What's the undergraduate population like at Notre Dame?

I'm curious about how big or small the undergraduate population is at Notre Dame. Does anyone know the approximate number of students and how that affects campus life and class sizes?

Notre Dame is known for its relatively low student-to-faculty ratio, which sits around 8:1. This allows for classes to be smaller and more personalized, with the majority of undergraduate classes having fewer than 20 students. With this sort of class size, students often feel better connected to their professors and can typically gain a deeper understanding of their coursework through personalized attention and intimate class discussions.

This don't mean that all classes are small though. Introductory and some popular courses can be larger, with hundreds of students, but these typically decrease in size as you move into more specialized areas in your major.

Regarding the social aspect, a smaller student body facilitates a greater sense of community and camaraderie on campus. Many students report a feeling of unity and school spirit, particularly in the context of athletics, where football games are a significant campus event.

Keep in mind, though, that the 'feel' of a campus comes from more than just its size. Factors like student-faculty relationships, class structure, housing, clubs and organizations, and tradition also contribute strongly to the student experience. It can help to visit the campus, if possible, or connect with current students to understand more about what life at Notre Dame is like.