Notre Dame

[Anonymous]

Any insights on what ND is looking for these days? It’s all a mystery to me - who gets in and who doesn’t. It seems they like leaders and athletes, does that mean they only accept leaders and athletes? Will they accept a student who has had a few B’s but in the most advanced coursework? Do regular smart non-legacy kids ever get in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any insights on what ND is looking for these days? It’s all a mystery to me - who gets in and who doesn’t. It seems they like leaders and athletes, does that mean they only accept leaders and athletes? Will they accept a student who has had a few B’s but in the most advanced coursework? Do regular smart non-legacy kids ever get in?

My smart relatively regular non-legacy kid got in.
However almost all As and 1540 SAT.

[Anonymous]

I know of two sisters attending- both very bright young women (high scores and perfect grades). Both were active in high school (another state) but no real hooks as DCUM describes them. In both cases ND was not their top choice - they were rejected at places like Northwestern, Rice, MIT and others but both really enjoying ND. Family is very Catholic and attends multiple FB games each year. Also, both are/were Engineering majors.

[Anonymous]

They want people who want to go there — as their first choice. It really is not an Ivy backup of any sort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They want people who want to go there — as their first choice. It really is not an Ivy backup of any sort.

+1. This is what makes ND unique and contributes to the strong sense of school pride on campus. Like another poster said (whose comment seems to be deleted now), they want to see applicants’ love for the school through the essays.

Leadership also seems to be another favorite trait of theirs; they seem to value traditional leadership roles (student body president, team captain), but personal leadership and initiative transcends this. When we were touring with my DC this past fall, we couldn’t help but notice the way students actively went out of themselves to help us and make us feel welcome. This very much seems to be a personality trait that they look for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

+1. This is what makes ND unique and contributes to the strong sense of school pride on campus. Like another poster said (whose comment seems to be deleted now), they want to see applicants’ love for the school through the essays.

Leadership also seems to be another favorite trait of theirs; they seem to value traditional leadership roles (student body president, team captain), but personal leadership and initiative transcends this. When we were touring with my DC this past fall, we couldn’t help but notice the way students actively went out of themselves to help us and make us feel welcome. This very much seems to be a personality trait that they look for.

Additionally, from my DC’s experience with applying (and getting accepted) this most recent cycle, I think grades and test scores (high test scores are especially a bonus) are important, but also rigor of schedule and personal qualities… a perusal of ND’s Common Data Set report will confirm this.

[Anonymous]

My son has all As, high rigor, 1430 SAT, captain of swim team. Didn't get in 🤷‍♀️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has all As, high rigor, 1430 SAT, captain of swim team. Didn't get in 🤷‍♀️

1430 SAT

[Anonymous]

^^That score low for ND.

[Anonymous]

My take on their admissions is that, in addition to high GPA/SAT, is that you have to show a significant number of meaningful service hours on your application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They want people who want to go there — as their first choice. It really is not an Ivy backup of any sort.

Agree. Cult like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has all As, high rigor, 1430 SAT, captain of swim team. Didn't get in 🤷‍♀️

Other activities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son has all As, high rigor, 1430 SAT, captain of swim team. Didn't get in 🤷‍♀️

1430 SAT

SAT is way too low

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has all As, high rigor, 1430 SAT, captain of swim team. Didn't get in 🤷‍♀️

1430 never had a shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son has all As, high rigor, 1430 SAT, captain of swim team. Didn't get in 🤷‍♀️

1430 never had a shot.

PP got horrible advice from their college counselor if they were told to submit a 1430 to Notre Dame.