Hey everyone, Notre Dame is my dream school and I'm wondering if any of you have tips on how to boost my chances of getting accepted. What kind of extracurriculars, grades, or other aspects should I focus on to make my application stand out? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Hello! It's great that you're aspiring to attend Notre Dame. While most colleges have unique aspects they value, there are general components to strengthen any application.
1. Academic Performance: Notre Dame values strong academic performance, so aim for a high GPA and, if possible, take rigorous courses such as AP, IB, or honors. Demonstrate your course rigor and dedication to your studies.
2. Test Scores: While Notre Dame has gone test-optional, a good SAT or ACT score can still help your application stand out. Aim for a score close to or above their median.
3. Extracurriculars: Focus on quality over quantity. Try to have a variety of extracurriculars—ideally with a few Tiers 1 and 2 (national/international awards or achievements, state-level activities, or significant leadership). Notre Dame looks for well-rounded individuals, so demonstrate dedication, growth, and leadership in your activities.
4. Spike: Cultivating a spike, a specific area of expertise or passion, can set you apart. If you're passionate about a particular subject, explore it through clubs, competitions, or internships. This could lead to valuable accomplishments to highlight in your application.
5. Essays: Write compelling essays that showcase your personality, interests, and experiences. To make your essay unique, choose a topic that illustrates your personal growth, highlights an aspect of your background, or demonstrates your passion for something. For in-depth advice on tackling Notre Dame's essays, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-notre-dame-essays
6. Letters of Recommendation: Request letters from teachers or counselors who know you well and can speak to your character, work ethic, and accomplishments. Give them ample notice and provide them with any relevant information (e.g., your résumé) that could support their letter writing.
7. Demonstrated Interest: While Notre Dame does not officially track demonstrated interest, it can be advantageous to show your enthusiasm for the school by visiting the campus, attending information sessions, and reaching out to current students or faculty members.
8. Early Action: Applying through Notre Dame's non-binding Restrictive Early Action program isn't guaranteed to increase your odds, but it may demonstrate your commitment to the school and give you the chance to stand out from the regular decision pool.
9. Community Service: Notre Dame emphasizes social responsibility and community engagement. Participate in meaningful community service projects to show your dedication to helping others and align with the school's values.
10. Build a connection with the University: Research the culture, programs, and values of Notre Dame and reflect this knowledge in your application. Appeal to the attributes that are unique to Notre Dame and emphasize how you would contribute to, benefit from, and fit into their community.
Best of luck as you work on your application for Notre Dame! Remember that each application cycle is unique, so stay true to yourself and give it your best shot.
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