Chats » Prospective Student Chat 2008/2009
Victoria - Tiburon, CA
During my Notre Dame visit, my student tour guide mentioned an undergraduate science course that started with 200 students, but because of the difficulty many students dropped the class. How much support does Notre Dame offer students to help them succeed in their courses? Can you please talk about the different ways a student can seek and receive study help? Thank you!
ND Admissions
All of our professors have office hours 2x week and, through our First Year Tutoring Office, you can get a tutor in any class that you could possibly take as a freshman. We will also match you with both a first year academic adviser and a peer mentor (specially trained senior) to help you through any obstacles that you encounter as a first year student. Because of this unsurpassed support system, 99% of our first year students finish their first year successfully and 98% come back for their second year. Projecting forward, 96% of our first year students end up graduating on time.
Joan - Ada, MI
The common appt. requires two teacher and one councilor recommendations yet I was told U of Notre Dame only wants one teacher and one councilor recommendation... Should I just send in 1 teacher recommendation? Would this still be considered a "completed application" because technically all the parts would not be filled in?
ND Admissions
We only need the one teacher rec and the one guidance counselor rec. Your app will be considered complete.
Whitney - Rolla, MO
I did not realize that i needed physics in highschool as a prereq to get into a science school at Notre Dame. However I am very interested in science at Notre Dame and the school and the program. I have two biology credits and three chemistry credits including an AP is there a way my extra sciences can override the physics prerequisite or anything i can do?
ND Admissions
You will not be denied simply because you have not taken physics. Physics is a STRONG recommendation, but not required, for students interested in studying in the Colleges of Science or Engineering. If you haven’t taken physics in high school, we STRONGLY recommend that you enroll in a summer course at a local community college (or equivalent) before you enroll at ND (if admitted, of course). Otherwise, you will be WAY behind and WAY over your head in your freshman physics course.
Liz - Phoenix, AZ
What percentage of admitted students choose to enroll at ND?
ND Admissions
Approx. 57% annually. We are one of only a few universities in the country to admit less than half of their applicants and yield more than half of their admits.
Rachel - Ozark, MO
Does ND offer any dance classes on campus?
ND Admissions
Many!
Katelyn - Chicago, il
Do ND students have required reading for summer?
ND Admissions
Nope
Erin - Islandia, NY
for a teacher recomendation, does it matter if you have never really "had" the teacher, but theoreticly you are a student and they know you well enough to know what kind of person you are?
ND Admissions
Your teacher recommendation should come from an instructor who has had you in class and can comment to your contributions in the classroom
Sterling - Palm Beach, FL
Hi thank you for all the help tonight! I am very interested in the university's soccer program and was wondering what would be the best way to get in contact with the coach? Also am I able to contact the coach for the club soccer team? thanks.
ND Admissions
ND does not currently have any club-level soccer teams, however:
Men’s Varsity Soccer Team: 574-631-5146
Women’s Varsity Soccer Team: 574-631-8431
Jamison - Richmond, MI
I attend a school called the Macomb Academy of Arts and Sciences in addition to my own "home" high school. My high school does not mention this school in the transcripts. Would it be to my advantage to include a "mission statement" about this school when my counselor submits my application?
ND Admissions
You should certainly explain your participation (and the personal reasoning behind it) in this other school somewhere in the application
Milana - Bourbonnais, IL
Is it possible/a good idea to double major in both Biology and Theatre?
I dream to work for the World Wildlife Fund, but my passion lies on Broadway.
If it isn't possible, which is the recommended major to take?
Thank you! :)
ND Admissions
It is definitely possible! You could double major in Biology and Film, Television and Theatre at ND!
Megan - Fenton, MI
I have a question about the Common App. If you invite a teacher for a teacher recommendation and you are applying to more than one school using the website, will they write separate evaluations for every school?
ND Admissions
Teachers do not normally write school-specific recommendation letters for the common app
Kathleen - Colorado Springs, CO
Sorry if this is a repeat, but I submitted it earlier and couldn't find an answer. On my common app, I accidentally clicked the wrong essay topic so that the topic doesn't match my essay. Sadly, I didn't find this until after I'd submitted the application to Notre Dame. What can I do to indicate it's the wrong topic?
ND Admissions
Send an email note to your area counselor (http://admissions.nd.edu/admissions-staff), and they will make sure to add the note to your file.
Jake - Williamsville, NY
Is there a coach I can contact for the Men's Club Ice Hockey team?
ND Admissions
ND does not have a men’s club ice hockey team. However, each of our men’s residence halls has their own competitive intramural ice hockey team, complete with dorm-specific uniforms and everything
McLaren - Terre Haute, IN
what % of students in archaeology/anthropology get jobs in the first year?
ND Admissions
99%
Rachel - Ozark, MO
Do any of the residence halls have 'hall' pets? Like a cat? And if not, can one be adopted?
ND Admissions
Some rectors/rectresses own pets and these pets become the de facto “hall pet.” However, the student community is not allowed to “adopt” their own pet.
Mounir - Englewood, NJ
Does the fact that we were invited to come chat mean at all that we now have a greater chance of being accepted?
ND Admissions
Nope…sorry!
Audrey - Donna, TX
Do you have to live on campus your freshman year?
ND Admissions
first semester
Julie - S. Windsor, CT
The Common Application does not include a lot of room for extracurricular activities. Should I submit an additional sheet? I have a lot of sports and volunteer activities and more room is needed.
ND Admissions
If more room is needed to express your deep commitments and passions, then feel free submit an additional sheet. However, it is important that you are only listing your commitments and passions.
Anthony - Bentonville, AR
How many students live on campus? all four years?
ND Admissions
~80% live on campus, ~42% of seniors live on campus.
Rachel - Ozark, MO
I know this may seem like an odd question, but are there any good concert venues near ND and South Bend? As in venues where bands such as Switchfoot, Anberlin, Paramore, Emery, The Classic Crime, Underoath, Copeland, etc might play? And is Indianapolis very far from ND? I know concerts are plentiful there. Thank you. ^_^
ND Admissions
Hi Rachel, if we can’t get the band to come to campus (usually 6-8 bands come per year), most will usually perform downtown at the Morris Performing Arts Center. If you still can’t find a band you like, then Indy is only 2.5 hrs away, straight down Rt. 31
Robert - Marlton, NJ
I recently became an Eagle Scout. How much weight do you attribute to being an Eagle Scout in the admissions process?
ND Admissions
It is certainly considered an outstanding accomplishment and will be taken into account in the review process.
Isaac - Fort Wayne, IN
Does the University of Notre Dame offer a major in the field of Biomedical Engineering, and if so how does it compare to the programs at the University of Michigan and Purdue?
ND Admissions
No, but we offer Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering…which is effectively identical in curricular offerings.
Marissa - Escondido, CA
How easy it is to become involved in the church on campus (i.e. serve as an alter server or eucharistic minister)?
ND Admissions
Very easy…just sign up!
Rachel - Ozark, MO
I signed up to take AP English 4 at my school this year (I'm a senior), hoping it would be a rigorous class. However, upon experiencing a month and a half of it, I have found it to be most disappointing, with the instructor doing very little actual teaching. We also did very little 'deep' discussion/analysis of the literature read, and no constructive writing criticism was offered. I was extremely frustrated (and am not the only one) so I took it to my guidance counselor. I managed to get out of the letdown class and am now being homeschooled in 'Honors English 4' by my mother, who is certainly very qualified. (Masters in secondary education and taught HS honors english for 17 years before getting tired of the public school system.) I still plan on taking the AP test in the spring in at least AP English Lit. I know my English 'class' this year will actually be challenging and stimulating for me, but will it reflect badly on my application, as I won't be in a so-called AP class anymore?
ND Admissions
Nope, just explain that situation in the Final Note (clarifications) section of the application to avoid confusion.
Matt - Murrieta, CA
How is South Bend? Do you ever get bored?
ND Admissions
South Bend is AWESOME. I never get bored…seriously
Daniel - Hope, ND
I am interested in your Classics major. Are there many students pursuing this major and does it require more work than other majors.
ND Admissions
I wouldn’t say that it necessarily requires significantly more work than other majors, but it is relatively popular with the students
Nick Kurtenbach - Oakland Twp., MI
What is the average debt a graduating student is in?
ND Admissions
$18,000-$20,000
Chiamaka - Union, NJ
If I ask a former science teacher to write a letter of recommendation, is that acceptible as a core academic class?
ND Admissions
Absolutely
Sarah - Cary, NC
Is field hockey still an active club sport? I went to their website and noticed that it hadn't been updated in a few years.
ND Admissions
Field Hockey is still an active club sport at ND. Apparently, they don’t have many web-savvy players…
Nick - Cincinnati, OH
Hello ND Admissions Staff, I am a rower and was wondering whether the men's crew is a club sport or a Division I sport?
ND Admissions
Club sport
Paulo - La Ceiba, Honduras,
Does Notre Dame have a male volleyball team?
ND Admissions
Yes, it is a club sport
Bryan - Pensacola, FL
I don't know if you have already answered this but, does the letter of recommendation that is written for you go to the University or does it get mailed to me.
ND Admissions
It comes directly to the University
Meridith - ,
Do you offer mass every sunday?
ND Admissions
Yes, at 10am and 11:45am in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and at 8pm or 10pm in your residence hall chapel
michelle - sudbury, ontario
is the women's volleyball team good?
ND Admissions
VERY good
KELLEY - Williamsburg, Virginia
how do you view leadership in a club versus just being a member?
ND Admissions
We are always looking for involvement beyond the level of “participation”
Paulo - La Ceiba, Honduras,
I have been informed that the University's Architecture program is based on classical architecture. Does this mean its curriculum is entirely based on such type of architecture or does it include a more modern style of architecture?
ND Admissions
Although our architecture program is classically based, our students will be exposed to a wide range of genres and styles.
Hilary - Fayetteville, Nc
Hello! I have attended 4 different schools throughout high school because my dad is in the military. Each time we move my grades are reweighted and they tend to flucuate based on the grading scale of each school. Will this be taken into account? On my transcript my grades at my current school have been lowered because of this school's grading scale. Also I was 8th in a class of 150 for class rank but at my new school I am 60 out of 427. Will this be taken into account?
ND Admissions
That will all be taken into account, Hilary
Kevin - Overland Park, KS
I've heard that something like 70 percent of your students were vasrsity lettermen in high school. Is that true?
ND Admissions
~65%
Nina - Worcester, MA
Is greek life at the University, and also how involved is the school?
ND Admissions
ND does not have a Greek system, and that is by choice. Through our residence hall system, we have all of the positive aspects of community living (brotherhoods and sisterhoods) without some of the national associations or financial burdens that can often be associated with Greek life. And the student body is EXTREMELY active on campus and in the local, national and international communities.
Jacob - Belen, NM
Do you ever send representatives to New Mexico to discuss life at Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Yes: http://admissions.nd.edu/events/calendar/new-mexico/
Victoria - Tiburon, CA
During my Notre Dame visit, my student tour guide mentioned an undergraduate science course that started with 200 students, but because of the difficulty many students dropped the class. How much support does Notre Dame offer students to help them succeed in their courses? Can you please talk about the different ways a student can seek and receive study help? Thank you!
ND Admissions
All of our professors have office hours 2x week and, through our First Year Tutoring Office, you can get a tutor in any class that you could possibly take as a freshman. We will also match you with both a first year academic adviser and a peer mentor (specially trained senior) to help you through any obstacles that you encounter as a first year student. Because of this unsurpassed support system, 99% of our first year students finish their first year successfully and 98% come back for their second year. Projecting forward, 96% of our first year students end up graduating on time.
Joan - Ada, MI
The common appt. requires two teacher and one councilor recommendations yet I was told U of Notre Dame only wants one teacher and one councilor recommendation... Should I just send in 1 teacher recommendation? Would this still be considered a "completed application" because technically all the parts would not be filled in?
ND Admissions
We only need the one teacher rec and the one guidance counselor rec. Your app will be considered complete.
Whitney - Rolla, MO
I did not realize that i needed physics in highschool as a prereq to get into a science school at Notre Dame. However I am very interested in science at Notre Dame and the school and the program. I have two biology credits and three chemistry credits including an AP is there a way my extra sciences can override the physics prerequisite or anything i can do?
ND Admissions
You will not be denied simply because you have not taken physics. Physics is a STRONG recommendation, but not required, for students interested in studying in the Colleges of Science or Engineering. If you haven’t taken physics in high school, we STRONGLY recommend that you enroll in a summer course at a local community college (or equivalent) before you enroll at ND (if admitted, of course). Otherwise, you will be WAY behind and WAY over your head in your freshman physics course.
Liz - Phoenix, AZ
What percentage of admitted students choose to enroll at ND?
ND Admissions
Approx. 57% annually. We are one of only a few universities in the country to admit less than half of their applicants and yield more than half of their admits.
Rachel - Ozark, MO
Does ND offer any dance classes on campus?
ND Admissions
Many!
Katelyn - Chicago, il
Do ND students have required reading for summer?
ND Admissions
Nope
Erin - Islandia, NY
for a teacher recomendation, does it matter if you have never really "had" the teacher, but theoreticly you are a student and they know you well enough to know what kind of person you are?
ND Admissions
Your teacher recommendation should come from an instructor who has had you in class and can comment to your contributions in the classroom
Sterling - Palm Beach, FL
Hi thank you for all the help tonight! I am very interested in the university's soccer program and was wondering what would be the best way to get in contact with the coach? Also am I able to contact the coach for the club soccer team? thanks.
ND Admissions
ND does not currently have any club-level soccer teams, however:
Men’s Varsity Soccer Team: 574-631-5146 Women’s Varsity Soccer Team: 574-631-8431
Jamison - Richmond, MI
I attend a school called the Macomb Academy of Arts and Sciences in addition to my own "home" high school. My high school does not mention this school in the transcripts. Would it be to my advantage to include a "mission statement" about this school when my counselor submits my application?
ND Admissions
You should certainly explain your participation (and the personal reasoning behind it) in this other school somewhere in the application
Milana - Bourbonnais, IL
Is it possible/a good idea to double major in both Biology and Theatre? I dream to work for the World Wildlife Fund, but my passion lies on Broadway. If it isn't possible, which is the recommended major to take? Thank you! :)
ND Admissions
It is definitely possible! You could double major in Biology and Film, Television and Theatre at ND!
Megan - Fenton, MI
I have a question about the Common App. If you invite a teacher for a teacher recommendation and you are applying to more than one school using the website, will they write separate evaluations for every school?
ND Admissions
Teachers do not normally write school-specific recommendation letters for the common app
Kathleen - Colorado Springs, CO
Sorry if this is a repeat, but I submitted it earlier and couldn't find an answer. On my common app, I accidentally clicked the wrong essay topic so that the topic doesn't match my essay. Sadly, I didn't find this until after I'd submitted the application to Notre Dame. What can I do to indicate it's the wrong topic?
ND Admissions
Send an email note to your area counselor (http://admissions.nd.edu/admissions-staff), and they will make sure to add the note to your file.
Jake - Williamsville, NY
Is there a coach I can contact for the Men's Club Ice Hockey team?
ND Admissions
ND does not have a men’s club ice hockey team. However, each of our men’s residence halls has their own competitive intramural ice hockey team, complete with dorm-specific uniforms and everything
McLaren - Terre Haute, IN
what % of students in archaeology/anthropology get jobs in the first year?
ND Admissions
99%
Rachel - Ozark, MO
Do any of the residence halls have 'hall' pets? Like a cat? And if not, can one be adopted?
ND Admissions
Some rectors/rectresses own pets and these pets become the de facto “hall pet.” However, the student community is not allowed to “adopt” their own pet.
Mounir - Englewood, NJ
Does the fact that we were invited to come chat mean at all that we now have a greater chance of being accepted?
ND Admissions
Nope…sorry!
Audrey - Donna, TX
Do you have to live on campus your freshman year?
ND Admissions
first semester
Julie - S. Windsor, CT
The Common Application does not include a lot of room for extracurricular activities. Should I submit an additional sheet? I have a lot of sports and volunteer activities and more room is needed.
ND Admissions
If more room is needed to express your deep commitments and passions, then feel free submit an additional sheet. However, it is important that you are only listing your commitments and passions.
Anthony - Bentonville, AR
How many students live on campus? all four years?
ND Admissions
~80% live on campus, ~42% of seniors live on campus.
Rachel - Ozark, MO
I know this may seem like an odd question, but are there any good concert venues near ND and South Bend? As in venues where bands such as Switchfoot, Anberlin, Paramore, Emery, The Classic Crime, Underoath, Copeland, etc might play? And is Indianapolis very far from ND? I know concerts are plentiful there. Thank you. ^_^
ND Admissions
Hi Rachel, if we can’t get the band to come to campus (usually 6-8 bands come per year), most will usually perform downtown at the Morris Performing Arts Center. If you still can’t find a band you like, then Indy is only 2.5 hrs away, straight down Rt. 31
Robert - Marlton, NJ
I recently became an Eagle Scout. How much weight do you attribute to being an Eagle Scout in the admissions process?
ND Admissions
It is certainly considered an outstanding accomplishment and will be taken into account in the review process.
Isaac - Fort Wayne, IN
Does the University of Notre Dame offer a major in the field of Biomedical Engineering, and if so how does it compare to the programs at the University of Michigan and Purdue?
ND Admissions
No, but we offer Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering…which is effectively identical in curricular offerings.
Marissa - Escondido, CA
How easy it is to become involved in the church on campus (i.e. serve as an alter server or eucharistic minister)?
ND Admissions
Very easy…just sign up!
Rachel - Ozark, MO
I signed up to take AP English 4 at my school this year (I'm a senior), hoping it would be a rigorous class. However, upon experiencing a month and a half of it, I have found it to be most disappointing, with the instructor doing very little actual teaching. We also did very little 'deep' discussion/analysis of the literature read, and no constructive writing criticism was offered. I was extremely frustrated (and am not the only one) so I took it to my guidance counselor. I managed to get out of the letdown class and am now being homeschooled in 'Honors English 4' by my mother, who is certainly very qualified. (Masters in secondary education and taught HS honors english for 17 years before getting tired of the public school system.) I still plan on taking the AP test in the spring in at least AP English Lit. I know my English 'class' this year will actually be challenging and stimulating for me, but will it reflect badly on my application, as I won't be in a so-called AP class anymore?
ND Admissions
Nope, just explain that situation in the Final Note (clarifications) section of the application to avoid confusion.
Matt - Murrieta, CA
How is South Bend? Do you ever get bored?
ND Admissions
South Bend is AWESOME. I never get bored…seriously
Daniel - Hope, ND
I am interested in your Classics major. Are there many students pursuing this major and does it require more work than other majors.
ND Admissions
I wouldn’t say that it necessarily requires significantly more work than other majors, but it is relatively popular with the students
Nick Kurtenbach - Oakland Twp., MI
What is the average debt a graduating student is in?
ND Admissions
$18,000-$20,000
Chiamaka - Union, NJ
If I ask a former science teacher to write a letter of recommendation, is that acceptible as a core academic class?
ND Admissions
Absolutely
Sarah - Cary, NC
Is field hockey still an active club sport? I went to their website and noticed that it hadn't been updated in a few years.
ND Admissions
Field Hockey is still an active club sport at ND. Apparently, they don’t have many web-savvy players…
Nick - Cincinnati, OH
Hello ND Admissions Staff, I am a rower and was wondering whether the men's crew is a club sport or a Division I sport?
ND Admissions
Club sport
Paulo - La Ceiba, Honduras,
Does Notre Dame have a male volleyball team?
ND Admissions
Yes, it is a club sport
Bryan - Pensacola, FL
I don't know if you have already answered this but, does the letter of recommendation that is written for you go to the University or does it get mailed to me.
ND Admissions
It comes directly to the University
Meridith - ,
Do you offer mass every sunday?
ND Admissions
Yes, at 10am and 11:45am in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and at 8pm or 10pm in your residence hall chapel
michelle - sudbury, ontario
is the women's volleyball team good?
ND Admissions
VERY good
KELLEY - Williamsburg, Virginia
how do you view leadership in a club versus just being a member?
ND Admissions
We are always looking for involvement beyond the level of “participation”
Paulo - La Ceiba, Honduras,
I have been informed that the University's Architecture program is based on classical architecture. Does this mean its curriculum is entirely based on such type of architecture or does it include a more modern style of architecture?
ND Admissions
Although our architecture program is classically based, our students will be exposed to a wide range of genres and styles.
Hilary - Fayetteville, Nc
Hello! I have attended 4 different schools throughout high school because my dad is in the military. Each time we move my grades are reweighted and they tend to flucuate based on the grading scale of each school. Will this be taken into account? On my transcript my grades at my current school have been lowered because of this school's grading scale. Also I was 8th in a class of 150 for class rank but at my new school I am 60 out of 427. Will this be taken into account?
ND Admissions
That will all be taken into account, Hilary
Kevin - Overland Park, KS
I've heard that something like 70 percent of your students were vasrsity lettermen in high school. Is that true?
ND Admissions
~65%
Nina - Worcester, MA
Is greek life at the University, and also how involved is the school?
ND Admissions
ND does not have a Greek system, and that is by choice. Through our residence hall system, we have all of the positive aspects of community living (brotherhoods and sisterhoods) without some of the national associations or financial burdens that can often be associated with Greek life. And the student body is EXTREMELY active on campus and in the local, national and international communities.
Jacob - Belen, NM
Do you ever send representatives to New Mexico to discuss life at Notre Dame?
ND Admissions
Yes: http://admissions.nd.edu/events/calendar/new-mexico/
