Notre Dame from non-Catholic/ non-feeder school: TO? other advice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reminder, half the enrolled class is below the 50th percentile. Not submitting below the 50th percentile is outdated advice by multiple years. Submit if anywhere near the 25th. The 25th percentile is 1470 for class of 2028, so I'd submit low 1430+.

58% submitted scores in the class of 2028.

Well, yes, but OP’s kid is probably not in the classes of students that the bottom 50th percentile and certainly the bottom 25th percent caters to: UR, first generation, athletes, legacies, sponsored Catholics, diverse geographical points and so on.

you have no idea about the OP's kid.

The PP seems to be surmising that the OP's doesn't have a hook. If the did, it would have been mentioned. It's true that without other hooks, the lack of a test score would be a hinderance.

[Anonymous]

ND is 80-82% Catholic, which makes me think “why would a non-Catholic want to attend there when there are 3,000+ institutions of higher learning in the U.S.?” But, after reading this story in The Observer, I would never send a non-Catholic there. https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2024/04/a-transfer-students-thoughts-on-notre-dame-students

[Anonymous]

My kid who LOVES ND has been told you are twice as likely to get in with a test score than without.

It is an amazing place. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ND is 80-82% Catholic, which makes me think “why would a non-Catholic want to attend there when there are 3,000+ institutions of higher learning in the U.S.?” But, after reading this story in The Observer, I would never send a non-Catholic there. https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2024/04/a-transfer-students-thoughts-on-notre-dame-students

Sure, a single story from an unhappy transfer (who, quite frankly, sounds immature a slightly unhinged) should definitely weigh more than all OP’s other research. . . .

I read the OP’s kid is coming form a non-Catholic school rather than the kid is non-Catholic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ND is 80-82% Catholic, which makes me think “why would a non-Catholic want to attend there when there are 3,000+ institutions of higher learning in the U.S.?” But, after reading this story in The Observer, I would never send a non-Catholic there. https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2024/04/a-transfer-students-thoughts-on-notre-dame-students

Sure, a single story from an unhappy transfer (who, quite frankly, sounds immature a slightly unhinged) should definitely weigh more than all OP’s other research. . . .

I read the OP’s kid is coming form a non-Catholic school rather than the kid is non-Catholic.

I didn’t even understand the article. But whatever. The kid was a transfer, meaning he wasn’t happy at his last school either. Clearly he’s the problem.

[Anonymous]

ND is a fantastic school but South Bend has long winters. Might look at Holy Cross in Massachusetts, similar vibe as ND but easier to get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ND is 80-82% Catholic, which makes me think “why would a non-Catholic want to attend there when there are 3,000+ institutions of higher learning in the U.S.?” But, after reading this story in The Observer, I would never send a non-Catholic there. https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2024/04/a-transfer-students-thoughts-on-notre-dame-students

Sure, a single story from an unhappy transfer (who, quite frankly, sounds immature a slightly unhinged) should definitely weigh more than all OP’s other research. . . .

I read the OP’s kid is coming form a non-Catholic school rather than the kid is non-Catholic.

I didn’t even understand the article. But whatever. The kid was a transfer, meaning he wasn’t happy at his last school either. Clearly he’s the problem.

Same! What was he trying to say? It was such a garbled piece, I didn't understand the point. Sounds like he felt let down by some "two-faced" friends? My (non-Catholic) son also really liked Notre Dame. The 80% Catholic community *does* give him pause but he really liked the kids he met there and academics are top tier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ND is a fantastic school but South Bend has long winters. Might look at Holy Cross in Massachusetts, similar vibe as ND but easier to get into.

Not sure about the logic here. Massachusetts has harsher winters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Hi -- DC's first choice is ND but scores are below the 50%. Submit?

Any other advice? We've been advised to emphasize service.

I would submit scores if they are at or above the 25%ile. Scores are currently inflated for TO schools so the 50%ile guidance is not that helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ND is 80-82% Catholic, which makes me think “why would a non-Catholic want to attend there when there are 3,000+ institutions of higher learning in the U.S.?” But, after reading this story in The Observer, I would never send a non-Catholic there. https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2024/04/a-transfer-students-thoughts-on-notre-dame-students

Sure, a single story from an unhappy transfer (who, quite frankly, sounds immature a slightly unhinged) should definitely weigh more than all OP’s other research. . . .

I read the OP’s kid is coming form a non-Catholic school rather than the kid is non-Catholic.

I didn’t even understand the article. But whatever. The kid was a transfer, meaning he wasn’t happy at his last school either. Clearly he’s the problem.

Same! What was he trying to say? It was such a garbled piece, I didn't understand the point. Sounds like he felt let down by some "two-faced" friends? My (non-Catholic) son also really liked Notre Dame. The 80% Catholic community *does* give him pause but he really liked the kids he met there and academics are top tier.

What I took from the article is that he met people who were imperfect in life (like almost everyone) who then did good things like went to Mass, worked in campus ministry, and did service work. So basically these were sinners who were repenting. The kid was clearly not a good fit for the school because he doesn't understand basic Christian values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ND is 80-82% Catholic, which makes me think “why would a non-Catholic want to attend there when there are 3,000+ institutions of higher learning in the U.S.?” But, after reading this story in The Observer, I would never send a non-Catholic there. https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2024/04/a-transfer-students-thoughts-on-notre-dame-students

Nice job google...you found an article that helped justify this PPs opinion of ND. Google is amazing.

[Anonymous]

^Holy Cross is easier for admission-good back up for ND:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^Holy Cross is easier for admission-good back up for ND:

ND is a mid-sized T20 university. Holy Cross is small and doesn't have real football (despite what Patriot League enthusiasts say).

If "Catholic" is a really high criteria on your list, than most kids go Notre Dame > Georgetown > Boston College > Villanova/ Holy Cross/ Fordham.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why ND if not Catholic? You'll be an oddity. More than 80% of the student body is Catholic.

Maybe they are having a calling to faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why ND if not Catholic? You'll be an oddity. More than 80% of the student body is Catholic.

2/3 of the US population identifies as Christian. If the OP’s kid is Christian it’s fine. In fact, it wouldn’t even matter if OP’s kid were a practicing Muslim. To “fit in” at Notre Dame, you have to be comfortable being around religion. I wouldn’t recommend it to an atheist but other than that you’re good.

Notre Same is very Catholic.

A non catholic, secular school like Georgetown with small remaining vestiges of their catholic history from the last century might fit better in this case.