Another Chances Post...

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

<p>Okay, just thought I'd post and see what you think of my chances at ND. I live 40 minutes north in a very small town called Watervliet, Michigan. I mean...small, less than 2000 people. </p>

<p>I'm 6th out of 99 people in my class
3.8 GPA, will probably go up after this semester</p>

<p>-SAT-
Math: 680
Critical Reading: 650
Writing 660 (even though they dont care about it...)</p>

<p>I've only taken 1 AP-bio and got a four. Before you think about how bad that is, my school doesn't offer any AP's other than Bio, so I had no choice. I have been in the hardest classes, but they aren't honors or IB or AP or anything really special until this year. This year I'm enrolled at Western Michigan University. This semester I have 11 credit hours there, in addition to 3 classes at my high school. I've held a part time job since my sophomore year, at the same place.
-tons of community service
-boys state representative, boys nation alternate
my school is lacking in clubs, so I had to make do
-founded a debate club
-found "Harbor Habitat High" a volunteering club partnered with Habitat for Humanity
-Been very involved in school band program. Member of the high school jazz band for 5 years after senior year is over, I started in 8th grade, I've won solo awards. I've been section leader for concert band, drill instructor for marching band. 2 year soloist in marching if that matters. Band treasurer.
-I've been a band tutor, and an academic grade school tutor
-very active in the catholic church. I am the first senior to be allowed on the CORE team, which basically plans all youthgroup functions.
-attended a program called the Civic Leadership Institute partnered with Northwestern University in Chicago, one of only 40 something people accepted. It was a lot of learning how to be a leader in your comminity, which involved politics, government, and community service.
-student council rep
-national honors society inductee</p>

<p>My family is fairly poor, I dont know if that does anything. Parents are divorced, dad lives in Florida.</p>

<p>What I'm hoping is that ND realizes my options for involvement have been very limited, so considering what I have done should be pretty good right? I also hope that the fact that I only have 1 AP will be compensated by my enrollment at WMU this year.</p>

<p>So, how do I look for admission? I know my SATs are on the low side, but are there other areas you think I can focus on, perhaps in my essay, that will make me look better?</p>

<p>Thanks for your time!</p>

2

<p>uhh cant really help u there same boat, i might advise you not to apply early cuz their normal scores average 1390 and urs is...1330. also as weird as it may sound ur class rank may not appeal to them cuz its top 6% even though you are number 6, which is very good but they have no idea of knowing how smart the rest of your grade is. anyways what i am saying is that although you are number 6, your percentage may not stand out to them. Wow this was not a good reply sorry thought i could help you and well i basically did nothing.(btw have u thought of an essay u might talk about what u ahve been able to do and start even though it ahs been hard------scrap that it suks)really sorry about this bad reply</p>

3

<p>Yes, I knew I wouldn't apply early, although I thought the average for EA was much higher than 1390.
As far as the 6th thing, I've been told that ND looks very closely at things, so despite being 6th percent, they'll see that I'm also 6th. Yeah, it's a small class size, but there's not much I can do for that.
Oh and the essay....aka the BANE of my existence haha. I'm having SO much trouble with that 500 word limit. I've trashed so many essay topics it's unreal. I just thought of a direction recently though. I could do something very familiar to me with my school band program that I've been heavily involved with, then lead into how it started my love of community service. I think I can add a lot of personality with this, and that's what I want to do, so hopefully that will work. We'll see!
good luck to you</p>

4

<p>i guess it doesn't matter but 1390 is average SAT from RA so theyd expect more from RA so i guess its good that you realize that. also if possible (i believe that u sed u were catholic) try to incorporate religion but dont make a blatant attempt at it. good thing you didnt catch me next year or i might not have add my rather confusing advice, i guess you were a little unlucky but i hope to see u there when i start in 07</p>

5

<p>Anyone else have thoughts, tips, etc for me? I'd reallly appreciate them.</p>

6

<p>OK, I apologize for the format, I took this straight from an excel-type grid on my comp. This is my master list of ECs/awards. Awards will be added to, I just haven't gone though any of those yet. If anyone would comment on how I look, for the ECs, especially people who have been admitted to ND, how does this compare.
Again, sorry for the format. It goes in order of activity, grades, hours, weeks, and description all the way.</p>

<p>You may also note that I added biking and scuba diving to my list. I wasn't sure if I should include these, but I did, even if they're not much for leadership. Should I take those out? Thoughts?</p>

<p>ACTIVITY GRADE(S) HOURS PER WEEK WEEKS PER YEAR DESCRIPTION
Jazz Band 8th-12th 5, more for events about 40 Festival Solo Awards, Trombone Lead Musician, one of only three members selected for admission in 8th grade
Marching Band 9th-12th at least 8, often up to 20 11 Drill Instructor, Soloist in 11th and 12th grade seasons.
Concert Band 9th-12th 5, more for events 29 Treasurer, Trombone Section leader
Harbor Habitat High (school club partnered with Habitat for Humanity) 11th-12th 5-10 for club duties, 10 for build days about 40 Founder of Club, President, additional hours added through volunteering in community. See attached page
Church CORE Team (Church youth group comittee. Typically all adults, I was the first high school student.) 12th 3 to 7 about 40 Volunteer, led Lifenight/Lifeteen at my church multiple times.
Band Tutor 9th-12th 2 12 unpaid volunteer
National Honors Society 11th-12th 1 to 5 14 NHS inductee, volunteer hours associated
Debate Club 11th-12th 2 1 Founder of Club
Grade School Tutor 11th-12th 2 30 Academic tutor for 3rd to 5th grades
Civic Leadership Institute (program with Northwestern University.) summer of 10th grade 84 3 See attached page
Employee at a cafe in St. Joseph, MI 9th-12th around 20 during school, 30 or more during summers 52 Employee with longest continuing tenure.
Student Council 9th-11th 1 to 4 40 Class Representative
Biking 9th-12th 2 to 12 16 I bike trails around southwestern Michigan.
Spanish Club 9th-12th 1 40 Spanish cultural activities/learning
World Youth Day Pilgrimage Summer after 11th 24 3 See attached page
Solo And Ensemble 10th-12th
County All Star Band 9th, 12th
Scuba Diving 9th-12th 1 to 5 12 Done in Lake MI and in Florida
ACTIVITY GRADES AWARD
Jazz Band 8th-12th Solo Award, Lead Trombone, one of only 3 members participating for 5 years
Boys State summer after 11th Boys Nation Alternate, Monroe City Mayor</p>