Chance Me

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

Application Type - Early Action
Religion - Hindu Male (non catholic)
Race - Indian Asian
State - NC

Class Rank - 27/588
%ile - top 5%

SAT - 1460 (retook it oct 6, I hope it’s superscored)
US - 700
Math 2 - 740

GPA - 3.88 / 4
Weighted - 4.47 / 5

AP’s - 1 as Freshman (AP World), 2 as Sophomore (APHUG, APES), 7 as Junior (APCSP, AP MACRO, AP MICRO, AP BIO, AP CALC AB, AP LANG, APUSH), 7 in progress as senior year (AP EURO, AP LIT, AP US GOPO, AP COMP GOPO, AP STATS, AP CALC BC, AP PSYCH)

Grades - 2 B’s freshman year, 1 B in sophomore year, all A’s in junior year

EC’s:
Human Relations Internship
Founder of Investment Company
Operations Supervisor at professional sports tournament
NC DECA Member, and Chapter Vice President (State Finalist, qualified for International Conference)
Technology Student Association (elected to state officer board, oversee 3000+ members, national finalist)
Indian Cultural Association (performed cultural dances and serving on executive youth team)
Tennis (state and nationally ranked, co captain)

Additional Awards
-National Merit Commended
-Presidential Gold Volunteer Award from White House (100+ community service hours per year)

I have a few questions:

  1. If I put mendoza as first choice, will they look harshly at my application. Is it safer if I put something easier such as sociology or economics?
  2. Please be brutally honest. I know indian and non catholic doesn’t help.
2

First, like you wrote, a stronger SAT score is important. The middle 50% last year was 1410-1540 and without a hook (legacy, athlete, URM) you should shoot to be at or above 1540. Next, on the common app, ND allows you to list a second choice college/major so listing Mendoza first will not knock you out. Keep in mind, however, that economics is a very popular major everywhere. If you increase your SAT score up AND write compelling essays that demonstrate why ND is a good fit for you and what you will offer, I would say you have a very strong application. The essays are important at ND. I completely disagree that being Indian and non-catholic will work against you.