What are my chances of being accepted for Restrictive Early Action at Notre Dame?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

Thank you for letting me know whether or not I have a chance of getting in for REA!

ACT: 34 Composite (32 English, 35 Math, 33 Reading, 35 Science)

Unweighted GPA: 3.991

Weighted GPA: 4.163 (only AP classes are weighted at my school)

Rank: Top 5% of 450 students

AP Classes: Human Geography (5), US History (5), Calculus AB (5), English Lang & Composition (5), English Lit & Composition (4)

Senior Courses: AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Psychology, AP Physics 1, AP US Government & Politics, Psychology Through Literature, Honors Writing Portfolio, Spanish V, Gym

Awards: National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, Yale Book Award, Silver Award in Mathematical Sciences for the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards in Chicago, Twice state finalist in the Youth Creative Patriotic Art Contest

Academic Activities: National Honor Society (President), Quiz Bowl (2 year team captain, led the team to compete in the 2016 National Tournament), Science Olympiad (Medalist in the Anatomy & Physiology, Invasive Species, and Green Generation events), Economics Team (Metro Champions and 2nd in Upper Midwest Regionals for JA Titan Challenge, 3rd in State for Econ Challenge in the Ricardo Division, 3rd in State for Personal Finance Decathlon, H&R Block Budget Challenge Student Ambassador)

Artistic Activities: Jazz Band (lead trombone in my school’s top ensemble, three years), Speech Team (Varsity member in the poetry category, one year), Art Club (one year)

Athletic Activities: Bowling (varsity member for two years), Tennis Team (four years), Cross Country (two years)

Service Activities: National Honor Society (President), Salvation Army Harbor Light Center (I have been a weekly volunteer for the past 6 years in the kitchen where I serve breakfast to those in the Drug Rehabilitation and Emergency Housing programs, 500+ hours), Animal Humane Society (I was a part of their teen summer volunteer program and I worked with cat adoption, 90 hours), Johanna Shores Senior Living (I am a one on one volunteer in the Memory Care Unit, I also created a pen pal system to connect seniors with local fourth grade students, 100+ hours), Shoreview Human Rights Commission (I am student commissioner)

Essays: Personal Statement (Very original and very much me, 9/10), Short Essays (I wrote about my family and Civil Rights, 7/10)

Recommendations: Counselor (8/10, flattering but not very personal), Teacher 1 (my APUSH teacher really liked me but I didn’t see the letter, 8/10), Teacher 2 (my art teacher said she wrote a “dandy” letter, very personal, 10/10)

State: MN
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: Male
Religion: Roman Catholic
Legacy: My brother and sister-in-law are both ND graduates

I have also contacted the admissions officer involved with Hispanic recruitment to let her know that Notre Dame is my top choice.

2

I would be very surprised if you didn’t get in.

ACT is in the middle 50%
Excellent Academic Peformance
Rigorous Academic Schedule
Volunteering weekly at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center for 6 years - WOW
URM
Sibling went to ND - technically no benefit, but I think this is still viewed favorably, especially if you’ve stated ND is your first choice. Admissions will feel comfortable that “you get” what ND is about.

Just make sure your essays are compelling.

Obviously my vote doesn’t count, but I think your resume screams a “Notre Dame Kid”. Good luck to you.

3

Thank you GraceDad! I have already submitted my application, so there is no going back now.

4

I agree with @GraceDad , I think you have an excellent chance of being accepted REA! Good luck, and GO IRISH!!!

5

I think you have a good shot however REA at ND is ultra-selective. My daughter was #1 in her class for 3 straight years (and the fourth) at the time of application. She had SAT scores of 2260 (ACT 34), co enrolled at HS and college as a Philadelphia Diocesan Scholar, President of the NHS, Editor of the school paper, headed Ministry and Service and ran track and CC. She was not accepted REA. She was crushed but stuck with it and kept in touch with her admissions counselor. She was admitted RD and is a freshman now. She loves it there. The point is do not give up if REA does not come through, stick with it. I am sure you would fair very well in RD.

6

Just read your note to me and then this post. I honestly think you have an excellent shot at REA. I would be VERY surprised if you weren’t admitted. That said, like all the others, ND is crazy and lots of great kids get deferred/rejected. SO hard to know! I really can’t imagine that you won’t get that big envelope in mid-December! You are communicating with them? You have let them know that ND is your top choice? Best of luck! I have a very good feeling…! Go Irish!

7

@Dadof4greatkids just curious your daughter that wasn’t accepted REA but got in RD (congrats by the way), did she take the ACT and get a 34 and submit it or did she just send the 2260 SAT? And, most importantly, what was the 2260 breakdown? I know they don’t look at writing…what was her SAT out of 1600 (the old SAT, I know). Thanks!

8

So excited right now! I was accepted to Notre Dame tonight!

9

@kindacool Congratulations! Of all the “Chance Me” threads, I found your resume the most memorable, primarily because of your EC’s, specifically your commitment to volunteering. You will be a wonderful representative of Notre Dame.

10

Thank you so much! I am thrilled!