Chance me/Help me with my application, please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

<p>After doing a lot of research on colleges I think I've decided that Notre Dame is my top "reach" school. I like the fact that it's Catholic, has a lot of spirit, amazing academics, and the dorm concept is so neat!</p>

<p>Anyways, I'll list my stats like they do on the decision thread and if I can get chances/advice on what to include and not include in the common app portion that would be awesome.</p>

<p>Stats:[ul]
[<em>]SAT: Didn't take
[</em>]SAT II: Haven't taken any. Should I?
[<em>]ACT: 33 (33E,33M,33R,32S) I got a 34E and 34R with an 11 on the essay, but I got a composite of 32 so I don't think I should send that. Not sure though.
[</em>]GPA: 4.09W,4.0UW (We only get weight for AP classes, not honors. We have 7 classes and summer classes also count, which "dilutes" the weighted I guess.)
[<em>]Rank: School doesn't rank anymore, so I asked my counselor if she could include my rank somewhere in my letter. Pretty sure I'm #1.
[</em>]Other Tests (AMC, AP, IB): 4 on AP US, 5 on AP Eng Language. Will be taking AP Spanish, Chem, Eng Lit, and Calc this year.</p>

<p>Also dual enrolled at community college for American Government</p>

<p>[/ul]Subjective[ul]
[<em>]Essays: Going to work really hard on them.
[</em>]Teacher Recs: Have a few good teachers in mind, so hopefully they will be good!
[<em>]Counselor Rec: Hoping for a good one as well, I think it will be because I go to a school where Top 25 school acceptances are basically unheard of.
[</em>]Supplementary Material: I might send an art portfolio, not sure here because I am not intending to major in art, but it's a big EC for me.</p>

<p>[/ul]Personal[ul]
[<em>]Location: Michigan
[</em>]High School Type: Public, approx 1700 students, about 350 in my class
[<em>]Ethnicity: White
[</em>]Gender: Female</p>

<p>[/ul]Other[list]
[li]Extracurriculars:[/li]-Playing Viola. I'm in the top orchestra at our school and it's my biggest EC. I'm the section leader, and was last year also. </p>

<p>-Sinfonia. After school combo of band and orchestra. 4 years. We meet weekly for rehearsal, and also have sections some weeks. </p>

<p>-Pit for musicals. I volunteer at a local highschool with no band/orchestra program to play pit for their musical. I've done it for 4 years.</p>

<p>-Viola Lessons. I take private lessons for viola, have for a while now.</p>

<p>-Drawing Commissions- I take commissions online for digital artwork, usually of peoples pets and things like that. It's a job, but I guess I'm not sure how to verify it because I don't take many art classes because my schedule is full. Any advice would be appreciated.</p>

<p>-NHS. We don't have leadership positions.</p>

<p>-SLS, Students Leading Students Club: Promotes safety in the school, no drugs, texting and driving, etc. Only have 2 years for this.</p>

<p>-Interact Club. 2 years. Oriented towards volunteering within the community. We go to food banks to volunteer.</p>

<p>-Tutoring. This could probably be lumped in with NHS, but I tutored a lot last year for science and math, and will be again this year.</p>

<p>Not sure if I can add this, but I love reading. I've probably read over 200 books in the past 2 years, and 300 if you count all of highschool. Doubt that counts as an EC, though.</p>

<p>[li]Awards:[/li]-1 rating (highest) in State Solo Ensemble for my string quartet and a chamber ensemble, 2 in a few another quartet/ensembles
-Rensselaer Medalist (Awarded to the top math/science student in the 11th grade).
-Geophysical Science Student of the Year (9th)
-Honors Bio Student of the Year (10th)
-Spanish 4 Student of the Year (11th).</p>

<p>I'm just really nervous because 5 years ago the acceptance rate was 29%, now it's 21% and falling.</p>

<p>If anyone that has been accepted or knows a lot about the college process could help me decide what to include/exclude, especially in my ECs, I would appreciate it so much! </p>

<p>I can try to help as much in possible to anyone else, as well.</p>

<p>I'm not 100% sure what I want to do yet major-wise, but it will be something with science or math. </p>

<p>Basically any tips would be appreciated because I really want to get in. Thanks so much!</p>

2

<p>You are academically qualified. And I think you have some solid ECs. You could mention how much you love reading in the additional information section of the common app. You have the space to mention 10 of your ECs, so I would do that. I think you have a decent shot, but much of it will come down to your essays. Spend time on them and mention different aspects of yourself in them. When I applied I wrote all 5 and chose 3. If you have any more questions feel free to PM me. I’m going to ND next year.</p>

3

<p>I could really use some more input, please!</p>

4

<p>nicobella: You have excellent academic credentials. The trick now is to figure out what it is ND is looking for in its students and to tailor your discussion of your EC’s to try and show how you fit the profile (other than academic, which you clearly fit). Does ND have a need for your orchestra talents? You love reading. How does that fit with the ND enviornment? </p>

<p>Your rec’s are important, I think. I hope you can find good writers who will express how great and unique and how you’ll contribute to the ND environment (no time for modesty here!).</p>

<p>What about socioeconomics? Do you come from a family with a large income or more modest? Are you first generation college? </p>

<p>The more I read your bio, the more impressed I am with it. </p>

5

<p>@kaukauna Thank you so much! :slight_smile: I’ll do my best to talk about my ECs in my essays (thankfully viola isn’t a common instrument so I hope that maybee there’s a need for one lol), and I hope that my rec will be good! It was from my 10th grade APUSH teacher.</p>

<p>For socioeconomics, ND is need blind so I don’t think that matters. :slight_smile: And I am not first generation (or related to an alum, sadly)</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

6

<p>You seem to be qualified in every way, but in today’s hyper competitive environment that is no guarantee. Just make sure your enthusiasm for the unique qualities of ND shines through in your essays.</p>