<p>Hey guys, </p>
<p>I'm wondering if any current students, applicants, or parents, or anyone else have advice on the Why Notre Dame supplemental essay?</p>
<p>Much appreciated... :)</p>
<p>I think essays like this one are essays that really develop best when you come up with the ideas yourself. I can tell you why I love it here, but in the end, that’s not what matters for you. You have to write about why ND is the right place for YOU. I think many of the admissions officers have been doing this for a while, and they know when people are just saying the things they think admissions officers want to hear. For that reason, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to try to get specific ideas from other people.</p>
<p>With that being said, I do have some general advice for any applicant trying to write this essay. Just make sure to make it your own.</p>
<p>First ask yourself what you’re looking for in a college. Is it academics? Is it life on campus (sports, clubs, etc.)? Is it spiritual life? Is it community? Is it preparation for the future? Once you’ve determined what it is that you are looking for in a college, do a little research and see how ND specifically fills that role. In other words, if you are looking for strong academics, don’t just say, “Notre Dame is a really prestigious school. They get really smart students, and they’re graduates are very smart.” These statements are generic, and they are very common knowledge. Find something specific that fits the mold of what you’re looking for and talk about why you like that thing. Again, don’t just say what you think they want to hear. Find something about ND that truly excites you, and the essay will come together.</p>
<p>I hope this helps a little. Good luck!</p>
<p>I’m going to sound tough. If an answer doesn’t pop immediately into your head, then that is not the school for you. Seriously. Ask yourself if you are applying to “name brands” only or because there is something about THIS SCHOOL that really captures your interest.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for replying.</p>
<p>Great advice. And don’t worry, I’m not interested in ND just because of its reputation/name-brand. I visited last spring and fell in love with it- first with the physical environment, and then with its many faith-centered activities/campus life, and then with the abundance of research opportunities available for undergrads. It’s like my absolute top choice now.
So I actually already have a list of things I love about ND (specific things I learned either from my visit or the website). I’m more unsure about <em>how</em> to write them instead of what to write.
I love many aspects of Notre Dame- most importantly its faith-in-action and its academic research. (As well as its beautiful campus/dorms, the grotto, etc.) But in order to make a strong essay, should I focus on one aspect or talk about many?
Also format… so obviously faith-in-action is some pretty serious stuff, and my love for ND is also pretty serious. But I also want to sound quirky/fun, as I did in a few other essays. How should I balance?
Again, thanks for replying!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about sounding quirky or fun. Just talk about why ND speaks to you. My experience has been that the strongest of this type of essay, ND in particular, is one that addresses why the school is right for you and why you are right for the school. When you are on the right track with this it won’t be forced and will actually be rather easy to write. Good luck!</p>
<p>One thing you need to make sure you don’t do is just go on and on about how great ND is the entire essay - you should do this for a lot of it, but a lot of kids forget that they need to talk about why they’re right for the school, too. The faith life at ND is great, but how will you fit into and add to that?</p>
<p>^^I agree with this advice. You clearly have your reasons for “why ND” so write from the heart. Emphasize why you feel that the attributes you found at ND will give you a unique opportunity grow both as a person and as a student and how you hope to participate/contribute as a student at the university. Good luck.</p>
<p>The advice in this thread is some of the best I have read on CC. Write from the heart about not only why ND is right for you but why you are right for ND. Good luck.</p>
<p>I applied and got in last year, and I think this essay really helped me. I don’t remember who told me these things, but it’s probably the best advice I received in the college application process.</p>
<p>-If you could theoretically change a few words in the essay and send it to other schools, it’s not specific enough to ND.</p>
<p>-If other people could theoretically change a few words and send it to ND, it’s not personal enough.</p>
<p>I ended up writing about how Touchdown Jesus basically embodied the family values I grew up with. Both my parents teared up when they read my essay- I doubt admissions officers did, but that’s how personal mine was. It wasn’t super quirky or creative, but it was straightforward, honest, and personal. There are so many different ways to go with this essay and it’s a great way to stand out from other qualified students who may not be as good of a fit for ND as you. Just don’t write about Rudy.</p>
<p>Thank you all very much 
Your advice were SO helpful!</p>