Chance Me, Please? Class of 2020 Applicant

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

Hi! I’m currently a high school senior from Indianapolis, Indiana, graduating in the summer of 2016. As of now, I’m looking at mostly colleges in my region, including University of Chicago, University of Notre Dame, Butler University, and Indiana University. Also have considered Depaul and Northwestern. Notre Dame is certainly one of the top colleges on my list and wanted to get some opinions on my chances on going there.

Academics
SAT I- 2180. Reading - 720, Math - 760, Writing - 680
ACT- 33 composite. English - 33, Math - 30, Reading - 34, Science - 34, Combined English/Writing - 32
Sat II- Not taken
GPA- 4.19 weighted, 3.98 unweighted (on the 4.0 scale)
Class Rank - 22 (as of 2nd semester junior year - has not been updated)
Class Size - 597
AP- Chemistry (4), Calculus AB (4), Computer Science (1 - Teacher left mid-school year with cancer, will not report this score), currently enrolled in Calculus BC, AP Government, AP Economics, and AP Biology.

ECs-
National Honor Society
Played in CYO Basketball League (6 years)
Played in Local Township’s Basketball League (8 years)
Organized blood drive at local high school
Organized toy drive at local highschool
Involved in youth outreach program (was a community event about bugs meant to get young kids excited about science)
Aquarium Club
Volunteered at Local Hospital
Worked at Local Pizza Place, 15 hours per week

Awards-
Honor Roll - All 4 years of high school
Varsity Academic Letter

Teacher Recs-
My chemistry teacher adored me and wrote an amazing letter on my behalf. I will need to get one more letter of recommendation, no letter will be as good as her’s but I will be able to get another good letter from a few other teachers.

Essays-
Haven’t done much of my essays yet. Having trouble coming up with some meaningful issues in my life without sounding corny or having a “woe is me” attitude despite having a nice childhood.

State- IN
School- Public
Class Size - 597
Gender- Male
Income- <$75k per year
Race/Ethnicity- White
Hooks- My family is catholic, perhaps that counts as a hook for ND?

I wish I had a higher SAT. Really wanted at least a 2200. But since ND takes it out of 1600 and throw out the writing, my 1480 out of 1600 doesn’t look as bad as the 2180 out of 2400 I feel. And not a lot of awards on my resume, sadly.

Thank you all so much in advance!

2

I think your chances are pretty good. D moves in as a freshman on Friday. Notre dame cares a lot about service and wicked high test scores.

3

Thanks for the input. I think my test scores fall within the mid 50%, hopefully they’re high enough as I don’t really plan to take them again.

Good luck to your D.

4

Butler and Indiana should be fine, Notre Dame might be a little bit of a reach or high match, Chicago would be a reach but certainly would be possible.