Low GPA; Chance me for Notre Dame

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

Catholic white Male from ohio
I have visited campus
GPA:3.6 W ~3.1 UW
ACT: 35
High school: semi prestigious catholic school. Extremely rigorous. About 30% in class rank but school does not report that.
APs:
Latin 4 (got a D in AP Latin)
AB Calc 4

All physics tests
Bio
BC Calc
Stats

ECs:
-FRC robotics 4 years
-Jazz band (president)
-TEAM+S engineering team (state champs)
-Catholic Youth Group
-FLL mentoring (sort of started)
-Started a club handball sports team
-about 400 hours of service

Hooks: I have Aspergers and ADHD if that helps me at all

Personal statement: 7/10 have been told it’s good by people who I given it to to review but I’m having doubts. Only 350 words and I cant think of anything more to add

Supplementals:
10/10 on one (talk about aspergers) 8/10 on the other (talked about mentoring and service)
8/10 on the whyND (talked about curriculum, catholic nature and dorm system)

2

Your GPA is very low for Notre Dame, but good luck. Most kids are 3.8+ UW. Your ACT and activities are very good.

Also, your “hooks” are personal characteristics but not hooks. A hook is something that would significantly increase your chances of admission.

  • Family donates a ton of money to the college
  • Uncle is a Holy Cross priest
  • recruited athlete
  • Under-represented minority
  • One or both parents graduated

Many students with these hooks apply each year. It is a real crapshoot to apply unhooked.

3

Here is the class profile. https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/admission-statistics/ And agree with the above – having ADHD and Aspergers is not a hook.

It is fine to apply to a reach but be sure to also have a group of match and safety schools (taking int account your GPA) that appear affordable and that you would be excited to attend. If you like the Catholic aspect of ND there are a number of great Jesuit colleges you might consider. http://www.ajcunet.edu/institutions/

4

A 35 on the ACT and a 3.1 GPA unweighted do not correlate. While it may well be that Aspergers and ADHD have contributed to the GPA result, Notre Dame will be asking the question - “What does the GPA suggest about the academic success of this applicant in a college environment?” where, arguably, in classroom and out of classroom challenges are greater. This is also a question that you probably should be asking yourself. The answer could provide the basis for an effective and compelling addition to your personal statement or essay.

Best of luck.