<p>YES, PM sent on where I got that number but it is a very strong source.</p>
<p>Irish, what do you think with the recent update? Does the book award carry any weight? Should i write about my struggles in school when i was younger for an essay then talk about how i worked hard to get where I am? Need some advice guys. :)</p>
<p>Hey Jake, sorry, I didn't see your post at first! I think the book award would help a little, but not too much just because it is a representation of your excellence in school, you know? I am not sure that makes sense, so let me use an example from my life. I asked my advisor if I should join NHS and he asked what I was doing EC and volunteer work wise. I had a good number of both ECs and volunteer work and because of that he told me that I probably shouldn't join NHS because I won't gain much. NHS looks good as an EC, and can help you get volunteer work, but if you already have those things you really won't benefit from it, you know? I think the book award is the same; it can't hurt, but the benefit from it will already be taken into account by your GPA (I think at least). However, still shoot for it, because it still is impressive and you can get a book out of it :).</p>
<p>As for ideas to improve your chances, while it sounds like you have some good ideas, I also would be a bit cautious. Look at the things you are wanting to do and make sure that they are things you actually want to do for yourself, and that you are passionate about them. If you are, GO FOR THEM, because the passion will show and passion can be very impressive. If it isn't, however, I would look around for something that you want to do that you can be passionate about! </p>
<p>With the essays, my recommendation would be to talk about something that tells them about you! If the struggles were important and they affected your high school performance and shaped the way you are, then that could be a very good essay. If you have something else that will give them a good idea of who you are and your values, then I would consider that. Again, I would try to think about passion. Don't think so much about what ND wants to hear but think about what you want ND to hear, you know? </p>
<p>For my ND essay (both regular and later transfer) I used an essay that I wrote about the student council elections at my school. The elections got messed up somehow and the teachers in charge certified the elections even though some races had 110% of voters voting. I formally challenged the election and got a group behind me forcing them to completely recount and change several races which were wrong (yeah, I was not very popular with some people after that). In my essay I wrote about making that decision, the risk that was involved (and some of the friendships I lost with it) but in the end how I felt like I did the right thing and how I grew from the experience. Is that the best essay I could have done, I am not sure, but it worked for me and it felt right.</p>
<p>When you are writing your essays just see what feels right to you and again, think about what you MUST write about. What must ND know about you? </p>
<p>Maybe that will help, I am not sure. Let me know if I can help more! Good luck!</p>
<p>Yeah sounds good. I think the struggles essay will represent me the best. At this point, I think my only hope of being accepted to ND is the SAT's. Even if I get my goal of at least 2000, it doesn't look too good right now I don't think. Oh well, I will go for it and hope for the best. Things aren't in my favor right now though.</p>
<p>Just do your best, that is all you can do! If it does not work out the first time, you know where to find me. I am living proof that getting a rejection letter does not have to be the end of the dream.</p>
<p>I brought this thread back from the dead with some updates, I wanna see if anyone thinks I even got the slightest chance:</p>
<p>High A- average unweighted (A weighted)
10.507/12 unweighted 10=90 lowest A- 11= High A, 12=100
top 16%, small and very competitive class with a lot of bright females (classes are not weighted for ranking and what separates me from being in the top 5% is about one or 2 A-,s instead of A's)
top male
good recs
good essays
26 ACT (LOWEST ACT out of most ND applicants probably, probably like bottom 1% for ND:( )</p>
<p>Classes:</p>
<p>Freshmen Year:</p>
<p>Freshmen science (my school makes you take it)
Intro to Business
World Cultures
Spanish 1
Algebra 1
English 9
Gym (requirement)
Communications 1
Sophomore year: Began to realize i had more potential then the school set me up with. I Moved from another town and the school didn't know my profile. My middle school was small and didn't offer a lot of classes. I worked my butt off to get ahead in math.</p>
<p>Honors Geometry
Honors Algebra 2
Civics
english 10
Band
Gym (requirement)
Spanish 2
Biology</p>
<p>Junior Year:</p>
<p>Honors Precalc
Trig
Health (requirement)
Spanish 3
AP History ( really enjoyed history received A+) (countless hours of lost sleep over papers and projects)
Chemistry (no honors sciences in my school or honors languages until Spanish 3)
Band
Investments and Taxation</p>
<p>Senior Year:
College English 12
Astronomy
AP Calc
Health
World Between the Wars
Principles of Law
Honors Physics
Band
Business Law 1
Honors Spanish 4
4.0/4.0 unweighted this year or a 11.5/12 (very HIGH A average) not sure what it is weighted, but it is very good. It is basically one of the 3 highest GPA's for a senior this year. Too bad my school doesn't count any of your senior year for ranking because I would easily be in the top 10% right now if not top 7%. :(</p>
<p>Well yeah that's about it, my school is small so it can't offer many AP's. No my gpa is not inflated, I work very hard.</p>
<p>About me/EC's</p>
<p>I speak Polish fluently and I learned both English and Polish at the same time. I grew up in poland till I was 8. I learned how to read, write, and speak English in a matter of a couple months when I arrived in the U.S.A. If I didn't I would have had to stay back a year. I was class valedictorian in middle school (catholic school). I am a deep devote catholic.</p>
<p>I am treasurer/recorder of the FBLA (President this Year)
History Club (founder and president)
Math Team
Band (play clarinet)
Beta Club
National Honors Society
Did Radio freshmen year
Track and Field
Job Shadowed with a lawyer</p>
<p>Community: Very active in my Catholic church. I attend mass every week.
I help out the parish by being an altar server. I help out at the weekly sunday mass as well as holidays and special occasions. I have been doing this since I was 8 or 9 years old. In the summer I help out the parish school by cleaning, and doing yard work. And when I am not busy doing homework and activites I help take care of my 8 year old sister.</p>
<p>1000 hours+ of community service to church</p>
<p>Awards:
Introduction to Business Award
High Honors every quarter of high school
Math team award
Invites to the leadership conferences
Tremendous thanks and awards for my service in the parish.</p>
<p>Schools I am in already at: (safeties pretty much)
RPI
Uconn
Providence College
Fairfield </p>
<p>Well that's it, sorry for bringing this back and making a super long post. Just wondering if I even have any hope of being accepted. How would my chances be for BC as well?</p>
<p>I'm not going to lie.</p>
<p>It's going to be a tough one.</p>
<p>Hey, thanks for your honesty. So, pretty much no chance at all? </p>
<p>How about at these schools: </p>
<p>BC
Bowdoin (didn't submit ACT, great interview)
Wesleyan (good interview)
Tufts (AMAZING interview)</p>
<p>Amen 66472--Rudy is a deal-breaker! I'm not quite sure what Rudy really accomplished either at ND or beyond it, to give him the status the move has brought him. When you consider some of the truly great people that have graduated from ND and the contributions they have made to society, then you have the guy who slept in the locker room and walked on to the football team, then managed to make a bundle off his story and come to believe he is truly legendary....don't get me started...</p>
<p>St. Louis U is like Avis--it tries harder and it shows. An impressive place that has made great strides, and lays out the red carpet to bring in the best and the brightest. SLU has raised its average ACT score over 4 points in the past decade or so. Fr. Larry Biondi is ambitious, visionary and a guy who actually makes things happen. </p>
<p>Wash U is nearly the anithesis of Notre Dame in terms of atmosphere and lifestyle. Not to say it isn't a good school--it's an excellent school. My brother attended Wash U about the time I attended ND, then went on to St. Louis U med school, where ND was the largest feeder school. He'd be the first to tell you that, other than having academically accomplished students, the two universities are vastly different.</p>
<p>Junior year and senior year are both strong so far with a 4.0 unweighted average 2 years in a row. Thanks for the info. I like how everyone who attended loves it and gives back to the ND community. Not many schools are so lucky.</p>
<p>You still have a chance.</p>
<p>So do I.</p>
<p>That chance just seems to appear more slim everyday as April approaches...</p>
<p>That's how it is for me.</p>
<p>Ha, I feel the same way. If we both get in, let's have a toast!</p>
<p>just apply and do everything u possibly can..</p>
<p>no shot in not applying.</p>
<p>why is everyone here saying dont waste your money on villanova?</p>
<p>I may be wrong but I am guessing it is because it is a very expensive school for the amount of prestige it has. It is a good school, don't get me wrong, but I personally view it as being similar to many Jesuit schools which are in many cases $10,000 or more cheaper!</p>