*UPDATED* Low SAT score--Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

I made a new thread because my SAT score jumped up 90 points and into the mid 50% of last years students, so I wanted some new thoughts. Also, if you could mention whether you think EA or RD is better for me, I would appreciate it, because I’m torn right now.

I plan on applying to Mendoza, but I think I would accept a major in Economics as well. I’ve become obsessed, but I’m very worried about my SAT score. This is where I currently stand:

I have a 1440/1600 (800 Math, 640 Reading), or a 2110/2400 (670 Writing)
Got a 710 on SAT II Math 2

My AP’s include AP Psych (5), AP/BC Calc (5/5), AP Language (4), and APUSH (3-Not self-reporting that). These scores earned me the AP Scholar with Honor
GPA is 4.0/4.0, 4.6545/5.0, Top 10% of my class. Public School. First Honors for 9 terms, Second Honors for 3 terms
Took 4 years of Spanish (Spanish 4 completed in Sophomore year)
Senior Workload includes Calculus 3, AP Physics, AP Stat, Stat, Sociology, and AP Literature
I’ve played baseball for 3 years, including Varsity (obviously) and recreational basketball for 4 years.
I’ve created a youth group at my church designed to keep seniors/college students involved in their religious lives
I’ve been a peer minister for 2 years (rec letter from my youth minister is pretty amazing)
I usher at my church’s youth masses
I’ve been a leader in FCA for 3 years
Currently in NHS, MHS, and Spanish Honors Society (Treasurer there)
Student Ambassador for 1 year, invited to be part of Welcoming Committee there as well
Tutor for 2 years, requested by teachers to join a special program at my school for tutoring. I tutor Spanish and math
No hooks (legacy, first gen, etc)
Common App Essay will be about how I found God through disease (Chronic IBD)
Lots of Service Hours. Can’t keep track of religious hours officially through my school (they don’t allow religious activities), but that should show on my common app activities section.

Any reviews would be greatly appreciated. Be as harsh as you want, as it can only help me. Also, if you have an suggestions on how to improve my chances, please let me know. Thanks, and God Bless!

2

I don’t want to discourage you since it is your decision, but I’ve heard that Notre Dame puts a lot of emphasis on test scores (which I hate) especially during REA. I also have heard that they look more at statistics during REA rather than ECs, and since you have strong ECs I feel like they would be more appreciated during RD. The only thing I would worry about is the fact that you have lower (not low by any means) scores and no hooks, since ND loves legacy candidates. If you have very strong essays, you might feel comfortable doing REA but it’s up to you!

3

@originalposter1 No discouragement at all, this is exactly the type of information I was hoping to get. I’m leaning RD myself, but my application won’t be getting any stronger (probably), and I think we all know how ND says “apply when your app is strongest”, which made me pose this question.

I agree with you as well, that having no hooks sucks (Thanks Mom and Dad! :P), and that my EC’s and class rigor will have to carry the weight of my app. Thanks for the info!

4

Little update:
My rep advised me to wait until RD solely based on my SAT, so I think that’s what I’ll do. Any thoughts on my application as a whole now, now that I’m within the mid 50%, are welcome of course.

5

Just curious, what state are you in? My rep would not give me an answer about which one to apply early.

6

@originalposter1 Maryland. When I asked for a recommendation, I made sure to point out that I knew that they say applicants with high test scores should apply, but that they also say apply when your app is best. I also made sure to specifically say I wanted her opinion on what I should do.

7

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I had a question and didn’t want to make another thread. I realized a few minutes ago that I forgot to mention that I was a camp counselor at my baseball’s summer camp for the past 3 years, and I was wondering if you guys thought it would be worth it to try to contact an admissions officer and get that added to my application. The camp runs 4 days per summer, and I do roughly 16-20 hours of service per camp. I’ve already submitted to ND, so I can’t change anything on the Common App anymore. My 10 EC’s on the Common App were the following, just for comparison:

Co-Founder of Religious Group
Peer minister for Confirmation class (Member of core planning team and head usher at youth mass)
FCA Leader
Student Ambassador (Member of Welcoming team)
Tutor for 2 hours/week
Cashier at grocery store
Spanish Honor Society Treasurer
Varsity/JV Baseball
Recreational Basketball
Member of Academic team

8

You stand a perfectly fine chance of being admitted to the University of Notre Dame. I constantly remind students that when I applied my scores were totally average, and much lower than yours. So don’t worry about that piece. Just make sure your application essays are creative and thoughtful. That’s all ANY applicant can really do. I have faith that things will work out in your favor.

Best of luck,
Nicholas

9

I would definitely contact them and have it added. It shows your commitment to attending ND, and might be the thing that tips you in the committee’s favor - you never know.

As for your SAT score, I wouldn’t worry, as long as you’re applying to a math based major. You demonstrated that you’re great at math, and if you’re in a math-y major, I think that they would overlook your low Reading score because of you perfect math score, which doesn’t happen often.
Everything else on your application looks great. I think your chances are about 3 in 4 for getting in.

Would you mind chancing my thread, as well? Go Irish!
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-notre-dame/1830620-notre-dame-chances-ill-chance-you-back-for-sure.html#latest

10

@wneely16 Thanks for the reply! As an update, I did get the position added to my application, so hopefully it all works out :slight_smile:

I’ve actually already chanced you already, but I definitely would have if I didn’t already do it!

11

Awesome! Sorry about that. Best of luck in getting into ND