Regarding admission and tuition - We are from California. ND was a last minute addition for my DS. He had strong stats and tons of Band ECs. I think the main factor in his admission was his essays. For a more selective school like ND, they will reject some amazing students. How do they make those decisions? My theory is that it will some down to the essay and your ability to convey why you are a good fit for ND.
Tuition - ND’s aid program is amazing. I would describe our situation as upper middle-class. For UCs - we would not have qualified for need based aid. ND has exceeded our EFC number from the FAFSA. They have maintained the same level of aid for all 4 years. I recall reading that ND will provide some need based aid up to $250k income. Depending on your situation, you may be pleasantly surprised by the FA offer.
Does anyone have any idea when deferred students are given decisions? I am assuming it’s just when the regular decisions are released, but I’m just wondering if there is a possibility of early good news…or bad:(
I agree with many of the comments above. It’s a tough year and a tough process. And for those who may read this thread a bit later, at least my take on the legacy issue, which i think sometimes is unfairly criticized.
I’ve had two boys apply recently, one in 2020 and one this year. Neither had what i would consider exceptional statistics by the measure of some which are posted here but certainly well within the range of what Notre Dame has historically admitted. And yes, I’m a ND grad.
2020 son: 3.95 UW; 33 ACT; Eagle Scout; varsity athlete; 7 AP classes and a bunch of honors classes. Strong background in service. Good but not great essays. Applied RD and was waitlisted. Was admitted off the waitlist.
2022 son: 3.85 UW; 1480 SAT; Eagle Scout; multiple sport varsity athlete; 7 AP classes and a bunch of honors classes. Strong background in service. Excellent essays. Applied REA and was denied.
I also have a colleague at work whose son, also a legacy, was denied this year with a 35 ACT, 4.2W, and all the other stuff. And we anecdotally know a girl who is a friend of the family who will be a terrific addition to ND as she was admitted, but she went test optional because of a 1300 SAT.
Lots of changes the last two years in who and how kids are admitted. Are the changes bad? I don’t think it can be viewed in terms of “good” or “bad.” They simply are.
Sorry your 2nd son was denied this year. My son, whose grandfather graduated form ND in 1966, was also denied REA with a 1560 SAT, 3.95 GPA, 8 AP’s, 9 honors, lots of EC’s and leadership positions too. I think the anecdotal story of your colleague’s daughter getting admitted while not submitting her 1300 SAT is probably more the rule than the exception for those who applied test optional - kids who do not have the traditional scores for schools rather than those who were unable to take the test, which was the original reason given for making the test optional. I’m torn on this, as I was never a great test taker myself but did well in school. But I know that my son was more affected by not being able to take all the AP classes and honors courses he had planned because his school changed how they scheduled classes to accommodate virtual learning. So, for colleges that prioritize class rigor for their admissions, he was definitely hurt by not being able to take the classes he had planned. But colleges only seem to be accommodating students for the standardized testing (ACT/SAT). So, some kids with higher test scores are being rejected from schools like ND and others while kids with lower test scores are admitted because they are able to have their applications considered without their test scores.
As you say, your colleague’s daughter my be a great addition to ND (and 1300 SAT is still damn good), and maybe the ACT and SAT are eventually dropped from college admission considerations altogether. All the students admitted test optional seem to be great additions based on their GPAs, ECs, volunter work, etc. Its just rough going for college admissions right now and there will be lots of kids who exceed test scores from a historical perspective at colleges all over the country who are denied admission. I just hope my son can get accepted by one of the schools in his “target” zone (I’ve given up on “reach” schools at this point). Unfortunately, he has been reject from his top 3 so far even tough his grades are on par with historical standards and his test scores are above those admitted in the past.
Good like to your 2nd son finding a great fit besides ND (just like mine) and for everyone else navigating the college admissions process this year.
I know it’s hard to understand. And i feel for the students who didn’t get in. As a current student, every student were top of their class, near perfect SATs and team captains etc. Many of them have siblings who are equal or better who were rejected. When I took my tour in summer of 2019, they told us they reject 2/3 of valedictorians and 2/3 of the perfect Test scores. They really want to see the “mission” in the essays. How what you have done and what you plan to do with an ND degree to be a “force for good in the world”. Even then, they can’t take all the great applicants. But I will also say, I know so many who did not get in who found their perfect spot. Prayers that your student will find their place
My daughter was admitted! She is #2 in her class of 187 (public school), had a 1450 SAT (one and done), captain on tennis team, section leader in marching band, but I think her “hook” is her writing ability (she got a 770 on SAT English). She isn’t a legacy and didn’t put up the highest numbers like I see posted, but she writes like no one I’ve seen before, she knows how to pull you into her story. We talked relentlessly to her about how she could have the greatest stats and not get in because she might not be what the school is looking for when she applies. She knew going in ND would be tough, but she is the most excited kid to to have gotten in! She is ND through and through!! Congrats to all that got in!
Congrats to your daughter - that’s awesome! Being a great writer at her age is a really nice feather in her cap. That’s the one area my son isn’t the greatest at, so it took him a bit to put his essays together. Even with an 800 on the SAT English he still struggles a bit to express his thoughts on paper. That’s probably one of the reasons he was rejected.
Good luck to your daughter - hope she has a great 4 years there!
@MomofD2026 Deffered is better then rejected. We are all scratching our heads. But after a lot of thinking ND might not have been the right program for my daughter after all. She would like to get into Film and Media with a minor in business and I think the business program at ND is great. Not sure how much of the film program they offer.
I think everone is EDing this year because the amount of applicants. Its really tough to figure out which route to go. My daughter is just doing EA and regular and we will let the chips fall where they lay. She already got accepted to Fordham and Penn State Business Program and now we are waiting on 8 more she had EA and 2 Regular. Best of luck with your daughter and her portfolio/creditials are amazing I am sure she will get in to a great school.
Curious if anyone is planning on attending the 2/13-14 admitted students day…I’m not sure what restrictions may be in place due to COVID. It’ll be tough for my son to swing the April dates but I hate to book flights if it ends up being equivalent to the virtual sessions.
