Low GPA?

Does anyone know if Notre Dame accepts kids with a low GPA under their holistic review? Specifically a 3.15 (now) but should go up (currently has straight A’s). He will NOT be in the top 50% of his class. My son just applied (engineering). His ACT is a 31, he’s a URM (Mexican American) and was diagnosed with ADD at the end of his sophomore year of high school which is why his GPA is so low. He’s not on a 504 plan but does take medication which has greatly improved his grades and his transcripts will reflect this. He is not a legacy or an athlete. His extra curriculars as are good and also has a good amount of volunteering. He wrote a pretty heart felt and honest essay acknowledging his low GPA (in the explain section of the Common App). Thoughts? Did he just donate $75?

His URM status will help. Did he do well junior year after the diagnosis?

@suzy100, yes, his grades improved greatly his junior year.

OK I think that will help a lot. I don’t think you just made a donation, but I’m not gonna lie, the GPA will be an issue. ND (and really any school) wants to make sure that the students it admits can succeed. I am sympathetic- I have a D who was diagnosed with ADD going into senior year but it manifested less in grades and more in other areas in life. His ACT is very high, but truth be told it’s on the low side for ND. So my advice is to prepare him for a no but hope for the best. I hope others will chime in here.

I agree that his odds of acceptance are low but nobody can predict how things will turn out. My general understanding is that even in a holisitc review, academics are vitally important. Reason being that as noted above, it is the responsibility of admissions officers to accept students they feel confident will succeed academically at the college. Your S’s GPA is low and his ACT (which I’m guessing was taken when he was on medication) also falls below the 25th percentile for the school. Here is the ND class profile: https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/admission-statistics/

However, I wouldn’t classify the application as a donation. He will get his story reviewed by an admissions officer, he will get a decision, and even if he doesn’t get in he will never have to wonder “what if.” It is perfectly fine to apply to a reach school or two as long as the overall application list also includes match and safety schools that appear affordable and that he would be excited to attend. Good luck.

@OhioMom6 – You never know, and URM will certainly help.

But consider whether ND or a similar school is really a good fit for your kid. It is fine to have high aspirations for kids with LDs (I’ve got three). But realistically, you want the kid to be in a race that they can win.

The typical ND student was in the top 1-2% of HS students nationally (measured by test scores and/or grades). Basically, the average ND kid has been an academic super-star his/her whole life. And many of them really struggle when they get to a place where everyone else is just as smart as them (or smarter).

Maybe the ADD medicine is all your kid needs to compete in that very fast race. But it may not be great for a kid to get into a very reachy school and then spend the next four years struggling to keep up. Something to think about.

Good luck!

As a follow up, my son’s midterm report shows that he earned a 4.2 GPA which has been forwarded to ND. He is taking several honors classes (his school does not offer any AP’s). Once he receives his decision in late March, i will follow up on here so that others with similar situations can have some insight

What was his GPA during his time on medication?

How many AP classes during that time?

How many Honors classes during that time?

@GraceDad his semester GPA’s pre-medication (so during his freshman and sophomore year) cumulative was a 2.75. AP classes are not offered at his school, and he did not take any honors courses those years but took college prep courses. Once he started taking the medication his junior year his GPA improved to a 3.4 the first semester (taking honors courses- there was a period where they had to switch his medications a few times to get it correct). Since the end of his junior year and now into the first semester of his senior year, he has earned above a 4.0. His Senior Year he is taking College English (dual credit), honors Physics which are weighted. Again, his school does not offer AP courses and offers very few honors classes.

@OhioMom6 You son has strong supportive evidence, it is therefore very important that his applications to Notre Dame and other universities/colleges turn his personal circumstances into a compelling argument. Very best of luck and success to your son and family!

@OhioMom6 The reason for my question is that I assumed ND would want to know how he’s performed since being diagnosed while taking as challenging of course work as reasonably possible.

It sounds like he’s been taking as challenging of course work that he has access to. Not sure how ND will handle it.

Historically, I think that an URM with a 31 ACT and say an unweighted GPA of 3.8 to 3.9 would at least put that person “in the discussion”.

Good luck

Well he was rejected, not too surprised.

I’m sorry, @OhioMom6. I hope he has other options he is excited about. I wish you both all the best!