Hey. I have been accepted to the Notre Dame summer program (in entrepreneurship). I have heard that it is really cool, and the experience is amazing.
What I want to know is how much does it help you in your application to Notre Dame? I mean, If I go and then I apply to the actual university, does it helps me in anything?
Thanks
No. It might help you decide that you love the campus, but it won’t give you any advantage over other applicants who did not attend a summer program.
While I agree that attending Summer Scholars won’t be a huge admissions boost, if you look at ND’s CDS, applicant interest is considered, and I would think attending a summer program is a great way of showing interest. (FYI I have a daughter who attended NDSS and is a current freshman.)
Summer programs can be great for some students, and they are certainly wonderful revenue boosts for colleges. But they are not the only or even the best way to demonstrate interest in a school. Most kids who attend one of Notre Dame’s summer programs will be denied admission, just as most legacies are denied admission, even though they have clearly demonstrated an interest. Notre Dame is looking for students who understand and embrace its unique mission as a serious university grounded by serious faith. Do your activities and essays and recommendation letters reflect that understanding? Spending a week or two at a summer program may signal nothing more than that someone in the know told you about a program and that your parents can afford to send you. A student who forgoes summer campus programs, or unpaid cool internships, or overseas mission trips because she needs to earn money to help her family meet its EFC – THAT demonstrates interest.
I went to the exact same program (entrepreneurship) the summer before my junior year and I will be going to Notre Dame this fall. The professors are amazing and I still talk to my friends from the program every single day. I had to be cliche and say it’s one of those once in a lifetime opportunities but it really is. AS to whether or not going to this program helps you all I can say is this: I got in, I have friends who went who got in, but I also have friends who were heartbroken when they found out they weren’t accepted. Going to this program isn’t a make or break for you to get into Notre Dame, but it gives you an amazing opportunity to experience the school in all its glory. Admissions counselors will appreciate the time and interest you dedicated to the school, but it isn’t an automatic acceptance letter. I was pretty sure I wanted to go to ND before the program but spending 2 weeks on campus made me want it even more. If you have any questions about the program or admissions I’d be happy to share them with you if you message me!