<p>My son got rejected but was offered the Gateway Program. Looking at the stats of the accepted on this thread, he had similar. Very surprised that he didn't even get deferred. Lots of family connections, great extracurricular, community service, etc. In the 700s in all standardized tests, 4.0 GPA, etc. No public school kid has gotten in from our area. All private catholic school kids have gotten accepted (7 at last count). $41,000 to attend what used to be a junior college and then a guaranteed transfer admission to ND as a sophomore (IF he maintains a 3.5 with no grade lower than a B). He would then graduate with the ND class of 2019. 5 years in South Bend? Anyone else get offered this? ND is claiming that they will invite only 30-40 students from its applicant pool of 18,000. </p>
<p>So sorry about your son’s disappointing news, @ccm0905. There were a couple students who posted last year about being invited to the Gateway Program, and it sounded like they both planned to do it. Perhaps you can message them and ask about their experience? They sounded pretty excited about it. Here’s the thread where they posted:</p>
<p><a href=“Notre Dame Wait List Thread Class of 2017 - #33 by Mobtheman - University of Notre Dame - College Confidential Forums”>Notre Dame Wait List Thread Class of 2017 - #33 by Mobtheman - University of Notre Dame - College Confidential Forums;
The Gateway program is an excellent way to get into Notre Dame–only a few are offered this opportunity. I have heard that everyone from last year’s Gateway Program met the qualifications and were admitted sophomore year (this year).
5 years in South Bend??
You sure about the math? A 2015 high school grad that graduates college in 2019, isn’t that 4 years?
I’d have your S contact admissions, thank them for this opportunity, and ask if he can talk to one or two students at ND who have been through the Gateway program. In the end he will have to decide if he is comfortable/happy with this program or would prefer a 4 year experience at a different college.
My niece was offered the gateway program this week. Her concern is, what if you don’t have a 3.5? I don’t care who you are, nothing’s guaranteed. Then you’re at a school that you didn’t want to attend…yet you passed up some great schools in the process. Also, she knows someone who transferred to ND from Vanderbilt. That person loved ND but said she never really felt part of the school because she didn’t live in the dorms freshman year. I guess you’re very close with people in your dorm at ND, like most colleges, and she always felt like an outsider. That may not happen to everyone, but that was her experience. And I can tell you that all of my best friends from college are people I met during my first semester… Good luck with your decision.
I was also offered the Gateway Program in March after being deferred in December. Notre Dame is my top choice. I’ve never been to Holy Cross or even considered it, so naturally this is a little disappointing. The admissions person I talked to seemed confident that should I choose to partake in the program, I would meet the GPA requirements. Obviously nothing is guaranteed, but this was comforting. Like JJDad3, I’m concerned about transitioning into Notre Dame. They make it sound seamless, but I know from my brother being a student there that dorm camaraderie is very prevalent, and I feel like I would be an outsider without the first year experience. I’m also not sure how the roommate situation will work out although Gateway students do recieve priority housing when they transfer. I’m most concerned about fitting in and feeling like a “fake” student during the first year. I really don’t want trouble with making friends. If anyone has transferred through Gateway or knows of anyone I could contact, please let me know.
@jjdad3 and @jpr7900 Just curious…if the Gateway program is not accepted are you on the Notre Dame waitlist or declined?
I was the OP for this thread. After many months and 10 acceptances to other top notch schools, my S is giving the Gateway program serious consideration. He has done quite a bit of research on it and has even emailed with two boys who are currently in the program and one who went through it and is now at ND. They all have positive things to say about it. My niece is a sophomore at ND and said it seems like a great way to transition into college. The kids seems like they forge a strong bond together and then meet up with the transfers (150 kids?) their sophomore year. Look up Transfers on the ND website. ND does a really great job with their transfers. Years ago, my brother transferred to ND as a junior. He never regretted it. Oh, to answer skipper26, in the admission notification letter, my S was not offered a spot in the Class of 2019 but was offered The Gateway Program. If he declines, Gateway, he will have to apply as a regular transfer student sophomore year. Hope this helps. Also, I wish I could delete my OP but, unfortunately, CC doesn’t allow this. I hope you all understand it was an emotional knee jerk response to a program we didn’t understand. Thanks.
@skipper26 If you decline the Gateway offer, you are not put on the waitlist. In fact, the Gateway Program seems to be a “step above” the waitlist considering some people who don’t get off the waitlist (which, most people do not) are offered the program. Thank you for your insight @ccm0905 ! I’m thinking of attending another school and transferring sophomore year. I just don’t know enough about Holy Cross to attend, and I don’t want to spend a whole year at a school I’m not set on. While the Gateway program is a great option that I’m sure many people would love to have (I’ve only heard positive things), I think I would rather attend another school that I can see myself at for 4 years and transfer if I’m not happy.
My daughter is a junior at ND, and two of her closest friends transferred to ND as sophomores. She met them through a common activity, and they have definitely fit right in and had no problems making friends. Also through this same activity, she’s become friends with several St. Mary’s students, one of whom will be transferring to ND in the Fall. I know this has nothing to do with the Gateway Program but, from my daughter’s experience at least, it’s definitely possible to feel part of the Notre Dame family without starting there as a freshman.
Thank you @Jea828 that makes me feel better! It’s definitely something to consider.
I’m the OP for this thread. After countless visits to other colleges and many spreadsheets, my son has decided to attend Notre Dame through the Gateway Program. We finally got over our (my!) ego and realized what a great opportunity it is. My son gave his other choices a lot of thought and consideration but in the end he decided that “he can’t seem himself anywhere else”.
Congratulations on the decision and best of luck to your S.
Thank you @happy1. I am desperately trying to get in contact with the admin for CC so that i can delete my OP or, at the very least, edit it. I feel really badly about it. I feel like I did a real disservice to what is a terrific offer. I am glad that my S has a much higher EQ than I do. If anyone has any questions about the Gateway Program, please pm me. They have been more than helpful and welcoming. It is a very exciting program and we are grateful to be part of it.
@ccm0905 I wouldn’t worry about it. It is normal to have a knee-jerk reaction to something so unexpected. If anything you should feel very proud that your son, with your guidance I’m sure, took this once unfamiliar program and researched it as well as other available opportunities to come up with a mature and well thought out decision about where to attend college. I hope his first year goes smoothly and that he has a wonderful experience when he gets to ND. It is really a special school.