philip - Fort Myers, FL
Is there a limit to the amount of AP credit you can receive?
ND Admissions
Philip, 30 credits is the maximum number of AP and, or IB, credits that can be applied to a ND degree.
Patrick - Decatur, Ga
Since there is not a fun city around Notre Dame I know that there is a lot to do on campus. But does the campus-oriented life get boring after a while?
ND Admissions
There are many activities that go on during the school year, and they are varied enough so that a student will not be bored if they look a little. If a student gets bored on campus, South Bend offers some more typically “fun” things to do; there is a good mall, a bowling alley close by, and the Morris Center in downtown South Bend that stages concerts and cultural activities throughout the year. As an example of things to do, here are a couple links:
http://sao.nd.edu/events/
http://www.legendsofnotredame.org/club/
Magan - Atlanta, GA
hello, are the first year studies programs specifically for certian students studing certain majors? if so which ones?
ND Admissions
Magan, every first academic schedule is shaped by the student’s prospective college program and major.
Calvin - Rantoul, IL
I am a Questbridge finalist, but I didn't submit my Questbridge application to Notre Dame. I was wondering if I could still receive a Questbridge scholarship.
ND Admissions
Calvin,
At this point it is no longer possible to recieve a QuestBridge scholarship. The QuestBridge Match was made in late November, if you recall. That said, we find that many students who applied through QuestBridge receive financial aid awards very similar to the QuestBridge National Match Scholarship. All of our financial aid is need-based, so the size of your award will depend on your family’s particular financial circumstances.
Andrew - Greenville, RI
I am taking 3 AP exams this May, and do not know when I will receive the scores back. The results may get me out of some additional requirements, so can I change my schedule accordingly after June 22nd?
ND Admissions
Andrew, AP scores reach the First Year of Studies at ND in early July, if the student has designated ND as the recipient. Your advisor will adjust your course choices on the basis of your AP scores.
Derek - Bloomington, IL
When do we get our information for student tickets to the football games?
ND Admissions
Derek,
Initial information about football tickets will arrive some time during the summer. Freshmen will pick up their tickets during the first week of classes. The summer information packet will also highlight those games that are designmated as “parent” games, and your parents will be able to purchase tickets if they wish.
Naruto - ,
I am extremely not confident about my oral English,and I have no ideas about what life is like in America.so I want to know that do international students have special program to help them to fit in American society as quickly as possible.
ND Admissions
Hi Naruto,
During international orientation, the Office of International Student Services and Activities (ISSA) will take you through meetings and workshops to get accustomed to Notre Dame. And, during your first few weeks on campus, there will be a number of chances for you to fit in and feel more comfortable.
AS - ,
If your financial aid package includes campus employment, do you get to choose where you work or does the university choose for you?
ND Admissions
Dear AS,
Please see the prior postings on opportunites that are available, looking for and interviewing for positions – the Student Employment website link is included in those postings. The University does not choose a position or assign a position for you.
Casey - Wilmette, IL
I have heard others say that your dorm at ND is kind of like your fraternity. Do you find this to be the case?
ND Admissions
The way that the dorm system at Notre Dame works, you get all of the good things about a fraternity without all of the bad. The good things are the sense of community and family, the tradition, and the identity. The bad things that are not prevalent are mostly centered around hazing, which is taken very seriously here, and is not permitted.
Joowon - Shanghai,
Is the grading scale (GPA) at ND similar to grading systems in schools with a 4.0 scale?
ND Admissions
Joowon,
Our grade point system is based on the 4.0 scale. Students begin at a 4.0 when they arrive as freshmen, and work their way down from there. :)
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
What exactly would we need to know beforehand to be prepared for Calculus I? (I mean like material I need to cover, because I'm planning on studying more of Pre-Calculus during summer )
ND Admissions
Ramon, the best preparation for calculus is to completely master the concepts of algebra and trigonometry. The ability to handle different types of equations is a good starting point.
Joseph - , Ohio
Is there a preferred place to stay when parents are visiting their son on Campus?
ND Admissions
Joseph,
Our suggestion is that you stay in a hotel close to campus. The two hotels closest to campus are the Morris Inn (on campus) or the Inn at St. Mary’s. If they are full, the Jameson Inn or the Marriott Hotel Downtown. Please go to the following link for information about hotels in the South Bend area: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-475846-south_bend_hotels-i
Kevin - Medford, NJ
An earlier answer stated one could choose their job that was granted as part of financial aid. Could you provide some details such as when is the choice made, are all the jobs on campus, and is the work schedule flexible relative to weekdays/weekends? - thanks
ND Admissions
Dear Kevin,
We send more detailed information in early August about campus employment. Typically students wait until they arrive on campus to interview with hiring departments. The student and supervisor work out the actual schedule. Typically supervisors are flexible as they understand you are a student first and then an employee. Please refer to the student employment section of our website for additional information: http://www.nd.edu/~finaid/student_employment/
Jessica - Lockport, NY
Can any ND student be a counselor for the IEP program during the summer or do students have to be engineering majors? What other opportunities for work are there over the summer?
ND Admissions
Jessica,
I would imagine that the IEP counselors are almost always students with an Engineering major, but I would imagine there is no hard and fast rule about it. So that may be a possibility. Students who are employed during the summer may be involved in paid research, working as a residence hall manager, in academic departments, or as a counselor for programs like ND Vision. The Human Resources website would be a good resource for some of those options
Peter - San Juan, PR
*How are roommates assigned?
*Are the dorms always available for the four years of undergrad?
ND Admissions
Roommates are assigned randomly by a computer. It is very common for students to stay on campus all four years of their career here, and around 80% of students reside on campus. It is not until senior year that many choose to move off-campus. So yes, dorms are available all four years, and if a student decides to reside on campus for their career, it is most often in the same dorm.
Joey - Crown Point, In
Does Notre Dame offer any full scholarships?
ND Admissions
Typically, financial aid packages consist of a combination of scholarships and grants, work study, and loans. The amount of each resouce a student will receive depends on a variety of factors.
Selina - Madison, AL
How big is the Middle Eastern community at ND?
ND Admissions
Hi Selina,
To be honest, the Middle Eastern community is not huge at Notre Dame. But I think you’ll find that regardless of where you are from or how many other people are from that area, you’ll be more than comfortable in the Notre Dame Family!
Tom - Lombard, IL
Can students build lofts in their rooms?
ND Admissions
Depending on which dorm you are in you will be able to build lofts. Some dorms come with “modular” furniture which you can arrange in a loft style. Some dorms do not allow freshman to build lofts until second semester or until sophomore year.
Nathaniel - Franklin, WI
Would it be possible for my brother (who attends ND) to request that my friend also be in his dorm when he's already requested that I be?
ND Admissions
He could try although I highly doubt that this would be possible.
Mike - Chicago, IL
I hear all the time that there are so many activities on the weekend but I have never heard of any fun, specific activities, what are a couple?
ND Admissions
On campus, there are many activities that go on during the weekends. Notre Dame has its own night club called Legends where there are concerts and different events each weekend -> http://www.legendsofnotredame.org/club/ and the Student Activities Office produces many activities for students throughout the year -> http://sao.nd.edu/events/
Dan - Riverside, CT
If I have a sibling currently attending Notre Dame, is it possible to join the same dorm as him?
ND Admissions
On rare occasions it is possible. Your sibling would have to be pretty close with the rector of the dorm for this to happen.
Steven - Buffalo, NY
Are you required to take a foreign language your first year or is it based on what a person may major in?
ND Admissions
Steven, the only ones required to take a foreign language are those who plan to study in France or Austria for their sophomore year. Potential language majors normally take courses in that language during their first year.
Brian - Neenah, WI
Second question? What if I then take the AP Exam for these same subjects and test at a 4 or 5 level? Could I then use the AP Credit to bypass the Social Science and/or Composition requirement?
FYI. Not trying to take the easy way out. I am actually looking for ways to get to a dual major or add room for more advanced classes in my major.
Brian
Would earning college credits in high school in subjects such as US Gov't & Politics (POL 104), English Lit, and English Composition exempt me from any of the core curriculum in Social Science or Composition?
ND Admissions
Hi Brian- If the credit is earned while at your high school (i.e., not in a college classroom), the answer is no. Sorry, Brian.
ND Admissions
Now you’re on to something, Brian! A 4 or 5 on either English exam will qualify for credit for our First Year Composition class. A 5 on the AP Government exam will earn you a semester’s worth of credit.
Nathaniel - Franklin, WI
I had a couple of questions: 1) When can we find out about what jobs are available for work study and 2) if I already have a gmail account, is there any way of transferring it to the nd account?
ND Admissions
You can refer to our job board to find out about what jobs are available for work study. Your Notre Dame Google Apps account is totally separate from your personal Google/Gmail account, so nothing will change about your personal Google account. You will not be able to integrate these two accounts at this time. Utilizing your @nd.edu account guarantees that users will receive notices and messages from the University. It is up to the individual user to decide whether or not they would like to utilize the @nd.edu account or forward mail sent to the @nd.edu account to an outside account at their own risk.The student handbook states that ND email is an official communication mechanism, and all students are required to use their ND mail per the Student Handbook.
Kate - Sterling, VA
Have you received money from the Notre Dame Scholarship Committee? If so, by how much does it reduce your expected family contribution? Do you have any advice how to prepare for the qualifying interview? Thank you!
ND Admissions
Dear Kate,
I assume your question refers to alumni club scholarship opportunities. The amount of club scholarships varies based upon the funding each club has available to offer. Club scholarships are treated like outside scholarships in the financial aid package at Notre Dame. Please refer to prior postings on Notre Dame policy regarding outside scholarships.
Not all clubs require interviews, but it sounds like perhaps you were contacted by your area club. In terms of preparing, I suggest you simply be yourself! I suspect the committee will want to know what you believe you will bring to the Notre Dame community and how you will give back (e.g., community service, involvement, etc.). Good luck to you in your inteview.
Ji Hye - Wheeling, WV
How many students are there in an average size class?
One of the important factors that I am concerned about is the intimacy between the students and professors. How hard is it for students to form a close relationships with professors?
What opportunities do I have to have internships around the campus?
What are some "fun activities" that studens do toff campus on the weekends?
ND Admissions
Our average class size is 27 students. That being said, your freshman year you will most likely have larger classes (as you probably be taking introductory levels) and get smaller as your progress.
It is really up to the student to create a relationship with a professor. Do not wait for a professor to try to get to know you because it will not generally happen without you initiating it! Each professor provides you with their office hours every week and in addition will make themselves available by appointment. All this being said, it is NOT hard to create a great relationship with a teacher- it is just about putting in the time! I cannot stress how important I think it is to get to know your teachers. It will not only help you out academically but they may be able to help you out later down the road!
There are so many job opportunities around campus! It really depends what you want to be doing. You could work at Subway, Starbucks or any of the little cafes within the academic buildings. If you are good with computers you could work in a computer cluster, you could work in the library. There are lots of opportunities to do research with professors. You could be a tour guide (my job!). These are only a few of the jobs that you could do around campus, definitely check out more options when you get here! Let me know if you have any more questions!
Chiamaka - Union, NJ
Is there a place on campus where family can lodge while visiting ND?
ND Admissions
The Morris Inn is a hotel on campus for parents or any other visitors. Nearby is also the Inn at St. Mary’s and a Hilton Garden Inn on the St. Mary’s campus. Because ND is a big tourist draw, especially during football season, there are a number of hotels in the area.
Chelsea - Chicago, IL
Is it possible for first-year students who were admitted regular decision to apply for housing in Ryan Hall?
ND Admissions
Chelsea,
All of our residence hall assignments are done randomly. The housing assignment is usually made in the month of July. This ensures that students admitted in regular action are eligible for assignment in any hall, including our new woman’s dorm, Ryan.
Chiamaka - Union, NJ
Is the $500 enrollment fee part of the tuition payment or is it a separate payment?
ND Admissions
Hi Chiamaka,
The $500 fee is a separate payment, it isn’t part of the tuition payment.
Brian - Neenah, WI
I was invited to apply to the Glynn Honors program. If I submit the application what are my chances of getting in?
ND Admissions
Brian, just make sure you take your time to put together a good application. They wouldn’t invite you if they weren’t interested in you.
Charles - Omaha, NE
Is an Economics major at Notre Dame considered part of the Mendoza school of Business or the College of the Arts?
ND Admissions
It is in the College of Arts and Letters.
Charley Liu - South Setauket, NY
How does the Glynn Family Honors program work course-wise? Will students participating in the program be able to take regular courses available to all the students at Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Charley, the honors programs offers a mixture of honors program-specific courses in addition to regular university offerings. You should come and try it out!
Chiamaka - Union, NJ
In terms of travel by plane, how is it to fly directly into and out of South Bend?
ND Admissions
Flying into South Bend, you typically would fly in on a smaller plane. A number of students opt to fly into one of the Chicago airports and ride the bus down because it’s typically cheaper and the bus drops off right onto campus. Riding the bus, you don’t have catch a cab from the South Bend airport either!
Christine - Chicago, IL
I would like to have a job while in school. How difficult is it to find a job on campus?
ND Admissions
Finding a job on campus is very simple. There are many options for employment here, including your typical work-study jobs like working in food service or serving as an attendant at a computer cluster. However, there are also opportunities to work in departments (including yours, most likely) as a clerical worker, at places like the night club on campus, or for the Student Union Board, which stages a lot of what happens here, just to name a few. Finding a job is easy, and maintaining it is not usually a trouble.
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
Just curious, would you consider most of the people at ND religious fanatics?
ND Admissions
Hi Ramon- Thanks for joining us from Honduras! I think that our students, faculty and staff are sincere and thoughtful about their faith practice. This is a special place where we hope to nourish both your intellect and your spirit. The Catholic character of Notre Dame is evident in our everyday experiences, allowing you to celebrate life’s many blessings.
John - Phoenix, AZ
What is the aspect of ND that students dislike the most?
ND Admissions
It is really hard to say because it depends on the student and personal preferences. Something that you hate about ND might be another person’s favorite part. Personally, I dislike how conservative a lot of the student body and administration is here but that is probably because I am a liberal attending a Catholic university!
Adan - Bosque Farms, NM
In a letter from financial aid, it was asked that I submit an outline of savings and investments reported on the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE. What exactly does this mean? Is there another form or how should I go about outlining?
ND Admissions
Hi Adan,
Great question. Sometimes, upon reviewing the financial aid applications, the Office of Financial Aid will need further clarification in regards to the amount of savings and investments. This request does not require a specific form; in fact, it can be as simple as emailing the Office of Financial Aid (finaid@nd.edu) a list of the amount of funds in each of your and your parents’ savings/checking accounts and a list of the amount of funds in each of your and your parents’ investment funds (as well as a list of any debt against these funds). Please note that the amount of funds should be accurate not as of today but as of the day you filed the FAFSA.
John - Phoenix, AZ
Sell Me! I have been accepted to a Jesuit University that is offering me a substantial scholarship. If I went there, I would only have $20,000 of debt, whereas at ND, I would have $140,000. This school has the same engineering program that ND offers. Why should I come to ND, given that I can get what I want at a much lower cost?
ND Admissions
John, that’s easy. The ND experience is priceless. The sense of family, tradition, faith, and intellectual pursuit as a complete package are unmatched in american higher education. We can certainly tell you that most of our students are in your situation (being offered tons of merit money elsewhere). Picking ND is a life decision – it’ll affect you for the rest of your life, not just the 4 years you’re in college.
John - Phoenix, AZ
The following questions are for students/faculty in the Engineering Dept. Are undergrad students permitted to use the windtunnels (and/or water tunnels), or are they only for graduate students? Are students required to take a machine shop class? What kind of computer would you recommend, and what should the system specs be? How many Aerospace Engineering students recieve fellowships for graduate studies per year, and from who? What kind of internship opportunities are offered to AE students? Given the economic difficulties, are any programs being cut, and do you anticipate making cuts in the future?
ND Admissions
Hi John,
1) I’m not sure about the wind tunnel question, but I bet some undergrads are able to use it. Contacting the Aerospace Engineering Department at 574-631-5430 or amedept@nd.edu may get your answer. 2) I don’t believe a machine shop class is required. 3) Again the College of Engineering could answer your question about fellowships. 4) You can learn more about internship data at the Career Center website . 5) Departments and offices across the university are being asked to be fiscally responsible in their spending, but there are no EG programs being cut and no plans for that in the future.
Brian - Neenah, WI
How many students are at Notre Dame with a declared major in Biochemistry? How many BS degrees in Biochemistry have been given each of the last two years?
ND Admissions
You have some great questions, but as they are very specific to the College of Science, it would be to your benefit to speak with a representative from the department. For specific questions in biochemistry: 574.631.7058 For specific questions regarding medical school: 574.631.4890
Philip - Fort Myers, FL
Is there a limit to the amount of AP credit you can receive?
ND Admissions
Philip, 30 credits is the maximum number of AP and, or IB, credits that can be applied to a ND degree.
Patrick - Decatur, Ga
Since there is not a fun city around Notre Dame I know that there is a lot to do on campus. But does the campus-oriented life get boring after a while?
ND Admissions
There are many activities that go on during the school year, and they are varied enough so that a student will not be bored if they look a little. If a student gets bored on campus, South Bend offers some more typically “fun” things to do; there is a good mall, a bowling alley close by, and the Morris Center in downtown South Bend that stages concerts and cultural activities throughout the year. As an example of things to do, here are a couple links:
http://sao.nd.edu/events/
http://www.legendsofnotredame.org/club/
Magan - Atlanta, GA
hello, are the first year studies programs specifically for certian students studing certain majors? if so which ones?
ND Admissions
Magan, every first academic schedule is shaped by the student’s prospective college program and major.
Calvin - Rantoul, IL
I am a Questbridge finalist, but I didn't submit my Questbridge application to Notre Dame. I was wondering if I could still receive a Questbridge scholarship.
ND Admissions
Calvin,
At this point it is no longer possible to recieve a QuestBridge scholarship. The QuestBridge Match was made in late November, if you recall. That said, we find that many students who applied through QuestBridge receive financial aid awards very similar to the QuestBridge National Match Scholarship. All of our financial aid is need-based, so the size of your award will depend on your family’s particular financial circumstances.
Andrew - Greenville, RI
I am taking 3 AP exams this May, and do not know when I will receive the scores back. The results may get me out of some additional requirements, so can I change my schedule accordingly after June 22nd?
ND Admissions
Andrew, AP scores reach the First Year of Studies at ND in early July, if the student has designated ND as the recipient. Your advisor will adjust your course choices on the basis of your AP scores.
Derek - Bloomington, IL
When do we get our information for student tickets to the football games?
ND Admissions
Derek,
Initial information about football tickets will arrive some time during the summer. Freshmen will pick up their tickets during the first week of classes. The summer information packet will also highlight those games that are designmated as “parent” games, and your parents will be able to purchase tickets if they wish.
Naruto - ,
I am extremely not confident about my oral English,and I have no ideas about what life is like in America.so I want to know that do international students have special program to help them to fit in American society as quickly as possible.
ND Admissions
Hi Naruto,
During international orientation, the Office of International Student Services and Activities (ISSA) will take you through meetings and workshops to get accustomed to Notre Dame. And, during your first few weeks on campus, there will be a number of chances for you to fit in and feel more comfortable.
AS - ,
If your financial aid package includes campus employment, do you get to choose where you work or does the university choose for you?
ND Admissions
Dear AS,
Please see the prior postings on opportunites that are available, looking for and interviewing for positions – the Student Employment website link is included in those postings. The University does not choose a position or assign a position for you.
Casey - Wilmette, IL
I have heard others say that your dorm at ND is kind of like your fraternity. Do you find this to be the case?
ND Admissions
The way that the dorm system at Notre Dame works, you get all of the good things about a fraternity without all of the bad. The good things are the sense of community and family, the tradition, and the identity. The bad things that are not prevalent are mostly centered around hazing, which is taken very seriously here, and is not permitted.
Joowon - Shanghai,
Is the grading scale (GPA) at ND similar to grading systems in schools with a 4.0 scale?
ND Admissions
Joowon,
Our grade point system is based on the 4.0 scale. Students begin at a 4.0 when they arrive as freshmen, and work their way down from there. :)
Ramon - Tegucigalpa, HON
What exactly would we need to know beforehand to be prepared for Calculus I? (I mean like material I need to cover, because I'm planning on studying more of Pre-Calculus during summer )
ND Admissions
Ramon, the best preparation for calculus is to completely master the concepts of algebra and trigonometry. The ability to handle different types of equations is a good starting point.
Joseph - , Ohio
Is there a preferred place to stay when parents are visiting their son on Campus?
ND Admissions
Joseph,
Our suggestion is that you stay in a hotel close to campus. The two hotels closest to campus are the Morris Inn (on campus) or the Inn at St. Mary’s. If they are full, the Jameson Inn or the Marriott Hotel Downtown. Please go to the following link for information about hotels in the South Bend area: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-475846-south_bend_hotels-i
Kevin - Medford, NJ
An earlier answer stated one could choose their job that was granted as part of financial aid. Could you provide some details such as when is the choice made, are all the jobs on campus, and is the work schedule flexible relative to weekdays/weekends? - thanks
ND Admissions
Dear Kevin,
We send more detailed information in early August about campus employment. Typically students wait until they arrive on campus to interview with hiring departments. The student and supervisor work out the actual schedule. Typically supervisors are flexible as they understand you are a student first and then an employee. Please refer to the student employment section of our website for additional information: http://www.nd.edu/~finaid/student_employment/
Jessica - Lockport, NY
Can any ND student be a counselor for the IEP program during the summer or do students have to be engineering majors? What other opportunities for work are there over the summer?
ND Admissions
Jessica,
I would imagine that the IEP counselors are almost always students with an Engineering major, but I would imagine there is no hard and fast rule about it. So that may be a possibility. Students who are employed during the summer may be involved in paid research, working as a residence hall manager, in academic departments, or as a counselor for programs like ND Vision. The Human Resources website would be a good resource for some of those options
Peter - San Juan, PR
*How are roommates assigned? *Are the dorms always available for the four years of undergrad?
ND Admissions
Roommates are assigned randomly by a computer. It is very common for students to stay on campus all four years of their career here, and around 80% of students reside on campus. It is not until senior year that many choose to move off-campus. So yes, dorms are available all four years, and if a student decides to reside on campus for their career, it is most often in the same dorm.
Joey - Crown Point, In
Does Notre Dame offer any full scholarships?
ND Admissions
Typically, financial aid packages consist of a combination of scholarships and grants, work study, and loans. The amount of each resouce a student will receive depends on a variety of factors.
Selina - Madison, AL
How big is the Middle Eastern community at ND?
ND Admissions
Hi Selina,
To be honest, the Middle Eastern community is not huge at Notre Dame. But I think you’ll find that regardless of where you are from or how many other people are from that area, you’ll be more than comfortable in the Notre Dame Family!
Tom - Lombard, IL
Can students build lofts in their rooms?
ND Admissions
Depending on which dorm you are in you will be able to build lofts. Some dorms come with “modular” furniture which you can arrange in a loft style. Some dorms do not allow freshman to build lofts until second semester or until sophomore year.
Nathaniel - Franklin, WI
Would it be possible for my brother (who attends ND) to request that my friend also be in his dorm when he's already requested that I be?
ND Admissions
He could try although I highly doubt that this would be possible.
Mike - Chicago, IL
I hear all the time that there are so many activities on the weekend but I have never heard of any fun, specific activities, what are a couple?
ND Admissions
On campus, there are many activities that go on during the weekends. Notre Dame has its own night club called Legends where there are concerts and different events each weekend -> http://www.legendsofnotredame.org/club/ and the Student Activities Office produces many activities for students throughout the year -> http://sao.nd.edu/events/
Dan - Riverside, CT
If I have a sibling currently attending Notre Dame, is it possible to join the same dorm as him?
ND Admissions
On rare occasions it is possible. Your sibling would have to be pretty close with the rector of the dorm for this to happen.
Steven - Buffalo, NY
Are you required to take a foreign language your first year or is it based on what a person may major in?
ND Admissions
Steven, the only ones required to take a foreign language are those who plan to study in France or Austria for their sophomore year. Potential language majors normally take courses in that language during their first year.
Brian - Neenah, WI
Second question? What if I then take the AP Exam for these same subjects and test at a 4 or 5 level? Could I then use the AP Credit to bypass the Social Science and/or Composition requirement? FYI. Not trying to take the easy way out. I am actually looking for ways to get to a dual major or add room for more advanced classes in my major. Brian Would earning college credits in high school in subjects such as US Gov't & Politics (POL 104), English Lit, and English Composition exempt me from any of the core curriculum in Social Science or Composition? ND Admissions Hi Brian- If the credit is earned while at your high school (i.e., not in a college classroom), the answer is no. Sorry, Brian.
ND Admissions
Now you’re on to something, Brian! A 4 or 5 on either English exam will qualify for credit for our First Year Composition class. A 5 on the AP Government exam will earn you a semester’s worth of credit.
Nathaniel - Franklin, WI
I had a couple of questions: 1) When can we find out about what jobs are available for work study and 2) if I already have a gmail account, is there any way of transferring it to the nd account?
ND Admissions
You can refer to our job board to find out about what jobs are available for work study. Your Notre Dame Google Apps account is totally separate from your personal Google/Gmail account, so nothing will change about your personal Google account. You will not be able to integrate these two accounts at this time. Utilizing your @nd.edu account guarantees that users will receive notices and messages from the University. It is up to the individual user to decide whether or not they would like to utilize the @nd.edu account or forward mail sent to the @nd.edu account to an outside account at their own risk.The student handbook states that ND email is an official communication mechanism, and all students are required to use their ND mail per the Student Handbook.
Kate - Sterling, VA
Have you received money from the Notre Dame Scholarship Committee? If so, by how much does it reduce your expected family contribution? Do you have any advice how to prepare for the qualifying interview? Thank you!
ND Admissions
Dear Kate,
I assume your question refers to alumni club scholarship opportunities. The amount of club scholarships varies based upon the funding each club has available to offer. Club scholarships are treated like outside scholarships in the financial aid package at Notre Dame. Please refer to prior postings on Notre Dame policy regarding outside scholarships.
Not all clubs require interviews, but it sounds like perhaps you were contacted by your area club. In terms of preparing, I suggest you simply be yourself! I suspect the committee will want to know what you believe you will bring to the Notre Dame community and how you will give back (e.g., community service, involvement, etc.). Good luck to you in your inteview.
Ji Hye - Wheeling, WV
How many students are there in an average size class? One of the important factors that I am concerned about is the intimacy between the students and professors. How hard is it for students to form a close relationships with professors? What opportunities do I have to have internships around the campus? What are some "fun activities" that studens do toff campus on the weekends?
ND Admissions
Our average class size is 27 students. That being said, your freshman year you will most likely have larger classes (as you probably be taking introductory levels) and get smaller as your progress.
It is really up to the student to create a relationship with a professor. Do not wait for a professor to try to get to know you because it will not generally happen without you initiating it! Each professor provides you with their office hours every week and in addition will make themselves available by appointment. All this being said, it is NOT hard to create a great relationship with a teacher- it is just about putting in the time! I cannot stress how important I think it is to get to know your teachers. It will not only help you out academically but they may be able to help you out later down the road!
There are so many job opportunities around campus! It really depends what you want to be doing. You could work at Subway, Starbucks or any of the little cafes within the academic buildings. If you are good with computers you could work in a computer cluster, you could work in the library. There are lots of opportunities to do research with professors. You could be a tour guide (my job!). These are only a few of the jobs that you could do around campus, definitely check out more options when you get here! Let me know if you have any more questions!
Chiamaka - Union, NJ
Is there a place on campus where family can lodge while visiting ND?
ND Admissions
The Morris Inn is a hotel on campus for parents or any other visitors. Nearby is also the Inn at St. Mary’s and a Hilton Garden Inn on the St. Mary’s campus. Because ND is a big tourist draw, especially during football season, there are a number of hotels in the area.
Chelsea - Chicago, IL
Is it possible for first-year students who were admitted regular decision to apply for housing in Ryan Hall?
ND Admissions
Chelsea,
All of our residence hall assignments are done randomly. The housing assignment is usually made in the month of July. This ensures that students admitted in regular action are eligible for assignment in any hall, including our new woman’s dorm, Ryan.
Chiamaka - Union, NJ
Is the $500 enrollment fee part of the tuition payment or is it a separate payment?
ND Admissions
Hi Chiamaka,
The $500 fee is a separate payment, it isn’t part of the tuition payment.
Brian - Neenah, WI
I was invited to apply to the Glynn Honors program. If I submit the application what are my chances of getting in?
ND Admissions
Brian, just make sure you take your time to put together a good application. They wouldn’t invite you if they weren’t interested in you.
