Anonymous
09/11/2025 18:17
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame has a 9 percent admissions rate. And a 64 percent yield rate, which is extraordinary. It is not a cakewalk for anyone. And the students that do apply really want to go there. It's no one's back-up. But it is a unique school - history, Catholicism, location, football. No one randomly shotguns an app to Notre Dame. It's a school that really values service and community. High stats alone are not enough for Notre Dame.
When it comes to the "easiest" admissions to the most selective private universities, you have to look at ED and recent history. If applying ED, WashU and Chicago like the private school students that apply early. And I'd add Columbia right now because a lot of smart students are choosing other options today. I'm sure Columbia will come back in the future, but at this moment in time it is the easiest Ivy when it comes to admissions.
Huh? Acceptance rate 4% says otherwise.
What happens at our school is that they are getting Indian kids now. With more Indian kids on campus, it might be hopeful for the school to turn around in the future.
Good luck with that.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 18:16
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame
WashU
Emory
Georgetown
CMU
Tufts
BC
NYU (non-Stern)
For all - non Business /non-eng
Not ND unless you're Catholic and apply REA. My daughter really wanted to go there and was waitlisted RD with a 3.9 from a top private. She was accepted to several Ivies and other top20s. In retrospect we misplayed this as the only kids who have gotten in over from her school over the last 4 years were baptized Catholics who applied early. I'm sure it varies by high school but this was our experience.
ND is only 80% Catholic, so some non-Catholic students are getting in. ND says they don't track demonstrated interest, but those non-Catholic students must show somehow that they are serious about ND. The yield rate is crazy high for a school without ED (that isn't Harvard or MIT).
The 20% percent non-Catholics are likely athletes.
That should be illegal for a school to be 80% 1 religion.
Are you for real? It is a private Jesuit college.
A Catholic university is an institution of higher education founded and operated by the Catholic Church or one of its religious orders, which integrates Catholic faith and intellectual tradition into its curriculum and campus life while maintaining academic freedom and excellence. These universities aim to unify the search for truth with a foundation in the Catholic faith, offering a holistic education that develops students intellectually, ethically, and spiritually.
20% is just the right amount.
I always love the people who normally bash Catholics but want to send their kids to Catholic school since they offer fantastic education, particularly the Jesuits.
Notre Dame is not Jesuit.
But it’s Catholic so yes they rightly prioritize Catholics. They are private.
DP - we are not Catholic but my kid is interested in Notre Dame. How do they prioritize Catholics? Do they ask applicants to disclose whether they have been baptized? Whether they are members of a church? In other words, how do they know whether or not my suburban public school, Asian American kid is or is not Catholic?
Just say that you are catholic. No one is going to know.
Way to sabotage a stranger, PP. You are a jerk.
Obviously, do not lie and say you are Catholic when applying to ND (or any faith-based school). ND is 1/5 non-Catholic. My sense is that they want students who are comfortable with/ respectful of a religious worldview, even if they don't practice regularly (lots of ND students do not attend mass). A sincere Muslim or Mainline Protestant would be more welcome than a fake Catholic.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 18:13
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame
WashU
Emory
Georgetown
CMU
Tufts
BC
NYU (non-Stern)
For all - non Business /non-eng
Georgetown & ND are TOUGH to get into.
Theyre easier than CMU, Emory and WashU.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 18:12
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame has a 9 percent admissions rate. And a 64 percent yield rate, which is extraordinary. It is not a cakewalk for anyone. And the students that do apply really want to go there. It's no one's back-up. But it is a unique school - history, Catholicism, location, football. No one randomly shotguns an app to Notre Dame. It's a school that really values service and community. High stats alone are not enough for Notre Dame.
When it comes to the "easiest" admissions to the most selective private universities, you have to look at ED and recent history. If applying ED, WashU and Chicago like the private school students that apply early. And I'd add Columbia right now because a lot of smart students are choosing other options today. I'm sure Columbia will come back in the future, but at this moment in time it is the easiest Ivy when it comes to admissions.
Huh? Acceptance rate 4% says otherwise.
What happens at our school is that they are getting Indian kids now. With more Indian kids on campus, it might be hopeful for the school to turn around in the future.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 18:07
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame has a 9 percent admissions rate. And a 64 percent yield rate, which is extraordinary. It is not a cakewalk for anyone. And the students that do apply really want to go there. It's no one's back-up. But it is a unique school - history, Catholicism, location, football. No one randomly shotguns an app to Notre Dame. It's a school that really values service and community. High stats alone are not enough for Notre Dame.
When it comes to the "easiest" admissions to the most selective private universities, you have to look at ED and recent history. If applying ED, WashU and Chicago like the private school students that apply early. And I'd add Columbia right now because a lot of smart students are choosing other options today. I'm sure Columbia will come back in the future, but at this moment in time it is the easiest Ivy when it comes to admissions.
agree with this, from what we saw this past cycle.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 18:07
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame
WashU
Emory
Georgetown
CMU
Tufts
BC
NYU (non-Stern)
For all - non Business /non-eng
Georgetown & ND are TOUGH to get into.
easier to get into Georgetown in RD than early from our private.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 18:06
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Notre Dame has a 9 percent admissions rate. And a 64 percent yield rate, which is extraordinary. It is not a cakewalk for anyone. And the students that do apply really want to go there. It's no one's back-up. But it is a unique school - history, Catholicism, location, football. No one randomly shotguns an app to Notre Dame. It's a school that really values service and community. High stats alone are not enough for Notre Dame.
When it comes to the "easiest" admissions to the most selective private universities, you have to look at ED and recent history. If applying ED, WashU and Chicago like the private school students that apply early. And I'd add Columbia right now because a lot of smart students are choosing other options today. I'm sure Columbia will come back in the future, but at this moment in time it is the easiest Ivy when it comes to admissions.
When it comes to the "easiest" admissions to the most selective private universities, you have to look at ED and recent history. If applying ED, WashU and Chicago like the private school students that apply early. And I'd add Columbia right now because a lot of smart students are choosing other options today. I'm sure Columbia will come back in the future, but at this moment in time it is the easiest Ivy when it comes to admissions.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 17:52
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame
WashU
Emory
Georgetown
CMU
Tufts
BC
NYU (non-Stern)
For all - non Business /non-eng
Georgetown & ND are TOUGH to get into.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 17:38
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame
WashU
Emory
Georgetown
CMU
Tufts
BC
NYU (non-Stern)
For all - non Business /non-eng
Not ND unless you're Catholic and apply REA. My daughter really wanted to go there and was waitlisted RD with a 3.9 from a top private. She was accepted to several Ivies and other top20s. In retrospect we misplayed this as the only kids who have gotten in over from her school over the last 4 years were baptized Catholics who applied early. I'm sure it varies by high school but this was our experience.
ND is only 80% Catholic, so some non-Catholic students are getting in. ND says they don't track demonstrated interest, but those non-Catholic students must show somehow that they are serious about ND. The yield rate is crazy high for a school without ED (that isn't Harvard or MIT).
The 20% percent non-Catholics are likely athletes.
That should be illegal for a school to be 80% 1 religion.
Are you for real? It is a private Jesuit college.
A Catholic university is an institution of higher education founded and operated by the Catholic Church or one of its religious orders, which integrates Catholic faith and intellectual tradition into its curriculum and campus life while maintaining academic freedom and excellence. These universities aim to unify the search for truth with a foundation in the Catholic faith, offering a holistic education that develops students intellectually, ethically, and spiritually.
20% is just the right amount.
I always love the people who normally bash Catholics but want to send their kids to Catholic school since they offer fantastic education, particularly the Jesuits.
Notre Dame is not Jesuit.
But it’s Catholic so yes they rightly prioritize Catholics. They are private.
DP - we are not Catholic but my kid is interested in Notre Dame. How do they prioritize Catholics? Do they ask applicants to disclose whether they have been baptized? Whether they are members of a church? In other words, how do they know whether or not my suburban public school, Asian American kid is or is not Catholic?
Just say that you are catholic. No one is going to know.
It will be more than just checking a box. They will be able to glean info on faith from your essays. And if they find out it is a lie, and admission will be rescinded.
Does everyone have to be a devout catholic? Can one be a catholic by family tradition? Or non-practicing? The essay doesn’t have to be about religion right?
For sure not, sorry, kids attended a Catholic high school and very few are devout. Sorry parents.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 17:36
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame
WashU
Emory
Georgetown
CMU
Tufts
BC
NYU (non-Stern)
For all - non Business /non-eng
Not ND unless you're Catholic and apply REA. My daughter really wanted to go there and was waitlisted RD with a 3.9 from a top private. She was accepted to several Ivies and other top20s. In retrospect we misplayed this as the only kids who have gotten in over from her school over the last 4 years were baptized Catholics who applied early. I'm sure it varies by high school but this was our experience.
ND is only 80% Catholic, so some non-Catholic students are getting in. ND says they don't track demonstrated interest, but those non-Catholic students must show somehow that they are serious about ND. The yield rate is crazy high for a school without ED (that isn't Harvard or MIT).
The 20% percent non-Catholics are likely athletes.
That should be illegal for a school to be 80% 1 religion.
Are you for real? It is a private Jesuit college.
A Catholic university is an institution of higher education founded and operated by the Catholic Church or one of its religious orders, which integrates Catholic faith and intellectual tradition into its curriculum and campus life while maintaining academic freedom and excellence. These universities aim to unify the search for truth with a foundation in the Catholic faith, offering a holistic education that develops students intellectually, ethically, and spiritually.
20% is just the right amount.
I always love the people who normally bash Catholics but want to send their kids to Catholic school since they offer fantastic education, particularly the Jesuits.
Notre Dame is not Jesuit.
But it’s Catholic so yes they rightly prioritize Catholics. They are private.
DP - we are not Catholic but my kid is interested in Notre Dame. How do they prioritize Catholics? Do they ask applicants to disclose whether they have been baptized? Whether they are members of a church? In other words, how do they know whether or not my suburban public school, Asian American kid is or is not Catholic?
Just say that you are catholic. No one is going to know.
It will be more than just checking a box. They will be able to glean info on faith from your essays. And if they find out it is a lie, and admission will be rescinded.
Does everyone have to be a devout catholic? Can one be a catholic by family tradition? Or non-practicing? The essay doesn’t have to be about religion right?
Anonymous
09/11/2025 17:05
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:
If public included, UVA in-state.
Uh, only if you have a 35 ACT, a 4.5 GPA or a 1520 SAT (that's last year's 75th percentile) if unhooked. There's a reason why UVA is ranked 24. And since OP's kid is applying SCEA, they can apply EA to publics like UVA, UCLA, etc. at the same time.
My DD was exactly 1520 SAT, 4.6 GPA with national competition awards, rejected by VUA. We are OOS.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 16:56
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
My child got into Notre Dame, but didn’t attend. We have several cousins that did and they have nothing but wonderful things to say. We felt similarly at admit day and it was a real contender.
I am not Catholic, but married into a Catholic family. I don’t think Notre Dame has a preference for Catholics per se, but rather that is who applies. I actually think they care quite a bit about adding diversity. Well, the religion portion doesn’t appeal to me, but I do appreciate the focus on educating the whole person. For me that means emotional intelligence, humanity, service to others, etc. If this resonates, I think many non-believers could find a very happy home there.
My impressions with a little background from college counseling friend that is at a Catholic high school is that fit is prioritized over stats. I think showing a servant heart, care for others, a genuine desire to becomebest version of oneself goes a long way.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 16:29
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame
WashU
Emory
Georgetown
CMU
Tufts
BC
NYU (non-Stern)
For all - non Business /non-eng
Not ND unless you're Catholic and apply REA. My daughter really wanted to go there and was waitlisted RD with a 3.9 from a top private. She was accepted to several Ivies and other top20s. In retrospect we misplayed this as the only kids who have gotten in over from her school over the last 4 years were baptized Catholics who applied early. I'm sure it varies by high school but this was our experience.
ND is only 80% Catholic, so some non-Catholic students are getting in. ND says they don't track demonstrated interest, but those non-Catholic students must show somehow that they are serious about ND. The yield rate is crazy high for a school without ED (that isn't Harvard or MIT).
The 20% percent non-Catholics are likely athletes.
That should be illegal for a school to be 80% 1 religion.
Are you for real? It is a private Jesuit college.
A Catholic university is an institution of higher education founded and operated by the Catholic Church or one of its religious orders, which integrates Catholic faith and intellectual tradition into its curriculum and campus life while maintaining academic freedom and excellence. These universities aim to unify the search for truth with a foundation in the Catholic faith, offering a holistic education that develops students intellectually, ethically, and spiritually.
20% is just the right amount.
I always love the people who normally bash Catholics but want to send their kids to Catholic school since they offer fantastic education, particularly the Jesuits.
Notre Dame is not Jesuit.
But it’s Catholic so yes they rightly prioritize Catholics. They are private.
DP - we are not Catholic but my kid is interested in Notre Dame. How do they prioritize Catholics? Do they ask applicants to disclose whether they have been baptized? Whether they are members of a church? In other words, how do they know whether or not my suburban public school, Asian American kid is or is not Catholic?
Just say that you are catholic. No one is going to know.
It will be more than just checking a box. They will be able to glean info on faith from your essays. And if they find out it is a lie, and admission will be rescinded.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 16:17
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:Majors? Location? Teaching reputation?
Or do you simply care about two things: 1) numerical ranking and 2) ability to get in?
+++
Anonymous
09/11/2025 15:43
Subject: What is the easiest T25/30 private to get into?
Anonymous wrote:ND is amazing with all the amenities. They have a huge endowment and phenomenal alumni network like Jesuit school Holy Cross both leaders with very high alumni giving rates. Can’t beat a fall home football weekend especially against USC. Like Duke sports are an integral part of the Notre Dame culture. Among Catholic schools ND is tops.
after one being Catholic and one Jesuit, the similarities between ND & HC are non-existent.