I'm scheduled for an interview with the University of Notre Dame soon. What types of questions should I expect, and what topics should I be ready to discuss? Any tips for standing out would be appreciated!
Congrats on securing an interview with the University of Notre Dame!
Notre Dame alumni interviews typically consist of informal conversations meant to assess your fit with the school and offer you the chance to ask questions about Notre Dame in return.
To prep, you should definitely be ready to talk about your academic interests and career goals, why you're interested in Notre Dame specifically, and questions related to their core values.
Remember, Notre Dame is a Catholic institution with a strong commitment to community service, so they value demonstrated involvement in your local community and commitment to service. Be ready to speak to your experiences, especially if they align with these values.
Additionally, do some research about Notre Dame – its traditions, programs, classes, or professors that intrigue you. Incorporating these details in your responses can prove you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in their university.
One tip for standing out is to emphasize how your values align with Notre Dame’s mission and to provide real-life anecdotes from your high school career to emphasize this point. For example, maybe you helped arrange a food drive through your local church, which connected to both service-oriented and religious aspects of Notre Dame’s mission.
Remember to be yourself and let your personality shine through. Polite, genuine excitement usually resonates well with interviewers. And, of course, practice makes perfect. Rehearsing potential answers to common questions can help – not so you sound rehearsed, but so you're clearer and more comfortable expressing yourself.
Finally, end with a thoughtful question or two about Notre Dame to further show your interest and engagement. Ask something you genuinely want to know the answer to, whether it's about the interviewer's experiences, specific programs, or campus traditions.
I hope these tips are helpful and wish you the best of luck in your interview!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.