������

The University of Notre Dame focuses on both educating students and helping them achieve their goals. This commitment is reflected in the administration, which "tries its best to stay on top of the students' wants and needs." One student says, "Our president (a priest), as well as both of our presidents emeritus, make it a point to interact with the students in a variety of ways-teaching a class, saying mass in the dorms, etc." Notre Dame has many strong academic programs, with theology and philosophy as particular standouts. Notre Dame also focuses heavily on research as part of its "devotion to undergraduate education," and students have opportunities to work alongside experts in the school's research facilities. "While classes are difficult," the "wonderful" faculty are extremely supportive and "always willing to meet outside of class to give extra help." As one student says, "Not only are they invested in their students," professors are "genuinely passionate about their fields of study," as well as being "enthusiastic and animated in lectures." Professors even go the extra mile and make sure that "large lectures are broken down into smaller discussion groups once a week to help with class material and...give the class a personal touch." Academics at Notre Dame are demanding, but while "it's necessary to study hard and often, there's also time to do other things."

The typical Notre Dame student is "very smart" and exemplifies what one student describes as "a type-A personality that studies a lot, yet is athletic and involved in the community. They are usually the outstanding seniors in their high schools." Also, given the athletic environment, it follows that something like "85 percent of Notre Dame students earned a varsity letter in high school." While many, but not all, students are Catholic, most seem to "have some sort of spirituality present in their daily lives." Although some students note that there are many "white kids from upperto middle-class backgrounds from all over the country, especially the Midwest and Northeast," others point out that the school is making efforts to improve diversity when it comes to "economic backgrounds, with the university's policy to meet all demonstrated financial need." No matter their background, Notre Dame students are always interesting. As one student says, they are the "sort of people who can talk about the BCS rankings and Derrida in the same breath."

At Notre Dame, students "study a lot, but on the weekends, everyone seems to make up for the lack of partying during the week." With over 500 student clubs and organizations, there's something for everyone. Sports "are huge" on campus, and "everybody goes to the football games, and it's common to see 1,000 students at a home soccer game." One student playfully warns, "If someone is not interested in sports upon arrival, he or she will be by the time he or she leaves." That's partly due to the Interhall Sport System; "virtually every student plays some kind of sport [in] his/her residence hall"-students can still compete for a former residence even if they live off campus. "Dorms on campus provide the social structure," which many students appreciate. The dorms also act as an alternative to bars and house parties, as the administration reportedly tries "to keep the parties on campus due to the fact that campus is such a safe place, and they truly do care about our safety." One student explains that Notre Dame "does not have any fraternities or sororities, but campus is not dry, and drinking/partying is permitted within the residence halls." Beyond sports and dorm life, students say "religious activities," volunteering, "campus publications, student government, and academic clubs round out the rest of ND life."

At Notre Dame, the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development’s mantra to students is “YOU must take ownership of your future.” But, of course, career counselors and staff are there to support and assist students every step of the way. To that end, experiential career opportunities abound for freshmen and seniors alike: students can complete a Wall Street externship, shadow an alum at work, or be matched to a mentor in the industry of their choice. The Career Center funding program will even support students who need financial assistance to participate in a full-time summer internship. The university hosts several career and internship fairs each semester, along with networking programs like a Civil Engineering Luncheon or Consulting Night. Finally, Students visit Go IRISH, the center’s primary recruiting database, for information about interviewing opportunities, employer information sessions, or opportunities that specifically seek a ND student or alum.