Yesterday the decisions went out for Notre Dame acceptance. I didn’t get accepted to First Year Studies, but did get accepted to the Holy Cross Gateway Program. Wondering who else got in? Or if anyone has more information about it? All I know is that 30-40 kids were selected for this program and that as long as we maintain a B average we have guaranteed acceptance our sophomore year. Holy Cross wasn’t even on my radar until last night, but I think this program could be a good opportunity! Congrats to everyone who got in!!
Congratulations on the offer to join the Gateway Program. I have a good friend who applied to ND (regular admission) and was offered the Gateway Program last year. That student had other attractive choices that did not involve an alternative path (ND through HC). This student was disappointed that he was not admitted to ND. My advice to him was
(1) Celebrate that you have the opportunity to go to ND. It is something you wanted and, although not the usual path (direct admission), you have the opportunity to get to ND if that is (still) what you want.
(2) You have not been admitted to ND. You still have work to do. Understand what is required and the experience of those who have gone through the gateway program previously.
(3) When you graduate in 4 years, your diploma with not have an asterisk (* admitted through the Gateway Program) and if it did that should probably be a mark of honor that you did it the hard way.
Added thoughts:
(a) You should visit HC and meet students currently in the Gateway program as well as students who has passed through it.
(b) Get the statistics on the number who move on to ND and who go elsewhere.
© Understand very clearly the standard for admission to ND from the Gateway program ( I thought it was a specific GPA).
(d) If you accept the Gateway opportunity jump into HC with both feet with no regret that you are foregoing other admissions. There are many opportunities for interaction / participation with ND campus events - take them, but be an HC student first and be part of what makes it excellent
(d) Treat all HC students the same (Gateway and non-Gateway) as almost all probably share the hope of moving to ND at the right time.
Congratulations
This is the 4th year ND is offering this program. About 40 to 60 will be enrolled in that program for the fall of 2016. The requirements have always been to have no less than a 3.5 GPA at HCC (including two grades from ND) and no less than a B in the courses you take at ND. Each semester you take one class at ND and 4 or 5 others at Holy Cross College. It is arranged as a guaranteed transfer agreement. It also requires that you have a clean residential life record.About 95% of the students invited to the program have successfully transferred in. Many of the students in the program turned down colleges considered to be in the top 50–to use the guarantee and to be closer to ND as freshmen. If you love ND and really want to go–this is a great option.
Do you have to apply to the HCC or if your stats are not good enough ND will automatically put you into the program? I REALLY want to go to ND but I don’t have amazing SAT score… @oregondomer
@bpl777 seem like trying to get into the Gateway Program is the only way for me to get closer to Notre Dame. I rank the #3 in my class with a 3.95 UW GPA. Tons of extracurricular and leadership positions. I have no AP, no internship, no research, no hook, and I have a really bad SAT score of 1850 but ND is my dream school. I’m just another “Rudy” and I’ve been work really hard. What are the stats for getting into the Gateway Program? Do you know? Thank you…
@Fiona1997 One does not apply to the Gateway program. ND selects a small group of strong applicants to participate in this program. You can google ND Gateway Program and learn more. I hate to say it but it is unlikely that you will qualify with your SAT score - but if ND is your dream school then certainly apply and see what happens. Perhaps consider St. Mary’s College in South Bend.
@bpl777 - Congats. The Gateway program is certainly a strong/interesting option to have.
I mean, it may be worth emailing them and mentioning your interest in the gateway program? Unless you say something, they’ll have no idea you’re interested.