Thanks @hpcsa & @hm0527, very helpful. I think my daughter more interested in A&L or COS but one never knows. I will fill the board in after visit and would appreciate same #hm0527. It is nice to see such a high success rate. I suspect the Gateway kids are very motivated and have a clear goal in mind for freshman year, not always the case for freshmen!
Hi guys, I’m a current student at Holy Cross (Non-Gateway), but trying to transfer after this year.
From the Gateways I know from this year, almost everyone in the program (besides about one person) will be across the street next year. Just thought I would help those considering the program. It’s a great opportunity if ND is their dream school.
Go Irish!
@clinirish Good Luck!!! I hope everything works out for you!
Hi @clinirish I would be curious to hear what you thought of your first year. After all, the gateways do spend a year at HCC! Did you take classes with Gateways and if so,what did you think of rigor? How large were the classes and profs?
How is quality of dining hall/dorms? Do Gateways mingle well with other HCC students or more separate? And most importantly, how was trek to ND campus in January? Thanks and best of luck to you.
@TrifectaRents Yeah, I would be happy to answer your questions.
Almost all of my classes are with Gateways, as that’s what ND told me to take. In regards to rigor, it just depends on the class. Most classes haven’t been too bad, but some classes, such as some science and math have been tough. The class sizes are pretty small, as the school itself isn’t very large, and my professors have been great. Since the school is so small, the professors have more than enough time to meet with everyone.
The dining hall uses ND food service, so the food we get is the same as North/South Dining Hall, just in smaller quantity. Some dorms are older and haven’t been renovated in a while, but some of the dorms are newer and have modern commodities such as A/C. I would say its somewhat similar to ND’s dorm situation, where certain dorms are older and others are newer.
Most Gateways are very nice, and I have made friends with many of them. However, the group tends to stick together in regards to friend groups and other things. I personally don’t view this as a negative aspect, because after all, most of them will be at ND the next year, not HCC. And lastly, the hike to ND, for me, is not too bad. I never really walked over during the middle of winter besides getting food or praying at the Grotto, but as long as you layer and bundle up its not too bad. Plus, the walk in the winter is especially beautiful. Besides the winter, the walk is easily doable. If your son/daughter would use a bike, that could also be useful. I brought a small skateboard, and it was pretty helpful when I decided to head to ND when it wasn’t snowing.
My connection to ND is very deep (fourth generation), so I love getting to talk to others about ND. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.
Go Irish!
@clinirish, thanks for info, very helpful. By small, I assume you mean class size is about 15-18 students? What is interesting to me is that HCC is about 500 students, or about 125/year. If 75 are Gateways, then about 100 non Gateway freshmen, or roughly 50/50? Then 100 sophs, jrs, srs? I did not think about the aspect of liberal arts professors, so they are not as focused on research, so can spend more time with students. Nice thing with Gateway is that it is a bit of bonding experience so hopefully the group is friendly and inclusive. Wish you the best in getting into ND, especially with your deep connection.
@TrifectaRents Yes, most of my classes have been around that size you mentioned or a little smaller. The biggest class I’ve had was maybe 25 kids, but nothing more than that. As for the student population, I don’t really have an idea of how big each class size is. I think your guess of around 100 students a grade is probably pretty close, give or take a few kids.
Go Irish!
Hello prospective gateways…my son deferred EA then was accepted into GW regular decision. We are attending 4/15 and look forward to asking questions regarding pre med required classes at HCC. @hpcsa you have been extremely helpful on here regarding lots of info. I’d love to chat with other GW parents! Right now S is leaning toward accepting GW but it’s not official yet.
@ProudToBeND Congratulations to your son and you! Having been deferred REA and then accepted into Gateway RD must have been quite a journey. Glad your son will be able to attend the last Gateway Day on 04/15!. Gateway → ND → Pre-Med → Med School is very doable for a committed and hard working student, no doubt. What are his other college options for Fall 2019?
@hpcsa thank you so much! He is over the moon actually but just worried a tiny bit that he won’t feel like a full Notre Dame student. The only school left in the running is Boston College which we are visiting right before we get to South Bend. My husband and I will respect whatever decision he makes but we pretty much know that he will decide ND. This is what he has wanted for so long. It may not be happening exactly the way he thought it would be happening but ND captured his heart from the moment he stepped on campus.
@ProudToBeND Excellent! Both, Gateway ND and Boston College, are first class choices and your son will undoubtedly do very well at any one of these two Catholic universities. It is a comfortable position to be in at this stage of the process and your son will be able to take an educated decision based on personal fit, financial and other considerations. Enjoy both visits!
@ProudToBeND our daughter accepted her spot and we are all so excited!! I honestly believe adminstration sees something in the kids who get offered a spot and believe they are Notre Dame through and through. I wish you and your S all the best. On another note, @hpcsa any suggestions on where to watch the game tomorrow night? We are staying at Morris Inn and could watch at Rohr’s but we were thinking of going somewhere else. Go Irish 
@HM0527 Large screen at Duncan Student Center - you surely will enjoy the atmosphere!
http://www.workshoparchitects.com/news/2018/1/18/duncan-grand-opening
Enjoy your visit!
Hoping the 4/15 isn’t the last Gateway Day since we are heading out on 4/23. We are really excited and think this is a great way for our child to get to ND. Anyone else attending the 4/23 day?
@HMO527 I do agree with you about kids who get accepted GW. And I also believe that the group of gateway kids truly form a special bond on their journey to ND. They will appreciate their experience at a deeper level.
@ProudToBeND we are on our way down there now. D staying the night with a 6.0 cohort tonight and touring tomorrow! I will post about our experience but I expect it to be wonderful!!! I hope your S chooses to be Irish but BC is a phenomenal school too!!!
@Fin2019 sorry for the late reply! This year, I believe all 76 Gateway students are projected to transfer. There is a great amount of academic support and everyone wants you to succeed! If you would like to talk more please PM me and I’d be happy to get in touch!
We will be attending 4/15 Gateway day and will report back.
@shea16, it is a little surprising all 76 moving on to ND? Happy that is the case though. ND has changed its core requirements and I believe Class of 2023 will be the first one under the new policy, so we definitely want to understand that. Does anyone have insight into what are the most popular classes at HCC for first year Gateways? I have my guesses, but that is all they are. Thanks.
@TrifectaRents Thought I could help with your question. Gateways have a list of specific classes to pick from at HC, and I don’t remember of any specific classes being super popular. However, certain professors are sought after by everyone in specific subjects (including regular HCC students, like myself), so those professor specific classes will fill up rather quickly.
I hope you guys enjoy your visit next week. Go Irish!
Hello everyone, Our visit was a complete success!!! Amazing kids, staff and pride that they all have in one another. There’s so much that can be said but there are two things I’d like to share.
If in anyway you or you child is on the fence GO VISIT!!! I promise they chose these children for a reason and once you’re there you will see why. Also, I learned the program has become a legacy program of some sorts. A 6.0 cohort who we interacted with has a sister who was a 4.0. There are also two other 6.0’s with past sibling cohorts. Idk why that touched me but it did. The young lady said when she received her invitation she accepted with no hesitation after seeing her sisters amazing experience.
Anyhow, I’d be happy to try and answer any questions and if I’m not able to I think I know someone who might @hpcsa