What are the downsides of Notre Dame?

Downsides of Notre Dame often cited include its limited diversity (predominantly white and Catholic), isolated location in South Bend with fewer off-campus activities, strict social rules (parietals)**, intense academic pressure, and concerns about elitism or lack of ideological variety, though its strong alumni network and beautiful campus are seen as major positives.

Is Notre Dame stressful?

Academic life at Notre Dame can quickly become overwhelming, and when you add activities, clubs, sports, and all the many other things Notre Dame students are involved in, the stress can easily grow.

What's the big deal about Notre Dame?

Notre Dame de Paris dates back to the 12th century. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site with Paris Banks of the Seine, it is one of the most beloved monuments in the world, visited by more than 12 million people every year before the fire.

Why is Notre Dame college shutting down?

Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, shut down in May 2024 due to a combination of declining enrollment, significant debt, and rising operating costs, failing to bridge its financial gaps despite extensive efforts like fundraising and exploring mergers. The struggling college, founded in 1922 by the Sisters of Notre Dame, couldn't sustain itself against broader trends affecting small institutions, leading to its closure after the spring semester.
 

Is a degree from Notre Dame respected?

As one of the most highly regarded Catholic institutions in the US, Notre Dame is respected for producing well-rounded scholars and leaders and sending them out into the world with a vision for leadership, integrity, and community service.

Notre Dame: The Pros, the cons, and how to get in.

Is it harder to get into Duke or Notre Dame?

Duke is generally harder to get into than Notre Dame based on lower acceptance rates and slightly higher academic metrics, with Duke's recent overall acceptance rate around 5-6% compared to Notre Dame's ~11-20% (rates vary by year), but both are extremely selective, requiring top grades, rigorous coursework, strong extracurriculars, and compelling essays, with Duke often considered the more academically challenging admit. 

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

How much does it cost to attend Notre Dame?

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the University of Notre Dame's estimated total direct cost (tuition, fees, room, and board) is around $86,000, with tuition and mandatory fees at approximately $67,600, plus living expenses and other costs. After financial aid, the average net price for a student receiving aid drops significantly, with figures suggesting around $30,000-$40,000 average cost after scholarships and grants. 

Is Notre Dame still owned by the Catholic Church?

Since 1905, Notre-Dame, like the other cathedrals in France, has been owned by the French government, with the exclusive rights of use granted to the French Roman Catholic Church. The French government is responsible for its maintenance.

What celebrities went to Notre Dame High school?

Notre Dame High Schools (across the U.S.) boast famous alumni in entertainment (Kirsten Dunst, Rachel Bilson, Nick Cassavetes, Dave Coulier, Dennis Haskins, Linda Park, Betty Wright), sports (Joe Montana, Jamie Dixon, Nick Folk, Hunter Greene, Kenjon Barner, Will Smith, Doug Weight, Dayne Crist), politics/business (Condoleezza Rice, Mark Hurd, Wayne Pacelle, Michael Huerta), and more, with prominent names like Kirsten Dunst (Sherman Oaks), Rachel Bilson (Sherman Oaks, NJ), Condoleezza Rice (NJ), Nick Cassavetes (Sherman Oaks), Ed Begley Jr. (Sherman Oaks, NJ), and Joe Montana (NJ) frequently cited. 

What kind of student goes to Notre Dame?

Notre Dame emphasizes admissions essays and values creativity and skill. It also seeks students with a narrower extracurricular focus—searching for those who demonstrate strengths in a particular area rather than a wide breadth of activities, but less depth.

Does Notre Dame still smell like smoke?

Yes, visitors and reports confirm that a lingering smell of smoke and carbon remains inside the restored Notre Dame Cathedral, serving as a powerful, sensory reminder of the 2019 fire, though deep cleaning has brightened the stone and the space is also filled with incense during services. While some find the scent poignant and part of the experience, it mixes with other odors like incense, and the restoration efforts have brought back the stone's original brightness, changing the overall ambiance. 

Is it expensive to go to Notre Dame?

Average cost of attendance for 2025-2026 academic year: tuition and fees $67,607, room and meals $18,438 for total direct costs of $86,045.

Is it safe to walk around Notre Dame at night?

Can I visit Notre-Dame at night? Yes, Notre-Dame can be admired at night, but interior access is limited to its operating hours.

Are students at Notre Dame happy?

#3: Student Life — Notre Dame is known for its lively social scene and strong student community. This is a place where it's easy to make friends, and the culture is very warm, friendly, and outgoing. Compare with this with other cut-throat universities where it's every student for him or herself.

What GPA do I need to get into Notre Dame?

The University of Notre Dame looks for very strong applicants, with admitted students averaging around a 4.07-4.13 weighted GPA, requiring nearly straight A's in rigorous courses (AP, IB, Honors) to be competitive, though there's no strict minimum GPA, emphasizing academic challenge and strong grades over a specific number. Transfer applicants often need a competitive college GPA of 3.75 or higher, with a minimum of "B" or better in required courses. 

Is Caitlin Clark a practicing Catholic?

Yes, Caitlin Clark is a practicing Catholic who grew up in a Catholic family, attended Catholic schools (St. Francis of Assisi and Dowling Catholic), and continues to connect with her faith, reportedly attending St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines when home, with her faith and family being significant to her life and values. 

Who is buried under Notre Dame?

In 2022, archaeologists discovered an unmarked body under the famous cathedral and nicknamed it “The Horseman,” because the deceased's bone structure showed he had ridden horses from a young age. Now, experts believe the body is one answer to two mysteries, identifying The Horseman as du Bellay.

Why is Opus Dei so controversial?

Opus Dei is controversial due to allegations of secretive, cult-like recruitment targeting youth, aggressive proselytizing, extreme self-mortification practices (like wearing hair shirts and cilices), perceived elitism, misogyny, historical links to right-wing regimes (like Franco's Spain), and accusations of manipulating members' lives, despite Opus Dei's claims of spiritual freedom and privacy. Critics, former members, and books like The Da Vinci Code highlight secrecy and control, while Opus Dei maintains its practices foster holiness and that members are free agents, though its history and internal workings remain subjects of debate. 

Will I get financial aid if my parents make over $400,000?

Yes, you can still get financial aid even if your parents earn over $400k, as there's no strict income cutoff for the FAFSA, but need-based grants will likely be reduced; you may qualify for federal loans, institutional aid, merit scholarships, or other resources, so always apply to see what you're eligible for based on your family's specific situation (size, assets, other factors). 

What is the most expensive college in the US?

The most expensive colleges in the U.S. generally hover around or exceed $90,000-$100,000 annually for total cost, with Pepperdine University, University of Southern California (USC), and the University of Chicago frequently listed at the top for the 2023-2024/2025 academic years, though figures vary slightly by source and specific year, with some institutions like Wellesley College nearing the $100k mark for total costs.
 

Are there famous Notre Dame alumni?

A proud member of University of Notre Dame's notable alumni, Condoleezza Rice went from studying Cold War-era politics at Notre Dame to becoming one of America's foremost diplomats. She served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State, the first Black woman in that role, after earlier advising President George W.

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche, based on student surveys about campus party scenes, access to nightlife, and Greek life, followed by schools like Florida State and Tulane. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USC, and the University of Alabama, with rankings varying slightly by publication and criteria.
 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

What college is 100% acceptance rate?

Yes, many colleges have a 100% acceptance rate, often through open admissions policies, meaning they accept all applicants who meet basic requirements, including many community colleges, specialized career schools, and some online or regional universities like Broward College, Empire State University (SUNY), University of Maryland Global Campus, and Utah Valley University, though availability and specific programs vary. These institutions guarantee admission for qualified applicants, focusing on accessibility, with some examples including Delta State University, Montana State University Billings, and the Academy of Art University.