Ethnicity: Hispanic
Male
GPA: 3.88
Weighted is 4.2
Junior classes:
AP Psych
APUSH
AP English
Spanish 3 H
Chem (H)
Math Analysis
Senior Classes:
APES
AP Calc
AP Comp Sci
AP English
Gov/Econ
ACT: 29
SAT: Took in June. I think I might have done overall better than my ACT?
Lots of EC:
Mission trip to Montana to serve the poor for a week, doing same thing but to Arizona next week.
Been involved with my church for years
Confirmation leader
Volunteered at a sports camp for 3 years as a counselor
Overall around 180+ of volunteer hours
HS Soccer
Will have very good letters of rec as well.
Getting into Mendoza would be the goal.
I know my ACT is a bit low I believe, but standardized tests are not my strength. We will see if I did better on SAT though.
Also, I have connections with some big donors that are writing me a letter of rec as well.
You are right that your test scores are very, very low for ND ( most recent middle 50% for the ACT was 33-35), but ND has said they are placing less emphasis on test scores and more emphasis on the overall application, as well as fit and how they view an applicant’s ability to contribute to the university community. It will be very important how you present yourself in your essays. Your URM status should help. I would be very wary of sending in an additional letter of rec from a “big donor”. Unless the letter adds to your application and offers some insight not found elsewhere, it will be of little to no help.
@ejcclc right on. totally agree with that. Like I said I think my SAT score is much higher, and I will receive that soon in a couple weeks so hopefully that will bump my test scores up
I’m not sure about how the new SAT scale works, but if it’s in the same range that a 33 to 35 is on the ACT, you’re in great shape for next year. Remember to invest a lot of time into writing good essays and getting good recs! Also, maybe try to get some more leadership positions in your extracurriculars (maybe soccer captain, or some kind of volunteer coordinator position).
Best of luck! Message me if you have any questions along the way (I’m part of the class of 2020).
Hmm I would say that it would be very hard to get in with a 29, especially into Mendoza. Yes, ND says they pay less attention to test scores, but many people don’t necessarily believe that is true. I am also planning on applying in the fall though
