University of Notre Dame

Dropped my son off for move-in day for his Freshman Year. The other young men in his form were waiting outside when we got there, they already knew our names, and proceeded to grab everything out of the car and get it up to his room. We didn't have to do anything. All the staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. Although I am nervous for my son, they definitely made me and his mother feel much better-knowing that he is in good hands. So far, 5 stars. Go Irish!

The University of Notre Dame Campus is strikingly beautiful. The architecture of its buildings is stunning. In May the tulips around campus are beautiful to see. Souvenirs can be picked up from the bookstore. You can take in a mass at the beautiful cathedral or partake in a sporting event. It is a must see when visiting South Bend.

A very beautiful Campus. Well maintained as it is makes it easy to see why it's such a popular choice for a great education. I would give a full five just for the beauty but as I have never been a student I can't fairly say how I'd feel having never experienced attending. As a visitor I truly enjoyed the architectural beauty and the history of the famed campus. I recommended this as a great free must see in the area!

Absolutely beautiful campus. I didn't study there, so, cannot talk for the quality of education but the place is gorgeous. I love taking walks there, I love roaming around the campus. I love the lakes, swans, and ducks as well! The landscaping is amazing. I like coming here to light a candle for my grandma. 🕯 I think I'd be absolutely happy to go to this school as a college student!

I love it here! I have worked here for 15 years and don't plan to leave anytime soon. Plenty to do and see, people are kind, as it's a beautiful campus. Plus, who doesn't love the best football team?

The university of notre Dame is a very beautiful campus. They have very unique landmarks and statues. It was a very nice place to walk around and get pictures. There were some very striking views to be seen around the campus.

ND is a great school but as an American of English & Indian descent I'm disappointed with this general love of all things 'Irish' and to use it as a name for the university. Ireland had no contribution in WW2 and is currently not in NATO and has no army. The UK sacrificed nearly everything to defeat Germany, Italy & Japan and save all Europe. Now Ireland is a part of the EU and not the UK? Show a little respect and learn your history :)

Great architecture I can't really say much about the university itself, I just came to visit to see the stunning basilica. There were actually less buildings with unique architectural elements than I was expecting. It appears that the bookstore and dorms and most general buildings are mostly square brick structures. Still worth visiting to see the Grotto, Basilica, and gold dome.

The university does so much to change people's lives. I am a huge fan of what and how the schools impact is worldwide.

Came here for the NIU and Notre Dame football game. Go Huskies! ND has a nice campus. It's extremely open, green, and has plenty of outdoor seating. The architecture is cool; it has a cathedral type feel. We tailgated in the parking lot and took the bus over.

The University of Notre Dame collage campus is beautiful; especially in the Spring when flowers are in bloom. The church on site is open to the public for prayers and photos, when daylight and not in use for church services, weddings, etc. The Hammes Bookstore on campus is huge with 2 stories but it is not affordable. Driving and parking on campus is tricky, as this is not an open campus. It actually pisses me off that even when they advertise public events, there is no where to park. Parking during football games will run you upwards of $40 plus dollars.

If you know you don't have to explain, if you don't you can't explain it. Go Irish. It is family, it is a community, it is home. The golden dome, ND football, touchdown Jesus, the Hesburgh library, the grotto, so much more. The University is so much more. My two year experience was amazing, I made life long friends, traveled abroad, helped local, national and global businesses, and emerged myself in campus life. I love running around campus early morning. The football games were very special and all the facilities are top notch. So much more to add but if you know, you know. If you don't only the experience will answer questions. Thank you Notre Dame.

We took a campus tour. It was really well done. The tour lasted an hour. A senior conducted the tour and walked backwards enabling her to talk to us. She pointed out all the dorms, quads, chapel, ect. I was impressed with her knowledge of the campus.

Eh - it's a big college campus. Its got lots of buildings holding classrooms, dormitories, library a book store and, being Catholic based, has a nice church. It also has a grotto! And being Notre Dame it does have a big football stadium. If you are into these sort of things, this is cool. If, like me, you couldn't care less, skip it and move on! Nothing much to see here.

You may not know much about South Bend, but you've definitely heard of the University of Notre Dame, home of the Fighting Irish. I love to explore college campuses, and this is a stunning campus you should add to your list to check out! I recommend you drive in on Notre Dame Avenue for the "grand entrance" with iconic views of the Golden Dome in the distance and then park in the bookstore parking lot, which is free for visitors. Highlights of a ND Tour: - Visit the bookstore. It's seriously one of the nicest bookstores, and it's affiliated with Barnes & Noble. It's the two-story campus bookstore of your dreams, with all the ND apparel and merchandise you could ever want. - Next door is the visitor's center where you can ask questions, get general campus information and I believe sign up for campus tours that focus on architecture and history. Don't quote me on that. - Morris Inn, the on-campus swanky hotel. Step into the lobby and take a look around. - Basilica, the tallest building on campus. If there is not a wedding or religious ceremony happening, you are welcome to go inside and walk around. A docent will greet you at the door and offer to answer questions or give you a tour. It's simply breathtaking. - Behind the Basilica and down a few stairs is the Grotto, where you can say a prayer and light a candle, if you wish. There is also a daily rosary service. - When you're at the Grotto, turn around and you'll see Saint Mary's Lake and Saint Joseph's Lake. There are benches and walking trails to stop and enjoy the view. - The Golden Dome, right next to the Basilica. You can't miss it. This is the main admissions building where prospective students and families meet for their campus tour. - The library, which you'll recognize because the southern exterior features "Touchdown Jesus" over a reflecting pool that makes for a great photo op. - Fun fact, there is an art museum on campus! I haven't been inside, but it's on my list for next time. - The athletics section of campus is impressive, notably Notre Dame Stadium (football) and the Joyce Center (basketball + more). This is a beautiful and walkable campus. Be prepared to get your steps in and take lots of photos!

Beautiful and incredibly huge campus. Definitely bring comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Unfortunately they were doing construction on the dome but it was cool to see it. The basilica is definitely a must see. We also tried to go to the football stadium but they were setting up for a Spartan race so we couldn't go in. The facilities are really nice and is such a nice camps. Definitely an iconic spot for college football and when I think of American culture.

A community that supports growth and expression. A quality university that all should want to be a part of.

Beautiful university with lots of history and gorgeous grounds. I enjoyed exploring campus, including the stadium, bookstore, cemetery, performing arts center, and more. Well worth a visit!

Does anyone really ever give less than 5 stars? One of the most gorgeous college campuses in the US. How could you not love the golden dome. I recommend walking around in the early morning, it's most beautiful then. The grotto is always a must stop location, and it's a great way to spend a morning.

All I have to say is "Wow". We made a stop to Notre Dame on our way to Wisconsin. I was amazed at all of their sports facilities. I love the fact that they are close to one another. The surrounding areas look amazing. I would love to be able to one day see a sporting event (or more) in Notre Dame.

Even though I am not a student, faculty, nor alumni of Notre Dame, throughout the years I have always enjoyed paying this campus a visit. Not only as a Michiana native but especially as a Hoosier, not trying to sound biased (or support any particular teams). What I like about Notre Dame is that this university not only has charm and history, but has added charm and has been a historical attraction to the area. Thus throughout the decades Notre Dame has made South Bend a true college town. When I think of Notre Dame education alone does not just come to mind, because in the many years other aspects of Notre Dame have been highlighted as well. From their museum housing both classic and contemporary art pieces, to their cathedral with their adjacent grotto, and different land sites sports etc the list continues. Yet as for me, I mainly visit Notre Dame to power walk/jog on their trails. I always have found Notre Dame's land sites especially their trails to be impressive, and a serene place to visit. Whether to work out, stroll, enjoy nature, or for a nice picnic, this portion of the campus is kind of a hidden gem being mostly beknownst to the internal campus community. The trails are very picturesque, displaying the buildings on campus, some being historical. You'll also find as you walk some sculptures that are located remotely along the trails. On these trails if you explore the campus farther there are two lakes that are somewhat like twin or "sister lakes" with beautiful wildlife. One cool thing I like about the first lake on the immediate trail is the variety of wildlife. While hiking I usually spot turtles, that are usually small, although one particular summer me and another jogger spotted two turtles courting each other wrestling that were huge. In my opinion too large for the Midwest. Either way the turtles are cute. Then I always enjoy seeing the swans and ducks, and occasionally (almost rarely) you may spot a black swan. I also more often than not see people that enjoy fishing at these lakes, but don't ask me what types of fish inhabit these waters. For a while now I have always enjoyed visiting what I call this little patch of paradise at Notre Dame, and more than likely as long as I am in the area and visit the area always will. More so I am also glad that a place like this in the community exist for individuals especially families to venture too.

Day #6 on our Drive Across America. We love the movie "Rudy" and since we were driving through South Bend we made an impromptu stop at the University of Notre Dame. Unfortunately we couldn't see much of the campus because school was not in session. What we saw was beautiful. Listed in Drive Across America: https://www.yelp.com/collection/4_4-FCUBHEQBq43u7DXRig

Good to be back at Southbend to visit the Great School. This school was big and beautiful especially during the the fall and winter time. Beside the great campus, the areas were changing with the leaves turned the colors that make its campus more colorful and tranquil. It also is preparing the coming months of falling snow. Surrounding school just right on front there were clubs, restaurants and apartments that came alive after sunset everyday. The shops and restaurants were crowded with students and visitors that came to enjoy the good times. People who lived here was very helpful friendly and humbled. This school was so huge which actually would took you hours to see it all. Great school and very beautiful Campus, happy to be here

What a great campus Everytime I walk through here , and it's been years I get goose bumps besides growing up and my family being in the area My Uncle Gene was the head trainer here for over 20years I remember him Taking me into the stadium and the locker rooms where I met many coached and players Ara Parseghian,Dan Devine , Joe Theisman, Gerry Faust Lou Holtz. I still have a great respect for this place . Grounds are immaculate , people are friendly and I can remember years past attending games with family great memories . Grotto is still amazing to see all the candles and am reminded my Aunt Pat and Uncle Gene were married here in the 50's defiantly walk the campus !

One of the best campus I have seen. Has been Established over 100 years but well maintained. The campus is spread across many acres with every amenities required. Huge catholic church with lots of weddings happening in summer and huge trees all over the campus which makes this place so peaceful and calm. They have 2 lakes out of which one lake has a place to rent boat n kayaks for minimal rent.Prayer place where you can lit candles.You can see a lot of ducks,Geese,birds and turtles near the lakes. The trail around the lakes are perfect for biking and running. Huge stadium with big screens,Modern Library,Music n Dance Practice Buildings and Cafes for the students to relax.Public transport is available but not reliable is what I heard. Shopping streets close by campus. Definitely a good place to study and roam around as a tourist.

The cost of tuition and residential/food service is high. If you want a quality education and a degree that will open doors it is well worth the price. Don't think you can get admitted if you weren't top in your class. The application process is not for the average student like moi. They want to see dedication via community service. There is a thoughtful essay and exam scores. I can't remember what else. The campus is spectacular. There's the old and the new. I visited in all four seasons. Fall football games are the most fun. The Winter can be very cold and windy. Spring graduation was in May twenty years ago this year. It was cold to me at that time too. It doesn't matter the season with the beautiful architecture and history surrounding you. You feel the spirits. No, I'm not the graduate. I was given an honorary degree for being a single parent supporting a student/graduate. I'm proud of that degree. Loans, scholarships and my daughter working for four years while in school (and in the summers) paid for four years. The loans amounted to a year tuition. I also shelled out thousands each semester. Good thing I was working. The school provides every opportunity for success if you take advantage. My daughter accepted tutors when needed and signed up for the mentor program. She was matched with a mentor that worked in NYC. The same fine woman assisted her during her first job interviews and hiring process. Opportunities are boundless if you apply for them. The Notre Dame graduates I know take care of each other and mentor future grads. My daughters circle of friends are the only ones I can speak about. When you make friends at ND you've made a friend for life. It was a difficult choice where to attend college. In the end it was the best decision of my life to let her go. Other than my decision to have her in the first place!

What a wonderful place to explore for a few hours before a family wedding! I live in St. Louis and this was my first trip to the South Bend area. My family and I spent a good 2.5-3 hours on the campus. The security guard kindly directed us to where to park to see everything we wanted to see. We saw: Bookstore--Large and impressive. Two floors; great view from way up high. Everyone found something to take home. Golden dome--Friendly staff member at front desk told us how to get to the 4th level to look at the dome, and where else we should look in the building. You won't often put your camera away once you come inside. The dome's interior is painted and visible from the main level. Christopher Columbus is featured in 12 murals painted by artist Luigi Gregori in the 1890s that adorn the halls on one floor. Check these out while you can if they are of interest to you--students have started a petition to get them removed. Of more interest, perhaps, is the series of portraits of University presidents--if you look at their dates. :) Basilica--Beautiful! Be sure to go in! Choir started singing as soon as we entered. Photos okay, but no hats for men. Gorgeous. My #1 must-see place on campus. Grotto--Reproduction of Our Lady of Lourdes grotto in France. Someone brought a dolley full of boxes of votives and was setting up when I went by at 9 a.m. or so. Didn't get a chance to go back. Ah well. I got my Song of Bernadette fix. Stadium--It looks newer than I expected. Maybe it's been at least partly redone. Couldn't go in or get any kind of a view into the field, but was able to check out a few statues of some past coaches. Smashburger--There's something of a small food court in one of the old (-looking, anyway) halls. I wouldn't have known about it had I not Googled local restaurants. I had a typical Smashburger experience. Good rosemary fries, but I wish their veggie burger didn't have eggs in it. Thanks for letting us poke around!

Notre Dame = Our Lady ... memorialized in this 175 year old university in northern Indiana ... TRADITION, Touchdown Jesus, the reflecting pool in front of the Hesburgh Library, the Golden Dome Administration Building, the Grotto, the Basilica, the Stadium, the Joyce Center, the Four Horsemen, Rudy, Knute Rockne, the Compton Family Ice Arena, Rolfs Aquatic Center, 31 dorms rather than Greek life, and scores of other worthwhile ideas and places to visit where memories abound at this unabashedly Catholic school. Did I say TRADITION. If you are ever in the area do drive by and visit the campus. Home to roughly 8,500 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students this University has just about everything one could ask for. It is a warm, welcoming, and safe place to learn and grow into adulthood. All faiths welcome...you do not have to be Catholic to attend...but the University does value faith and service. Begun as an all-male college, it became co-ed in 1972. Come visit, I am sure you'll like what you see.

okay. I am so cold when I am here. I get lost everytime I go to south dining hall. There is no where to buy liquor on campus. They have very nice people and nice Uber drivers in the area. Dedicated students who will get hammered in the library. Please try to get better looking males. Some of the profs are dilfs. Others are priests. Kinda sending mixed signals. Anyways. 10/10 recommend. My American girl doll goes here and she is catholic.

The University of Notre Dame is a well-known educational and religious facility in South Bend, Indiana, and it is also an absolutely beautiful campus. In the late Fall of 1842, Father Edward Sorin and the newly established Congregation of Holy Cross went on a pilgrimage to northern Indiana with the goal of establishing a great Catholic University in America. Father Sorin discovered a snow-covered lake on a large plot of land given to them by the Bishop of Vincennes, and this is where they founded the University to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sorin named the school in his native language, and it was known as "L'Universite de Notre Dame du Lac", or The University of Our Lady of the Lake. Now 175 years old, the University of Notre Dame is at the forefront of research, scholarship, and service, all bolstered by Catholic teaching. The sports program is pretty darned amazing, and it was a real honor to walk into the famed Notre Dame football stadium and have a look around. The stadium is under construction at this time, but they'll be in full swing in time for football season with a brand-new stadium that holds about 80,000, and the outlying parking lots can hold wellvover 100,000 tailgaters. The University enrolls about 8,500 undergraduates and over 3,500 post-graduates. The list of honorable alumni is a veritable who's who of the leaders of industry, government, the military, professional sports, and entertainment fields. We had the privilege of getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the campus, sports facilities, and religious landmarks. Our tour guide is an employee of the University, and he gave us lots of interesting tidbits as we strolled the campus. Among all of the wonderful religious shrines, we also saw the original log cabin church down by the lake. The golden dome of the Main Administration building of made from real gold - 23.9-karat gold leaf, and the statue on top is a depiction of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many football fans will be familiar with the mural on the southern face of the Hesburgh Library which can be viewed from one end of the football stadium's end zone. The "Word of Life" artwork depicts Jesus and the apostles, representing a passage from the Bible in the Book of John. The figure of Christ the Teacher was developed with arms raised in what has become known as the "touch-down" gesture, and as a result, this mural is now better known as "Touchdown Jesus", and it's said to cheer on the Fighting Irish during their home games. Spectacular place to visit if you happen to be in northern Indiana.

Such a beautiful campus. I've been to/worked at a lot of college campuses all around the US and I can honestly say this one is possibly the most impressive I've seen. It's just huge, you can walk around there for hours, which is exactly what we did. Everything is so epic looking from the historical buildings to the massive greenery areas. Just overall very impressive. We didn't get to see the football stadium but I can only imagine how crazy it is. Stopped in the art museum and the bookstore while we were there and they were both really nice as well. Can only imagine how cool it is to attend this school.

Beautiful campus, well worth a visit if you are in the South Bend area. There is very little to see in South Bend so this might be the only spot to visit but it's a gorgeous campus. It's nice to see the traditions. The football games are fun to attend. As for an actual university, one of our children attended and found it to be a very, very conservative university that spies on it's students via the network to ensure that they are abiding by all of the outdated rules. They actually have student interns and a police department on campus that review their google searches, etc. You have to live on campus for 3 years. If you don't follow all of their rules they have a punitive system. Their tours are just marketing hype. However, if you are Catholic and very religious and want to follow a strict set of rules, they have good academics. They have a lot of older faculty that are past being excited about teaching. In some of the stem fields they are pretty outdated in our opinion. They do have some amazing clubs and activities - like a top notch choir, etc. South Bend is a small town, they have some good restaurants down in the center of town. They have a fair amount of crime in the area right off of campus so you have to be careful. All in all, it's fun to visit University of Notre Dame but it's best for a visit. If you value diversity and respect for students, there are other colleges that might be better choices. I give ND a 5 star for the beauty of the campus but a 3 star as a college option!

We visited here on a Wednesday afternoon for the 1:00 tour. The tour itself was great with a well informed and friendly tour guide! We were so impressed with the campus! Beautiful facilities, buildings, and histories. For a free tour, which lasted about 1.25 hours, I would highly recommend to anyone! We didn't get to see inside very many buildings, but the history and insider facts provided by our student tour guide was impressive. So glad we stopped by to check out the campus for the first time!

There is a reason for the mystique. Walk around. Go in the Basilica. Light a candle at the grotto. Stare at the beauty of the Golden Dome. Raise your arms in front of touchdown Jesus. This is a place where tradition lives.

I just drove up here for the day to check out the campus. Not visiting anyone or attending an event, I just wanted to see the campus. Not being catholic, I cannot comment on the religiousness of the campus. And not being a student or knowing a student, I was not granted access into most of the buildings. However, just walking around outside and going into the Basilica, the architecture is amazing! This campus is really beautiful! Lots of open space for students to hang out on the lawn during nice weather, toss a frisbee, study on a blanket or chill in a hammock.

"To whom much has been given, much is expected." Not the school motto, but you'll see it all around through actions. Townies were baffled to learn Notre Dame students even work a part time job after school and I resent that stereotype. Stop watching too much of The O.C. or Gossip Girls South Bend. We are not too good to get our hands dirty, and that's the beauty of it all, utilizing what opportunities were given to us instead of sitting on our asses waiting for that trust fund to kick in once we're 21. duh. Also to local businesses: It's not Notre Dame University but the University of Notre Dame. Um hellllooooooo.. get it right. The institution that brings your stank town some major business every autumn. Note: You'll have to compromise and agree to live in miserable South Bend, Indiana for 4 years. There were times I didn't want to board my plane at O'Hare.

Oh Notre Dame ... I could write a dissertation about this place - the great, the not so great, the good, the bad, the whole experience. It's often said that people make a place; that's what makes this place so awesome. Not to mention, the physical environment is hands down unbeatable, regardless of the season. There really is no place like Notre Dame.

I just spend a couple hours walking around campus on the spur of the moment, having spent the afternoon in South Bend for a meeting. The campus was really lovely during the sunset, particularly over the lakes, amazing colors reflected back over the (usually annoying) geese. The Chapel was having service and the bells were ringing in the late winter day, making it all seem sort of like a holy moment between nature and architecture. There is a cluster of cheaper restaurants off to the south end, I wish I could have gone in more buildings but it was later in the day. Even if you aren't religious this is a very impressive institution

We were in South Bend over the holidays, so of course I had to visit the University of Notre Dame. I remember when I was middle school, I felt like I was destined to attend this college. (Side story, I went to an Irish school - don't ask why - and so to continue the tradition of the Fighting Irish, Notre Dame was the obvious choice) Since it was during the break, the campus was quite desolate with the exception of a few tourists here and there. The campus is gorgeous! I love how it has that traditional college campus feel (unlike the UC campuses that we're so used to in California). The brick buildings, the beautiful architecture, and of course, the beautiful football stadium. My boyfriend took me up to the top floors of the library where the Touchdown Jesus mural was painted to get a better view of the campus. Beautiful. Another highlight of my trip to Notre Dame was the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. It's one of the most beautifully ornate basilicas in the United States. Once I walked into the nave, my eyes were brought straight up to the vaulted ceiling. I always feel so humbled when I'm inside a Church. The grandness just takes my breath away. Once again, beautiful. I wish I could see what campus life was like.. I'm sure it would be a great experience to be a student here :)

Pros: - Academics...professors are great and always more than happy to help - Campus...absolutely gorgeous, especially in the Fall. - Athletics...umm football? The brand new Compton Ice Arena is also really cool Cons: - Northern Indiana weather...last two winters have been pretty rough - Chicago isn't close enough - Construction (right now)...the new stadium remodel has closed a lot of the parking and walking paths making the commute to class a lot longer - Rec Center (this will soon be a plus) however for a school with so many elite sports teams the regular student gyms are WAY too SMALL

Excellent neighbors. Always building new stuff employing more people in the community, they bring in tourism, and it's a great place to go for a walk or bike ride. If you have a chance to get a Notre Dame in your community I strongly recommend you do it!

Huge University, it's an honor to finally visit this school. Football stadium is huge. Campus is spread out. You can walk forever. Glad to see the Touchdown Jesus and The Golden Dome. Lots of statues scattered throughout the campus.

One thing I will never forget is the image of fluorescent lampposts that light up campus at night. They remind me of a symmetrical, dimensional, infinite Narnia. Little did I know that I stumbled through a wardrobe four short years ago, unknowingly wandering through the fantasy world of my dreams. Now I find myself back at the wardrobe, but this time, I can only leave (I'm a senior). Whether your coming in just for a football weekend, short visit, or the next four years, know that you roam upon sacred grounds.

Wow! Such a beautiful campus, even in this awful weather. We came so my niece could tour campus in case she wanted to attend. We found the university guides to be gracious, well informed, and funny! I would recommend campus tours even if you are not planning to attend. I was expecting the stadium to be the focus of campus, but just being here, you can tell it's so much more!

I'm not sure how many stars to give the University of Notre Dame following my first visit to the campus for a football game. First, the bad... Why are there THREE lots marked by the same damn letter? We had never been to the stadium before, nor had our tailgating friends. They tell us "we're in lot J." Which lot J? There's a tiny lot J, a medium lot J, and a large lot J. Which one? So we find the correct lot "J"...then are trying to figure out how the lot is ordered by numbers. Why is 14 next to 18, but 15 is on the other side of the lot? What kind of education are students receiving at this learning institution? Letters and numbers have no value. Now some good (which will be followed by more bad)....the people were super friendly! Yes, the locals severely overcharge for parking (dude wanted $60, we were only able to take him down to $40). But the people were nice and let us chill at their tailgate for a few. Once inside the stadium, we experienced ZERO trash talking. I think this is because my friends and I were there supporting Navy, and it would be un-American to bag on the military. But perhaps they're always this nice to visiting teams. So hospitality points for the Irish. Now more bad...exiting the stadium and trying to find your way back to the Indiana Toll Road. The goal of police seems to be to get you as far away from the stadium as possible...heading in the wrong direction. We had to travel miles to the east, then miles to the north, before we were allowed to make a freakin turn to head back west (nearly crossing the Michigan state line) until we could get to I-80. All this with no signage, just us guessing which roads will be accessible while listing to Siri yell at us to turn where the police say we can't. So, yeah, friendly people but organization is nowhere to be found.

Taken directly from www.nd.edu : "The University of Notre Dame provides a distinctive voice in higher education that is at once rigorously intellectual, unapologetically moral in orientation, and firmly embracing of a service ethos. Founded in 1842 by a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Notre Dame is an independent, national Catholic research university located adjacent to the city of South Bend, Indiana, in a metropolitan area of more than 300,000 residents approximately 90 miles east of Chicago." Ranked #18 in the 2014 US News and World Report National University Rankings, Notre Dame upholds a very high standard of excellence and recognition in academics, research, and athletics. Although I am not an alum, I come here every year for the storied ND vs. USC rivalry. Notre Dame leads the series 45-35-5. The football program was most recognized during the Ara Parseghian years (1964-74), winning two national Championships. This era was also paid tribute to (kind of) by the 1993 film, Rudy. The campus is always beautiful, located in a very rural area of Indiana...which is mostly rural. Most Notre Dame fans are very respectful of USC fans, because the history goes so far back. However, as with most colleges these days you'll get a few "winners" who try to make a scene out of their arrogance. I suppose that goes both ways. When I traveled with the band this year we were only met with courtesy and respect. The Notre Dame Marching Band is led by Dr. Ken Dye. He is an alumni of the USC band, a former LAUSD music teacher, a current LAUSD All-City music arranger, and a world-renowned arranger and music educator. My hat goes of to him for what he has over there. I guess my description of this school leans more towards my experiences as a member of the USC Band....oh well. FIGHT ON!

Never attended classes here. We live close by and participate in IYHL so I am here a lot. The campus is beautiful. We ride bikes up to the lakes in the summertime when students are for the most part, gone. Ice skating faciltilities are an A plus and Eddy Street commons is convenient-- Although I would rather have the Woods back. It was the last significant wooded area on this side of town.

I am a proud recent graduate of Notre Dame. Maybe the school isn't quite perfect (South Bend is not exactly a booming metropolis) but there is no where else like Notre Dame, I wouldn't have wanted to spend the past 4 years anywhere else. The friends I made at Notre Dame will last me a lifetime, and my degree is a valuable asset. I think that the school is the perfect mix of intellectual development, religion, athletics, volunteerism and partying. In response to Nickolas's post below, I disagree that only 50% of the Irish party. Have you ever been to a tailgate? Sloshed around at the 'Backer on a Saturday night? Had a "pool"party full of beer in your dorm room? Played consecutive games of 'pong (with Vodka-Red-bull) at Finnegan's until you pass out at Vesuvios's? Remember the Boat Club? Notre Dame may lack the typical "frat" scene, but it does have a party crowd. My only regret is not partying less, and enjoying some of the cool cultural events on campus more. Go IRISH!!!!!!

This was a quick drive through campus. Unfortunately, there is limited parking here so got out and in our car to avoid a ticket. The campus is huge and nicely tended. Even on Labor Day, students were walking to class. The bookstore is huge with textbooks, clothing, and stationery. Well, my wife enjoyed looking at the stationery while I looked at other things- magazines, etc.

I am a Purdue grad! Why the LOVE for "Da Irish"? I grew up in the shadow of the Golden Dome (Mishawaka guy by birth). Watched the great Irish football teams/players from the late 60's onward. Nick Eddy! Not just football but also Irish hockey. Eddie Bumbaco! Irish basketball. Austin Carr! Our Lady of the Lake is a special place. I hear that a degree from UND is also a good thing....smile......

This was our first visit to the campus. It is a very beautiful campus. Since it was summer it was not as busy as it probably is during the season. We went to the visitor center first and were greeted very warmly by a very nice young man who showed us the best things to see in a limited time. Touchdown Jesus, the dome, the grotto and the basilica were the highlights. Don't miss an opportunity if you come to this area. It is spectacular.

I am not a student here myself but have visited the campus. It is a MUST see! Absolutely beautiful! I have visited my share of universities and this is by far the prettiest!

Is it not obvious that the Lord favors this place? Sure some of the academic programs are world class, and the athletics are some of the best in the nation. But it's something more that makes this place special. It is the People! This university, originally founded as a school for Native American boys by French and eventually Polish priests in the heart of the American Midwest, is steeped in Gaelic magic. Every year the surrounding area dons authentic foam Leprechaun hats and painted-on orange beards in celebration of its storied connection with the Emerald Isle. Religion and prayer are a big part of everyday life here. ND students typically also have a strong commitment to community service... so much so that University and other local donors have turned the part of downtown South Bend furthest away from campus into a district for homeless people. Such charity is a source of great pride for ND students, faculty, and alums alike. Just ask any one of them and they will tell you all about it! With their good deeds meticulously accounted for, I continuously grant Notre Dame Du Lac special entitlement and wealth. And they continuously consider new ways to improve not only their own campus, but the vicinity. A perfect example is what they have done with he old neighborhood to the south of campus. Faced with a discomforting level of iniquity in their presence, the administration and associated concerns have done what's best. The neighborhood has been removed completely, and replaced with a more upscale neighborhood and upscale stripmall, so that you would never know that the Northeast side of South Bend had been there for 120 years up to that point. Also, roads which once awkwardly ran right through campus have been redirected into a lovingly insulating half loop which moves traffic swiftly around the perimeter. Kudos! Thus ND has been lovingly isolated from the surrounding heathens and their laws, so that the womenfolk may party without molestation by townies. As most of the gregarious undergrad finance lords sport the Lord's preferred haircut and polo shirts, we can rule out their smooth romantic advances ever being rejected! Damn straight this is my favorite place on earth! That's why I have granted them with an everlasting supply of high quality PR juice, enough to bravely and defiantly weather all public misunderstandings and misconceptions. And I assure you, St. Declan of Lake Zurich is sitting very near to me on the great big scissor lift in the sky.

My husband and I were excited to see this campus when passing through on a trip, but after about 30 minutes of driving around the campus searching for somewhere to park and allow us to walk around to get pictures, we left. We drove by numerous lots, all of which required a permit, and followed the one "visitor parking" sign we saw to nothing. There is no visitor lot, and there are no signs to indicate where anything was or to navigate the campus-no parking directions, arrows, a map, signs-nothing. Very disappointing.

It's a nice place to visit, of course if you're a ND fan. It really is a beautiful campus. And you can't forget about that gift shop, wow.

Best damn college campus ever. Hands down. The architecture is beautiful. The trees in the fall with the Golden Dome are stunning. The lake at winter time can be gorgeous. Who wouldn't want to go here!!!?? Well I didn't, but I fell in love with this place when my brother stepped on campus to go here. It holds a lot of memories and the staff really take pride in this campus. Visit the Basilica, the Grotto, the lake, DeBartolo Performing Arts, and Joyce Center. If you're hungry the South Dining Commons is historical and very nice. This place is packed with history, sports-related and not. I've been to plenty of other campuses, but this will always remain my fav.

What's not to like about Notre Dame? Having just come from a game (Purdue vs. ND), I can vouch that they're some of the friendliest tailgaters around, even offering their bitter enemies on ground a beer or two. At least in exchange, of course, for some friendly razzing. This campus has a ton of acerage--even UT Austin, which holds about 50,000 students, is dwarfed by Notre Dame's acerage. And who else has a "Touchdown Jesus?" God certainly looks favorably upon the Irish. At least more so this season!