<p>I am looking forward to applying to Notre Dame. It has always been a dream of mine to attend this university! I know I will be applying, but I have not decided between EA and RD.</p>
<p>Sorry, that sent way too early.</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone knew how the university looks at your classes to see just how hard you are working. I am currently enrolled in six classes for my senior year and a learning lab. Of the six, three of them are at the IB level: Chemistry, Spanish and History. I am also taking Physics I. My school also offers AP Physics and I am wondering if I should switch. For math, I am taking Calculus. I cannot do IB Math because I did not do it junior year, but Calculus is the second highest/hardest math class I can take at my school. English is the same way. I cannot take IB so I have a choice between College Credit and English 12 Honors. Both are weighted the same. Does anyone happen to know which class ND would prefer? And could you tell me what ND will see when they look at my schedule? Would there be a good reaction or bad?</p>
<p>For test scores, I have taken the ACT multiple times. My superscore is a 32. Sadly, I know this is in the low range for ND, and I also know they do not superscore. My highest composite is a 30, which I know is very low for ND. But is it still likely that I can get in? My highest score for the English section is a 35, and my highest score for Math is a 34. Does ND favor any sections over the other?</p>
<p>Please let me know if you have any advice or information regarding their qualifications and what I can do to make myself a better candidate! Thank you!</p>
<p>It is very difficult to judge your chances without knowing more about your resume. GPA? ECs? Any hooks? A 30 on the ACT I’m afraid would put you out of the running unless there are other very compelling parts of your application. As far as what else you have asked, ND says that competitive applicants will have taken the most “demanding curriculum” offered. seems to me that you have taken a pretty demanding, but maybe not the most demanding, courses. My advice would be to apply RD. Use the fall semester to concentrate on your schoolwork and make sure your grades are stellar, work on your essays, and prep for and retake the ACT. Maybe even try the SAT: you might find it more suited to your strengths. My guess is you can take the both as late as the December test date, but check with the Admissions office.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your feedback! And to answer some of your questions with the hopes of more information:
GPA- 3.9750/4.0 UW
Extra curriculars-
-Varsity Cross Country (9-12) Co-captain this upcoming year
-Varsity Track (9-12)
-Drug Free Program (9-12) Officer every year
-Fellowship of Christian Athletes (9-12)
-Student Senate (11-12) Representative (11) Student Body VP (12)
-National Honor Society (12)
-200+ hours of community service</p>
<p>Hook- My grandfather attended the university. I’m not sure if they are interested in a non-immediate family legacy however.</p>
<p>You sound like a great student! Knowing more now about your resume-GPA, Ec’s etc. I think you look like you have a chance. My advice would be to definitely take the ACT AND the SAT again…you never know-you may be a SAT student! I would look at RD, only because of your test scores. If you can get them up, even just a little, I think you have a shot. Work very hard on your essays, make them “you”, but get help to make sure they are clear, concise and tell something compelling. I wish you all the best!</p>
<p>You sound like a great kid! But in the time left this summer, work on test prep at home or otherwise and take the tests again in the fall. Probably best to apply RD, as EA applicants to ND usually are among the strongest. Go meet the reps if they come to your school or town. I also want to echo the previous advice to try the SAT. You might do better on it. As far as the ACT - since you got really good scores on the Math and English sections, I assume that either the reading or science sections are giving you some grief? Is there some way you can get extra help on a weaker section to bring up the whole? Near our house, a public library offers practice SAT testing. The sessions imitate the real thing, making it very helpful to the students. These practice sessions are free, so it just costs the kids their time. IS there something like that near you?</p>
<p>As far as your class schedule - does your school have a guidance counselor? Wouldn’t he or she know what course schedule at your school that has been successful at ND in the past? If Or a trusted teacher/the principal if there’s no GC? I suggest you meet with someone to make sure you are taking what will help you the most. Take your parent(s) too.</p>
<p>Good Luck to you!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your feedback! As far as free local testing practice goes, I am unaware of any in my area, but I have checked out several practice test booklets from the library which I am using each weekend until the test! Thanks again for your help!</p>
<p>You remind me a lot of my oldest daughter who applied to colleges last year and got into a top 20 school where she is currently a freshman. She had a great GPA, took higher level classes, had similar extra curricular activities (sports, volunteer hours, school clubs/organizations). She is a well-rounded, hard-working individual with a great attitude and a caring personality. You come off as the same way. She was also a little below the bottom of the ACT/SAT average scores for the four elite schools she applied. According to many on the CC board, her scores were too low and she had very little chance. She never got her scores up. She applied anyway. I believe that the admissions counselors do a great job of looking at the “whole individual”. She didn’t have a hook at any of these schools. However, she got accepted to two schools, waitlisted at one, and rejected by the other. The two schools she got accepted to were her top choices. I think the counselors can read a lot into the essays to see if you are passionate about attending their school and if you would be a good fit. I believe all the advice you have been given on this board to retake the ACT/SAT is valid because a higher score can only benefit you. However, even if you do not get your scores up, apply anyway! Follow your dreams and let your essays reflect your personality and what it is about that school that makes it the right fit for you. I have a good feeling that everything will work out for you.</p>