<p>I just got back from my visit to Notre Dame. I was shocked by how quickly I fell in love with everything about the school. It just seems like the complete college experience. I love the dorms, the athletics, the academics- everything. It is probably my top choice school now. Now I just need to get in. (And find a way to pay!) Did anyone else feel this way after visiting? What do you think my chances are? Do you know of anything I can do to increase my chances? I want to go to Notre Dame so much!
GPA: 3.9 UW in most rigorous courses, including 11 AP's by graduation.
ACT: 33
SAT: 720 M, 800 V, 770 W (2290).
ECs: USA Swimming year-round, 12-20+ hours per week, community service (peer tutoring, friendship to international students, tutoring inner-city children, etc.) Biomedical Research at Boston this summer. Treasurer of NHS.
My essays and Teacher Recommendations should be very strong.
Thanks in advance for any advice.</p>
<p>If you rank in the top 5% of your class you have a good chance of being admitted EA. It's non-binding so you can wait and compare financial aid offers with other schools.</p>
<p>My only caution is that the winters are long and cold. You saw the campus in all it's glory.</p>
<p>Yes, the winters will be an adjustment. I'm from around the Indiana-Kentucky border, and I know winters will be a lot harsher at ND. That's okay, though. I like snow. Do you have a child at ND?</p>
<p>I would agree with cookie mom, you have a great chance of being admitted EA with those scores.</p>
<p>I know ND is an amazing school, but do you think it is worth the $40,000+ per year? I want to go so badly, but I know I won't qualify for need based aid. I don't want a lot of undergrad debt, because I plan to attend medical school. It's just frustrating because the state schools here are much cheaper, but they are just mediocre in quality. Nothing like ND. Current students or parents- do you think it is worth the cost?</p>
<p>Don't be so sure you won't qualify for need-based aid. Your parents can make a healthy amount and you might still qualify.</p>
<p>We definitely don't qualify for anything need-based. Although we have a high income, I am the first of four children. My parents don't want me to take on a lot of undergraduate debt, or use up all of my educational money before I even start medical school.</p>
<p>If you are making 200 to 250K/year, you may not qualify. Otherwise, don't count it out. ND is extremely generous.</p>
<p>My son takes out 6-7000 in loans every year, which we don't think is too bad. But if we could just pay it for him and give him a debt-free undergraduate education, we would. He will need to look for grad assistantships for grad school - he is also the eldest of four and we will have others in college by the time he starts grad school.</p>
<p>This may be a dumb question, but if your income is high enough to disqualify you from financial aid, couldn't your family just afford to pay for ND outright?</p>
<p>We could pay for it, but with 4 kids, even a relatively high income doesn't go so far. My father makes a fairly high income, but we are by no means rich. We live in a modest house, and my dad drives an inexpensive 5-year old ford focus. We very rarely eat out. This summer will be my first time to fly in an airplane at age 18.<br>
My parents are willing to pay for it, but only if they feel it is really worth the $160,000+ it will cost. It is not so much an issue of being able to afford it sas whether or not it is a wise investment. To further complicate the situation, I should be a NMSF with a 221 PSAT, and a lot of schools will give me a full ride. They just really want to be sure it is worth every penny if they send me. My Mom and Dad don't want me to spend to much on undergraduate education if I'm really set on becoming a doctor.</p>
<p>I agree with docmom. You should apply for financial aid even if you think you don't qualify. We didn't think my S would qualify based on our EFC, but they gave him subsized loans and a small scholarship. What you get at a place like Notre Dame is the opportunites for some amazing experiences outside the classroom. They also have a very high acceptance rate to med school.</p>
<p>emswim, what major do you plan on doing at ND? i see from your original post that you will be doing Biomedical research at Boston, but the question is whether or not going to ND will even be good for you academically, and that can only be answered as to what major you are doing. if you just want to get into med school, ND is well known for their amazing med school statistics, but so are schools who have medical schools on campus that may be cheaper. that is, if money is a GREAT enough issue.</p>
<p>just for random information, as far as i know, and according to the chair of the EE department, you will not be able to take biomedical engineering as a major, if you would ever become interested in taking that at ND, for the Eng. college has not considered creating a BME department.</p>
<p>emswim,</p>
<p>If your stats are this good, then you will qualify for outside merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Nd soes not give merit aid--need based aid only</p>
<p>OUTSIDE merit aid</p>
<p>like outside scholarships from organizations</p>
<p>ewsmin, do you live in Indiana?</p>
<p>eri7154798- I'm planning on a biology, biochemistry, or some type of science or engineering major, maybe with a minor in a foreign language. The research I'm doing at BU is in immunology, not biomedical engineering.
vtoodler- Yes, I'm from around the IN-KY border.<br>
I've talked to my parents, and they've decided the cost is probably worth it for the value of the education. Now I just need to get in!</p>
<p>emswim,</p>
<p>You should apply for finaid even if you do not think your family will qualify. You need to apply to qualify for the inexpensive government loans, the Staffords. If you are going to go into debt at all for college you should try to make it as inexpensive as possible.</p>
<p>Interestig that you are at BU doing Immunology for the summer. Is that Boston University? If so, they are a school that provides a significant amount of merit aid along with undergrad research opportunities.</p>
<p>Yes, That's Boston University. I think it will be a great. If I like the University (I should be able to get a good idea of it), I will definitely apply and see if I can get merit aid. It will have to be pretty awesome to beat ND, though.</p>
<p>I've never met anyone who doesnt think that Notre Dame is gorgeous. It sold me too! :-)
And I have that same prob with financial aid - Im pretty sure Im not getting anything based on need, but my parents aint paying no $40,000 a year so I can be happy. So Im gonna work at Hooters.</p>
<p>I got to ND and I can definitely say its worth the money. There are many options if you don't qualify for aid and your parents wont pay (such as in my case). I joined the ROTC which will 100% tuition at ND which is an exception to their 17,000 limit. All in all I will be taking a loan out around 4000 dollars which isn't so bad. As for the ROTC, I have to serve 4 yrs after undergrad but I get paid a yearly salary which will allow me to save for grad school after I get out of service. Whatever you decide, you must apply for financial aid no matter what. ND might surprise you!</p>