My daughter was just offered a spot in the Notre Dame Gateway Program and I was hoping to start a discussion with others who were also accepted into this program as well as anyone who is currently in it or has been in it.
We are planning on attending the June 5 visit day.
My daughter also was just offered a spot in the Gateway Program so I am very interested in this discussion. So far, she has not shown as much interest as I would have expected mainly because she has been trying to embrace her second choice school. She has signed up for orientation, chosen a roommate… She is not thrilled at the prospect of starting over if it is not to get into Notre Dame directly.
Great Topic - My daughter was also just offered a spot in the Gateway Program. We are planning to attend the June 2nd visit day. Her reaction has been mixed. ND is definitely her 1st choice by a wide margin but she has some apprehension about not being directly admitted. She has decided to visit again and hear about the program, talk to other students who have gone thru Gateway already, and visit Holy Cross campus before she makes a final decision. In her case, she was considering a strategy of year 1 at second choice school then transfer to ND , so as an alternative to that approach the Gateway program may make sense for her.
I am really disappointed as it looks like we may not be able to attend the visit days. We hope to visit on our own though later that week.
My daughter is in the exact situation as both of your daughters and is feeling extremely stressed about it all. She is ready to commit as she knows ND is what she wants and that it is worth it. However she is extremely concerned about the worst case scenario of something going wrong . Would if something goes wrong and she gets a B- or a 3.4.? She is enrolled in a college she is. very excited about and choosing her classes today.
Does anyone know past Gateway class sizes and if any didn’t make it?
I do know that it is much more difficult and uncertain to transfer in to ND and housing is not guaranteed. I believe Gateway kids are guaranteed housing and at ND the dorms are very relevant. Once assigned a dorm the majority of the kids stay in that dorm for all four years and are closest with the kids on their floors/ wings doing interhall sports together etc. I think that is one of the many advantages of the Gateway Program.
My daughter was offered the Gateway program at the time RD decisions came out in March. Denied regular admissions but offered Gateway. We looked into it and I asked a lot of questions. Specifically – do they have issues with students not making requirements to transfer, are the Gateway students really getting full experience Freshman year , problems getting dorms 2nd year etc. If you look at old CC posts there are some on Gateway also. I also asked Admission C - why Gateway vs direct admissions etc as he told me on the phone Gateway was offered to students they knew would be successful and offer a lot to the ND community. In the case of my Daughter ACT was slightly lower (32 so not really “low”) so I think it became part of a numbers game in her case and reporting class stats etc. Regardless, If ND is your top choice – I found the program to be an awesome way to be part of the ND community day 1 , guarantee transfer sophomore year and still have the ND experience, ND classes and ND community starting as a first semester freshman. If you transfer from another school-- they are no guarantees you will get accepted then and you would literally be starting all over. If ND is not your top choice – maybe not the right decision but for those who really felt Notre Dame was their top choice-- check it out. The group is limited I think to around 60 ish students and at the Spring visit days current students spoke about their experiences etc. Your student will still be taking some of their classes at Notre Dame and they have full access to Notre Dame. From what I have found in speaking to others about the program is that the Gateway students are also very close friendship by the end of the year when they transfer. If you have not spoken to your Admissions C about it – you might want to – I will say after that conversation and some of the research I did on my own — I thought it was a great option. It stung a little for my daughter getting that offer vs the direct admit but I will say the program is designed for the student to be successful and transfer to ND. I don’t see the University recommending students for it if they feel they would not make the requirements in the end. If you can’t do the official visit / tour – I would ask if there are current students you can connect with when you do visit or over the phone… I really do think that may help you in your decision making process.
Looking at last year’s discussion, the feeling was 90%+ end up at ND for sophomore year. Gateway students will be at the top academically in HC classes, and ND has a vested interest in making the path relatively stress-free for them.
Talk to students who have gone through the Gateway Program. I know one quite well. He nearly went to his 2nd choice school because that school wanted him and ND did not. And he was intimidated by the risk of entering the Gateway program not getting into ND. Ultimately, he made his choice to go to Holy Cross for the Gateway program. His dream was to be a ND grad and the best way to achieve that dream was via the Gateway path. He worked hard. He was successful in his freshman classes. He was admitted to ND and after his sophomore year, he loves ND. He could not be happier in college. He regards the Gateway path as part of his ND story but not the defining element. As far as I know, all ND extracurricular activities are available to Gateway students. That said, his room mate during the Gateway year did not have the same focus on his academics and did not get accepted to ND. That result was not a surprise to the room mate or his friends.
ItsMe99 ,
Thank you for all of that information. Has your daughter committed to the program? If so has she received any information from the program, heard from anyone else that has committed?
WestCoastCali17,
Thank you so much do your reply. Do you think that your friend would be willing to talk on the phone and tell my daughter about his experience in the program? We are unable to attend the scheduled visit days and the decision date is approaching.
Hello, everybody!
My name is Andrew Jarocki. I am a current Gateway student–I just finished my freshman year! I’ll be a sophmore at Notre Dame next year.
I am deeply passionate and grateful for the Gateway Program. Because of Gateway, I have met the most incredible people–other Gateways, but also my friends at Holy Cross and at Notre Dame!
I would love to answer any questions you might have about the Gateway Program. Respond to this comment.
Feel free to email questions to me! ajarock1@nd.edu
Otherwise, if I could tell you just one thing about the Gateway program: have no fear! If you are a flexible and hard working student who is ready to make the most of your first year, Gateway will give you an unforgettable experience. Yes, you will end up under the Golden Dome of ND. But you will also come to find a family. Your Gateway family. And they will share an incredible experience with you.
My daughter committed to Gateway this afternoon. She is very excited and thankful for this opportunity and feels at piece that it is what she is meant to do.
My daughter committed as well. Still going to visit on June 2 but she is really excited , a little apprehensive and ready to get started
Gateway program groupme
You’re invited to my new group ‘ND-HC Gateway’ on GroupMe. Click here to join: https://app.■■■■■■■■■■■/join_group/31424742/xEncOt
Has anyone received their financial aid from Holy Cross for the Gateway Program? We completed the FAFSA last week and are just wondering when to expect to hear back. We are also wondering what kind of aid to expect.
My Son is deciding between ND Gateway and the scholars program at Ohio State Fisher College of business. ND is his dream and he wants to study business there. Does anyone know the likelihood to be accepted in the Mendoza school of business going through the Gateway program?
What were the average stats (GPA, Test Scores) of accepted Gateway students?