Visit Report by SouthJerseyChessMom (Member since October 14 2004 with 486 posts) Visit Date - July 2006
Visit to University of Notre Dame in July 2006 by SouthJerseyChessMom (Student, HS Class of 2005)
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview:
No - Attended Fresh-O (orientation) did not take tour.
University of Notre Dame Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
Experienced Freshmen move in and all students there were so helpful, friendly, happy to chat. Of course, a self selecting group since they volunteered to assist early with move in. COULD NOT HAVE BEEN NICER experience.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
Move In was run like miliatary operation, or should I say like a home football game at Notre Dame.
Volunteers were so enthused, staff everywhere, very kind.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
The campus is immaculate, gorgeous landscaping, spotlessly clean. ND was sparkling. Exceptionally WELL maintained.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent Dormitories: 1 - Poor -
Ok, this completely depends which of the 27 dorms you are assigned to. Son is in Morrissey, which is known as the most cramped rooms/ cells on campus. Truly, ridiculously small.
However, there are new modern, beautiful dorms, too. Random assignment, so l
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
Stunning campus.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 3 - Good -
We did not get to downtown South Bend. Spent hours along Grape / Main street where all the new stores and malls are trying to buy dorm items. Guess we were in the newer area.
City/Town/Community: 3 - Good
Campus Visit Notes for University of Notre Dame:
Visit Description:
I had extremely high expectations for this campus, because I did not visit prior to moving in Son. My husband and son did a summer visit and came back dazzled. I can see why.
The campus is a series of Quads with consistant architecture, and a mixture of old historic buildings and newer ones, which blend in nicely. Two beautiful ponds line the side of the campus. Great campus for bike riding.
I did not have an official tour, but walked around and didn't miss much.
The library -11 stories, comfortable, not overly huge, nice study areas, and of course, famous Touchdown Jesus mural overlooking a reflecting pond and the stadium.
Basilica- spectacular. And, equally impressive park like area around these buildings. Huge trees, beautiful landscaping leading up to the Basilica and the Golden Dome. Memorable.
Grotto, visited it at dusk, a peaceful, retreat along the lake.
The Student Center, everything you could want/ need, in an older building with character and inside French Quarter Atrium in the center. Starbucks, Sbarros, Burger King, Convenience Store, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop, Game room. Stunning. Clean, Cozy on three levels off the North Quad.
The South Dining Hall, (used to film Harry Potter movie?) is absolutely amazing as is the food. 30 ft high ceilings, large stone fireplace on one end of one of the large dining rooms.
The dorms- depend entirely on which one you are randomly assigned to and range in comfort from prison like cell ( morrisey) to Hilton like rooms in newer dorms.
Bookstore- more like a Nordstroms. Huge atrium, amazing building, and all the ND items you can imagine for the most dedicated alums in US!
Debartola Center- an architecture beauty, which you can visit online. The campus movie theater is there, complete with popcorn concession stand.
There are five web cams tucked away on the ND site , which gives you views of the various quads.
It is a special place.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
Stayed at the Jamison Inn, which perfectly located on the edge of campus. We had a suite, with seperate room with pullout couch, sink, refrig,TV.
Morris Inn is located on campus and very, very nice.
Plenty of accomodations about 2 miles from campus on
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Must eat at Legends, on campus and the walls are covered with photos depicting the history of ND sports. One side of Legends is now a cozy ND nightclub, jazz ensemble was in there for Freshman orientation.
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
We flew into Midway in Chicago, drove about 1 hour 15 minutes to Campus. No problem.
Other option to fly into South Bend ,and you are 15 minutes from campus.
St Mary's College across the highway, and very nice campus. Gorgeous tree lined entrance
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Experienced Freshmen move in and all students there were so helpful, friendly, happy to chat. Of course, a self selecting group since they volunteered to assist early with move in. COULD NOT HAVE BEEN NICER experience.
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Ok, this completely depends which of the 27 dorms you are assigned to. Son is in Morrissey, which is known as the most cramped rooms/ cells on campus. Truly, ridiculously small.
However, there are new modern, beautiful dorms, too. Random assignment, so l
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We did not get to downtown South Bend. Spent hours along Grape / Main street where all the new stores and malls are trying to buy dorm items. Guess we were in the newer area.