Considering Catholic Colleges, how selective are they?

How selective do Catholic colleges typically tend to be, and how do I best cater my application for them? I’m honestly not sure where to start. I appreciate anyone taking the time to share their experiences or knowledge!

The selectivity of Catholic colleges, like most universities, varies from school to school, so we'll need to consider them on a case-by-case basis.

For instance, the University of Notre Dame is one of the highest-ranked Catholic institutions, and it's quite selective, with an acceptance rate around 16%. On the other hand, Saint Mary's College (next door to Notre Dame in Indiana) has an acceptance rate close to 85%. So, you can see, there's a wide range! Each one will have its own academic and extracurricular expectations.

That said, when preparing an application for a Catholic college, there might be a few unique factors to consider beyond academic performance and strong extracurricular involvement. Many Catholic colleges have strong service components built into their curriculums, so having a history of community service or volunteer work could be helpful to show that you're a good fit for a service-oriented environment.

Value-wise, Catholic colleges tend to emphasize ethics, personal development, and community. You might want to highlight these aspects in your personal essays, demonstrating how your experiences align with these values.

Also, be prepared for the possibility of spiritual or religious questions on your application. While not all Catholic colleges will require you to be Catholic, they may ask how you've contributed to your religious or spiritual community, or how you plan to engage with these kinds of communities on campus. As always, be honest in your responses.

Remember to delve into information about specific departments or campuses that interest you within the universities. This knowledge can impress admissions officers as it shows you've done your due diligence on their school and can feasibly envision yourself there.

In conclusion, applying to Catholic colleges is like applying to any other colleges, with a few extra considerations given to their particular religious and community value systems. Good Luck!