Chats » Prospective Student Chat 2008/2009
Drew - Cranberry, PA
How does one get an accurate indication as to whether he or she will have a chance to be admitted into this prestigious university.
ND Admissions
Hi Drew. You are certainly welcome to look at our stats online at admissions.nd.edu, but you can feel free to call our office at 574.631.7505 and ask for your area’s counselor to seek advice.
Andres Ramirez - Highland, IN
In what ways is early application a better choice than applying later on in your senior year?
ND Admissions
Hi Andres,
Early Action is better than Regular Action because you are notified of your decision in December instead of late March. However, the process is not as straightforward as that.
We are more conservative when we review our EA applicants as we only receive a small portion of our applications at that time and we do not want to fill our class with only EA applicants-we want to give everyone a fair chance. For that reason, only the students who are clearly admissible are admitted, only those who are clearly not admissible are denied, and the middle group is deferred to RA.
If you are thinking about applying EA, I encourage you to contact your area’s admissions representative. He or she will recommend to you when to apply as the most competitive applicant possible. Our staff list is found here: Admissions Staff
Matthew - Amherst, NY
Is housing guaranteed for all four years at Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Yes. Freshman dorm assignments are completely random, but after that first year, you can transfer dorms, pick roommates, or move off-campus. About 80% of all students stay in the dorms for all four years, and 50% of seniors move off-campus. But housing is guaranteed for all four years.
Matt - Murrieta, CA
Does Notre Dame offer freshman seminar courses?
ND Admissions
Yes. All students must complete a freshman seminar during their freshman year.
Dan - Bettendorf, IA
Is it common for students to retake AP courses their first year that they have already passed in high school?
ND Admissions
If the class is in your major people tend to retake it. I think people find it helpful to make sure they are on the same page as everyone else in their major. If it is a general education requirement typically not.
Joyce - Indianapolis, IN
What sort of scholarships and/or financial aid are available? Please be specific.
What are admissons reuirements?
ND Admissions
The University offers need based financial aid, rather than merit based aid. After apaplying for admission, students apply for financial aid by filling out the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Follow this link Financial Aid for more information
Kelly - Cranford, NJ
How is your track and field program?
ND Admissions
Notre Dame’s track and field program has enjoyed several Big East titles and at least two former ND track and field runners participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing! Check out the track and field website at http://und.cstv.com/sports/c-track/nd-c-track-body.html.
Alexa - Camarillo, CA
Are students generally admitted to a specific college (i.e. Mendoza School of Business) upon entering their freshmen year, or do they transfer in at a later time?
ND Admissions
No. As a freshman, you enter the First Year of Studies program which includes core curriculum that students must complete prior to matriculation into a college. You do not declare a major until at least first semester of sophomore year.
Eileen - Scottsdale, AZ
How many clubs are there currently on campus? Which ones are most popular among students? Are there intramural sports available?
ND Admissions
I do not know the exact number because there are just so many. There are cultural, academic, service, religious, media, and performing arts clubs just to name a few categories. Anything you are interested in we have and they are always open to new clubs being formed and it is very easy to do so. Circle K is a very popular community service organization and ISI is an inter-denominational Christian group. If you want specific information on clubs search SAO (Student Activities Office) on the Notre Dame website. Yes there are intramural sports in practically anything (football, table tennis, dodgeball, softball/baseball, bowling, etc) you can participate through the residence halls or through RecSports.
Steve - Zell, SD
Is it better to apply during the early or regular deadline?
Do you have foreign professors and if so are they proficient in English?
ND Admissions
There are foreign professors, but they are proficient in English…at least enough to be understood by the class.
Matt - Burke, VA
I don't have a great GPA but good SAT scores what are you looking for in your candidates
ND Admissions
The University seeks to enroll students who are strong in a number of different areas: they have taken a rigorous high school curriculum and have a good GPA; a strong ACT or SAT score; commitment to extracurricular activites; good letters of recommendation; well written essays.
Kyle - Bradford, PA
What variety of Sciences does Notre Dame offer?
ND Admissions
For majors, Notre Dame has general chemistry, biology, physics, math. Then for more specialties, we have chemical engineering, biochemistry, and pre-professional studies.
Dan - Bettendorf, IA
Is there a minimum ACT score that one needs to be admitted to Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
No, there’s not a minimum ACT score needed. The admissions committee will consider your entire application, not just your scores.
Eileen - Scottsdale, AZ
How easily accessible is transportation to get off campus and back to campus?
ND Admissions
Fairly easy. Students are unable to have cars their first semester here; however, upperclassmen often have cars and are very willing to lend or transport other people. Also, the South Bend bus system is free with a ND ID and there is a stop on campus.
Grant - St. Charles, IL
If you are not entirely sure of your intended major, are there any disadvantages or advantages to coming in undecided?
ND Admissions
No. You don’t declare a major here until at least first semester of sophomore year, so there’s no disadvantage. If you’re thinking about pre-med or engineering, you want to start taking some core classes freshman year because of the curriculum. Even if you know what you want to major in, many people end up changing their minds.
Jimmy - Devon, PA
I've heard that Notre Dame has a medical school, but I can't seem to find any information about it online. Does this Medical School exist?
ND Admissions
Notre Dame does not have a medical school. Indiana University is the only medical school in Indiana. However, there are satellite campuses for IU around the state, where you can do your first two years of medical school. One of these satellite campuses is in South Bend and actually just across the street from Notre Dame. Also, Notre Dame does have a very high acceptance rate for getting into medical school and our pre-med advising office is extremely helpful.
Drew - Cranberry, PA
How does one get an accurate indication as to whether he or she will have a chance to be admitted into this prestigious university.
ND Admissions
Hi Drew. You are certainly welcome to look at our stats online at admissions.nd.edu, but you can feel free to call our office at 574.631.7505 and ask for your area’s counselor to seek advice.
Andres Ramirez - Highland, IN
In what ways is early application a better choice than applying later on in your senior year?
ND Admissions
Hi Andres,
Early Action is better than Regular Action because you are notified of your decision in December instead of late March. However, the process is not as straightforward as that.
We are more conservative when we review our EA applicants as we only receive a small portion of our applications at that time and we do not want to fill our class with only EA applicants-we want to give everyone a fair chance. For that reason, only the students who are clearly admissible are admitted, only those who are clearly not admissible are denied, and the middle group is deferred to RA.
If you are thinking about applying EA, I encourage you to contact your area’s admissions representative. He or she will recommend to you when to apply as the most competitive applicant possible. Our staff list is found here: Admissions Staff
Matthew - Amherst, NY
Is housing guaranteed for all four years at Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Yes. Freshman dorm assignments are completely random, but after that first year, you can transfer dorms, pick roommates, or move off-campus. About 80% of all students stay in the dorms for all four years, and 50% of seniors move off-campus. But housing is guaranteed for all four years.
Matt - Murrieta, CA
Does Notre Dame offer freshman seminar courses?
ND Admissions
Yes. All students must complete a freshman seminar during their freshman year.
Dan - Bettendorf, IA
Is it common for students to retake AP courses their first year that they have already passed in high school?
ND Admissions
If the class is in your major people tend to retake it. I think people find it helpful to make sure they are on the same page as everyone else in their major. If it is a general education requirement typically not.
Joyce - Indianapolis, IN
What sort of scholarships and/or financial aid are available? Please be specific. What are admissons reuirements?
ND Admissions
The University offers need based financial aid, rather than merit based aid. After apaplying for admission, students apply for financial aid by filling out the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Follow this link Financial Aid for more information
Kelly - Cranford, NJ
How is your track and field program?
ND Admissions
Notre Dame’s track and field program has enjoyed several Big East titles and at least two former ND track and field runners participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing! Check out the track and field website at http://und.cstv.com/sports/c-track/nd-c-track-body.html.
Alexa - Camarillo, CA
Are students generally admitted to a specific college (i.e. Mendoza School of Business) upon entering their freshmen year, or do they transfer in at a later time?
ND Admissions
No. As a freshman, you enter the First Year of Studies program which includes core curriculum that students must complete prior to matriculation into a college. You do not declare a major until at least first semester of sophomore year.
Eileen - Scottsdale, AZ
How many clubs are there currently on campus? Which ones are most popular among students? Are there intramural sports available?
ND Admissions
I do not know the exact number because there are just so many. There are cultural, academic, service, religious, media, and performing arts clubs just to name a few categories. Anything you are interested in we have and they are always open to new clubs being formed and it is very easy to do so. Circle K is a very popular community service organization and ISI is an inter-denominational Christian group. If you want specific information on clubs search SAO (Student Activities Office) on the Notre Dame website. Yes there are intramural sports in practically anything (football, table tennis, dodgeball, softball/baseball, bowling, etc) you can participate through the residence halls or through RecSports.
Steve - Zell, SD
Is it better to apply during the early or regular deadline? Do you have foreign professors and if so are they proficient in English?
ND Admissions
There are foreign professors, but they are proficient in English…at least enough to be understood by the class.
Matt - Burke, VA
I don't have a great GPA but good SAT scores what are you looking for in your candidates
ND Admissions
The University seeks to enroll students who are strong in a number of different areas: they have taken a rigorous high school curriculum and have a good GPA; a strong ACT or SAT score; commitment to extracurricular activites; good letters of recommendation; well written essays.
Kyle - Bradford, PA
What variety of Sciences does Notre Dame offer?
ND Admissions
For majors, Notre Dame has general chemistry, biology, physics, math. Then for more specialties, we have chemical engineering, biochemistry, and pre-professional studies.
Dan - Bettendorf, IA
Is there a minimum ACT score that one needs to be admitted to Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
No, there’s not a minimum ACT score needed. The admissions committee will consider your entire application, not just your scores.
Eileen - Scottsdale, AZ
How easily accessible is transportation to get off campus and back to campus?
ND Admissions
Fairly easy. Students are unable to have cars their first semester here; however, upperclassmen often have cars and are very willing to lend or transport other people. Also, the South Bend bus system is free with a ND ID and there is a stop on campus.
Grant - St. Charles, IL
If you are not entirely sure of your intended major, are there any disadvantages or advantages to coming in undecided?
ND Admissions
No. You don’t declare a major here until at least first semester of sophomore year, so there’s no disadvantage. If you’re thinking about pre-med or engineering, you want to start taking some core classes freshman year because of the curriculum. Even if you know what you want to major in, many people end up changing their minds.
Jimmy - Devon, PA
I've heard that Notre Dame has a medical school, but I can't seem to find any information about it online. Does this Medical School exist?
ND Admissions
Notre Dame does not have a medical school. Indiana University is the only medical school in Indiana. However, there are satellite campuses for IU around the state, where you can do your first two years of medical school. One of these satellite campuses is in South Bend and actually just across the street from Notre Dame. Also, Notre Dame does have a very high acceptance rate for getting into medical school and our pre-med advising office is extremely helpful.
