As the 7th person in my family to attend this great establishment, you could say I know a thing or two about the University of Notre Dame. Whether you love us or hate us, there’s no denying that Notre Dame is a world-class institution. I take great pride in my northern Indiana school, so I don’t like when people make crazy assumptions about us. Below is a list of common misconceptions that I would like to clear up…
1. Everyone is Catholic.
While approximately 80% of the student body is Catholic, not everybody is. I have friends who are Muslim, Jewish, Lutheran, and even atheist. Gay? Straight? It doesn't matter. All are welcome at Notre Dame.
2. We are all from the Midwest (Chicago).
Actually, two of our most populous regions are California and Florida, and we draw kids from all 50 states as well as numerous countries. (So, you’re telling me that national universities draw kids from all over the country? Who knew?!)
3. "Notre Dating" isn't a thing.
I beg to differ. Whether it's the casual DH date, an afternoon on Eddy Street, or Saturday nights at CJ's, Notre Dating can lead to only one thing: ring by spring.
4. Everyone is a legacy.
Yes, 25% of every class is legacy (usually a direct result of ring by spring), but that also means that 75% of the student body has the privilege of being first-generation Domers!
5. Every school is our rival.
Quite the opposite, actually. We are every school's rival.
6. “Notre Dame girls are ugly.”
If I had a penny for every time I heard this one…
While Notre Dame girls don’t exactly walk a runway to class, we are not ugly. We just don’t have time to spend 3 hours on our hair and makeup every day. There are plenty of Notre Dame girls that would fit in perfectly at a state school sorority.
7. The boys are ugly, too.
Even though some of them certainly don't look like they just walked off a GQ photoshoot, Notre Dame is filled with a lot of great-looking guys. They also just happen to be overall nice people, which is always a plus.
8. Football is our second religion.
Ok, this one’s actually true. If you didn’t like football before coming here, you will after your first home game in the historic Notre Dame Stadium.
9. We think we are better than you.
We don't think, we know.
JUST KIDDING!
In all seriousness, Notre Dame is filled with the most humble and amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Sometimes our deep love and passion for our school can be misconstrued as arrogance...oops!
10. Notre Dame University and University of Notre Dame are interchangeable.
No. Just no.
11. We are in the middle of nowhere.
It's no secret that South Bend is not exactly a thriving metropolis. However, Notre Dame is a mere 1.5 hours from Chicago, 2 hours from Indianapolis, and 2 hours from that school in southeast Michigan named after a glorified dog (37-0 #neverforget).
12. Everyone is white.
Nope. Notre Dame has seen a significant increase in our international and minority student population in the last 20 years. In fact, the incoming Class of 2019 is the most diverse class in our school's history!
13. And rich.
We offer need-based financial aid, just like every other school...
14. Construction? Never!
I come home from my 3-day break, and there is a new building on South Quad...
15. "You can't have that many alumni with only 12,000 kids."
ND has the largest alumni network in the world, by far. We have over 270 clubs throughout the globe. The second largest is Harvard, with fewer than 200. The name "Notre Dame" will get you VERY far with employers. Thanks, Fr. Sorin!
16. “What sorority are you in?”
ASLKDKSANFKJSH WE DO NOT HAVE GREEK LIFE.
17. We don't exercise because #winter.
Is that a fat joke???
Over 80% of our students were varsity athletes in high school; our club teams could rival some D1 programs; and we are one of 2 schools in the country that have full-pad, intramural tackle football. We'll trek to the gym with 5 feet of snow on the ground (OK I don't, but everyone else does).
18. Our weather is awful.
There’s no way of justifying this one….South Bend, Indiana is the reason I have trust issues.
19. You have to go here to be part of the ND family.
Whether you’re a parent, friend, football fanatic, or leprechaun-loving Irishman, we love our subway alums.
20. Our student-athletes take classes like basket weaving and knitting.
Actually, they take the same classes as us “narps”. You must be confusing us with USC...
21. In fact, our student-athletes are so famous, we're too scared to even talk to them!
We see them as our peers and friends, not as the girls and guys who were on ESPN last night. They’re in our classes, live in our dorms, and eat in our dining halls too.
22. We are forced to go to mass.
If you want to, then there are about 50 mass options a day. And if you don’t want to, no judgment.
23. Notre Dame is the greatest university in the world.
This is no misconception. From the extraordinary people to the jaw-dropping campus, from the magic of football weekends to our rich history, the University of Notre Dame is the most special place on earth. I'm proud to call it my home away from home.
Love thee.
all gifs and pictures courtesy of giphy.com
