seeking advice on how to stand outAnswered
hi! i’m currently a junior seeking some advice and guidance regarding my college admissions process.
my top college choices, as of now, are Notre Dame, Villanova, and Boston College. i’m also looking into College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts.
i attend a small, private, catholic school, and my options for AP and honors classes are limited, though i’ve taken every honors and AP class i possibly could up until this point. my unweighted GPA is a 3.97. my current act score is a 30, but im aiminggg for a 34. i have not taken the sat yet, but my psat score was a 1230. for both tests, math is my problem area for SURE, so i’m aiming to improve those. i took my first AP tests this week, but i don’t think i will score report.
i loooove my school and my community, so heres a few things ive been involved in! :
-student council junior and senior year: marketing prefect as a junior, head prefect as a senior.
-youth advisory council with the health department
-internship at the states attorneys office the summer after junior year. (i’m planning on majoring in something to put me on the pre law track)
-secretary of national honors society
-varsity softball two years
-varsity dance team four years
-newspaper club three years
-yearbook club two years
-debate club (founder) one year
-we have a student run coffee shop in our school that i manage
-youth ministry at my parish
-choir 3 years
-also i don’t know if this matters but i competed at the state level for the VFW voice of democracy speech contest and got a scholarship for that.
i’m also a Roman Catholic with no legacies to any of these schools
i’m pretty bomb at writing essays, and i have a strong reputation within my school and community.
what can i do to improve my chances? Notre Dame specifically is my dream school and i would loooove to attend.
thanks for the help! :)
Earn karma by helping others:
3 answers
Hi Regan!
You have amazing stats and extracurriculars!! I would say you have good chances with all of these schools. One thing I recommend is to show extremededicated interest to notre dame. Visit as many times as you can, sign up for their mailing lists, visit their website (pretty sure it tells them every time you open an email or click on a link and what not).
I would really showcase your leadership experience as quantitatively as possible (increased debate team from 0 to over 20 members, managing this many people/customers at coffee shop, etc.)
also, really focus on your personal statement and essays and gear them towards specifics about notre dame. They want to see why notre dame is a good fit for you, not just why you're a good fit for them if that makes sense. In your essay, talk about what clubs you would join on campus, or how you can see yourself becoming xyz or doing abc, etc. This becomes easier if you visit campus and talk to current students/alumni. And if they have an interview option, take it! Learn everything you can about the school, email admissions officers with questions (not too many but yk), talk to alumni, etc. a big way to stand out is to show why this is your dream school, and the effort you've put in to get to know the school/community.
I also would not submit SAT and just go with ACT if possible :) good luck!
Printed cotton bags offer everyday usefulness with a unique touch—just like the goal when seeking advice on how to stand out. Whether in business, school, or social settings, standing out means knowing your strengths, embracing authenticity, and presenting yourself confidently. Thoughtful branding, clear communication, and consistency help create a lasting impression. Just as a custom cotton bag blends style with substance, being memorable comes from combining purpose with personality in everything you do. https://www.gopromotional.co.uk/branded-products/cotton-bags
Hi there! You're already doing a great job — strong GPA, maxed-out rigor, and impressive leadership and service work. Here are some key ways to boost your chances, especially at a competitive school like Notre Dame:
1. Focus on raising your ACT
A 34+ will make you more competitive. Since math is your weak spot, consider targeted prep or tutoring to help push that section higher.
2. Sharpen your application theme
You’re deeply involved in a lot, which is great — now tie your activities together around a central passion (like justice, leadership, or communication) that aligns with a pre-law path. This makes your application more cohesive and memorable.
3. Write strong, values-driven essays
Notre Dame looks for students who reflect its mission — faith, service, leadership, and community. Let your Catholic background, community work, and leadership roles shine through authentically in your writing.
4. Contextualize your academics
Make sure your counselor (or you, in the Additional Info section) notes that you’ve taken every advanced course your school offers — Notre Dame will consider that when reviewing your rigor.
5. Do your homework on what Notre Dame values
Check out Notre Dame’s Common Data Set (or search “Notre Dame Common Data Set”) to see exactly what they consider “very important” in admissions — like GPA, course rigor, and character/personal qualities. Use this to focus your application.
6. Show specific interest
Mention specific programs or aspects of Notre Dame (like pre-law advising, their service opportunities, or Catholic identity) in your essays to show you’ve done your research and are a great fit.
You’re already building a strong case. Stay focused, keep raising that ACT, and use your essays to clearly show who you are and what you care about. You’ve got this!
Your chance of acceptance
Your chancing factors
Community Guidelines
To keep this community safe and supportive:
- Be kind and respectful!
- Keep posts relevant to college admissions and high school.
- Don’t ask “chance-me” questions. Use CollegeVine’s chancing instead!
this is so helpful, thank you so much! go irish! ☘️