<p>Actually i don't know if that is how to characterize it but... oh well.</p>
<p>So i am applying to transfer to ND this winter b/c i really want to be in their Liberal Studies and poli sci program. I have wanted to go here my whole life but, my hs grades were dismal, played to many sports and did too little academics. so i am a sophomore now at WMU (western Michigan University). I have solid grades. about a 3.89 according to u of m standards - only have one b due to physics - im a bio minor so i needed that and chem. </p>
<p>Within the last two weeks since i sent in my app i have had two profs (1 a priest at Notre Dame) and a family friend who is a Cardinal in the Catholic Church write letters of recommendation to the admissions committee for me (i know they are great ones two - received near perfect grades in their classes). In my essays i highlighted what has set me back- my academics in high school and how i have overcome poor grades - but i never highlighted why i want to go to ND. would it be to aggressive for me to write them a letter stipulating why i want to go there? i just dont want to bug the crap out of them to the point of where they are sick of me - but i also want to show them that i am very interested in their institution. what do i do??? is that in conjunction with my three letters of rec just going to be too much? (the letters of recommendation are not required, but it i have never heard from anyone that they hurt your potential.</p>
<p>insightful knowledge?? please</p>
<p>Shoot, I just wrote a beautiful reply and then realized you had already applied :). Oh well, you didn't want that advice anyway! That is an important part, I think you may as well write the letter. I will say though that I don't think "because I have always wanted to" is a good reason, nor do I think it is persuasive. How is ND better than WMU for you? What can you only get at ND? How is it set apart? These are the kinds of things you should think of. These letters are read by academics, if you can get academic reasons, all the better! </p>
<p>I don't mean to be harsh, just think of it from their shoes. You are an academic and have to choose between two candidates. One talks about how they really want to go to Notre Dame. The other discusses how the major he/she would like to be in isn't at their current school and ND would allow them to follow their passion. Which one am I more likely to accept? For me, at least, it would be the latter. Try to show how ND fits better than WMU and the benefit it would have for your future.</p>
<p>Irish68178 - Yeah, notre dame is the place i have wanted to go my entire life - i call that the curse of legacy, my parents and grandparents have shoved it down my throat since i was in diapers. but that isn't it. </p>
<p>The main thing that i want there is their Program of Liberal studies and the political science, and the learning environment - no where can you go to a school where 95% of the student body lives on campus and everyone knows everyone. - No school, UM MSU or WMU offer that and being an individual who would like to enter the Business and law world, a degree for which encompasses the Liberal arts would be more advantageous than a strict Business degree, english degree or poli sci. though i possibly may minor in one of those but regardless. the environment, receiving the catholic education. going to what i consider an "ivy" school - in-comparison to the fact they can rival what you can get at true ivies. All of that is the real reason for wanting to go there. I had poor high school performance - mere 3.0 but made up for it last year 3.8 cum 34 credits. - i just don't want to seem pushy and desperate.</p>
<p>Sorry i may have confused some - i applied to michigan as well -not my top choice - but it is a very good school in comparison to Notre Dame in many respects - but i am still going over my essay for ND and plan on having it in by this weekend, i know i wont hear till december, i just need the stress of getting it done over with. </p>
<p>do you think my reasoning is worth any merit. i mean idk, i applied last year - had the grades for transfer - had the legacy (grandfather on law board, mother went there, cousin, uncle, etc.) - had the ec (volunteer, sports, youth groups, etc.) - but i didnt get in. idk - you think i have a shot with a compelling essay?</p>
<p>The essay helps, but for transfer admissions the biggest things are grades and the courses you have taken. Did you ever run your courses by admissions? If not, I bet that was your problem!</p>
<p>Here is a link to my (old) website with more info on that. Transferring</a> to Notre Dame</p>
<p>i actually did. every thing was approved by the transfer coordinator (formerly susan joyce) and all was under the First year of studies program - but yeah, when i first inquired about being denied i was told it was b/c my essay was not original enough - the new transfer coordinator has told me it was b/c i received a B in a physics class and they were unsure of if i was ready - understandable and i cannot blame them for such a decision, that is their job - i explained to them that it was the first time it was taught by this prof and that i received the second highest grade in the class behind a B+ ( the kid who got that transferred to ND last winter) - i think they may have told me the other reason first in order to avoid an appeal - but i cannot be sure. so i am now attempting again to transfer.I know i will be able to do as well if not better then last year i am just hoping i have all the requirements and that they will see the reason i want to go there not only b/c i do and i want the experience but the program i want is very unique to ND. so idk, just getting back to the daily grind and try again</p>
<p>I am sorry to hear that, it sounds like you have done the right things. I am hoping that you get in this time!</p>
<p>Thanks i appreciate it. Hopefully it all turns out for the best. If not now, maybe ND for law school, but it just wouldn't be the same</p>
<p>Are you serious a B in a class like Physics could keep you out for transferring? Especially if you were 2nd behind a kid who got a B+? I knew transferring into ND was VERY hard, but not that bad.</p>
<p>yeah, it was one of those.. are you kidding me moments... but i cannot be mad at the outcome - there could have been something else and maybe that B just set me lower than a kid who had all the same credentials. so can't get down b/c of that. I'm working at it again but i have some backups too. ND and U of M are my top schools - reach but then Tulane and Tennessee are my fall backs - match. so idk i'll see the most difficult decision will be if i get into ND and UM - price over experience - ND has the appeal of experience and class quality -small community etc... but UM has the price effectiveness. So kinda one of those Catch22 that you cannot figure out what to do. i hope it turns out for the best. but time will tell</p>
<p>Good luck with your transferring process.</p>