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Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame

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  • Overview
  • Cost & scholarships
  • Majors
  • Admission requirements
  • Essay prompts

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University of Notre Dame's 2022-23 Essay Prompts

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Why This College Short Response

Required
200 Words

Notre Dame is a Catholic university, founded by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, with a mission to educate the hearts and minds of students. What excites you about attending Notre Dame?

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Discipline and Misconduct Essay

Not Required
650 Words

If yes, please explain:

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Discipline and Misconduct Essay

Not Required
650 Words

If yes, please explain:

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Select-A-Prompt Short Response

Not Required
200 Words

Please provide a response to ONE (1) of the following questions:


Option 1

People in the Notre Dame community come from many different places, backgrounds, and walks of life. How is where you’re from a part of who you are?


Option 2

Tell us about a time when you advocated for something you believe in.


Option 3

If you were given unlimited resources to help solve one problem in your community, what would it be and how would you accomplish it?


Option 4

What is the greatest compliment you have ever been given? Why was it meaningful to you?

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Common App Personal Essay

Required
650 words

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.


Option 1

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.


Option 2

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?


Option 3

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?


Option 4

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?


Option 5

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.


Option 6

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?


Option 7

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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