Notre Dame is one of the colleges I’m looking into for applying next year. I’ve had some significant leadership and my extracurricular activities are quite strong. I’m slightly worried about my academic performance however. I got a couple Cs this year in AP Calc BC and AP Chem (neither which I want to major in). My GPA is still above a 3.8. Do you think I still have a shot if I can pull an ACT above a 33 or a SAT above 2200?
I have visited Notre Dame and love it too. I can’t speak to their admissions specifically because my son didn’t apply there. But I think the Cs might be problematic at a larger top-tier school with so many applications. I definitely think you should still apply (especially if you meet your target scores), but I’d have some backups. If you want to stay Midwest, what about Loyola Chicago, a tier down in selectivity but still a great school? We visited and I was impressed. Or consider an LAC, where you can explain your transcript a little better.
Is 3.8 weighted or unweighted? C’s may take some points off, as admissions is getting tougher each year. Last year’s stats said the class was very high-achieving in both academics and ECs, and the word is this year was even tougher.
C in two core classes Jr year can very well mean you don’t make the cut. Apply if it is one of your reach I think in these cases where you aren’t going to pull out an A or B it is better to drop down a level of rigor. Put it on your list as a reach.
I’d move this to the chance forum the ND page but two C’s junior year will hurt.
There is no way to tell what you really need to do to get into ND. They look at just about everything for admission. http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg02_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=1774 Your GPA is right about the average but, as @happy1 points out getting those Cs in Junior year is bad.
ND is a super hard school to get into, but I think if you really draw attention to your ECs by talking about one of the most “flashy” ECs in your essay, then you should increase your chances. Also if your actual AP test scores are like 4/5, SELF REPORT and then you’ll be in a MUCH better position because ND will see that your grade was low, but you did well on the test.
If you can pull a 35-36 on your ACT then I think you would be in a good spot, but you have to be exceptional in say 3/5 areas (the 5 areas being ECs, GPA, Essay, Letters of Rec/Interview, and Test Scores), so try overcompensating for those Cs in classes by achieving top test scores.
Chance me back? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1776774-ill-chance-back-for-top-schools.html#latest
Yeah, you still have a shot, but no one can tell for sure. Good luck.
Thanks for the posts. I’m taking the hardest courses as well so I’m hoping that’ll somehow compensate.
Also, while I don’t want to get too off track, how badly would it impact me at the College of William and Mary?