does anyone know if ND sends physical letters for rejection/deferral? My mom made me promise not to look at my portal for the update so idk if I should assume I just didn’t get if I don’t receive anything in the next week. Does anyone have any answers/advice?
My husband and I are alumni and daughter attends (she is in the honors program and was semifinalist for merit scholarship–many of the kids of alumni are as overachiever as their parents, same dedication to service and faith, and of course have had many enrichment opportunities from having well educated parents; I have not heard if there is any difference in SATs/GPA for legacy admits vs. non-legacy, but I wouldn’t expect there to be on the whole). It is a factor they consider along with many others, but at an info session they told us they get enough legacy applicants each year to fill the entire class, but cap the number they will accept (I think they said 25% of admitted students). It’s definitely a school where most who go there love it and pass that on to their kids. We know someone whose daughter went to a state flagship school, but he said he would mortgage his house to send his daughter to ND if she had gotten in. Our hearts forever love thee Notre Dame…good luck to everyone and I know you all would be a great part of the ND community.
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Mendoza is the only school you directly apply to/has caps on the number of students. But it’s possible the admissions team considers intended majors, if there are majors that have lower enrollment, e.g., or like someone else said how your past academics and EC reflect on intended major.
Can you please offer some insight on how will a Non-Catholic and a Non-Christian adapt at Notre Dame. Will they feel out of place?
Ok. Have to ask. Why can’t you look at your own portal? Is she planning a surprise? Seems to me (as a mom) that it’s your portal, your education, your application. But if she is planning something…perhaps.
I don’t feel like I can answer this question well (about the experience of non-Catholic/Christian students). Being Catholic and always having gone to public school before, I loved having dorm Masses and the frequent conversation about values and making a difference in the world interwoven through classes (I did have a Rabbi and an atheist as teachers and others who wouldn’t tell you what they thought, would just ask questions). The student body is 20% non-Catholic and many of the students (our daughter feels like this is even more true among those who attended Catholic schools their whole lives) are not active in their faith. Catholicism has a strong presence and is a strong part of the ND identity. But a lot of has to do with doing good in the world, or coming together in hard times. I think it would be helpful to talk to students who are non-Catholic/non-Christian to hear more about their experiences especially socially (the admissions office could probably connect you). Also I would say in non-humanities classes I think the conversation about the interplay of faith is not as frequent, but the university is good at whatever your major is finding a way to have a positive impact in the world and focusing on acting ethically (such as in business). If you google “notre dame percent catholic” there’s a link to an article in the student newspaper, The Observer, on this topic and some others links that might provide other perspectives. I consider it a very Catholic school, but some conservative Catholics consider it to be liberal.
9/8/2020 from Matt Greene - Assistant Director, Office of Undergraduate Admissions (can’t post the link but pasting it in) - from ND Admissions “College Bound” podcast
On the application, we are also looking to evaluate some recommendations. In the Notre Dame admissions process, we require a recommendation from a teacher of a core academic subject.
Core subjects include:
- Math
- Science
- English
- Social science
- Foreign language
We usually see this recommendation come from a teacher that you had in 11th grade or currently have in 12th grade. This is not required, but it is common since they have taught you recently and, more than likely, in a more rigorous course than teachers from your early high school years.
We also recommend, but do not require, a recommendation from a school counselor. That can be from a guidance or college counselor at your school. This recommendation is not mandatory as we understand that sometimes a counselor letter is not completely pertinent to your application. But we offer that option because a counselor would know your accomplishments both inside and outside the classroom, so their context does help if available.
What About Additional Recommendations?
You can send an additional recommendation if you like, but we do not expect them in the application. If you do send one, please have it come from a person that will provide more context for your application. This can come from a pastor, supervisor, club moderator, or a coach, to name a few examples.
The context is important, so an extra recommendation must add to your application in some way. Personal statements/letters from people that know you do help us to know that many people support who you are, but those don’t necessarily add any needed context to your application.
We do not need you to send any more recommendations than these because we are looking for the quality of recommendations, not the quantity.
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You will eventually receive a packet of you are accepted. I was accepted REA and received a packet about a week and a half later. But they will not send a letter for deferred or deny. Everything at ND is done through the portal. And it will come to the students. After acceptance, parents get little information. Part of the growing up process. Check your portal. If it’s acceptance, it’s fun.
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Also, only Mendoza will get a separate acceptance. I’m an engineering student and the first few semesters are a check and see type thing to make sure it works for you as a major.
Hi everyone! My son is currently eagerly awaiting the decision, like many of you. He has average stats (4.0 UW, 1560 SAT, 11 APs) and his faculty recommendations are pretty strong considering he has a suspended sentence for vandalizing the local community center. He explains it really well in his essay though because, during his court-mandated community service, he found God and subsequently Notre Dame. We’re hoping for some good, old-fashioned Christian forgiveness. Good luck to everyone and may peace be with you!
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Average stats? Those are great stats!
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Thinking good thoughts for your son. We are awaiting my youngest’ s decision too (son). He is in the middle of finals like many of you and honestly I don’t know how he is studying being so stressed/distracted with this decision. Best of luck to all of you and if the results don’t go the way we all wish, Sending big hugs to all and send them back here. It’s hard on the moms and dads too.
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Fingers crossed for everyone 
My son is on pins and needles as well.
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Good luck to everyone!
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Anxious mom here. Good luck, everyone! Hoping the best for all these kiddos!
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We got a deferral. I feel like the guy in Dumb and Dumber “so you’re saying there’s a chance!”
Still alive. Good luck to all.
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Deferred.
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Got rejected. It is probably for the best because I got into my top choice already, so someone else who will go got a spot. Congrats to everyone who got accepted, and good luck to everyone who was deferred.
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My daughter was deferred.
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odd - my son has nothing yet. Did it come in right on time? Still says “EA submitted”