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Duke University
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Notre Dame Admission Process

Hey guys! I'm a junior in high school and Notre Dame University has caught my eye. I'm curious about the difficulty of getting accepted there. What kind of students typically get in and what can I do to increase my chances? Thanks in advance!

a year ago

Hi there! It's great that you're interested in Notre Dame University. Notre Dame is a competitive school with an acceptance rate that's been around 10-15% in recent years. While it's challenging to gain admission, it's certainly not impossible. Here are some factors to consider and ways to strengthen your application:

1. Academic performance: Notre Dame values strong academic achievement. Aim for a high GPA and take a rigorous course load that includes AP/IB/Honors classes. While Notre Dame is officially test-optional, at such a selective school it will likely be worth your while to also invest time and energy into aiming for a high SAT or ACT score (around 1500 for the SAT or 34 for the ACT), as you want to demonstrate your strengths in as many ways as possible.

2. Extracurricular activities: Notre Dame values highly-involved students who demonstrate leadership, passion, and commitment to their activities. Aim for a mix of 8-10 quality extracurriculars with a focus on developing a "spike" or area of expertise that will set you apart from even other talented applicants. Try to take on leadership roles and achieve recognition in your chosen activities, whether that's in clubs, sports, or community service.

3. Essays: Your application essays provide an opportunity to showcase your personality and character, and how your own values align with Notre Dame's. Be authentic and thoughtful in your responses. You can read more about how to tackle Notre Dame's supplemental essay prompts on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-notre-dame-essays.

4. Letters of recommendation: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors who can speak to your strengths and potential to succeed at Notre Dame. Make sure they know you well enough to provide specific examples of your accomplishments and character.

5. Demonstrated interest: While demonstrated interest is not a major factor in Notre Dame's admissions decisions, at such a selective school you want to do everything you can to boost your odds, since applicants are typically divided by such thin lines. Show Notre Dame that you're genuinely interested in attending by engaging with the university through campus visits, virtual events, information sessions, or connecting with current students and alumni.

To increase your chances of admission, focus on strengthening each aspect of your application, and bringing them all together into a compelling narrative that demonstrates your alignment with Notre Dame's values, highlights your unique talents, and shows your potential for success at the institution both academically and personally. Best of luck!

a year ago

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