<p>The original post makes a good point. I am from CT, and applications went up quite a bit after the men and women's basketball teams both won national championships. Successful college sports are exciting and very attractive to many applicants. I am probably one of those, although it is a bit ridiculous to base your application list (or an athletic program) on one season.</p>
<p>ddjones007 and TheKid4740 raise another interesting point. If the applications drop, then the admissions percentage will go up. Notre Dame will probably not lower its admissions standards, so it will probably get equally qualified students next year. But under the Newsweek university rankings, a higher admissions rate may change Notre Dame's academic ranking. Same school, same quality of education, same student body, but the ranking falls because of a bad football season. Am I wrong?</p>
<p>Sounds right, although I don't know how much acceptance % affects ranking. And yes I don't think admissions standards will be lowered, because there are already a high amount of ridiculously qualified applicants. And considering that just about everywhere is getting record numbers of applicants, the drop won't be significant. If may even just mean that the applications will increase, just not as much as last year. A bad football season will not change the insane trend of applying to everywhere for high school seniors.</p>
<p>I am sick and tired of all this criticism towards Charlie.</p>
<p>These losses have very little to do with his coaching ability.</p>
<p>Football may not being doing well, but don't forget that the reigning national players of the year in men's and women's soccer play for Notre Dame. The Hockey team just got hit with a 15 million dollar donation for a new arena. Plus for Track & Field fans, the Loftus Center puts on the best indoor meets in the country. So there are many other outlets for sports fans. If you haven't been to a hockey game, that is an experience. Every home game sells out, if students don't get there at least a half hour before the game they won't get a seat. It's probably more fun than football.</p>
<p>acceptance rate is a very minimal part of US news formula..look at UChicago, 38% acceptance rate and ranked #9. Despite the acceptance rate, the student body has higher overall stats than ours does. I still picked ND over it though.</p>
<p>0-5 now. soon to be 0-8</p>
<p>At least you have a real quarterback now in Evan Sharpley. ND will never win with Doogie Howzer as the quarterback. Let him get a few years on the bench under his belt.</p>
<p>Boy, if the reason to attend ND if because of their football team...then maybe you shouldn't apply. I would want my kid to go there because of the education and because it helps build character in young men and women.</p>