Chance me? (ND 2020)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

Hi! I’m applying RD for Notre Dame for the Class of 2020.

GPA: 3.856/4.0UW 103/100W
SAT: 700CR, 680M, 670W – 2050 total (pretty bad; I am aware, but will be using the January administration to take SAT IIs)
ACT: 30C; 31E, 32M, 33R, 25S (science is really bad–retaking in February)
Rank: 12/871

ECs:
-Health Occupations Students of America–(10th-11th; 4th place area extemporaneous writing competition in 10th)
-Spanish Club–member (10th-12th), treasurer (11th), president (12th)
-Student Council–member (11th-12th), senior class treasurer (12th)
-Co-founder of the first Team America Rocketry Challenge team at my high school.
-Physics tutor (2hrs/wk–12th)
-Free tutor and babysitter for neighbor’s first grader (teaching English, math, etc.)
-80 hours community service at a local church outreach group and nursing home (~40 hours each)

Writing Supplement: I don’t know. I like them. I feel they’re very reflective of me as a person.

APs: English Language (4), Spanish Language (5), Spanish Literature (4), U.S. History (3), World History (3)
Senior course load: AP Calculus BC, AP Government, AP Statistics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Physics 2, AP Chemistry, AP English Literature, AP Biology, Computer Maintenance (contrary to usual belief that I’m not doing well since I’m in too many APs, I’m actually at a 95+ in all except statistics)

Awards:
-National Hispanic Scholar
-AP Scholar w/ Distinction
-Got an academic letter in AP Physics at my school (given to best student in the department)
-National Spanish Exam (silver in Level V)

Recs: Counselor–knows me out of a class of 871, so I guess it should be okay; calculus–she let me read it. It was lovely (10/10)

Gender: XX
State: TX
Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic
Intended Major: Physics

2

Are you sure Notre Dame will look at a February ACT? if so I would definitely recommend working on your weak sections: There were a few kids from my high school who were top 5% of the class but didn’t get into ND because they had a low ACT(<31). I would focus on your science section, I went from a 27 to a 36 in science by doing a science practice session every day for a month before the exam. You can make a huge change in that if you put the work in, but just make sure that they’ll accept the test.

3

It looks like ND will indeed take the Feb ACT scores as long as they are received by the end of February 2016

4

Yes, they do take the February scores and I will be practicing on my science especially to get that score up. (I also will work on my timing on the other sections–I didn’t finish any of them, which is also not good.)

5

Unless you can increase your standardized test scores, the odds are not in your favor. It is certainly possible for you to get admitted, but you are below the range for the middle 50%. If you have some compelling essays, it certainly would increase your chances.

If you can at least get your ACT up to at least 32 or your SAT CR and M sections above 1400, you would greatly increase your chances.

Good Luck

6

Thanks y’all. I’ll just practice a lot for the February ACT and hope the scores get to ND on time. :slight_smile:

7

if you’re in the top 2 percent of your class and can make a solid change in your ACT, you stand a pretty good chance. Good luck!

8

You’re taking eight APs this year? Jesus Christ, that’s insane. I hope you’re doing okay with that.

To be completely honest, your GPA is relatively low (though your class rank is awesome), your standardized test scores are relatively low, and your extracurrics are typical (not devaluing all the stuff you did, but just saying that a lot of people have done similar things).

I think that you might hold a chance, but only if you work really hard on your next SAT or ACT and make an impressive score. Then, I think that your application might have a good chance, if you wrote great essays and supplements and got a great recommendation. An SAT of >1500/1600 or an ACT of >34/36 could do wonders for your application. If you could get the test scores, I would say that you’re a definite Yes.

I wish you the best of luck! Go Irish!

9

Admitted with LL. Retook tests but didn’t score any better. I’m happy. (Just wanted to let y’all know)