Chance me???

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

Hey! I am currently a Junior at a public high school in the midwest.
I am wondering if any of you had any way of knowing my chances of getting in.
I honestly am pretty lost in the college search process and don’t want to get my hopes up if it isn’t very realistic I’ll be admitted to any of these. Thanks for taking the time to answer!!

ACT: 28 blind then just retook and got a 33 (E:35, R: 35, S:34, M: 28)
GPA: (My school doesn’t add Freshman year into my GPA but I got a few A-’s and a B in gym and then the rest A’s)
Weighted- 4.14 (Should go up after the semester and my grades have improved each year of high school)
Unweighted- 3.9
AP’s: World History (3), Psych (5), currently in English Lang and Lit, US History, Comparative Government, Human Geography and next year I’m taking Comp Sci, World Literature, Macro and Micro Econ.

Extracurriculars: I don’t play a sport or instrument which really scares me but I am heavily involved in volunteering.
Leader of school’s UNICEF club, On the leadership team for Model UN team, On Student Leadership Team at my school, Leader for next year’s service corps club, Leader of American Sign Language club, Selected to be part of National UNICEF symposium, hopefully on the board next year for my town’s Education Fund organization and also hopefully on the board for Nordstrom Fashion program. I participate in my local art center with a youth group that learns about art and helps plan activities. I volunteer at a nursing home and a Dialysis center, in the past I have also volunteered my time as a math tutor for underprivileged kids. I also have been a waitress at a restaurant for 2 years and nanny full time in the summer.

Awards/Letters: I’ve lettered in community service twice, mock trial (I did it for a year in 9th grade), and Model UN
I possibly/hopefully will be a commended scholar for PSAT score
I won a book award by the vote of my teacher’s for my participation/hardwork/and academic achievement they give about 10 out of 500 students
I received an award from my school for a research paper I did.

Letters of Rec

1 My APUSH/AP Psych teacher who I really really get along with and have a great relationship with so I’m hoping it will be pretty good

2 My math teacher from Sophomore year. She retired but we go for coffee together every few months and I’m pretty tight with her.

Counselor Rec: I’m not sure if this is typical but every kid at my school automatically gets a letter from their counselor. I have a great relationships with my counselor and she had my brother when my mom died so she knows my whole family situation

3??- depending on where I apply I might have my principal write me a letter. He knows me through a lot of volunteering around the community but I think he will write a letter less about my handwork and success or whatever but more about me as a person, like my personality and spirit and such.

To be completely honest I don’t have a hook, I am just a suburban girl in the midwest.

As far as my essay goes, I am thinking about writing how the death of my mom propelled me towards community service and involvement in my community but I don’t want it to sound like I’m trying to give a sob story because I try not to dwell on my past, but rather it was a time that heavily shaped me into who I am today and I think it’s a story worth telling.

I am so appreciative for any insight you have!!

2

Don’t be worried just because you don’t play a sport or instrument - you do plenty of extracurriculars and that’s what counts. With so many leadership positions, volunteer work, and pretty strong grades, I would say you’re a contender to get in. Your rec letters seem like they will really support you. Put a lot of effort into your writing, and contact your admissions counselor to demonstrate interest.

I was also completely lost when it came to what colleges to apply to. I ended up filling out the Common App and applying to a huge variety of schools since I could use the same app. Don’t be afraid to apply to some “reach” schools, you might be surprised. Find a good backup school, that you would be more than happy to go to. Good luck!

3

You seem like a good applicant and I am a transfer admit with a similar background. Definitely don’t be afraid to apply, I thought I was just taking a shot in the dark trying to get in and now I will be attending in the fall. As for your essay, I had my same sex parent pass away as well and situations like those are what shape us as people. If you are comfortable writing about it, it can do nothing but be positive for your chances of getting in.

4

I think you have very solid extracurriculars. Notre Dame places a lot of emphasis on service to community and you’ve definitely shown that. Your UW GPA is great and your ACT is within Notre Dame’s range. Don’t sweat not being an athlete. D’s going to Notre Dame in August, we are from Chicago suburbs. It’s better if a junior year core academic teacher write’s your recommendations.Is there a reason why you aren’t taking AP Calc senior year?