Advice for acceptance to the University of Notre Dame

I am a high school junior, and I really really really want to go to the University of Notre Dame. I am a white female who goes to a very small Catholic school in Wisconsin. We do not do class rank, but (technically) I am first with a GPA of 4.0 unweighted. In terms of classes (we don’t have honors), I took AP Bio and AP Lang my sophomore year with a 5 on the AP Lang exam (I didn’t take the AP Bio exam because I am in a dual credit program). This year, I am taking AP US History, AP Literature, AP Calc AB, and AP Psychology. I just took my ACT and received a 35. In terms of ec’s, I am the vice president of Key Club and a member of my school’s National Honors Society, Ambassadors (leadership program), and Campus Ministry Leadership Team. I am very involved in piano and singing. I compete in both and have received lots of district awards and a few state awards. I also play piano and sing at my local parish as a job. This summer, I worked as a research assistant at my local university with a study on postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Is this enough to get me into a school like Notre Dame? Do I need to add something to boost my resume? I know Notre Dame is huge on volunteering, so are there any great volunteer opportunities that would be beneficial? I just want to make sure I’m starting to prepare early so I have a great shot at getting in.

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Have you visited? While they don’t consider demonstrated interest, Notre Dame gives an excellent presentation and there is a lot of good stuff in their information session on what they look for.

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Yes, I visited last spring and loved the campus. I know I’m on the right track with what they want, but I was wondering if what I am doing is enough to be considered.

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Yes, you’re on the right track.

The weakness I see in your application is sports. Over half of ND’s students play a sport of some kind, even if it is only intramural or even in games among dorms. They’re proud of this participation rate. While they aren’t expecting applicants to all be varsity team captains, having that sportsmanship factor can’t hurt when applying to ND.

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You’re stats are almost identical to mine and I was accepted so you are on the right track. Just make sure to visit, maintain your gpa and write a nice essay.

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I do not agree with the comment earlier about a weakness in sports. Not everyone is athletic. If you lean more toward the arts, good for you. I would not worry about a lack of athletic pursuits. The important thing, as someone mentioned, is that you maintain your GPA and write an excellent essay. Being more “pointy” is often more impressive than an applicant that is spread thin over many things. Good luck.

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Your accomplishments are very impressive and put you well in the hunt. As others wrote, keep your grades up. You are clearly driven, but rather than looking for something to “boost your resume” consider your interests and passions and how you can explore them (and in turn contribute to the campus community) at Notre Dame. For example, you have done research on POTS. ND recently landed significant research funding: https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-announces-significant-growth-in-research-funding/

Also, you might be inspired by this pop artist/ND grad’s efforts to do good in the world by raising funds for POTS research: https://www.heraldnet.com/life/edm-artist-raising-money-to-fight-the-ailment-she-overcame/

Next year at this time, you will be in great shape to understand and write essays about how Notre Dame is the best place to explore those passions.

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I don’t think being an athlete impacts admissions decisions at Notre Dame. It is true that the student body is very active and many are athletes but unlike say a service academy playing sports is not a meaningful admissions factor

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Being a varsity athlete DEFINITELY impacts admissions. Don;t be fooled by this, it is important with a huge percentage of jocks in a class profile.
Assuming you are “valedictorian” your chances are high. ND loves the catholic school valedictorian as it enhances their elitist profile, even from smaller schools. Your essays are also very important, take great care in them. ALSO, showing interest is very important, contrary to what someone else says. Attend a summer session, and be sure to visit between jr/sr year by taking the tour and such. Have you met the admissions counselor for your state. Important to meet them and express your desire. I assume also you aren’t legacy. Tooo bad, as this is a big deal at ND. But, can’t control that now.Again, those essays really important. Good luck. !!!

I will again disagree about the need to have athletics on one’s resume to be accepted to ND. The OP plays piano and sings and is also active in campus ministry. These are all highly valued traits at ND. I could see her as a possible member of chorale arts and also perhaps even playing bells in the band. Everyone has their own strengths, and I would rather see a pointy applicant with a strong passion for their activities as opposed to a jack of all trades.

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Hey everyone! Any help or advice is welcome. How big of a plus is it to be involved in your church when applying to ND? What if you are a different denomination, but involved in church and seek participation in either a major or minor in Religion?

The two biggest things I would suggest is to reach out to your admissions counselor and introduce yourself and ask for opportunity to learn about the admissions process. Even if you Know the answer. If you are able to go to campus, email and let them know, etc. keep your name and interest level in front of them. See if there’s a Notre Dame Alumni Club in your area and contact them and join.
Most important is your essay. Make it about you and how you want to contribute to the mission on the school, grow from the opportunities and take what you learned to make a diffence in the world. The school was founded to be a force for good. Write about how you have spent your life to be that and want to grow from it
Good luck and go Irish!

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Thanks so much! We have been members of the club for 3 years and we have donated for 3 years to targeted scholarships. We also are participants for online learning and have connected with our regional counselor. We must be in the computer system. Also, I have lit candles at the Grotto! Please send more advice and prayers.

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I would also add, when you fill out your common app and list your ECs, don’t Just list them with any awards/ leadership you had with them. Write WHY you were in that activity or what you got out of that activity. They give you enough characters to give more than just “club president 4 years”. Or “ captain sr year”. Make your application stand out from the other class presidents and team captains. Every word counts

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Many thanks for the great advice!!

Many, many, thanks! My kiddo is applying to Summer Scholars & the Leadership program. Just took her first SAT (she is a Junior) and I told her she needs to get to that 1500 benchmark. DH and I have been going to the campus for 25 years. I first went on campus in 1978. We are supporters of Domer Day and other events - I can tell you that after meeting students on campus last year, there is no other community like this anywhere. Amazing, wonderful, sincere students! Go Irish!!!

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