Chats » Prospective Student Chat 2007/2008
Emily - Buffalo, NY
I am interested in persuing some sort of program in International Relations and Public Health, is there any way I can do this at ND?
ND Admissions
Hello Emily,
I suggest you review our political science major. Political Science It is an impressive department with several different tracks you can take.
Shauna - Cataumet, MA
How many students are Catholic? Does religion make a difference in the admissions process?
ND Admissions
84% of students at Notre Dame are catholic, however, it does not make a difference in the admissions process. Notre Dame has a large variety of religious backgrounds. Notre Dame’s Campus Ministries office also has a wide variety of different workshops and groups that are centered around different religions.
MIguel - Danvers, MA
is there guaranteed housing for all four years?
ND Admissions
Hi Miguel,
We do guarantee housing for all four years. However, transfer students are not guaranteed housing.
Kevin - Dubuque, IA
Do you have a strong pre-med program?
ND Admissions
Hi Kevin! Yes, we have some of the highest acceptance rates into Medical and Dental Schools in the country, over 75%. Our acceptance rates are even higher for those who enter into the College of Science instead of the College of Arts & Letters. You don’t have to be a “Preprofessional Major” at Notre Dame to apply to Medical school. You can major in any science, such as Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemistry, or one of our Preprofessional programs in the College of Science or College of Arts & Letters. If you have any other questions, feel free to post them or e-mail cbeesley@nd.edu! Thanks!
Colleen - Chesterfield, VA
Do you accept SAT IIs for placement or credit? Which do you prefer?
ND Admissions
SAT IIs are NOT required for admission but we do recommend sending them should you take them—they can help boost your application if you do well and we ignore them if you do not do so well. A broad range of SAT II scores are accepted for credit and placement in the foreign languages, and 4s and 5s on the AP exams or 6s or 7s on the upper lever IB exams may be accepted for credit and placement as well.
Eric - New Orleans, LA
How many students are successful in the Regular Decision round who are deferred from Early Action?
ND Admissions
Hi Eric- Thanks for joining us tonight! It varies each year- last year we admitted about a quarter of the students who were deferred in early action.
Sarah - Chesapeake, va
Does it matter if I get my teacher reccomendation from a core class or an elective teacher?
ND Admissions
We strongly prefer the recommendation letter to be from a core subject teacher from junior or senior year, because those classes are more closely aligned to the type of courses you’ll be taking in your first year or so of college.
Dennis - McLean, VA
Does Notre Dame have a riflery team? I shoot 3-position small bore and air rifle Varsity. Will I be able to pursue that sport at Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Hi Dennis,
Unfortunately, Notre Dame doesn’t have a riflery team. There are shooting ranges in South Bend, though, so you could have opportunity to continue shooting if you desire…
Patrick - Oak Park, IL
The SAT II German test has a listening portion, but the AP test does not, if I took the AP test, would I have to take a separate listening test if admitted?
ND Admissions
Hi Patrick,
According to the First Year of Studies, if admitted, you would not have to take a separate listening test. You can find more information about the foreign language requirements through this web page:
http://fys.nd.edu/firstmailing_section1.pdf
Arnela Sulovic - Redlands, CA
My school is very large and my counselor has changed several times throughout my high school career. However, ND requires a counselor recomendation. Would I be able to ask another coucelor type of school employee to write the counselor letter of recomendation?
ND Admissions
We are aware that many students do not know their high school counselors well, however, we usually still prefer the letter to be from your official high school guidance counselor. Sometimes the counselors have information about the school or your class to provide for us that can be helpful. However, if you think there is someone else who would be more appropriate to write you letter, at least have your counselor fill out the Counselor Report form and then have him/her note on the form that the letter will be written by someone else instead.
Brittany - Annandale, NJ
In the College of Science is Preprofessional Studies a major or would someone major in something like Bio if they wanted to go to Dental School?
ND Admissions
Hello Brittany! Preprofessional Studies is a major here at Notre Dame in the College of Science. Very few students double-major in Biology and Preprofessional Studies. If you choose to major in Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry, you would still be taking all the courses required to apply to Medical and Dental School. It is certainly NOT a requirement to be a Prepro major to go to Medical or Dental School; in fact, some Medical Schools like to see a broad science base, such as the additional courses provided by the Bio, Chem, or Biochem majors here. If you’re interested in having a supplementary major in the College of Arts & Letters, consider the ALPP (Arts & Letters Preprofressional Program) major. If you have any other questions, feel free to post them or e-mail cbeesley@nd.edu. Thanks!
Ben - Louisville, KY
How big of a role does theology place in campus life?
ND Admissions
Hi Ben,
We are certainly very proud to be a Catholic university and there are lots of opportunities available to students. You can attend mass, volunteer, and get involved with campus ministry, and many students do, but none of that is required of you. Students are required to take two theology classes before graduation and while there are classes that relate to Catholicism, there are also courses in world religions or comparative religions.
Stevie - Manhattan Beach, CA
Which does Notre Dame put more weight on in the application process: grades and SAT scores vs. essays, interviews, and letters of recomendation?
ND Admissions
We consider six factors when evaluating applications: the rigor of a student’s curriculum, how the student does in his or her courses, the standardized test (ACT or SAT), the student’s activities and leadership, the essay and one teacher recommendation. Notre Dame does not do interviews, and no factor is weighed more than any other. The most competitive applications will be strong across the board.
Andrea - Mission, TX
How are the class sizes?
ND Admissions
The size of the classes is going to vary a lot from major to major, and from year to year. For instance if you’re a science major and taking in the intro courses you might have up to 100 students. However, most classes have about 30 students or less.
Andrea - Mission, TX
How is the on campus housing? Does it get crowded quickly and when is the best time to apply for housing?
ND Admissions
80% of Notre Dame students live on campus in dorms. Dorm life is a huge part of the Notre Dame experience. Freshmen are required to live in dorms. They are randomly assigned to a dorm (no application process) and the majority of our students decide to remain in that same dorm their whole time on campus. Every student is guaranteed housing all four years at Notre Dame. For more information, visit Residence Life
Hannah - Cortez, CO
Is there any type of merit-based scholarships or aid offered at Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Hello Hannah,
All of Notre Dame’s financial aid is need-based, so there are no scholarships based exclusively on merit. I recommend that you apply for need-based aid whether or not you think your family will qualify.
Roberta - Dunedin, FL
Does Notre Dame offer job placement for graduating seniors?
ND Admissions
Notre Dame’s career center offers many services that every student should take advantage of. They offer many helpful services such as a network of job boards, help with your resume, and 3 job/internship fairs every year. There an abundance of opportunities with the Notre Dame career center. The career center is open to any student not just seniors.
Laura - Tuckahoe, NY
Hi! what is the most important thing you look for when considering a student's application for admission?
ND Admissions
Hi Laura,
There is no “most important thing” in the admissions process. We consider a variety of different characteristics and attributes, both academic and non-academic. We will use the rigor of your classes, your grades, GPA and class rank and standardized test scores to evaluate the academic part of your application.
In addition to those factors, we also evaluate your extracurricular activities, teacher evaluation and personal statement. All of these factors are very important in a student’s application for admission and we find that our most successful students are those who excel in all areas.
Eduardo - Phoenix, AZ
Hello, thanks for this chat time, well anyways, if I want to major in something realted to journalism, what "intented major" should I put? I know that you have journalism as a minor. Thanks!
ND Admissions
Hi Eduardo,
Most students interested in journalism major in English, and then have journalism as a minor.
Stevie - Manhattan Beach, CA
What is the political involvement like on campus?
ND Admissions
There is some politicial involvement, but it’s not as extreme as in other places. Rarely you’re going to see people involved in some sort of protest or anything like that.
Meghan - West Homestead, Pa
If I want to apply for regular decision, when should I send in my application? Can I send it in any time before the deadline, as soon as I have it done?
ND Admissions
Hi Meghan! Thanks for joining us! To submit your application for regular decision, please submit your application by December 31, that is a postmark deadline should you decide to apply through a paper copy, if not just click the “submit” button by December 31. You are welcome to submit your application before this deadline, just make sure to indicate that your application is to be evaluated in the regular action pool.
Chris - Pittsburgh, PA
Would I be able to meet the 150- hour requirement for the CPA exam as an undergraduate student in the Mendoza School of Business or would graduate studies be necessary?
ND Admissions
Great question. Most students stay for a fifth-year accounting program. That said, students who come in with considerable AP credit may be able to finish the 150 hours in four years.
Milena - Rice Lake, WI
What is your favorite part about living on-campus? Is it hard at first?
ND Admissions
Hi Milena,
Wow. Where to begin. As you may or may not know residential life is really one of the things that makes Notre Dame truly unique. If I had to say my favorite thing about living on campus, it would by far be the friends I have made. My best friends on campus are the girls from my dorm I met on my first day or orientation. Also most people stay in the same dorm for 3 years, so moving back each year gets a bit easier because you’re always coming back to familiar faces to a familiar place.
Just as high school was an adjustment, college is an adjustment. You have to learn to live with a stranger (who isn’t a stranger very long may I add) and be very independent. You learn quickly. You should have nothing you worry about-remember all the freshman will be in your same boat.
Brittany - Annandale, NJ
What is the acceptance rate of Notre Dame graduates into dental school?
ND Admissions
Hey Brittany… it’s not a large number of students who apply to dental school, but last year all of the students who applied got accepted…. so 100% acceptance rate.
Brittany - Annandale, NJ
Hi, What are the average SAT I scores for someone who has been accepted Early Action in the past and what was their class rank?
ND Admissions
Students admitted in Early Action are usually in the top 2-3% of their high school class and have scored in the upper 1400’s or above on the Math and Critical Reading portions of the SAT.
Eric - New Orleans, LA
Does the number of applicants from my particular school or geographical region negatively affect my chances at admission to Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Hi Eric,
We are making our admissions decisions based on you and your credentials. The number of students applying from your school or geographic region plays absolutely no role in the admissions process.
Emily - Buffalo, NY
I am interested in persuing some sort of program in International Relations and Public Health, is there any way I can do this at ND?
ND Admissions
Hello Emily,
I suggest you review our political science major. Political Science It is an impressive department with several different tracks you can take.
Shauna - Cataumet, MA
How many students are Catholic? Does religion make a difference in the admissions process?
ND Admissions
84% of students at Notre Dame are catholic, however, it does not make a difference in the admissions process. Notre Dame has a large variety of religious backgrounds. Notre Dame’s Campus Ministries office also has a wide variety of different workshops and groups that are centered around different religions.
MIguel - Danvers, MA
is there guaranteed housing for all four years?
ND Admissions
Hi Miguel, We do guarantee housing for all four years. However, transfer students are not guaranteed housing.
Kevin - Dubuque, IA
Do you have a strong pre-med program?
ND Admissions
Hi Kevin! Yes, we have some of the highest acceptance rates into Medical and Dental Schools in the country, over 75%. Our acceptance rates are even higher for those who enter into the College of Science instead of the College of Arts & Letters. You don’t have to be a “Preprofessional Major” at Notre Dame to apply to Medical school. You can major in any science, such as Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemistry, or one of our Preprofessional programs in the College of Science or College of Arts & Letters. If you have any other questions, feel free to post them or e-mail cbeesley@nd.edu! Thanks!
Colleen - Chesterfield, VA
Do you accept SAT IIs for placement or credit? Which do you prefer?
ND Admissions
SAT IIs are NOT required for admission but we do recommend sending them should you take them—they can help boost your application if you do well and we ignore them if you do not do so well. A broad range of SAT II scores are accepted for credit and placement in the foreign languages, and 4s and 5s on the AP exams or 6s or 7s on the upper lever IB exams may be accepted for credit and placement as well.
Eric - New Orleans, LA
How many students are successful in the Regular Decision round who are deferred from Early Action?
ND Admissions
Hi Eric- Thanks for joining us tonight! It varies each year- last year we admitted about a quarter of the students who were deferred in early action.
Sarah - Chesapeake, va
Does it matter if I get my teacher reccomendation from a core class or an elective teacher?
ND Admissions
We strongly prefer the recommendation letter to be from a core subject teacher from junior or senior year, because those classes are more closely aligned to the type of courses you’ll be taking in your first year or so of college.
Dennis - McLean, VA
Does Notre Dame have a riflery team? I shoot 3-position small bore and air rifle Varsity. Will I be able to pursue that sport at Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Hi Dennis,
Unfortunately, Notre Dame doesn’t have a riflery team. There are shooting ranges in South Bend, though, so you could have opportunity to continue shooting if you desire…
Patrick - Oak Park, IL
The SAT II German test has a listening portion, but the AP test does not, if I took the AP test, would I have to take a separate listening test if admitted?
ND Admissions
Hi Patrick,
According to the First Year of Studies, if admitted, you would not have to take a separate listening test. You can find more information about the foreign language requirements through this web page:
http://fys.nd.edu/firstmailing_section1.pdf
Arnela Sulovic - Redlands, CA
My school is very large and my counselor has changed several times throughout my high school career. However, ND requires a counselor recomendation. Would I be able to ask another coucelor type of school employee to write the counselor letter of recomendation?
ND Admissions
We are aware that many students do not know their high school counselors well, however, we usually still prefer the letter to be from your official high school guidance counselor. Sometimes the counselors have information about the school or your class to provide for us that can be helpful. However, if you think there is someone else who would be more appropriate to write you letter, at least have your counselor fill out the Counselor Report form and then have him/her note on the form that the letter will be written by someone else instead.
Brittany - Annandale, NJ
In the College of Science is Preprofessional Studies a major or would someone major in something like Bio if they wanted to go to Dental School?
ND Admissions
Hello Brittany! Preprofessional Studies is a major here at Notre Dame in the College of Science. Very few students double-major in Biology and Preprofessional Studies. If you choose to major in Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry, you would still be taking all the courses required to apply to Medical and Dental School. It is certainly NOT a requirement to be a Prepro major to go to Medical or Dental School; in fact, some Medical Schools like to see a broad science base, such as the additional courses provided by the Bio, Chem, or Biochem majors here. If you’re interested in having a supplementary major in the College of Arts & Letters, consider the ALPP (Arts & Letters Preprofressional Program) major. If you have any other questions, feel free to post them or e-mail cbeesley@nd.edu. Thanks!
Ben - Louisville, KY
How big of a role does theology place in campus life?
ND Admissions
Hi Ben,
We are certainly very proud to be a Catholic university and there are lots of opportunities available to students. You can attend mass, volunteer, and get involved with campus ministry, and many students do, but none of that is required of you. Students are required to take two theology classes before graduation and while there are classes that relate to Catholicism, there are also courses in world religions or comparative religions.
Stevie - Manhattan Beach, CA
Which does Notre Dame put more weight on in the application process: grades and SAT scores vs. essays, interviews, and letters of recomendation?
ND Admissions
We consider six factors when evaluating applications: the rigor of a student’s curriculum, how the student does in his or her courses, the standardized test (ACT or SAT), the student’s activities and leadership, the essay and one teacher recommendation. Notre Dame does not do interviews, and no factor is weighed more than any other. The most competitive applications will be strong across the board.
Andrea - Mission, TX
How are the class sizes?
ND Admissions
The size of the classes is going to vary a lot from major to major, and from year to year. For instance if you’re a science major and taking in the intro courses you might have up to 100 students. However, most classes have about 30 students or less.
Andrea - Mission, TX
How is the on campus housing? Does it get crowded quickly and when is the best time to apply for housing?
ND Admissions
80% of Notre Dame students live on campus in dorms. Dorm life is a huge part of the Notre Dame experience. Freshmen are required to live in dorms. They are randomly assigned to a dorm (no application process) and the majority of our students decide to remain in that same dorm their whole time on campus. Every student is guaranteed housing all four years at Notre Dame. For more information, visit Residence Life
Hannah - Cortez, CO
Is there any type of merit-based scholarships or aid offered at Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Hello Hannah,
All of Notre Dame’s financial aid is need-based, so there are no scholarships based exclusively on merit. I recommend that you apply for need-based aid whether or not you think your family will qualify.
Roberta - Dunedin, FL
Does Notre Dame offer job placement for graduating seniors?
ND Admissions
Notre Dame’s career center offers many services that every student should take advantage of. They offer many helpful services such as a network of job boards, help with your resume, and 3 job/internship fairs every year. There an abundance of opportunities with the Notre Dame career center. The career center is open to any student not just seniors.
Laura - Tuckahoe, NY
Hi! what is the most important thing you look for when considering a student's application for admission?
ND Admissions
Hi Laura,
There is no “most important thing” in the admissions process. We consider a variety of different characteristics and attributes, both academic and non-academic. We will use the rigor of your classes, your grades, GPA and class rank and standardized test scores to evaluate the academic part of your application.
In addition to those factors, we also evaluate your extracurricular activities, teacher evaluation and personal statement. All of these factors are very important in a student’s application for admission and we find that our most successful students are those who excel in all areas.
Eduardo - Phoenix, AZ
Hello, thanks for this chat time, well anyways, if I want to major in something realted to journalism, what "intented major" should I put? I know that you have journalism as a minor. Thanks!
ND Admissions
Hi Eduardo,
Most students interested in journalism major in English, and then have journalism as a minor.
Stevie - Manhattan Beach, CA
What is the political involvement like on campus?
ND Admissions
There is some politicial involvement, but it’s not as extreme as in other places. Rarely you’re going to see people involved in some sort of protest or anything like that.
Meghan - West Homestead, Pa
If I want to apply for regular decision, when should I send in my application? Can I send it in any time before the deadline, as soon as I have it done?
ND Admissions
Hi Meghan! Thanks for joining us! To submit your application for regular decision, please submit your application by December 31, that is a postmark deadline should you decide to apply through a paper copy, if not just click the “submit” button by December 31. You are welcome to submit your application before this deadline, just make sure to indicate that your application is to be evaluated in the regular action pool.
Chris - Pittsburgh, PA
Would I be able to meet the 150- hour requirement for the CPA exam as an undergraduate student in the Mendoza School of Business or would graduate studies be necessary?
ND Admissions
Great question. Most students stay for a fifth-year accounting program. That said, students who come in with considerable AP credit may be able to finish the 150 hours in four years.
Milena - Rice Lake, WI
What is your favorite part about living on-campus? Is it hard at first?
ND Admissions
Hi Milena, Wow. Where to begin. As you may or may not know residential life is really one of the things that makes Notre Dame truly unique. If I had to say my favorite thing about living on campus, it would by far be the friends I have made. My best friends on campus are the girls from my dorm I met on my first day or orientation. Also most people stay in the same dorm for 3 years, so moving back each year gets a bit easier because you’re always coming back to familiar faces to a familiar place. Just as high school was an adjustment, college is an adjustment. You have to learn to live with a stranger (who isn’t a stranger very long may I add) and be very independent. You learn quickly. You should have nothing you worry about-remember all the freshman will be in your same boat.
Brittany - Annandale, NJ
What is the acceptance rate of Notre Dame graduates into dental school?
ND Admissions
Hey Brittany… it’s not a large number of students who apply to dental school, but last year all of the students who applied got accepted…. so 100% acceptance rate.
Brittany - Annandale, NJ
Hi, What are the average SAT I scores for someone who has been accepted Early Action in the past and what was their class rank?
ND Admissions
Students admitted in Early Action are usually in the top 2-3% of their high school class and have scored in the upper 1400’s or above on the Math and Critical Reading portions of the SAT.
Eric - New Orleans, LA
Does the number of applicants from my particular school or geographical region negatively affect my chances at admission to Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Hi Eric,
We are making our admissions decisions based on you and your credentials. The number of students applying from your school or geographic region plays absolutely no role in the admissions process.
