Chats » Early Action Admitted Student Chat 2007/2008
Zach - Fairfax, VA
Are there opportunities to play sports (specifically soccer) if you're not on the Varsity team?
ND Admissions
Hi Zach,
Thanks for your question. There are many opportunities to get involved in sports without being on the varsity team. Each dorm has its own intramural teams which many students enjoy. They also offer Co-rec teams and club sports (though I’m not specifically sure about soccer).
Karina - Miami, Fl
Hello :)
I swim now in high school but not thinking of swimming Division I because I much rather focus on school, so I was wondering does ND have club swimming? And how active are students there?
ND Admissions
Hey Karina,
Notre Dame has doesn’t allow for their to be a club level of a varsity sport, so there isn’t a club for swimming, but there are an abundance of other club sports that you could try and get involved in. Plenty of our students are in the same scenario as you, so if you ever head to the pool to swim you’ll definitely be able to meet a bunch of people who are there just working out on their own.
Students here are VERY active. Everyone is always doing something, and you’ll always see people running around the lakes and all over campus.
Hope this helps!
Zach - Fairfax, VA
Who will move into Duncan Hall next year?
ND Admissions
The Office of Residence Life and Housing will assign housing into Duncan as they do for all other dormitories for all first year students – completely random. Current students will be invited to move into Duncan Hall this spring as we want Duncan Hall to offer the same experience as with other dormitories; both underclassmen and upperclassmen.
Eric - New Orleans, LA
What exactly is a Notre Dame Scholar?
ND Admissions
A Notre Dame Scholar designation is given to the top 20% of students admitted in a given admission season.
Anthony - Grosse Ile, MI
Should being in the top 40 be good enough?
ND Admissions
Rank in class is one of many factors we consider in admissions, and the average admitted student is in the top 1-4% of their class; however, this can mean different things in the different high schools because some schools do not weight their grades, others do not rank and some are so rigorous that students can be a little deeper in their class but still be very strong.
Scott - Mahopac, NY
Is there a program to buy a computer through Notre Dame? If not, do you offer tech support if we bring our own?
ND Admissions
You can buy a computer through ND or buy one on your own and there is technical support either way. Here’s information about buying a computer and here are recommended specifications .
Jay - Grosse Pointe, MI
Is there Wi-Fi all throughout campus?
ND Admissions
Yep. Although it doesn’t work in the dining halls, but you’ll probably want to eat instead of doing work. At least, that’s what I’ll be up to.
Matthew - Southlake, TX
Do a majority of students and proffesors have either a Mac or PC?
ND Admissions
Hi Matthew,
In terms of a personal computer, it is really your preference! Some of our different programs may prefer a student to have a Mac, such as the graphic design students—so that, you may want to look into.
Also, we have both Macs and PCs on campus and available to students.
Bobby - Los Altos, CA
If I am interested in majoring in finance, but also studying both political science and theology.
Can I study all of this? How hard would it be to have a double major?
And does it matter if you applied with a certain major selected but now are considering something different?
ND Admissions
Hi Bobby,
It is possible to major in finance and take courses in political science. University requirements include at least two courses in theology. It is possible for you to take additional courses if there is room in your schedule. If you are interested in a double major, you need to speak to your First Year Advisor about the specific requirements for each college. Many students choose to double major during their time here.
Your intended major is not written in stone. If you find that you would like to change your intended major or add another one, you can speak to your First Year Advisor via email during the summer or as soon as you arrive on campus.
Rene - Carmel, IN
Hi, we submitted the FAFSA and the CSS information as requested. We understand that submission of Tax returns may be necesssary to know what, if any, ND assistance would be given?
ND Admissions
Hi Rene -
You’re correct. Generally, we do require that incoming students and their parents applying for financial aid submit their tax returns (with schedules) and W2s before we are able to complete a student’s financial aid award. In addition to these documents, we may request more detailed information upon reviewing your file. You will be notified if this is the case.
I recommend that you and your parents submit your completed tax returns to our office when they have been completed. In this way, we will be able to get a jump start on reviewing your file. Otherwise, we will likely be requesting these documents later.
I hope this is helpful.
Maryam - Nashville, TN
Regarding double/dual majoring at ND. Also, a few small Questbridge questions.
ND Admissions
Please be more specific with your question about double majors.
For specific questions about Questbridge, please contact Mr. Gilbert J. Martinez at martinez.8@nd.edu.
Alicia - Carmel, IN
After Notre Dame receives a student's financial information through the FAFSA process, when could we expect to know how much financial aid our daughter would be eligible for? Also, is financial aid based only on the FAFSA data or are there other considerations?
ND Admissions
Alicia,
Notre Dame requires the completion of both the FAFSA and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE to receive consideration for all types of financial aid administered through our office. Please visit our website to learn more about our application requirements. This information is available at:
http://www.nd.edu/~finaid/apply/
We encourage you to complete the steps outlined on our website to ensure that your file is complete at the time of our review.
Financial aid award letters are mailed to early action admitted students beginning in mid-March. Students who are admitted through the regular action admission program will begin to receive notification near the end of March.
Drew - Vallejo, CA
What, in your opinion, is the BEST thing about attending ND?
ND Admissions
You know what, I think the best thing about attending ND are the people that are here. When you arrive on campus, you find that you’re a part of a community that is extremely open and welcoming, and this is not just your rector,your RA’s, and your professors, it’s also all of your friends. The strengths that you and your friends have will complement each other, and you’ll soon be making some of the best friends you’ll ever have.
Kevin - East Northport, NY
For anyone in the Mendoza School of Business...I plan on studying finance, so what's everyone's opinion on the program and teachers? What are your favorite classes, and what are the courses like? Is there a practical focus, where what you learn is very applicable post-graduate when you begin working? Also, how are internship opportunities? Lastly, I am very interested in studying abroad, so does anyone have recommendations as to where to go or stories of your own personal experiences with that?
ND Admissions
Hey Kevin,
There is one professor that teaches all the Corporate Finance Essentials sections (the introductory course for Finance and Accounting majors) and he is AWESOME. Easily one of the highest rated professors at ND. He really tries hard to make the stuff interesting by breaking up with class with practical jokes every 10 minutes or so. There definitely is a practical focus on every course in the College of Business because every single course has some sort of cumulative group project in which you apply everything you’ve learned through a practical real live example, be it by developing a full-on marketing plan, a running e-commerce website from scratch or making presentations about management theories. The alumni network and Notre Dame’s career center really helps you well with future internship opportunities. The Major clubs in Mendoza (Accounting club, Marketing, etc.) all host their own meet & greets so that students can meet employers in casual one on one settings.
Also studying abroad is an awesome thing, We have something like over 40 percent of students study abroad at some point during their college career. Everyone going abroad always has a blast and comes back to campus with a whole new set of friends to add one to their old ones.
Hope this helps!
Emily - Fairfield, CT
Hello!
I was wondering if ND hosts a Relay for Life (American Cancer Society fundraiser)? I'm involved in planning the event here and would like to participate if there is one at ND. Also- are there any programs or accomodations for students who won't be able to go home for Thanksgiving or other holidays?
Thank you!
ND Admissions
Hey Emily,
Thanks for your question. I was also involved with Relay for Life in high school and was happy to know that I could continue that here. Notre Dame does host its own Relay for Life, I think we’re in our fifth year. There are definitely opportunities for you to participate. As for programs and/or accommodations, the residence halls are open for all short holidays (like Thanksgiving or Easter) and fall and spring breaks. So, staying on campus during these times is not a problem plus, many students will go visit a friend’s family who lives close to campus.
Paolo - Bangkok, Thailand
On average, how many students from Asia are admitted into ND?
ND Admissions
Hi Paolo,
There really isn’t an exact number; we accept all the students who are qualified regardless of where they go to school. The same goes for students in the United States—we have no quotas based on states of schools.
Hendy - ,
Do I have to take foreign language classes, if I'm an international student?
ND Admissions
We still recommend that all students take a foreign language but if you are already fluent in a second language, we will waive the 2 year minimum requirement of a foreign language.
Mariel - Fort Wayne, IN
I am interested in majoring in linguistics and also would like to study cognitive science. As currently there is no linguistics major available, is there a possibility I may construct my own major or pursue study in a similar program?
ND Admissions
Hi Mariel. One course of study that you could pursue is psychology. In this field, you would be able to take courses in both psycholinguistics and cognitive psychology. You may also find the physiological psychology courses interesting, as they delve a bit into cognitive neuroscience.
Laura - Appleton, WI
When will we find out which dorm we're in?
ND Admissions
Hi Laura!
Thanks for joining us tonight. All first year students will be notified of their residence hall assignments and roommate assignments in late July.
Kevin - East Northport, NY
Aside from sports, spirituality, and academics, what do you like best about ND?
ND Admissions
Hi Kevin,
What I think makes Notre Dame truly special is the sense of community and family atmosphere that is so prevalent on campus. A lot of people say this is what they like best about Notre Dame and I have to agree. Also, the Notre Dame student body is comprised of extremely intelligent, passionate, and involved people; I love going to a university where my classmates inspire me daily.
Justin - Melville, NY
Does anyone know how long the flight is from New York?
ND Admissions
I usually get in under 2 hrs flying Northwest out of SBN and into LGA.
Kevin - East Northport, NY
Regarding Financial Aid, how much does Notre Dame meet student financial needs? Is Notre Dame moving away from student loans and focusing on more grants and work study in order to help students leave school without debt or close to no debt? I know Harvard has set some plans in motion to make their education more affordable for everyone, so is ND also moving down that similar path?
ND Admissions
Hi Kevin,
Notre Dame meets 100% of the demonstrated need of a family as determined by the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.
The University annually reviews its student aid policies with the primary goal of keeping its costs affordable for all of our families. We believe our current policies are generous and competitive with those of our peers. Announcements such as those made by Harvard, Yale and others are noted and will be carefully considered in the University’s allocation of resources.
David - Miami, FL
What are the requirements in order to be accepted at Notre Dame.
ND Admissions
Hi David,
The main portions of the application that we evaluate are the high school transcript, rigor of curriculum, standardized test scores, extra curricular activities, letters of recommendation and an essay. In the most recent admitted class, the middle-50% of admitted students scored between a 1350 and a 1490 on the SAT (Math + Critical Reading) or between a 31 and a 34 on the ACT. The average rank in class was about top 5%.
Kevin - East Northport, NY
How are the dorms and food? What are the fitness facilities like?
ND Admissions
Hey Kevin,
Dorm like is really an integral part of the Notre Dame experience. You’ll meet so many people and participate in so many events with the guys from your dorm that it really becomes your home. Dorms themselves vary all across campus, we have older ones with a lot of tradition, newer ones with more modern facilities and then the ones in between. The food is AWESOME. I come from a family of chefs and I love it.
There are two main fitness areas on campus for students who aren’t athletes, the Rockne Memorial Gym and Rolfs. Both have up to date aerobic machines, free weights and other things like basketball courts, swimming pools, tennis courts. You name it, we should have it, or you’ll find it somewhere on campus.
Hope this answers your question.
Nick - Dallas, TX
What is the student's favorite activity in their free time?
ND Admissions
Hi Nick,
Students here at Notre Dame are pretty lucky; though we focus a lot on academics we have a lot of free time to pursue whatever interests us. Personally, I enjoy playing intramurals in my dorm and joining various service projects. Really, the options are pretty limitless, there are hundreds of student clubs you can join ranging from athletics, academics, music/theater, service, language, culture, etc. Hope this helps!
JENNIFER - WHITEFISH BAY, WI
IS THE INFORMATION SESSION SIMILAR TO THE SESSION THAT WAS AT OUR HS THAT OUR DAUGHTER ATTENDED? IF SO, CAN WE JUST COME FOR THE TOUR?
ND Admissions
Hi Jennifer,
The information session that your daughter attended is very similar to the ones that are given on campus. And the information presented during those sessions are most beneficial for prospective students, so feel free to join us for a tour of our beautiful campus!
James - Granger, IN
Does it hurt my chances if I live 5 minutes from campus?
ND Admissions
Not at all! We look at all students in the context of their high school curriculum and we do not have “quotas” in our office, including geographical ones.
Anthony - Grosse Ile, MI
Hello, what is the average high school GPA for a Notre Dame student?
ND Admissions
Many schools use different GPA scales and computation methods, so it is difficult to give standardized information regarding Grade Point Averages. We do not recalculate GPAs for our admissions decisions. Instead, we rely much more heavily on class rank when determining how competitive a student is within his/her school. Competitive students are near the top of their class, no matter how their GPA is computed.
Colleen - Chicago, IL
Is it hard being in South Bend, away from big cities? What is there to do for fun?
ND Admissions
Hi Colleen,
Being from the suburbs of NYC I thought that moving to South Bend would be a huge change, but it’s really not that bad. There is always something happening on campus like musicals, plays, parties, concerts.. many clubs and dorms also sponsor dances and other activities throughout the week; you’ll always be busy an enjoying it, I promise.
Hope this helps!
Eric - Sussex, WI
Hi,
I was accepted in the early application and I was wondering when I need to let Notre Dame know that I have chosen it as my college, as well as how to do it and any other relevant information regarding this.
ND Admissions
Hi Eric,
Congrats on being admitted! You have until May 1st to make your decision, and if you decide on Notre Dame, just send in the card (found in your admit packet) and your deposit.
We hope to see you on campus next year!
Caroline - Battle Creek, MI
Can you explain a bit about the First Year of Studies and how it pertains to engineering students?
ND Admissions
Hi, Caroline. I can understand your having a question about this since the First Year of Studies is a unique program. The First Year of Studies makes it easier for students to learn about different programs and to change programs but for students who want to stay with engineering we support them 100%. We work closely with the Engineering College and we’ll make sure you take all the courses in your first year that the Engineering College requires.
Tommy - Pennington, NJ
Hey, I was wondering, do you have laundry service?
ND Admissions
Hi Tommy,
Yes, Notre Dame does have laundry service for both men and women. You leave your laundry at an a drop off in your dorm, and a couple of days later you pick up your laundry at a central distribution center on campus.
amy - strafford, pa
can my mom and dad submit questions also?
ND Admissions
Hi Amy,
Your parents are more than welcome to submit questions during the chat!
Bobby - Los Altos, CA
Hello. While this may seem like a very uneducated question, I am the oldest kid in my family so I don't know the answer.
If you have successfully passed an AP test according to Notre Dame standards, does that mean that you do not have to take that class which it fulfills at ND?
Also, specifically, if you have passed the English AP exam, what English class do you then take?
ND Admissions
Hi, Bobby. You have asked a good question. Using AP credit to get out of a course or not using it differs from course to course. Students who have AP credit for FY Composition always use the credit. But for math, chemistry, biology, physics the answer is determined on a case-by-case basis. It’s always good to work with your first year advisor to see what’s best for you.
Brandon - Newark, Ohio
What is the tuition, fees, room, and board for prospective students in fall of 2008?
ND Admissions
Hey Brandon-
Actual tuition, fees, and room/board costs for the 2008/2009 academic year have not yet been released. The cost of attendance for the 2007/2008 academic year was approximately $44, 500. Generally, families can expect a 4-6% increase in these costs each academic year.
Abby - Houston, TX
What dual-degree programs do you have accompanied with Architecture?
ND Admissions
Hi, Abby, thanks for your question. We can put various combinations of programs together but rarely have I heard students ask about dual degree and architecture. Such a combination would take six or more years. Do you mean “double major”? Occasionally students will combine architecture and Italian for a double major which perhaps they could do in five years.
Bobby - Los Altos, CA
As someone from CA, I am not exactly sure what people wear during the winter (specifically guys).
What kind of jackets, shoes, and pants do guys wear?
ND Admissions
Hi Bobby,
Well, there will be a small adjustment period for you when you get here! You quickly learn that you won’t be able to wear sandals and t-shirts all the time and you’ll find that layering works best. On a normal winter day you’ll probably wear a sweatshirt and heavy jacket (buy your jacket here—a “winter jacket” in CA is not the same as a “winter jacket” in Indiana) and just take the jacket off once you get to class.
The weather really isn’t as bad as it may sound right now. The first snowfall of the season is always greeted by students with a big North Quad vs. South Quad snowball fight (although all the dorms ganged up on Zahm this year) and everyone has a lot of fun with it!
Hai-y - Charlotte, NC
What is the acceptance rate to medical school?
ND Admissions
Hello Hai-y,
The acceptance rate of ND students who apply to medical is about 82%. For those ND students who are biology majors, the acceptance rate for the last couple of years has been 100%.
Jay - Grosse Pointe Park, MI
Do we get to request our dorm choices?
ND Admissions
Hi Jay,
I’m sorry to tell you that students do not get to request specific dorms for their freshmen year. Instead what happens is students are randomly placed into one of the 27 residence halls on campus, the success rate is actually really high and pretty much every student is happy with where they are assigned to.
Hope this answers your question!
Yang
Amy - Cary, NC
What types of work-study programs or grants are available? How can students participate in research programs and studies?
ND Admissions
Hi Amy,
Notre Dame has many opportunities for students in scholarship and employment. I would suggest you visit our website and review the information: http://www.nd.edu/~finaid/undergraduate/.
Zach - Fairfax, VA
Are there opportunities to play sports (specifically soccer) if you're not on the Varsity team?
ND Admissions
Hi Zach,
Thanks for your question. There are many opportunities to get involved in sports without being on the varsity team. Each dorm has its own intramural teams which many students enjoy. They also offer Co-rec teams and club sports (though I’m not specifically sure about soccer).
Karina - Miami, Fl
Hello :) I swim now in high school but not thinking of swimming Division I because I much rather focus on school, so I was wondering does ND have club swimming? And how active are students there?
ND Admissions
Hey Karina,
Notre Dame has doesn’t allow for their to be a club level of a varsity sport, so there isn’t a club for swimming, but there are an abundance of other club sports that you could try and get involved in. Plenty of our students are in the same scenario as you, so if you ever head to the pool to swim you’ll definitely be able to meet a bunch of people who are there just working out on their own.
Students here are VERY active. Everyone is always doing something, and you’ll always see people running around the lakes and all over campus.
Hope this helps!
Zach - Fairfax, VA
Who will move into Duncan Hall next year?
ND Admissions
The Office of Residence Life and Housing will assign housing into Duncan as they do for all other dormitories for all first year students – completely random. Current students will be invited to move into Duncan Hall this spring as we want Duncan Hall to offer the same experience as with other dormitories; both underclassmen and upperclassmen.
Eric - New Orleans, LA
What exactly is a Notre Dame Scholar?
ND Admissions
A Notre Dame Scholar designation is given to the top 20% of students admitted in a given admission season.
Anthony - Grosse Ile, MI
Should being in the top 40 be good enough?
ND Admissions
Rank in class is one of many factors we consider in admissions, and the average admitted student is in the top 1-4% of their class; however, this can mean different things in the different high schools because some schools do not weight their grades, others do not rank and some are so rigorous that students can be a little deeper in their class but still be very strong.
Scott - Mahopac, NY
Is there a program to buy a computer through Notre Dame? If not, do you offer tech support if we bring our own?
ND Admissions
You can buy a computer through ND or buy one on your own and there is technical support either way. Here’s information about buying a computer and here are recommended specifications .
Jay - Grosse Pointe, MI
Is there Wi-Fi all throughout campus?
ND Admissions
Yep. Although it doesn’t work in the dining halls, but you’ll probably want to eat instead of doing work. At least, that’s what I’ll be up to.
Matthew - Southlake, TX
Do a majority of students and proffesors have either a Mac or PC?
ND Admissions
Hi Matthew,
In terms of a personal computer, it is really your preference! Some of our different programs may prefer a student to have a Mac, such as the graphic design students—so that, you may want to look into.
Also, we have both Macs and PCs on campus and available to students.
Bobby - Los Altos, CA
If I am interested in majoring in finance, but also studying both political science and theology. Can I study all of this? How hard would it be to have a double major? And does it matter if you applied with a certain major selected but now are considering something different?
ND Admissions
Hi Bobby,
It is possible to major in finance and take courses in political science. University requirements include at least two courses in theology. It is possible for you to take additional courses if there is room in your schedule. If you are interested in a double major, you need to speak to your First Year Advisor about the specific requirements for each college. Many students choose to double major during their time here.
Your intended major is not written in stone. If you find that you would like to change your intended major or add another one, you can speak to your First Year Advisor via email during the summer or as soon as you arrive on campus.
Rene - Carmel, IN
Hi, we submitted the FAFSA and the CSS information as requested. We understand that submission of Tax returns may be necesssary to know what, if any, ND assistance would be given?
ND Admissions
Hi Rene -
You’re correct. Generally, we do require that incoming students and their parents applying for financial aid submit their tax returns (with schedules) and W2s before we are able to complete a student’s financial aid award. In addition to these documents, we may request more detailed information upon reviewing your file. You will be notified if this is the case.
I recommend that you and your parents submit your completed tax returns to our office when they have been completed. In this way, we will be able to get a jump start on reviewing your file. Otherwise, we will likely be requesting these documents later.
I hope this is helpful.
Maryam - Nashville, TN
Regarding double/dual majoring at ND. Also, a few small Questbridge questions.
ND Admissions
Please be more specific with your question about double majors.
For specific questions about Questbridge, please contact Mr. Gilbert J. Martinez at martinez.8@nd.edu.
Alicia - Carmel, IN
After Notre Dame receives a student's financial information through the FAFSA process, when could we expect to know how much financial aid our daughter would be eligible for? Also, is financial aid based only on the FAFSA data or are there other considerations?
ND Admissions
Alicia,
Notre Dame requires the completion of both the FAFSA and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE to receive consideration for all types of financial aid administered through our office. Please visit our website to learn more about our application requirements. This information is available at:
http://www.nd.edu/~finaid/apply/
We encourage you to complete the steps outlined on our website to ensure that your file is complete at the time of our review.
Financial aid award letters are mailed to early action admitted students beginning in mid-March. Students who are admitted through the regular action admission program will begin to receive notification near the end of March.
Drew - Vallejo, CA
What, in your opinion, is the BEST thing about attending ND?
ND Admissions
You know what, I think the best thing about attending ND are the people that are here. When you arrive on campus, you find that you’re a part of a community that is extremely open and welcoming, and this is not just your rector,your RA’s, and your professors, it’s also all of your friends. The strengths that you and your friends have will complement each other, and you’ll soon be making some of the best friends you’ll ever have.
Kevin - East Northport, NY
For anyone in the Mendoza School of Business...I plan on studying finance, so what's everyone's opinion on the program and teachers? What are your favorite classes, and what are the courses like? Is there a practical focus, where what you learn is very applicable post-graduate when you begin working? Also, how are internship opportunities? Lastly, I am very interested in studying abroad, so does anyone have recommendations as to where to go or stories of your own personal experiences with that?
ND Admissions
Hey Kevin,
There is one professor that teaches all the Corporate Finance Essentials sections (the introductory course for Finance and Accounting majors) and he is AWESOME. Easily one of the highest rated professors at ND. He really tries hard to make the stuff interesting by breaking up with class with practical jokes every 10 minutes or so. There definitely is a practical focus on every course in the College of Business because every single course has some sort of cumulative group project in which you apply everything you’ve learned through a practical real live example, be it by developing a full-on marketing plan, a running e-commerce website from scratch or making presentations about management theories. The alumni network and Notre Dame’s career center really helps you well with future internship opportunities. The Major clubs in Mendoza (Accounting club, Marketing, etc.) all host their own meet & greets so that students can meet employers in casual one on one settings.
Also studying abroad is an awesome thing, We have something like over 40 percent of students study abroad at some point during their college career. Everyone going abroad always has a blast and comes back to campus with a whole new set of friends to add one to their old ones.
Hope this helps!
Emily - Fairfield, CT
Hello! I was wondering if ND hosts a Relay for Life (American Cancer Society fundraiser)? I'm involved in planning the event here and would like to participate if there is one at ND. Also- are there any programs or accomodations for students who won't be able to go home for Thanksgiving or other holidays? Thank you!
ND Admissions
Hey Emily,
Thanks for your question. I was also involved with Relay for Life in high school and was happy to know that I could continue that here. Notre Dame does host its own Relay for Life, I think we’re in our fifth year. There are definitely opportunities for you to participate. As for programs and/or accommodations, the residence halls are open for all short holidays (like Thanksgiving or Easter) and fall and spring breaks. So, staying on campus during these times is not a problem plus, many students will go visit a friend’s family who lives close to campus.
Paolo - Bangkok, Thailand
On average, how many students from Asia are admitted into ND?
ND Admissions
Hi Paolo,
There really isn’t an exact number; we accept all the students who are qualified regardless of where they go to school. The same goes for students in the United States—we have no quotas based on states of schools.
Hendy - ,
Do I have to take foreign language classes, if I'm an international student?
ND Admissions
We still recommend that all students take a foreign language but if you are already fluent in a second language, we will waive the 2 year minimum requirement of a foreign language.
Mariel - Fort Wayne, IN
I am interested in majoring in linguistics and also would like to study cognitive science. As currently there is no linguistics major available, is there a possibility I may construct my own major or pursue study in a similar program?
ND Admissions
Hi Mariel. One course of study that you could pursue is psychology. In this field, you would be able to take courses in both psycholinguistics and cognitive psychology. You may also find the physiological psychology courses interesting, as they delve a bit into cognitive neuroscience.
Laura - Appleton, WI
When will we find out which dorm we're in?
ND Admissions
Hi Laura!
Thanks for joining us tonight. All first year students will be notified of their residence hall assignments and roommate assignments in late July.
Kevin - East Northport, NY
Aside from sports, spirituality, and academics, what do you like best about ND?
ND Admissions
Hi Kevin,
What I think makes Notre Dame truly special is the sense of community and family atmosphere that is so prevalent on campus. A lot of people say this is what they like best about Notre Dame and I have to agree. Also, the Notre Dame student body is comprised of extremely intelligent, passionate, and involved people; I love going to a university where my classmates inspire me daily.
Justin - Melville, NY
Does anyone know how long the flight is from New York?
ND Admissions
I usually get in under 2 hrs flying Northwest out of SBN and into LGA.
Kevin - East Northport, NY
Regarding Financial Aid, how much does Notre Dame meet student financial needs? Is Notre Dame moving away from student loans and focusing on more grants and work study in order to help students leave school without debt or close to no debt? I know Harvard has set some plans in motion to make their education more affordable for everyone, so is ND also moving down that similar path?
ND Admissions
Hi Kevin,
Notre Dame meets 100% of the demonstrated need of a family as determined by the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.
The University annually reviews its student aid policies with the primary goal of keeping its costs affordable for all of our families. We believe our current policies are generous and competitive with those of our peers. Announcements such as those made by Harvard, Yale and others are noted and will be carefully considered in the University’s allocation of resources.
David - Miami, FL
What are the requirements in order to be accepted at Notre Dame.
ND Admissions
Hi David,
The main portions of the application that we evaluate are the high school transcript, rigor of curriculum, standardized test scores, extra curricular activities, letters of recommendation and an essay. In the most recent admitted class, the middle-50% of admitted students scored between a 1350 and a 1490 on the SAT (Math + Critical Reading) or between a 31 and a 34 on the ACT. The average rank in class was about top 5%.
Kevin - East Northport, NY
How are the dorms and food? What are the fitness facilities like?
ND Admissions
Hey Kevin,
Dorm like is really an integral part of the Notre Dame experience. You’ll meet so many people and participate in so many events with the guys from your dorm that it really becomes your home. Dorms themselves vary all across campus, we have older ones with a lot of tradition, newer ones with more modern facilities and then the ones in between. The food is AWESOME. I come from a family of chefs and I love it.
There are two main fitness areas on campus for students who aren’t athletes, the Rockne Memorial Gym and Rolfs. Both have up to date aerobic machines, free weights and other things like basketball courts, swimming pools, tennis courts. You name it, we should have it, or you’ll find it somewhere on campus.
Hope this answers your question.
Nick - Dallas, TX
What is the student's favorite activity in their free time?
ND Admissions
Hi Nick,
Students here at Notre Dame are pretty lucky; though we focus a lot on academics we have a lot of free time to pursue whatever interests us. Personally, I enjoy playing intramurals in my dorm and joining various service projects. Really, the options are pretty limitless, there are hundreds of student clubs you can join ranging from athletics, academics, music/theater, service, language, culture, etc. Hope this helps!
JENNIFER - WHITEFISH BAY, WI
IS THE INFORMATION SESSION SIMILAR TO THE SESSION THAT WAS AT OUR HS THAT OUR DAUGHTER ATTENDED? IF SO, CAN WE JUST COME FOR THE TOUR?
ND Admissions
Hi Jennifer,
The information session that your daughter attended is very similar to the ones that are given on campus. And the information presented during those sessions are most beneficial for prospective students, so feel free to join us for a tour of our beautiful campus!
James - Granger, IN
Does it hurt my chances if I live 5 minutes from campus?
ND Admissions
Not at all! We look at all students in the context of their high school curriculum and we do not have “quotas” in our office, including geographical ones.
Anthony - Grosse Ile, MI
Hello, what is the average high school GPA for a Notre Dame student?
ND Admissions
Many schools use different GPA scales and computation methods, so it is difficult to give standardized information regarding Grade Point Averages. We do not recalculate GPAs for our admissions decisions. Instead, we rely much more heavily on class rank when determining how competitive a student is within his/her school. Competitive students are near the top of their class, no matter how their GPA is computed.
Colleen - Chicago, IL
Is it hard being in South Bend, away from big cities? What is there to do for fun?
ND Admissions
Hi Colleen,
Being from the suburbs of NYC I thought that moving to South Bend would be a huge change, but it’s really not that bad. There is always something happening on campus like musicals, plays, parties, concerts.. many clubs and dorms also sponsor dances and other activities throughout the week; you’ll always be busy an enjoying it, I promise.
Hope this helps!
Eric - Sussex, WI
Hi, I was accepted in the early application and I was wondering when I need to let Notre Dame know that I have chosen it as my college, as well as how to do it and any other relevant information regarding this.
ND Admissions
Hi Eric,
Congrats on being admitted! You have until May 1st to make your decision, and if you decide on Notre Dame, just send in the card (found in your admit packet) and your deposit.
We hope to see you on campus next year!
Caroline - Battle Creek, MI
Can you explain a bit about the First Year of Studies and how it pertains to engineering students?
ND Admissions
Hi, Caroline. I can understand your having a question about this since the First Year of Studies is a unique program. The First Year of Studies makes it easier for students to learn about different programs and to change programs but for students who want to stay with engineering we support them 100%. We work closely with the Engineering College and we’ll make sure you take all the courses in your first year that the Engineering College requires.
Tommy - Pennington, NJ
Hey, I was wondering, do you have laundry service?
ND Admissions
Hi Tommy,
Yes, Notre Dame does have laundry service for both men and women. You leave your laundry at an a drop off in your dorm, and a couple of days later you pick up your laundry at a central distribution center on campus.
amy - strafford, pa
can my mom and dad submit questions also?
ND Admissions
Hi Amy,
Your parents are more than welcome to submit questions during the chat!
Bobby - Los Altos, CA
Hello. While this may seem like a very uneducated question, I am the oldest kid in my family so I don't know the answer. If you have successfully passed an AP test according to Notre Dame standards, does that mean that you do not have to take that class which it fulfills at ND? Also, specifically, if you have passed the English AP exam, what English class do you then take?
ND Admissions
Hi, Bobby. You have asked a good question. Using AP credit to get out of a course or not using it differs from course to course. Students who have AP credit for FY Composition always use the credit. But for math, chemistry, biology, physics the answer is determined on a case-by-case basis. It’s always good to work with your first year advisor to see what’s best for you.
Brandon - Newark, Ohio
What is the tuition, fees, room, and board for prospective students in fall of 2008?
ND Admissions
Hey Brandon-
Actual tuition, fees, and room/board costs for the 2008/2009 academic year have not yet been released. The cost of attendance for the 2007/2008 academic year was approximately $44, 500. Generally, families can expect a 4-6% increase in these costs each academic year.
Abby - Houston, TX
What dual-degree programs do you have accompanied with Architecture?
ND Admissions
Hi, Abby, thanks for your question. We can put various combinations of programs together but rarely have I heard students ask about dual degree and architecture. Such a combination would take six or more years. Do you mean “double major”? Occasionally students will combine architecture and Italian for a double major which perhaps they could do in five years.
Bobby - Los Altos, CA
As someone from CA, I am not exactly sure what people wear during the winter (specifically guys). What kind of jackets, shoes, and pants do guys wear?
ND Admissions
Hi Bobby,
Well, there will be a small adjustment period for you when you get here! You quickly learn that you won’t be able to wear sandals and t-shirts all the time and you’ll find that layering works best. On a normal winter day you’ll probably wear a sweatshirt and heavy jacket (buy your jacket here—a “winter jacket” in CA is not the same as a “winter jacket” in Indiana) and just take the jacket off once you get to class.
The weather really isn’t as bad as it may sound right now. The first snowfall of the season is always greeted by students with a big North Quad vs. South Quad snowball fight (although all the dorms ganged up on Zahm this year) and everyone has a lot of fun with it!
Hai-y - Charlotte, NC
What is the acceptance rate to medical school?
ND Admissions
Hello Hai-y,
The acceptance rate of ND students who apply to medical is about 82%. For those ND students who are biology majors, the acceptance rate for the last couple of years has been 100%.
Jay - Grosse Pointe Park, MI
Do we get to request our dorm choices?
ND Admissions
Hi Jay,
I’m sorry to tell you that students do not get to request specific dorms for their freshmen year. Instead what happens is students are randomly placed into one of the 27 residence halls on campus, the success rate is actually really high and pretty much every student is happy with where they are assigned to.
Hope this answers your question!
Yang
Amy - Cary, NC
What types of work-study programs or grants are available? How can students participate in research programs and studies?
ND Admissions
Hi Amy,
Notre Dame has many opportunities for students in scholarship and employment. I would suggest you visit our website and review the information: http://www.nd.edu/~finaid/undergraduate/.
