Notre Dame Pre-Med

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

Hello,
I am an international student who is aspiring to attend Notre Dame University in Fall 2017. I would appreciate it if you could be honest (i.e. no need to sugar coat anything) but please explain why I am not able to compete as effectively, if you think that I cannot. Please not that I am aware that my chances of being accepted are low, I would just like to know whether I could still hope for acceptance. Anyway, without further ado, here are my characteristics and scores:

SAT (Out of 2400): 1960
SAT (Out of 1600): 1430
GPA (weighed) out of 4.0: 3.97
Predicted IB score: 40/45
Class Rank: Not reported by school, but definitely top 10% (as a local university offers opportunities for complete scholarship to only the top 10% of our class, and since I got an offer, I believe it’s safe to assume that I am in the top 10%).

Courses (IB Full Diploma):
Higher Levels: Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology
Standard Levels: French, English and History
Non-core curriculum subjects: Theory of Knowledge (A branch of philosophy, sort of)

Notable Extracurricular Activities:

  • Volunteer in Refugee Camps (Syrian Refugee Camps) - 1 year
  • Volunteer tutor in Palestinian and Syrian Refugee Camps) - 3 years
  • Varsity Cross Country team member - 1 year
  • Gym and independent fitness - 3 years (with evidence and supervision)
  • Independent Swimming (with evidence and supervision) - 3 years
  • Evidence of Reading Books, seeking knowledge (I know it’s vague but I exhibit a passion for learning information about new topics, which expands my intellectual horizons drastically). --> This is not really an activity, but I did spent a lot of time into it.
  • Tutor and Vice-Leader (the supervisors assumed all major leadership for themselves) - 2 years
  • Bridges to Ability: Program in which students help children with mental and physical disabilities - 1 year
  • Member and Vice-Leader of Debate Team - 3 years (1 year in Leadership position)
  • Cleaning beaches in my local community, and my native country (I am an immigrant in another nation) - 2 years (only during breaks) - Community Service and awareness raising

Total Service Hours: 110 (Estimated by end of year: 150)

Please note that in Grade 9, I was in a different school which did not really encourage or facilitate extracurricular activities which I made sure to mention to my college counselor will consider it while composing my letter of recommendation.
I have a peculiar background, as I moved in to another country, with a different language in Grade 8. I was previously educated in my native tongue before moving to that destination, but I received 5 years of English Education (technically 3 since two were half English half-German). Please note that both my native country and the current country of residence are not in the U.S. so I am entirely international (whether that is supposed to boost or hinder my application). Thus, I had to adjust to entirely different language in different education system, which I think should be valued.

I don’t know if this counts as a plus, but the university visited my High School, which my counselor interpreted as interest for recruitment of students from my High School, on their end.
I am a first generation applicant.
Furthermore, my Common App Essay, and the supplements have received several positive remarks from my counselor, and parents, and excellency remarks from my English teacher.

I finally made sure to show my interest in the university, which I am aware that Notre Dame considers to a limited extent.

Thank you in advance, pardon the length of my post, and if you would desire further information, please do not hesitate to ask.

2

I just wanted to clarify something. When I said “Tutor” under the extracurricular activities section, I forgot to expand and explain what kind of tutoring it was. Thus, it was a Writing Center tutoring,in which I helped students who struggled with their writing capabilities.

Some miscellaneous information which may be helpful (which I forgot to include):

  • Religion: Christian, Orthodox (Non-Catholic)
  • Letters of Recommendation: Three teachers were asked, and all three have repeatedly told me that they believe that I am an overachiever and a great person. My counselor is going to pick the very best one.
  • Extracurricular activities may look a bit underwhelming / lacking, but there are peculiar circumstances surrounding that fact, something that my guidance counselor has effectively explained in her recommendation letter.

Also please pardon the grammar mistakes in the post, I was too excited to post this chancing-request, and thus, I did not refine it adequately.