What is the premed major at Notre Dame exactly? - Page 2

kevdude · 07-09-2008, 04:45 AM

I would strongly recommend a laptop. Campus computers are accessible, but a personal computer (laptop or desktop) is basically a necessity.

You'll learn to deal with the cold. Just make sure you don't throw on your huge parka when it drops down to 40 for the first time, because you still have about 50 degrees to go until it gets "cold." My freshman year it dropped to -26. Learn to layer.

shellzie2006 · 07-09-2008, 12:50 PM

I have done some research at ND. You can get into a lab by talking to professors. However, I didn't really like the lab I worked in last semester and am currently trying to find another one to work in. A lot of students do research at ND and most have good experiences. Some work during the school year (either for credit, pay, or just for the experience) and some stay for the summer (you get a stipend for this). If you are looking to do summer research, there are a lot of other REU programs out there as well. You can check the NSF website for more info on those. I am currently working at the Mayo Clinic in their SURF program, which is a great option to check out too, especially for biomedical research.

I can't think of anything else right off the bat that you'd need to bring, but there are a lot of packing lists in some of the other forums. I would agree with Kevdude, bring a laptop. Computers are accessible, but more for printing something out before class or quickly checking e-mail while waiting in DeBartolo, etc. Also, laptops are definitely better than desktops. I have a friend who had a desktop and really regretted it. You can get away with not bringing a printer. I brought one freshman year and then decided not to bring one sophomore year. They are nice to have, but not necessary.

As for the cold, I'm from MN, so I don't think its that bad. I usually don't bring heavy winter stuff until after the break, but since you're from TX, you might want to have at least a light jacket just in case. I remember the first time it snowed freshman year, I came home to find my roommate from Alabama wrapped up in 3 blankets and huddled on the futon whimpering. But you'll get used to it, don't worry. And Kevdude is right again- learn to layer. And don't wear your parka when it gets down to 40. Although there will be some days on campus when you'll see some people wearing t-shirts and others wearing heavy winter coats.

And in response to your last question, nope, I'm not Chinese, but I've been taking Chinese since grade school. I'm also co-president of the Chinese Culture Society on campus if you're interested in that.

atsen · 07-10-2008, 10:29 AM

Okay, then, I'll definitely wait until after the break to bring all of my heavy winter stuff. I have another question though about the clubs. Does the preprof society or biology club or any other club require you to attend meetings, be involved, ect? I don't really want to join a club that requires that much attention. I just want a way of finding opportunities for doing clinical service and volunteering.

Could you also explain how the whole football season tickets process goes? I do want to attend every game if I can but if there is assigned seating, I would like to go with my roomate(s). What do you know about getting these?

That's awesome that you know Chinese. I'm Chinese (more specifically, Taiwanese), but I don't know ANYTHING. I can't speak, I understand VERY little Cantonese, and I've just never really grown up around other asian people besides my family. In fact, I believe my family is one of maybe two asian families in my school. I DO know though, that I absolutely love the food. Any kind: Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, never tried Korean but I'm pretty sure when I do I'll like it. Please tell me about your club!

kevdude · 07-10-2008, 01:54 PM

Don't worry about the football tickets. They change the process every year, but, don't worry, like I've mentioned many times before, your inbox will be inundated with e-mails about EVERYTHING. Also, there's a meeting during Frosh-O that you MUST attend, or you aren't eligible for tickets. It's their way of blackmailing the students into attending a long, boring lecture about how drugs, alcohol, and hormones are all evil and you are evil for being under their influence (OK, so it also warns about rape, which is serious business, and shouldn't be joked about. But the meeting format could still use some overhaul. I guess there's no good way to discuss things like that).

In other news - you are guaranteed season tickets every year as a student, for half price, which is nice.

shellzie2006 · 07-10-2008, 03:00 PM

Neither preprofessional society nor biology club requires attendance at any meetings unless you want an officer position, so don't worry about that.

And now for some shameless advertising for my club...If you love Chinese food, you should definitely join CCS. Last year was sort of a rebuilding year for the club, since it had sort of disappeared for a few years, but my co-president, Hui, and I tried to start up several new events and get the club to grow. We started (sort of) monthly dumpling/Chinese noodle nights and we're planning on continuing them this year. We also participate in Asian Allure and work with the East Asian Languages and Cultures department and the Chinese Friendship Association to plan events for Chinese holidays (and yes, these usually involved food too). We also planned a trip to Chicago last year to eat at a Chinese restaurant and see a Chinese New Year parade. And we are planning on sending people to more conferences related to Chinese language and culture. I'm also hoping to start some service initiatives. We're also open to suggestions anyone has. And anyone can join. We have a lot of members who aren't Chinese and we have a lot of members who can't speak a word of Chinese. We even have some members who aren't Chinese AND can't speak a word of Chinese.

We also have a facebook group: The CCS | Facebook

And a website: index

Also, Vietnamese Student Association has pho nights a few times a year. It's $5 to join for the whole year. I would DEFINITELY suggest joining VSA for this reason alone. If you're looking for good Asian food, it's sadly one of the only ways to get it on campus. Most of the food at the dining halls is pretty good, but the "Asian" food selection is terrible.

shellzie2006 · 07-10-2008, 03:05 PM

Also, we don't require attendance at any CCS meetings either, but when we do meet, we usually have food, so...

atsen · 07-10-2008, 05:12 PM

haha, I'm sold! I'll definitely be joining your club! Thanks so much for your advice shellzie2006 and kevdude. Okay, so I have yet another question: I've heard about some dorms having "room picks"...could you please elaborate? I thought roomates were chosen randomly. I'm not that concerned with who I'm assigned to, I'm just curious. Also, how do people create lofts for their bed? If I'm lucky enough to get into a dorm that allows lofts, I personally would love to have one of these.

Question about classes: In which classes, if there are any, do the professors usually grade on a bell curve? Do you know if the professors themselves grade papers, tests, ect. or if TAs do?

kevdude · 07-10-2008, 05:42 PM

Room picks are for sophomore year. Freshman year is random.

Unless you live in St. Ed's, Morrissey, or Sorin, you won't be building a loft until at least sophomore year.

shellzie2006 · 07-11-2008, 12:53 PM

If you are a girl, you will be allowed to loft freshman year if you live in Walsh or Breen-Phillips, and possibly a few of the other dorms (don't know which, you can always check their websites). Also, some dorms have modular furniture which allows you to stack your bed on top of your wardrobe and desk. People sell loft kits on campus during the first week or so which are easy to assemble. If you're feeling a bit more ambitious and you (or your mom/dad) are fairly handy, you can always go buy lumber for yourself and build a loft specifically for your room, but the loft kits should work for pretty much any room.

Grading really depends on the professor. Some will curve, some won't. Also, some profs will grade everything themselves and some will have their TAs do all the grading. Some will split it up. Your professors will tell you what to expect at the beginning of the semester.

atsen · 07-14-2008, 04:48 PM

okay, thanks! Quick question: My dad, mom, and I are all flying up, each of us bringing 2 suitcases. Now, my question is, is there a place I can store all of my suitcases? I know 6 suitcases will take up way too much room so I was wondering if there was a place I can just store them.

kevdude · 07-14-2008, 04:55 PM

All the dorms have storage space, although... 6 suitcases? Really? You'll be able to store the suitcases, but I doubt you'll have enough room for 6 suitcases of clothes.

atsen · 07-14-2008, 10:48 PM

LOL. They're not all clothes, I can assure you. ^_^ Basically, I need to bring all of my school supplies, shoes (which takes a whole suitcase of its own), basic toiletries (which really doesn't take up any room at all), and linens and laundry baskets. I'm pretty sure though, that 4 suitcases will be enough. But just in case...Anyways, thanks for the reply!

kevdude · 07-15-2008, 04:38 AM

Just to let you know, you're much better off buying that stuff in the area, especially the linens. Rental cars are relatively inexpensive, and you would really only need one for a couple of days.

atsen · 07-15-2008, 08:21 AM

Yeah, we thought about that, but ended up finding some really great deals on linens here (I think $7-$10?) and I don't think I'm going to need multiple pairs of linens. I believe we're flying into Chicago and then renting a car for driving to South Bend. I have one laundry basket that I recieved as a graduation gift and the second one I will be buying when I get up there (Mom's advice is to have two).

atsen · 07-15-2008, 09:35 AM

Another question: I've been getting some info on the Freshman Retreat and was wondering about it. Has anyone gone to this and if so, where do they take you and what did you think of it? I'm thinking about going to at least one but am a bit unsure of what exactly it is.