<p>Tim, congrats on your acceptance to Vanderbilt and other schools. You and I are on the same boat...we both got turned down by our #1 dream school. But both ND and Vanderbilt are terrific, magnicent, and amazing schools. Let's not forget to thank the Lord for such blessings!</p>
<p>Irish1089, you and I are going to take advantage of that "LUCK Of The Irish", if you know what I mean. ;-) and ride it to where the rainbow ends! WHOOAA!</p>
<p>ahaha yea...
are you on the admitted students board?</p>
<p>props to dj and darkhorse, well said both of you</p>
<p>Irish, I have one more school visit before I plant my stake. Just to confirm my final decision.</p>
<p>ahhh I see.
Im pretty sure u can join with out committing.
good luck.
but I'm rooting for ND.</p>
<p>Darkhorse, me too. I am on the admitted students board with this username. Almost positive I will go to ND but just one more to visit to make sure the unvisited college isn't my perfect match and to make sure I won't regret not attending, which I doubt, but who knows. I haven't even visited ND since I'm so far away and loaded down with work and sports, but I have a hunch it will blow the others away :)</p>
<p>I've been to ND 3 times, justbumming. ND will blow you away, no doubt!!! I just need one more visit to a school I've never seen which was generous enough to offer me a place...and keep an open mind. "Measure twice-cut once. You'll make less mistakes that way", our handyman always said. He said I should go to Notre Dame, too.</p>
<p>just bumming, right off the admissions FAQ's
Notre Dame has a need-blind admissions policy for all U.S. citizens and permanent residents. A student’s financial situation is not considered in the evaluation of his or her application.</p>
<p>You know my son is an admitted student and we are very excited. However, I think it does not serve any institution well to have its members always defend it, right or wrong. I don't have a problem with the legacy admits because alumni contributions pay for many of the FA packages. Notre Dame does pay a lot of attention to numbers. Sometimes , IMO I think too much. However then I'll remember the girl from my older daughter's class, a legacy 1580 SAT, 3.9x GPA, National Merit Finalist that was denied. It's these cases that let you know the stats aren't telling us the whole story. Reading through admissions materials I would say you can get a feel for the importance they put on the standardized test in EA. I'll never understand this and I think it is a policy they should rethink. Publishing statements such as "nothing will make up for not being in the upper range of last year's tests score" as well as the lack of interviews does not reflect a holistic admission policy. I do give them credit for being upfront with the legacy policy, many schools deny this. So yes, I think there is room for improvement. Add interviews, get rid of EA or make it binding or less by the numbers. Yet of all the schools my children have applied to, I'll give Notre Dame and UChicago the nod as the most personal experiences. You get asigned a name, a personal contact and they do answer your questions, honestly. Again these are all just my opinions. In the end, I think the first time through the admissions process is a very rude awakening. I have heard many statements in the last four years such as " IB will get you into any college, living in a foreign country will get you into any school, etc, " there are no sure tickets and it is frustrating and is such a shock when you find out this isn't true.</p>
<p>Oh ok toshima, thanks for posting that. Yeah, as stated in post, I wasn't sure how accurate that list was. Wikipedia can be so unreliable sometimes :(</p>
<p>Darkhorse, I'm trying to keep my expectations low so it will be that much better when I actually see ND!! I cannot wait. I've already taken a million virtual tours, looked at all the residence halls, watched admission videos, etc. I doubt Villanova will even compare but I almost feel bad them offering me a spot and me not even visiting or giving them a chance, when it could be the place for me. But I have the gut feeling ND will be :)</p>
<p>justbumming, I visited Villanova, too. In my opinion, there is no comparison. ND has a beautiful campus. Friendly students in both schools! No residential dorms at Villanova, just regular dorms. Greek is present. Most people I've met who went to Villanova like it. ND is just much better, but that's my own opinion.</p>
<p>VC who do you think you are? I think the great people working in the admissions office are a lot more experienced at this process than you. Another thing, you are hardly qualified to attend Notre Dame. I hate to break it to you but you shouldnt have been expecting an acceptance. Also, in the unexpected event that you did get in, I have my doubts that you would fit in at Notre Dame. You don't seem to exactly be what ND is looking for in a person.</p>
<p>Go Domers of 2012!</p>
<p>
[Quote]
Sorry for the long post... but i just want to reiterate that you shouldn't assume the admissions process is unfair at ND just because you and a few others who had higher test scores didn't get in. I'm sure a lot of UVA rejectees saw your 31 and thought to themselves how you got in over them as well.
[/Quote]
</p>
<p>I'm honestly not upset because I didn't get in (and I wasn't rejected, but I won't keep my name on the waitlist)! I can't afford it anyway, even if I did get in I probably would not have gone there. I believe things work out for the best, I've been admitted to some great schools, and I have no regrets.</p>
<p>I'm sure a lot of people were surprised I got into UVa with a 31! I was surprised! But instead of making assumptions (which, ironically, you are accusing me of), maybe you didn't consider what I've actually accomplished given the caliber of my school and hometown? The avergage ACT at my high school is a 24, and it's about 45% unerprivileged Hispanic. I started a scholarship to help underprivileged kids attend college, I organized 3 foreign service drives, captained 9 sports teams, participated in an international sporting event, led a conference at Georgetown University, was the youngest person in my school's history to be named President of NHS, started a club to raise awareness for exploited children in Africa, started a school debate team, mentored a mentally disabled child, and made multiple all-league teams and all-academic teams for san diego county, among other things.</p>
<p>So, about that 31, was it the best score ever? No, I never said it was. But did I do my best to make up for it? Yup, considering the resouces I had available at my school, I think I did pretty well (having a 3.97/4.0 unweighted GPA after 9 AP classes probably didn't hurt, either). Maybe UVa realized that, and admired that determination. Or, maybe like you said, I just kinda slipped through the cracks. But either way, I'm grateful.</p>
<p>
[Quote]
VC who do you think you are?
[/Quote]
A heckuva lot classier person than you, for one.</p>
<p>
[Quote]
Another thing, you are hardly qualified to attend Notre Dame. I hate to break it to you but you shouldnt have been expecting an acceptance.
[/Quote]
Why thank you, that's just the attitude ND likes to see in an admitted student!!! No one should "expect" admission. But to say I wasn't qualified is pretty comical actually. Unless the education world in America is literally falling through a black hole, I think I was at least "qualified." I really don't like to flaunt acceptances, but given your revolting post it's only necessary. I've been admitted to the honors program at UCLA on an academic scholarship, and I'm a finalist for an academic scholarship to Berkeley. I was admitted to Michigan early action, and received a likely letter and admission to UVa out-of-state. I also got into Boston College, and was offered a merit scholarship to Wisconsin. </p>
<p>Hardly qualify? I'm laughing because now your post is completely irrevelent. I'm not perfect, nobody is. I never "Expected" to get in, and I'm not criticizing their admissions because I didn't. Even if I had been admitted, it would have hurt me to see so, so many qualified people denied due to university politics. I have great respect for those admitted (I've said this multiple times), and hold nothing against legacies or minorities. It isn't their fault they were given special consideration. I simply disagree with the hefty politics involved in ND admissions.</p>
<p>
[Quote]
Also, in the unexpected event that you did get in, I have my doubts that you would fit in at Notre Dame. You don't seem to exactly be what ND is looking for in a person.
[/Quote]
Now tell me something: look at your post. Re-read it. Look at it again. If an admissions officer at ND saw you literally tearing someone to pieces like that, do you think they'd be happy to admit you? Is THAT what Notre Dame is about? If it is, then no, I wouldn't fit in there. I, for one, would NEVER tell someone they weren't good enough. Especially when they've been admitted to quality schools, because then I would look like an idiot. Show some class.</p>
<p>This was never about ME. I don't remember ever complaining that I didn't get in. I truly believe that if I was meant to be at ND, it would have worked out. I was simply voicing my opinion on something that I, along with many others, believe to be an unfair, and unholsitic, process. If you wish to attack me, fine. But before you do, perhaps you should simply consider how lucky you really are, and then think about whether your harsh, irrevelent words are truly necessary. </p>
<p>I honestly hope everyone who was admitted has a wonderful, wonderful experience. I have great respect for ND, and know each of you will truly thrive there. Best of luck in future endeavors, and go Irish!</p>
<p>VC08, congratulations for getting admitted to UVa!!! It is the #1 or #2 public university in the country (always head to head with UC Berkeley or was that UCLA). It is the dream school of many students in my school. We call it one of the "public ivies". Virginia is a beautiful state, with friendly people...mix of southern charm and eastern sophistication. Top notch law school and top notch MBA program, among others. Charlottesville is a very college-friendly town. You will love it there. Good party schoo, great restaurants. Been there. Nobody from my school who went to UVa are unhappy there. Congratulations in getting into one of the "dream schools." A couple of smart kids in my class got turned down by UVa, but they got into other good schools, too. Somehow, it all works out. If it doesn't, there is always a transfer-option. God bless America, we have freedom of choice, and we have great choices.</p>
<p>"justbumming, I visited Villanova, too. In my opinion, there is no comparison. ND has a beautiful campus. Friendly students in both schools! No residential dorms at Villanova, just regular dorms. Greek is present. Most people I've met who went to Villanova like it. ND is just much better, but that's my own opinion."</p>
<p>I have the same feeling, that I will just fall in love with ND! However, my brother thought his number one was one school (Vanderbilt), and then visited another, maybe lesser academic ranked school and absolutely went crazy over it. He was almost reclusive in high school (we're verrrry different lol) and blossomed at University of Delaware. He got into both, but he just found UDel was his perfect fit. I'm ALMOST sure that's ND for me but better safe than sorry!</p>
<p>It is apparent that no matter how much relevant information is presented on this thread about the fair (or is it unfair????Ha!ha!) admissions policy at Notre Dame, people seem to have their own opinions on this matter and it appears that there is nothing that will make them budge on their way of thinking. Everyone has the right to their own opinion - such is life.<br>
Here's hoping that this is the end to this particular thread.</p>
<p>VC08 -
I would like to apoligize for the above poster's negative comments about you - it is wrong and unfair to state that about anybody. Your accomplishments demonstrate that you must be a very compassionate and caring person to accomplish all that you have accomplished during your high school career. I admire what you have done for the exploited children in Africa and for what you are doing to provide scholarships for underpriviledged children. That's amazing. It is just that there were times on this board that your compassion might have come out the wrong way and you may have unintentionally offended some of the members.<br>
Congratulations on all of your acceptances and may you be happy at whichever school you choose.</p>
<p>yo man... i was initially rejected as well and then transferred in my junior year... which was the best decision i ever made....look in to transferring; it is actually easier to get accepted</p>
<p>vc08 - admission to an elite school is a crapshoot as evidenced by the fact that you were waitlisted by Notre Dame and admitted to Virginia. Notre Dame has its preferences in admissions. Clearly, it is not strictly GPAs and test scores. This is true for virtually every elite school. Who cares if you disagree with the particular policies of Notre Dame - they exist, are well known and seem to work for Notre Dame. D1 was waitlisted at Notre Dame last year. D2 (a National Merit Finalist) was rejected at Williams this year. Both were qualified for the respective schools based upon GPAs and test scores. Are we disappointed, yes. Are we bitter, no. The fact remains that not all qualified students get into schools such as Notre Dame and Williams (and Virginia for that matter). And the decisions as to who gets in and who does not get in sometimes defy logic. If you don't like Notre Dame's admission politics, I suspect you would not like other things about the university. Be happy you are going to a place which you respect more.</p>
<p>Hey everyone.</p>
<p>Just thought Id let everyone know that I will be going to the University of Southern California.</p>
<p>haha... who would have thought huh?!</p>
<p>Dont worry... my blood still runs gold and blue!</p>
<p>Im going to have some weird emotions when ND plays SC!</p>