Chats » Prospective Student Chat 2007/2008

The submission portion of our online chat for Prospective Students is now closed. Answers will continue to be posted by our Admissions Staff until all questions have been addressed. Thank you all for your excitement and participation. We are excited about your interest in Notre Dame! For further clarification on any of these questions, or if new questions should arise, please do not hesitate to reference our website at admissions.nd.edu or contact our office via email (admissions@nd.edu) or telephone (574-631-7505).


Roberta - Dunedin, FL

What is the expected size of the freshman class of 2008?

ND Admissions

Hi Roberta- we hope to enroll 1,985 freshmen next August!

Jake - Union, KY

What means more to your school. A high ACT score or being involved? I have a 27 ACT, a 3.78 have taken 5 AP classes, but more importantly I am involved in Speech and Debate, President of Future Business Leaders and Vice President of National Honor Society. Is Notre Dame out of the question?

ND Admissions

There are many factors involved in admissions decisions. Certainly involvement in the school and/or community is very important to us, however, keep in mind that you are competing against thousands of other students who are also extremely involved AND have a stronger academic profile. So it is a very competitive pool of applicants. We do not have any cut-offs in admissions, so we review every file thoroughly and will take all of your strengths into consideration. Good luck!

Benjamin - Valencia, CA

How will I know if the classes that I'm taking at my college will transfer to Notre Dame or not?

ND Admissions

See my previous answer – contact that transfer counselor and she will help you with your specific questions.

Benjamin - Valencia, CA

I had "not so hot" grades in high school. And now I'm in a community college not knowing what to do. Is there any way I can still be competitive in the transfer application pool?

ND Admissions

Hi Benjamin, Why don’t you e-mail our transfer counselor tomorrow at transfer@nd.edu. She’ll be able to answer your specific questions.

Kelly - Clarksville, MD

If a student is not in the top 10% of their class, do they still have a chance of being accepted? (especially if their high school is competitive)

ND Admissions

Hello Kelly! When we evaluate an applicant’s rank in class we always evaluate it in the context of the applicant’s high school. We realize that for some schools falling in the top 20% of the class could very well be equivalent to falling in the top 10% at a different high school. We receive profiles from every high school to obtain a sense of how rigorous a high school is. So the answer to your question is yes, a student that does not fall in the top 10% of their class may still have a chance of being accepted.

Joe - Windsor, CA

I am currently a freshman at a four-year university, do you recommend to apply to transfer after this year? Or as soon as possible after I complete this fall semester?

ND Admissions

Hi Joe,

You will need to complete a least on year of college and apply for the 2008 fall semester. We do not admit incoming second-semester freshmen.

Stevie - Manhattan Beach, CA

I come from a beach town in California, and while I'm extremely excited to embrace the new concept of "White Christmases," the chill factor slightly frightens me. What is the winter weather like at ND?

ND Admissions

Hi Stevie,

Just think, you get to experience four seasons! Yes, the winter can be long and cold, however you just need to wear a bunch of layers. You definitely can’t wear flip-flops and shorts year-round, but sometimes it can be fun to put on your snow boots and make snowmen. I would say that the worst part of the winter for me is the fact that you don’t see the sun for a few months. As a resident of the Sunshine State, I can tell you that its great to go home for Christmas and Spring Break and enjoy the warm weather and sunshine.

Dennis - McLean, VA

Aside from the exciting football season, what are the other campus-wide activities on campus during the school year?

ND Admissions

There are several shows or “performances” done by different dorms, there are also plays, concerts, retreats, forums and other exciting sports besides football.

Dennis - McLean, VA

Does Notre Dame offer alternative activities to the usual "spring break" ritual?

ND Admissions

Yes, there are several opportunities through Notre Dame and the surrounding community. The Center for Social Concerns offers service trips to several places – last year was New Orleans. There are also many students that remain on campus during spring break, as there are things to do locally as well.

sandy - honolulu, hi

If 2/3 of this year's fall transfers applied as freshmen what got them in? Great college grades? And what about SAT scores that cannot be repeated after high school?

ND Admissions

Excellent college grades (3.7 was the average GPA for admitted transfers) and a strong match of ND’s First Year of Studies requirements. The average SAT for admitted transfers was a1280, but that is certainly not a “cut off”.

Sarah - Poughkeepsie, NY

If I schedule a visit to the campus, can I also make an appointment with an individual department?

ND Admissions

Hi Sarah,

You can, but you’ll have to contact that department directly. To do so, search for the name of the department on the ND homepage. Each department has their own website, which should include contact information.

Aidan - Columbia, MD

I am planning on being a varsity athlete at Notre Dame, do I have to room with an athlete of the same sport?

ND Admissions

You don’t have to room with an athlete at all. The first year you’re randomly assigned to a dorm and roommate; however the second year, you get to decide who you get to room with and in what hall.

Joe - Windsor, CA

Do a lot of transfer applicants get excepted, or is more difficult than normal?

ND Admissions

We receive about 600 transfer applications each fall for 150 spots. This past year we accepted 190 students and 159 confirmed.

Norah - Burnsville, MN

Do you know, on average, the amount of financial aid an incoming freshman can expect?

ND Admissions

We are committed to meeting 100% of our students’ demonstrated financial need; thus, some students will have 100% of their costs covered and others will come from families who will cover the entire cost of attending ND. 80% of students receive some form of aid, and the typical package is around $20,000 but keep in mind that it will vary for every family.

Sarah - St. Paul, MN

Is there any place on the application to showcase "one time" examples of leadership, such as the organization of a school tournament or summer pick-up games?

ND Admissions

Hi Sarah,

You can use the extracurricular activities section of the application to document ANY activities in which you have participated while in high school.

Benjamin - Valencia, CA

What if I was applying in as a junior, will I still need to submit my high school transcript and SAT scores?

ND Admissions

Yes.

Sarah - Amarillo, TX

How is the civil engineering program at Notre Dame?

ND Admissions

Hi, Sarah! Like all our engineering programs here at Notre Dame, it is a challenging and demanding field of study. To get a good overview of the program, I would refer you to the Department’s website, http://www.nd.edu/~cegeos/. Thanks!

Victoria - Clearwater, FL

I am applying for the NROTC program at ND. I am also very interested in studying abroad. If I am accepted into NROTC will I still be able to study overseas?

ND Admissions

Yes, ROTC students can participate in study abroad programs.

Kelly - Clarksville, MD

Thanks for having this chat thing, it's very helpful.

ND Admissions

You are welcome! Keep the questions coming!

Sean - New Hyde Park, NY

Will ND be attending any college fairs or the like in the NY Metropolitan area?

ND Admissions

Our alumni will probably cover the major fairs. You could contact Covington Doan at cdoan@nd.edu for more specific information. Covington is the admissions counselor who covers the New York area.

Brent - Belgrade, MN

Would your recomend against applying for early action if I have an ACT score of 30?

ND Admissions

While your test score is only one of a number factors considered in the application process, students with a 30 on the ACT will be more competitive during Regular Action.

Benjamin - Valencia, CA

Does the Notre Dame wrestling club compete against other university's club teams?

ND Admissions

Yes, club wrestling does compete several times a year against other university’s club teams. All of the club sports are run the RecSports offce, and you can access the website at Recsports.nd.edu

Kelly - Clarksville, MD

Do admissions counselors look at the SAT essay?

ND Admissions

We will see your SAT writing score but we are looking at the SAT primarily out of 1600. Thus, if you do well on the writing section we will use it to “boost” you application.

Sean - Southampton, NY

How far away is Notre Dame from Chicago?

ND Admissions

Notre Dame is 90 miles away from Chicago. It’s a short bus, train or car ride away!

Amy - Cary, NC

Can students who submit their applications earlier than the November 1 deadline expect to receive admissions decisions sooner than students who submit applications closer to the deadline? Approximately when will early action decisions be mailed?

ND Admissions

Hi Amy! All of the decision letters for Early Action will be sent out the week before Christmas, regardless of when they were submitted to our office.

Sarah - Greenwich, CT

I'm coming from a private boarding school and I'm wondering if this factors into how you look at my grades in contrast to other applicants?

ND Admissions

We look at every applicant individually within the context of their school, not compared to students in other schools.

Krista - Vandalia, OH

Will not having played a sport in high school hurt an applicant's chances of acceptance?

ND Admissions

Hi Krista,

When reading applications, we look for students with a variety of talents. A good number of our applicants play sports, however many do not. We simply want to see that you are getting involved in something, whether it be a sport, a service activity, drama club, etc. We also are looking to see if you have taken leadership positions in the activities of which you are involved. You do not have to play a sport in order to be accepted.

Arnela Sulovic - Redlands, CA

I just turned 18 on sunday and my mother will be a citizen in about a month or so. However, this means that I am not a citizen yet. I was born in Bosnia, have lived in Germany, but now I am a permanent resident. Does this mean I am an international student?

ND Admissions

What’s important is not being an international student or not but your status as a permanent resident. Financial aid differs for permanent residents, U.S. citizens and true international students.

You can find more information on the following web site: http://admissions.nd.edu/financial-aid/for-international-students

Jake - Union, KY

If I visited Notre Dame, could I set up a meeting with an admissions counsellor, could you tell me my weaknesses? And more importantly, how to fix them?

ND Admissions

You are welcome to visit Notre Dame at any time. We offer group information sessions and student-guided campus tours. The counselor hosting the group information session will be willing to answer any questions you might have after the session, but we do not generally do one-on-one meetings with prospective students. You are also always welcome to call or email any counselors on our staff with specific questions for more personal guidance.

Andrea - Mission, TX

Is there a possibility to do an MD/PhD program at ND?

ND Admissions

Hi, Andrea! The University of Notre Dame does not have a medical school, but Indiana University has built a satellite med school campus across the street, where it is possible to complete the first two years of med school. We do have a PhD program through our College of Science. I would encourage you to check out http://www.nd.edu/~science for more information. However, we do not have an MD/PhD program in the traditional sense of the word; I believe a few people have done it here in the past, but I do not think it has happened very frequently.

Benjamin - Valencia, CA

Will an associates degree help me in anyway in getting accepted into Notre Dame?

ND Admissions

The majority of our transfer students come as sophomores, so there is no automatic advantage to having an associates degree.

Sean - Southampton, NY

How difficult is it to walk on to a sports team?

ND Admissions

Hi Sean,

It really depends on the team, the needs of the team, and what each coach wants. It might be relatively easy for some sports and pretty difficult for others.

Kelly - Clarksville, MD

Is it likely that a student that has SAT scores just under the 1400 avg or class rank below the top 2-3%, but is strong in other areas will be accepted?

ND Admissions

Hi Kelly! It’s hard to predict how competitive this year’s applicant pool will be, just present yourself as best as you can on the application, continue to do well in your remaining high school years, and commit yourself to the things you enjoy!

Sheila - Wilmington, NC

Are there opportunities for Non-Music majors to participate in?

ND Admissions

Hi, Sheila! In a word, the answer to your question is YES!

There are tons of opportunities on campus for Non-Music majors to participate in music groups, a true rarity at a Division I school like Notre Dame. Students of any major are encouraged to try out for the Band of the Fighting Irish, the country’s first University band, now over 150 years old. Students of any major can participate in our Orchestras, choirs, and student-run groups, such as the New Orleans Brass Band or chapel music ministers. If you’re interested in performing in front of a live audience, there are multiple opportunities for you here on campus as a non-Music major. In addition, private music lessons are offered to students of any major each semester on a variety of instruments, taught by undergraduate and graduate students and professors at our Crowley Hall of Music and Marie P. DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. If you have any additional questions, check out the Music Department’s website, http://www.nd.edu/~music, but keep in mind nearly all of our groups are open to students of any major!

Sarah - Chesapeake, va

Are freshman allowed to have a car?

ND Admissions

Freshmen are allowed to have cars during their second semester on campus, as long as they are in “good academic standing”.

sandy - honolulu, hi

What are the chances of transferring to ND as a sophomore when denied as a freshman? Is transferring from St. Mary's ND easier than from Pepperdine?

ND Admissions

Hi Sandy,

Actually, almost 2/3 of this year’s fall transfers had applied as freshmen. It is not easier to transfer from Saint Mary’s. We simply receive more applications from them. I suggest that you choose the school where you would be happiest, since some students decided not to transfer.

Andrew - New Richland, MN

What is the job outlook for Mendoza graduates? Do they usually go back for an MBA or find they don't need to?

ND Admissions

Hi Andrew,

Good question. This really depends on the industry they are entering—some industries require MBAs, some encourage a few years of work before getting an MBA, and some don’t require an MBA at all. That said, the outlook is good, whatever you want to do: 97 percent of all Notre Dame students, Mendoza and others, are in a job or graduate program within six months of graduation.

Jane - Lakeville, MN

The Notre Dame literature indicates that applicants with a very competitive application should submit their application for early action. What is the average student profile for a student admitted during early action?

ND Admissions

Hi Jane,

We call Early Action a “service for our clearly admissible student”. We are more conservative when reading files during Early Action. Students admitted during Early Action last year usually scored a 1450 and above on the SAT and a 34 and above on the ACT. They were also ranked in the top 1-2% of their class.

Jessie - Sacramento, CA

Is the 5 year Architecture program in addition to freshmen year (in other words, would it take 6 years)? Also, is the year in Rome part of the 5 years or in addition to (again, would it take 6 years)?

ND Admissions

Architecture students will be in and out of the University in five total years, which includes the first year of studies program and the year in Rome. Many will go straight into the field from there.

Emily - Buffalo, NY

For the personal statements, I have written 2 of the essays, and am torn as which one to submit, is it frowned upon if a student submits two essays?

ND Admissions

Hi Emily-

We ask for one personal statement. While we understand the difficulties associated with writing a personal statement, you should follow the directions and only submit one statement. Choose the statement that captures who you are the best and helps you stand out in the application process.