Chances for a *mediocre* student at ND?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I've always considered myself a good student, but as I sit here reading through "chance me!" threads where people are getting 2300's on the SAT and are president of every club and organization imaginable, I'm getting pretty nervous about my chances of getting into Notre Dame. Anyway, I'd appreciate honest comments and advice on what's good and what I need to improve on. </p>

<p>W GPA: 4.55 (cumulative), UW GPA: 4.00 </p>

<p>SAT: 2050 (M: 710, CR: 650, W: 690)
SAT II: Math I: 710, Math II: 720, Biology E: 760
ACT: 29 (w/ writing)
--> essentially took the SAT and ACT cold, so I'm hoping to get up to at least a 2100/31 when I take both for a second time this fall as a senior)</p>

<p>APs (junior year)
Calculus AB: 5
Lang & Comp: 3
US History: 5
Biology: 3</p>

<p>APs (that I will take senior year)
Calculus BC
Lit & Comp
Government
Economics
Physics</p>

<p>other classes senior year:
Spanish IV
Christian Vocations
Religions of the World
(I go to a Catholic HS so I have to take religion classes)</p>

<p>Awards:
* Student of the Semester, fall 2010 (given to two students per grade per semester, and I'm pretty sure you can only receive it once; I got it first semester of my freshman year)
* Principal's Honor Roll (up to junior year, all 6 semesters)
* George Montgomery Scholar (for over 4.5 GPA; up to junior year, all 6 semesters)
* Department Awards (generally given to students who show outstanding effort and/or receive the highest grade in the class): freshman year: Computer Apps, H. Biology, Spanish I; H. Algebra II, Spanish I; sophomore year: H. Chemistry, H. Intro to Calc, Spanish II; H. World History & Cultures, H. Chemistry, Church History; junior year: AP Calc AB, Morality, Spanish III; [haven't gotten awards for 2nd semester yet]</p>

<p>School Involvement:
*member of National Honors Society
*member of CSF (California Scholarship Federation)
--> did tutoring through this organization with three different individuals, not exactly sure how many hours but it was probably around 20
*Soccer (JV as freshman and sophomore, V as junior and will be next year as well)
*Cross Country (V as junior and will be next year) (also plan on doing track next year)
*leadership position in student focus group for the school's upcoming WCEA/WASC accreditation
*flute and saxophone in marching band and jazz band (flute section leader for all groups since sophomore year when the band started, and concert mistress this year for jazz band)
-->participated in two solo competitions this year (flute), got a Superior and an Excellent
*plan to join a new club next year in which we will make blankets for Project Linus</p>

<p>Community Involvement:
*volunteering at an animal shelter; 50 hours so far
*altar server at church (I've been doing it since 4th grade, so if I count all the hours I've done in eight years, it's got to be about 100-200 hours)
*various service projects with my Confirmation program
*played flute in the teen choir at my church (every other week for 2-3 years)
*plan on training to become a junior sacristan/lector/EM (hopefully) this summer</p>

<p>Also, both of my parents went to ND, as did seven of my aunts and uncles. </p>

<p>So what do you think? As of now would I get in? What if I did more service hours and/or raised my test scores? I'll appreciate any feedback. Thanks! :)</p>

2

<p>Your test scores need to improve. ND just released statistics for the most recent admissions cycle, and the middle 50% for enrolled students on the ACT was 32-34 and 1360-1500 (CR+Math) on the SAT. I would highly encourage you to really prepare before you retake them. D applied EA with a 1460 and was deferred. Good news is she was accepted RD and will be attending in the fall. Also, while ND does consider legacy status as being important, I know a surprising number of extremely well qualified legacy candidates in this admission cycle who were denied. ND appears to be a school that is just getting harder and harder to get into. What also might not bode well for next year is that ND’s yield this year was somewhat higher than anticipated, which could cause Admissions to be even more conservative next year.</p>

3

<p>Notre Dame: Reach</p>

4

<p>Thanks for your input!</p>

5

<p>might also look at holy cross-near boston.</p>

6

<p>You’ll probably get in. You’re really involved
And your sat score is equal to a 32 act. So since ure so involved and meet the standards, you’ll probably get in…</p>

7

<p>You’re hardly a “mediocre” student. Your resume looks great, and I think the fact that both your parents went there definitely helps some. I think you should get in, I’d say low reach for honestly!</p>

<p>Chance me back please?</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1525569-realistic-list-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1525569-realistic-list-schools.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8

<p>par72: Thanks, I will!</p>

<p>FireLion: Yeah I was kinda bummed about my ACT score, considering I did better on the practice ACT in freshman year. :stuck_out_tongue: If I don’t get it up to at least a 31 or 32 this fall, do you think it would be better to leave it off my application?</p>

<p>FuturePetVet: Aw thanks, you’re sweet! I would totally chance you back, but I don’t trust myself to give reliable feedback. :wink: I’ve heard of the colleges you are applying to, but I haven’t researched them in depth myself since they are different from the colleges I am applying to. Personally, I think your application looks great. I think grades and test scores are important, but not as important as excellent effort and character. And you definitely have that. I’ve never had mono so I can’t say how awful it is, but someone at my school had it and, like you, was absent for many months and was falling behind. I felt so bad for her. But kudos to you for not letting it keep you down! If you write amazing essays, possibly including the aforementioned obstacle, you should definitely have a great chance! Good luck in your applications!</p>

9

<p>You’re looking like a great candidate for ND! Raise your test scores a little bit and you’ll be ideal! Just remember to write some killer essays and make your application stand out! :)</p>

10

<p>For ND don’t estimate going to catholic school. A good recommendation from your school’s clergy will go a long way to opening doors. Maybe there’s already a direct pipeline from your school to ND. GL</p>

11

<p>We had a chaplain at our school, but I think he is leaving. That’s it for clergy. I didn’t really know him that well either. What about the pastor at my parish? He knows me well because I’m an altar server…how many LOR’s can I send in? I’ve been looking at the common app, and it has two spaces for rec’s from academic teachers. Could I add an additional rec somewhere?</p>

12

<p>Your pastor attesting to your devotion would be a great recommendation.</p>