I know that my top choice school is the University of Notre Dame. I want to apply to the restrictive early action deadline, although it isn’t recommended just because it’s your first choice school, so I can know sooner. The thing I’m scared about is my GPA. I have a 3.62 unweighted, mostly consisting of A’s and B’s, but I earned a C in the second semester of my junior year (earned in precalc). It’s the only C I’ve ever earned but I don’t want my downward trend to prevent me from getting admitted. I believe that if they truly review applications holistically, I could get in. To name a few things about my background and some of my key extracurriculars: I am an extremely underrepresented minority (Samoan), captain of the track team, placed at state, competed at nationals, high school all American in rugby, founded a club at my school, took leadership all 4 years of high school, was a featured student speaker at a national leadership conference, I go to public school, and I’m from the Pacific Northwest. I’m not quite in their mid 50 SAT range (I scored a 1300, their mid range is 1410-1530), but I’m taking it again in October. Should I take the risk and apply early, or should I apply regular decision so I can show my hopefully improved grades from first semester of my senior year?
i also do unified sports
@readytogobro The Restrictive Early Action application deadline is 11/1. You will be taking the SAT again in October, you said, and are currently at 1300, unweighted GPA 3.62. Please make sure to bring your application in top shape, bring your SAT Score up and apply Notre Dame Regular Decision in December. Best of luck and success!
Right now your SAT is well below the 25th percentile. Work hard to get that score up and apply RD. https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/
I’m scheduled to take it again in October (the last acceptable date for REA). If I end up scoring within the range, should I still apply RD?
Readytogobro: Have you been to any talks from Notre Dame? Because when my kids were applying, they said that REA was for kids who had their best scores/grades ready but that application date. If they are still advising that, you may want to wait for regular decision. You certainly could write the admissions officer for your region and ask their advice as well.
I have another question for you. Could you be a candidate for the ND track team? Are you at all interested in participating in Track at ND? Because if you are, then this could be a different answer for your application.