<p>Just got back from leaving my daughter at the pre college program. I am confused , our tour guide applied EA with a 1330 (and 2 siblings there) two incoming freshman we met had 1120 and 1200 respectively on their SAT's She loves it would love to apply EA but is scared to. It seems the admission processs is all over the board. The 2 freshman when asked what they think got them in they said the essay. SHould you focus on how much you love ND and why it is the palce for you or on yourself or a passionate topic? WHat is the magic formula because that's what it seems to be? Thanks</p>
<p>IMO, the essay can truly make or break it for the applicant, especially if she/he is on the verge one way or another. I got in with only a 1320 SAT, but I was very happy with my essay. My biggest piece of advice in writing the essay is definetely not to just say why you love ND, because it is a school that thousands of applicants truly love - let that be saved for counselor recs, etc. i think you should focus your essay on what makes you tick... what are you passionate about, what do you hate, what influences you, what is something you really really care about, and most importantly how do the above topics reflect who you are as an individual. good luck - i firmly believe that although SATs is often the great "equalizer" among applicants, it in no way the only representation of where a kid will get into school. in a process that seems to be a complete crap shoot, one thing we need to do is just pray.</p>
<p>Thank you We each lit a candle at the grotto. SHe is passionate about the value of human life and wants to write on that. Her second choice was commitment. I appreciate the support from these boards I will need it especially if she has to go RD.</p>
<p>We will be here for you, just let us know what you need! I guess there is not really something for me to respond to, on the road covered it, so good luck!</p>
<p>Irish are you at ND now or are you home. ? I would love to meet you for the inside scoop if you are at ND we will be out there July 7. Good Luck</p>
<p>I am sorry to say that I am back home in Denver. If you need anything, feel free to get in touch, I think I will just be around here and can get back to you via email.</p>
<p>Ya, denvers a great place. I born in Denver and lived in Westminister</p>
<p>Go Broncos!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>whoops I mean westminster</p>
<p>:) I am a south-sider, down by Littleton, and am also a huge Broncos fan. There aren't many of us at ND, but there are some and we are pretty die-hard. Even the girls watched the Broncos games (at least they did when someone had a satellite dish and we could get them). Who knows now that we don't have satellites anymore, but at least we have cable! Thank goodness!</p>
<p>Ya I remember on Sundays people would all wear orange. Its kind of funny that I have more loyalty now towards the Broncos and Avs. then my local teams.</p>
<p>Where I live we only get the Broncos maybe twice a year. The rest of the time were stuck watching NFC or AFC east teams.</p>
<p>Back to the topic :) I lived in Denver and prided myself on <em>never</em> going to a Broncos game the entire time I lived there. Sorry, Mike! Of course, my husband thinks I'm nuts.</p>
<p>Okay, I find this first post interesting. It seems the majority of folks who get in have over 1400 on the SAT. What I'm wondering about those with lower scores is what their gpa and class rank were. I've been told ND really looks at where you were in your class, and the caliber of classes you took, in combination with the SAT/ACT. But if you think about it, your standing in your class may tell much more about a person. </p>
<p>If you attend a relatively mediocre school, but take the hardest classes you can, and study like a fiend, you may be a better admit than someone who tests well but doesn't apply themselves 100%.</p>
<p>There will always be crazy people in this world docmom, that is why I study psychology :). Someday, we will get you where you need to be!</p>
<p>Yes I am confused like the OP. Do you write a essay about how you love ND or a specific experience in your life?</p>
<p>They hear a lot about how wonderful they are, and they know it :) but what they don't know anything about is you or why they should accept you! Therefore, I would talk about my life personally.</p>
<p>Agreed. Do NOT talk about why you love ND. What they want is an essay that reveals something about you (preferably a positive haha) that is not apparent from the rest of your application materials.</p>
<p>Just imagine yourself as an adcom member reading literally thousands of essays. Thousands. What would catch your eye? What would make you appreciate the time spent reading it? What would give you more information about this applicant? </p>
<p>Write on something that gives them some part of YOU. Not your volunteer work, not the disappointment you survived, not the time your team won the state championship and Changed Your Life (they get these over and over), but write a story that reveals something about your internal philosophy of living. This will, admittedly, require some thought about who you are and what you stand for, but will probably bring to light several topics you haven't thought about.</p>
<p>Write about a specific situation. Write about what makes you unique from your peers. Write about your rules for living. Heck, write about your biggest fear -and do NOT make it not getting into ND :) - and how you plan on addressing it. Write about what you want in a spouse and why that would be good for you, or why you are always a sucker for lost causes. </p>
<p>I think the essay is hard for 17 or 18 year olds precisely because they don't spend one minute thinking about these things, and probably rightly so. But you are all unique in ways you haven't even imagined. Literally dedicate some time to daydreaming about yourself and the God given gifts you have inside you, and how those gifts affect others as well as yourself, and you'll have excellent ideas for your essay (and then run those past your college guidance counselor or writing teacher for more thoughts on those topics).</p>
<p>Just my two cents. Good luck.</p>
<p>thanks docmom, good suggestions...i don't even want to think about having to write my essays!</p>
<p>I know on the application the last two years that there is a space for additional information. That is where my children wrote about their wish to go to ND and why they wanted to go so much.</p>
<p>I really wouldn't write your whole essay about why you want to go to ND - like someone else said, if everyone did that, the admissions counselors would have a hard time deciding on who wanted to go the most. Your essay should be uniquely personal - all about you. This is your chance to make your case for what sets you apart from other applicants.</p>