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Nowhere else but Notre Dame
Visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions >
The First Year of Studies
At ND, you'll start off in the First Year of Studies, exploring a broad liberal arts curriculum. You'll be guided by a faculty advisor and a senior student mentor. Ninety-eight percent of our First Year students return for their second year—that's one of the top retention rates in the country.
There's much more to learn about our unique First Year program, so visit the First Year of Studies >
98 percent of our freshmen return for their second year
Discover Your Major
By the end of the first year you'll decide whether to enter the College of Arts and Letters, College of Engineering, the College of Science, Mendoza College of Business, or the School of Architecture.
You’ll choose from over 60 majors for your primary course of study and, if you want, complement your first major with one of our supplementary majors or minors.
Notre Dame offers over 60 majors
Explore the World
Over half of Notre Dame students study abroad—one of the highest rates in the U.S. While abroad, they hone their language skills, conduct research in the world's best libraries, and refine their global consciousness through internships and service projects.
We offer 40 international study programs in 20 countries. The most recent additions? In Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, and Kampala, Uganda.
1 in 2 ND Students Study Abroad
Become a Scholar
Undergraduate research is a transformative experience. When you write your own screenplay, test your own hypothesis, or develop a close friendship with a faculty mentor, you grow not only in intellectual knowledge but also in self-understanding.
Roughly 30 percent of Notre Dame undergraduate students complete a research project—and many do so with funding from their department, college, or one of our centers and institutes.
30 percent of students complete a research project with funding from their college or department
Find Your Path
At Notre Dame, the job hunt is as much about discerning a vocation as landing a prestigious position. The Career Center, the Center for Social Concerns, and your academic advisors will support you throughout your four years as you reflect upon your talents, write your resume, and polish your interview skills.
After you land that job—or start grad school or join a service program—you'll be welcomed into the largest alumni network in the world.
Visit the Career Center, the Center for Social Concerns, or the Alumni Association >
250 Alumni Clubs Worldwide
Welcome Home
Don’t just move your stuff in. Become a member of the family.
The Notre Dame spirit is nurtured in its unique residence hall system. In your first year, you’ll be randomly assigned to one of our 27 residence halls and probably live there until you study abroad or graduate. You’ll participate in hall government, play on interhall athletic teams, attend Sunday night hall Masses, go to dances, and create service initiatives.
27 Residence Halls
Be Inspired
Are you an artist, musician, or actor? At Notre Dame, you’ll be able to walk on the creative side. Explore:
The DPAC Houses Five Performance Venues
Stay Active
Roughly 70 percent of students entering Notre Dame in 2007 participated in varsity athletics while in high school. Most of them stay in shape by joining competitive interhall and intramural teams or taking advantage of our first-class RecSports facilities and training programs.
70 percent of our First Year students were varsity athletes
Keep Busy
The African Faith and Justice Network. The Filipino Students Association. The Texas Club. The Student Union Board. The Boxing Club. The Observer, an independent newspaper. Just a few of the hundreds of organizations that you’ll see on Student Activities night during the opening weeks of school. If you can’t find a club that suits your interests, the answer is simple. Start your own club!
Over 200 student organizations
Explore South Bend
Notre Dame is located just north of South Bend, Ind., a city populated by 100,000 people and located 90 miles east of Chicago and 120 miles north of Indianapolis. As a Notre Dame student, you can kayak on the East Race Waterway that runs through the city, explore the shops and restaurants on Grape Road, and share your gifts with local children by tutoring at the Robinson Community Learning Center.
90 Miles east of Chicago
Learn about Catholic Tradition
In 1842 Notre Dame was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, a French order of Roman Catholic priests. Their vision of a great American Catholic institution has inspired the University’s development throughout its 165 years. Notre Dame founded the first Catholic College of Engineering and School of Law in the U.S., and continues to grow, inspired by the words of its founder, “Let no one ever again say that we dreamed too small.”
Founded in 1842
Integrate Faith and Reason
“There is a deep harmony between faith and reason. Our faith inspires our use of reason, and reason sharpens our understanding of faith. Together, they both serve our search for truth.” – Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President
Every student at Notre Dame completes two courses in philosophy and two in theology. You’ll most likely complete your general requirements in each discipline during your first year, and then deepen your understanding by taking a second requirement as an upperclassman.
Two University Requirements in Philosophy and Theology
Express Your Faith
At Notre Dame, you’ll have innumerable opportunities to develop spiritually. A few of your options:
- The Notre Dame Encounter: a three-day retreat open to all Notre Dame students
- Emmaus: small faith sharing groups
- Iron Sharpens Iron: an interdenominational ministry
- Class Retreats: held for each class of students at various points of the year
Attend the Three–Day Notre Dame Encounter
Serve Others
At least 80 percent of Notre Dame students volunteer in some capacity during their four years here. Some visit the local Center for the Homeless once a week. Others take advantage of week-long seminars in Appalachia or the inner city during semester breaks. Still others participate in eight week-long summer service learning projects in the U.S. and internationally.
The Center for Social Concerns offers opportunities as varied as the talents you have to share.
80 percent of Notre Dame students are volunteers
Sacred Spaces
At Notre Dame, there are plenty of places for you to reflect and pray. You’ll enjoy a sense of peace and serenity when you light a candle at the Grotto; feel like dancing when you hear the drums of the Folk Choir in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart; and develop a deeper sense of friendship with your hallmates when you attend Mass in your residence hall’s own chapel.
27 Halls, 26 Hall Chapels
How many students attend Notre Dame?
2006 Enrollment
- Undergraduate: 8,352
- Graduate/Professional: 3,251
Who are my classmates?
Meet the 2007 First Year Class
They’re bright
- 73% are in the top 5% of class
- 87% are in the top 10% of class
- The mid 50% received scores of 1350-1490 on the Math + Critical Reading components of the SAT
- The mid 50% have ACT scores of 31-34
They’re involved
- 85% were involved in community service
- 70% participated in varsity athletics
- 54% were active in the performing arts
- 46% participated in student government
They’re from all over the country—and the world
- 37%: Midwest
- 24%: Northeast
- 12%: Southeast
- 12%: Southwest
- 11%: West
- 4%: U.S. Territories/International
Does ND provide financial aid?
Notre Dame guarantees that we’ll meet 100 percent of every student's demonstrated need. Last year 80 percent of students received some type of financial aid, and 45 percent of First Year students received University gift aid.
Where will I live?
Fully 80 percent of Notre Dame undergraduates live on campus, in one of 27 single-sex residence halls. Fourteen house men, and 13 house women. All First Year students live on campus and are guaranteed housing for all four years.
What about diversity?
- 11% Hispanic
- 8% Asian
- 4.6% African American
- 0.6% Native American
Will I be successful?
- 98% of First Year students return for their second year
- 96% graduate on time
Within six months of graduation, 99 percent of graduates are placed in careers, graduate school, or service opportunities.
The Grotto
The Grotto, modeled after the shrine at Lourdes, France, will provide you a place of sanctuary. You might light a candle during your morning run or accompany a friend in need of consolation.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a place of pilgrimage for many — one of the foremost tourist attractions in the state of Indiana. You'll be able to grab a few quiet moments there between classes or celebrate Mass there any day of the week.
Related Links Basilica of the Sacred Heart
The Main Building
Tradition holds that undergraduates should not walk up the steps of Notre Dame's Main Building, which is crowned by a golden dome, until after commencement lest they jeopardize their chances of graduating. You can begin your campus visit here, with an information session and student–led tour coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Related Links Office of Undergraduate Admissions
The Irish Guard
The legendary Irish Guard prepares the way for the University of Notre Dame Marching Band, the oldest college marching band in the country. You'll dance the Irish Jig with them after every football touchdown.
Related Links University of Notre Dame Band
The DPAC
You'll be wowed the first time you step into the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center (DPAC), especially because it's not just used for professional performances, but also for undergraduate classes in the department of Film, Television, and Theatre.
Related Links DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
Life in the Hall
Whether you’re a PW Purple Weasel or a Pangborn Phox, when you move into your residence hall you'll meet the friends who will backpack with you through Europe, share your first tiny apartment in Manhattan, and walk beside you through the rest of life's ups and downs.
Related Links Notre Dame Residence Halls
