<p>So I saw a comment on a post from 2012 which said that applying to Notre Dame Early Action would actually hurt your chances if you aren't a recruited athlete or have a 1500+ SAT CR+M section? Can anyone explain the reason behind this? Is it just because the applicant pool is more competitive and you'd likely seem inferior to all these athletic recruits and high scorers in comparison?</p>
<p>Notre dame admissions makes it very clear that you should only apply EA if you are submitting your strongest application possible. EA applications tend to be the most competitive and while you might be deferred, you are running the risk of being outright rejected. Notre Dame’s applicant pool has become even more competitive since 2012 so if you have any doubts whatsoever or have an opportunity to bring up some scores, apply RD. </p>
<p>I applied EA last year, had neither of those, and was accepted. They will only reject you EA if you are not qualified. But don’t apply EA if you are not submitting your best app possible, as the last poster said.</p>
<p>My daughter applied EA in 2012. She was not a recruited athlete, and her SAT was the weakest part of her application… and she was accepted. </p>