<p>I come from a very small high school in Wisconsin (only 125 in the entire high school).</p>
<p>Our school offers zero AP classes and has zero clubs (well...except pep club, but I'm NOT joining that). I exhausted our curriculum in both science and math after my junior year, so I'm taking indepedent calc and chem this year, both for no credit or grade.</p>
<p>*4.0 GPA (UW)
*5 credits of math (algebra 1, algebra 2, advanced math, geometry, calculus)
*5 credits of science (biology, chemisty, physics, anatomy and physiology, advanced biology)
*4 years of Spanish
*4 years of band (marching, concert, pep, etc...first chair clarinet for all four years...went to state solo/ensemble my soph. and junior years and most likely this year)
*4 years of varsity cross country (P.R. of 18:59...captain this year...our team went to state)
*3 years of varsity basketball (starting center...averaged about 10 PPG last year...captain)
*3 years of varsity baseball -counting this year- (3 year starting pitcher...2 year ace...around a 1.25 ERA last year...captain last year)
*3 years of NHS
*Went on Spanish trip to Mexico two years ago and going to Costa Rica next summer</p>
<p>baseball, basketball and XC? unusual combo man. You keep working on that PR and you could be a nice pick up for an interhall team, plus you are used to the cold weather unlike us SoCal boys who seem to whither in the big races.</p>
<p>That being said, I know people who have very similar profiles (small midwestern schools with little or no opportunity for APs or extracurriculars but super bright) and are at Notre Dame right this very moment. Having that fire inside and doing what you can with what's around you is the important thing. I see that in your academic achievement. I assume that you want to go into science or engineering and those are tough, I'm going to be honest it's hard to tell if a kid whose never taken an AP is prepared for those, but I think you'll be fine if you have that same drive as you do now. As always, write the best essay of your life and make sure that your recommender knows everything about you and your accomplishments. I'm not a bookie, I don't do odds, but you're probably in the 2-1 range, either/or. It's hard to say what the applicant pool will be this year. We haven't seen the Early Action numbers yet but if trends are an indication they will be up and Regular Decision might be more of a crap shoot, which can help or hurt. Just take your shots man and good things will happen, even if it isn't at the Dome.</p>
<p>I would say you're a good candidate...the GPA is great and the ACT puts you a bit above average. There are a lot of other intangibles that go into the decision making but I think you should be okay...good luck!</p>
<p>I just finished my essay for ND. I chose the first subject about being different than my peers. Does anyone want to read it and give me some input?</p>
<p>I think you've got a good shot. Your background doesn't look that far off from mine. I went to a small school in Minnesota (26 in my graduating class). We didn't have AP's or many organizations available either. I had a slightly higher ACT but I didn't have the athletic involvement you do and I was accepted EA last year.</p>
<p>As far as actually adjusting to the academics here, it can be tough but honestly it isn't that big of a deal if you haven't had APs. I'm finishing my first semester as a chem major intent and while I more of the material we've covered is new to me than to many of the other students, I've done fine. Probably the biggest disadvantage is having a very full schedule the first couple semesters if you don't test out of a few classes like calc and physics.</p>
<p>I could definitely read your essay and make a few comments if you want to send it to me. Hope all this helps answer your questions.</p>