<p>I was wondering what my chances were of gaining admission to Notre Dame. By the time I graduate I would have taken 6 AP courses and the rest honors classes. My UW GPA is 4.0 so I figure my weighted is much higher. I've only taken the SAT once and have already registered for a second test and am practicing hard to raise my scores, which I am confident can happen, but for now I have 560 critical (very low i know), 640 math, 630 writing. I have never been a great test taker but my transcript certainly places me in the top 10 students of 350 at a demanding private school. </p>
<p>Additonally, I really am one of the most involved students in my school. I am an active member of SADD, ProLife, Social Concerns, Youth Group, and an advanced academic program in which I tutored inner-city kids in hopes of them attaining higher learning opportunities. I have also been a Homeroom Representative for four years and a Student Council member for my entire high school career. On student council I am even on the executive board and have served as recording secretary and executive vice president. I was also a Model UN delegate, and have worked at the RI State House as a Senate Page for over a year. </p>
<p>Furthermore, I am sure my essays and recommendations will be adequate and strengthened by my rising junior and senior summers in which I volunteered at my Church, went on the Global Young Leaders Conference, and attended a week of HOBY training. I have even volunteered at Bryant University in the health services department, which will support my desire to go PreMed. </p>
<p>I know my test scores need work, but I feel as if I have a very strong transcript to send Notre Dame. However, when it comes to applying to college I always feel as if I am second guessing myself. Do I have a shot at getting in to the university, what are my chances, and if they are not high is it a waste to apply? I am really looking for honest opinions and any suggestions at all would be so helpful. Thank you!</p>
<p>Dear Academy
Your class rank is top 5% so that is in the range of accepted students. You’ve also engaged in a number of interesting activities, which shows leadership and dedication. The work as a page is somewhat distinctive and might be worth highlighting in your essays, since the rest of your activities are, to be honest, things that lots of other applicants will have done. You have already identified the weakest part of your application, which is your test scores. ND doesn’t use writing, so you’re sitting with a 1200 score, where last year’s average of accepted students was 1400. If you can close that gap you will increase your chances considerably. In answer to your final question, it’s never a waste to apply to a school if you really want to go there and have a realistic view of your chances. If you don’t apply you’ll always wonder what might have happened.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your input irishbrigade! I was also wondering what role awards and merits play at ND and where I should specifically highlite them in my application. For example, when I was in 6th grade I recieved a $5,000 scholarship for being a National Finalist in the NSTA Young Inventors Awards Program, and I’m in NHS as well as a Book Award Winner. Where would I suppliment things like being a part of the NSHSS or a Who’s Who recipient?</p>
<p>“Who’s Who” mentions for high school students probably won’t carry a lot of weight but there’s no harm in mentioning it. NHS is a good credential, but that’s something most ND applicants will have as well, so it does not really make your application stand out from the pack. Your young inventor’s accomplishment in 6th grade is impressive (but it’s rather dated) so think about how you can develop that idea. Is there is a way to link it into things that you did in high school to make it relevant? Did you continue with your interest in invention and science? How did what you did in 6th grade influence what you’ve done since then? The answers to those questions will tell you how much you can do with that award. If you didn’t continue with that interest after 6th grade it really doesn’t add much to the picture you’re trying to present. The ND Common Application has a section for “additional information” where you could introduce extra things that don’t show up well in the common application itself. Or you could use the “topic of your choice” option for the essay itself to develop that theme if it is an important part of how you want to present yourself.</p>
<p>I just wanted to suggest taking the ACT as well as the SAT again. Also, I think your essay should be more than adequate; it should be outstanding and possibly about a life-changing event or experience. Everything you have looks good but you need to stand out more. Speak from the heart and show them how lucky they would be to have you!<br>
My d had a very high test score but was a little low on the GPA side (although her GPA was high for our school). Her essay was about her experience at the Mayo clinic doing research- but mostly about how it changed her as a person. I think her sincerity really shined in her essay. Notre Dame really does look at the whole individual- which I think makes them unique. With an outstanding essay and if you improve your test score, I’d say you have a good chance.</p>
<p>Everything (besides the SAT score, but you know that) seems to be right in the range for ND admissions. But that’s just the thing, it doesn’t work to “kinda just be there,” in the world of incredibly competitive admissions, something needs to shine. Your essay and reccs can’t be “adequate,” they need to impress. You know what you need to improve, statistically. But the essays and the reccs are really the only things where the adcoms get to see you as a PERSON, and not as a paper application. Imagine a situation where the adcoms are looking at two identical applications, yours and someone else - give them something to pick you over the other guy.</p>
<p>i suggest taking the ACT. some people do better on one than the other. maybe you’re an ACT guy. the ACT is also more accepted at Notre Dame than other peer institutions because it’s in the midwest where the ACT is more common. good luck.</p>