<p>Is Optional essay really optional? I didnt bother to scroll down and didnt even know that this optional essay existed!!! urgggahhhh!!</p>
<p>Anyway, I go to a really really religious catholic school. Can I say I want to go to notre dame because of my religion?</p>
<p>I would advise you to write the optional essay even though it may say it’s optional. If you don’t write it, there are others who will >.<</p>
<p>okay I really should. thanks. Do you think saying that I want to go to UND because my religious school influenced my faith and I believe UND to do the same will be okay?</p>
<p>Agreed. Always do the optional stuff. </p>
<p>Anyways, if it’s the same one we’re talking about, the optional “essay” is not really an essay; I literally only wrote three sentences and was accepted.</p>
<p>Additionally, your religion might not be the best essay - nothing unique - there are tons of these essays - originality is best - unless your religion made a huge impact, but remember, the more things that make you unique the better.</p>
<p>I don’t think it really has to be unique, as long as you show genuine enthusiasm for what the school has to offer. There are only so many original topics you can address in a 150 word Why ND essay 
I would personally use the main supplemental essay to establish creativity in a topic</p>
<p>You must write.</p>
<p>If religion is your passion, write on…If you go to a Catholic high school because your parents make you…choose Plan B. The purpose of the essay isn’t to fool the system or to regurgitate what you think they want to hear. The purpose is for them to get to know what makes you special as a person. What is your passion? Figure that out, then write about it with creativity and sincerity.</p>
<p>I agree with Prius! It is the same situation for the University of Chicago Essays. I ALWAYS do the “Extra Optional Essay” partly because I am a great writer and I always have something unique to say.</p>
<p>P.S No one should attribute there acceptance, denial or defference into a college basically on one factor ONLY if they are sure that is EXACTLY what they college themselves determined!!!</p>
<p>Wait…I do not think that “Optional Essay” is really optional? When I applied (which I got accepted EA) I do not recall an Optional Essay? Am I mistaken???</p>
<p>Whats special about Notre dame? Where can I find this on the website?
They talk about how good their programs are and etc…but then so do other schools websites!!! What are some things that only Notre Dame offers and where can I read about them?!</p>
<p>I chose to apply to U of Notre Dame because somebody that I respect graduated from there. She is a lady I ment when went on a catholic mission trip and she impressed me in many ways. She was wearing green Notre Dame pants and i asked her where it is and she told me all about it and that I should really apply …so I included UND on my college list and after doing some research, i got to like it because of the pretty campus and its prestige </p>
<p>Is this even appropriate for Why notre dame essay? I really dont know what to talk about for academics as I dont know whats special about notre dame…</p>
<p>What you wrote about that lady is EXACTLY WHAT YOU WRITE ABOUT IN ANY “WHY THIS COLLEGE ESSAY”
They already KNOW about THEIR academia. So why tell them something they already know and will probably hear from about 75% of their applicant pool. Telling a story about a woman alum will stand out from the rest. Take this from some who got in. In that essay I wrote about my mother wishes for me and how Notre Dame will fufill them!!</p>
<p>so I can write about that lady for why this colleg eessay?</p>
<p>I thought it was too non academic towrite about.</p>
<p>Of course it would stand out more, I did it and got in! Moreover, it does have to be academic it is an experience. They get all your academic stuff from your transcript and test scores. They want to see who your are as a person and your essay tells them what number can not!</p>
<p>I agree with shyman. General consensus is that 70% of applicants are “qualified” in terms of ACT/SAT/GPA. The 2000+ incoming freshmen distinguish themselves by understanding and communicating why Notre Dame is a special place. The alum you met “lives” the mission and vision of Notre Dame. If that aura had an impact on you, and made you want to go in the same direction, then it is a perfect essay topic for “Why ND.”</p>
<p>I wonder what will happen if I’m honest and said I became interested in Notre Dame because of Rudy? I guess we’ll find out on April 1. </p>
<p>No Guts No Glory.</p>
<p>Tilgaham, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the exact words “We do NOT want to read another “Rudy” essay” from ND admission counselors. They want originality. For your sake, I hope you added some spin on it.</p>
<p>I just said it was the first memory of Notre Dame was watching the movie and how I learned more about how awesome they were as I got older. It was just the 150 word one. My actual essay is much much much more original lol.</p>