I’ve applied so know it is now beyond my control, but would love any insight.
Stats:
SAT: 2030 (2400), 1320 (1600)
ACT: 32
SAT Subject: Math 1 630 (didn’t send bc I didn’t think it was very strong)
GPA: 3.4
AP classes include AP Bio, Calculus AB, AP US History, and various other honor classes such as Spanish honors, Chemistry honors, etc
Extracurriculars:
Boy Scout, Eagle Scout rank
Track team
Student government representative
Quiz Bowl
Several volunteer hours (2-3 different places)
Several leadership roles through Boy Scouts
Won a few writing awards
Male, Hispanic
Recommendations:
Counselor: very good
Teacher: very good I think
Essays: common app essay excellent, ND specific essays, good I think
Documented learning disability which has contributed to my lower GPA (I explain this in the extra section on the common app and how I have worked to overcome it and am committed to success).
I know ND is probably a long shot, but does anyone ever know of anyone getting in with a lower GPA or with a learning disability?
Your ACT is at the low end of the 25-75%ile. The GPA is low for ND but your EC’s are good, especially with Eagle Scout. Your diligence in overcoming your learning disability will help you and I’m sure you explained it well in your essay. As a Hispanic you will benefit as an URM. You should contact the admissions counselors who deal with Hispanic recruitment; their info can be found at http://admissions.nd.edu/admissions-staff/
Also, we have a friend whose daughter is nearly deaf and has cochlear implants. I know they talked with and visited with staff in the disability office; I don’t know who that was but check out this link: http://admissions.nd.edu/admissions-staff/
Good luck
I am not entirely sure if being Hispanic is a URM for Notre Dame, there are less Asians than Hispanics in Notre Dame. I think Hispanics come after whites for the highest percentage of students.
Thanks for the feedback. I have applied to several other great schools and been accepted, but in my heart Notre Dame is my dream and I know it would be a great fit for me. I did retake the ACT and got a lower composite score, but I did get a perfect 36 in one area that I had a 35 in before. Do you think I should send it in anyway even though the composite is lower and they don’t super score? I also took two SAT subject tests, but scored 650 and 550…I think those are two low to send. I am sending my mid year transcript in and I think I will send a note to my regional admissions person to let them know that is coming.
I would not send in the lower composite ACT as they do not superscore.
I would not send in the SATII scores. They won’t help, could hurt.
I would communicate with your admissions counselor so your name is fresh and your interest is communicated.
Good luck.
Steveo87’s advice is on point.
The only thing I have to add: Is notre dame your first choice? if so, communicate that when you send in your transcript.
Hate to be glum, but not a chance. My S was turned down with same ACT score but with a perfect 4.0 GPA with full complement of AP and dual enrollment classes offered by his high school. His counselor told him that his essays were the best the counselor had ever read in her career. Plus he holds a prestigious leadership position in our community. Notre Dame DOES not look at applications holistically, as they claim to do. I doubt they even looked at his file…just used the ACT score to toss it. I have seen some students with much lower academic credentials accepted this year, but they were minorities.
a 3.4 and a 4.0 mean nothing without context. I was accepted last year with an unweighted 3.6, but that’s from a rigorous school and all honors besides 7 ap classes. Being an eagle scout definitely helps, and your GPA isn’t a killer, especially if you’ve had an upward trend as you’ve worked to overcome your disability. To get a better look at the rigor of your school, talk to your guidance counselor about typical GPA’s and scores for students who are accepted from your school, and use Naviance if your school uses it.
I’m not saying Notre Dame isn’t a long shot, your stats are definitely on the low end of the spectrum. But they’re still on the spectrum. Contact your admissions counselor frequently (and email the hispanic recruitment counselor, they may be the best person to talk to), write to them about your continued accomplishments this year, and make sure your name sticks in their head. Best of luck!
I’d say you have a shot, assuming being hispanic is a URM. My friend got in early with a 32 ACT (and early is a more competitive round), but his dad was an alum.
No rudeness assumed! However, we went over the application with a long time senior staff member of the admissions area (who switched to a different department a few years ago) and an executive who works in the endowment office. Both told us the same thing. Holistic review only comes into play after they’ve made their cuts based on metrics like ACT score. Simply too many applications to holistically review each one. Again, going back to my first post here: Sincere congrats to everyone who has been admitted to ND, and its a dang shame everyone who’s priority is to live their life as a Catholic leader in society can’t get in (assuming the ability to well academically at the University).
@MichianaDad While I don’t doubt you, I know white Catholic high school students who were accepted with 28-30 ACT’s. No hooks. But solid everything else. It is very surprising your son or daughter was rejected and not deferred. It is difficult, I understand. But again, please don’t discourage others from applying with lower test scores. It is only one part of the application.
I appreciate everyone’s comments. I do know it is a long shot, but I knew I had to at least apply to see. I do know people who have been admitted (last year) with lower ACT scores, specifically 30 and 31, but they did have higher GPAs. However, one was a legacy and one had a parent who worked at ND (not sure if that mattered or not). I have looked in Naviance and for my school I am in line with the test scores of those accepted (a bit low, but in there), but definitely not the GPA. I have requested that my high school send my first semester grades as my transcript was originally sent before those grades came out. I will email my counselor to let her know that I have asked for those new grades to to sent. I want to make sure I am emailing with good reason, so am trying to figure out what other things I could email or communicate regarding my application.
Literally everything. For me, I sent monthly emails with everything I was doing (for me that was finishing my eagle scout application, the project/meritbadges were done but I still had the board of review), and mentioning that Notre Dame is your first choice university.