Chats » Early Action Admitted Student Chat 2008/2009

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


Ashley - Saint Louis, MO

What is there to do on weekends that arent in the football season?

ND Admissions

Hi Ashley, I have spent many weekends just hanging out with my friends – watching movies, playing games, and just spending time together. Every weekend, the Student Union Board shows a movie on campus. There is a different play or concert almost every weekend. FlipSide is a student group that provides one weekend activity a week – some of their events include ice skating, visits to a haunted house, bowling, and an Easter egg hunt in the spring. There are many things to do on campus on weekends, but the general theme is that you are always spending time with your friends.

Elizabeth - Irving, TX

What is the average cost (in general) for books in freshman year? Does it matter what major you are in?

ND Admissions

Hi Elizabeth,

The average cost of books depends on what classes you take and the amount/types of books they require. It is uncertain if there is a certain major that is more costly in terms of textbook expenses. What we can tell is for the 2008/2009 academic year, the allocation for books and supplies in the overall cost of attendance is $950.

Nick - , MI

Is roommate selection completely random or do you try to put students with similar likes, etc. together? Also, are there 2 or 4 to a room?

ND Admissions

Hey Nick!

Roommate selection is completely random. There is no questionnaire to pair students together. I remember being worried about this, but take comfort knowing this: I am a senior and I live with the same roommate I was paired with randomly freshmen year. We lived together the entire four years with the exception of the semester that she studied abroad. It doesn’t always work out this well, but a lot of the time it does :)

Brian - Wheaton, IL

Is there any advantage to sending in your enrollment confirmation earlier rather than later from a dorm assignment standpoint?

ND Admissions

Brian,

Not at all. All dorm assignments are completely random; they have nothing to do with when you submit your confirmation. Assignments are made after both regular and early action applicants have enrolled.

Patrick - Woodland Hills, CA

This is just for fun...what is the best house at Notre Dame

ND Admissions

Patrick,

There’s only one “house” on campus…Zahm House! Seriously though, each dorm has its own special characteristics and traditions. You’ll be forever loyal to your dorm the second you set foot on campus.

andy - ionia, mi

Which instruments are most needed next year for the Marching Band?

ND Admissions

The two T’s: Tubas and Trombones!

Erin - Littleton, CO

I have been taking a yoga class this trimester for a sports credit but I am having shoulder problems that I need to do physical thearapy for before my varsity tennis season starts; my teacher isn't letting me out of the class for the PT appointments and if you have three absences you fail the course, but being able to play my last tennis season is more important to me than yoga class. Will a fail in this class present a problem with my transcript if I still fulfill all of my school's athletic requirements?

ND Admissions

Hi Erin,

This sounds like something you might want to take to your counselor and discuss with him or her. I don’t want to tell you what to do, but I’d like to think you’re teacher would be a bit more understanding! If it ends up being an F on your transcript, make sure you send a letter explaining it. It might also be helpful to have your counselor explain that grade, too.

Raquel - Riverside, IL

Most club sports have a website except the ski team. Where can I find more information about ND Skiing?

ND Admissions

Raquel,

If you’d like more information on ND Skiing, email ndski@nd.edu.

Nick - , MI

I expect to have completed 9 AP courses before next Fall. I have scored a 5 on all the tests I've taken so far. What will my status be upon admission?

ND Admissions

Nick, you will enroll at ND as a first year student and your academic advisor will assist you in finding the best possible collection of courses. Much will depend on your intended academic program.

Megan - ,

I'm an international student. Since I applied early, I do not have any financial aid, but if my family's economic situation changes, could I apply for financial aid the next years?

ND Admissions

Hi Megan,

Great question. International aid decisions are four year decisions (not annual decisions as they are for domestic students) and are made at the time of admission. If an international student does not apply for aid their freshman year, they are typically not eligible for aid in subsequent years. If you have further questions about international student aid, feel free to contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@nd.edu.

Andy - Mission Viejo, CA

Is credit given for foreign language classes based on scores on SAT II's? If so, what score would I have to get on the French SAT II to get credit?

ND Admissions

Andy, ND will give credit for French SAT II results.A score of 480 is the minimum for credit. It will earn credit for ROFR 10101, the fisrt semester of begiing French. Higher scores will earn more credit.

Felipe - Winston Salem, NC

If I already submitted the profile, but there has been a change in my family's financial situation so I want to know how can I update the information on the profile.

ND Admissions

Hi Felipe,

Unfortunately, the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE does not allow for updates once submitted. If there are any changes or updates, please feel free to submit a letter of explanation to the Office of Financial Aid via mail, fax (574-631-6899), or email (finaid@nd.edu). This letter will be added to your file and reviewed along with the information provided on your FAFSA and CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.

Terry - , MI

How difficult is it for parents to get tickets to football games?

ND Admissions

Terry,

Our ticket office always designates one game as “Parents Weekend”. Parents can enter a lottery and receive up to 4 tickets for the game. Oftentimes students will seek out extra tickets through their friends for tickets to additional football games.

Stephanie - Winnetka, CA

I saw somewhere that my AP Spanish Language and Literature scores won't count towards college credit...is there nothing that they will help me for? :(

ND Admissions

Stephanie, at ND your AP language scores will earn credit.

Nick - , MI

I have been invited to attend the Reilly weekend in March. Do activities start before 6 p.m. on Saturday, or will it be ok to check in up until that time?

ND Admissions

Greetings! There will be a dinner starting at 6, so you can check in up until about 15 minutes before that—or, if you can’t come until 6, contact the office and we’ll figure out something for you!

Patrick - Woodland Hills, CA

How many classes are usually taken freshmen year and what type?

ND Admissions

Patrick, students normally take five courses per semester. During their first year students normally take a composition course, a university seminar, two semesters of math, two semesters of science, and other courses that may relate to their major or are areas that they wish to explore as possible majors.

Raquel - Riverside, IL

Can one minor in music at Notre Dame in the ALPP program?

ND Admissions

Yes. Music would be your primary major with the pre professional studies as a supplement

June - Renton, WA

My son has a very heavy courseload and is hoping to drop his ceramics class and take a senior waiver second semester so that he can focus on studying for his AP classes/tests. Will this reflect poorly upon him at the admissions office now that he has been admitted?

ND Admissions

June, go ahead have your son drop the ceramics class. This will not be a problem at all!

Na Kyum - Seoul, Korea

Is there Gym for students? What kinds of sports are offered by it?

ND Admissions

There are actually two main gyms for students on campus. Available are: basketball, racquetball, squash, dance, ping pong, volleyball, indoor soccer and numerous workout & fitness facilities.

Felipe - Winston Salem, NC

I would like to know what do you consider about ND so special that made anyone who was accepted to other colleges choose ND.

ND Admissions

Hello Felipe, I think, as an alumna, there are few schools that combine challenging academics, a true, loyal, campus community and myriad opportunities to grow spiritually. Additionally,the Notre Dame alumni network provides lifelong, helpful connections and many avenues to advance in professional, educational and familial spheres. Win or lose, we also love our athletic pursuits as well!

If you have not visited yet, that’s the best recommendation I can provide: Come see for yourself the feaatures that distinguish Notre Dame!

Joe - Verona, WI

Is there a way to find out what other Notre Dame students live in my area? Maybe some of their contact info too?

ND Admissions

One of the best ways to find incoming students is through Facebook, but other than that you can try getting in touch with your local Alumni Club. Most alumni clubs sponsor a new student send off at the end of the summer where students can meet other incoming freshman and current students.

Karen - Ortonville, MI

Do students need to have a physical done before entering college?

ND Admissions

I believe Health Services does require students to have a physical before the enroll at Notre Dame, though you’ll get all that information from them over the summer.

John - Easton, CT

Is it too late to register for ROTC?

ND Admissions

Hi John,

I suspect it may be too late to apply for ROTC for your freshman year. I would suggest, however, you contact the specific ROTC branch you are considering.

We also have students at Notre Dame who did not receive ROTC their first year, but have received ROTC in subsequent years. The awards are determined by ROTC so they are your best source of information.

You may search the ND website for ROTC and find the contact information for the specific branch you are interested in considering.

Hannah - Raleigh, NC

I'm interested in vocal music, but not as a major/minor. Can you tell me about a cappella groups and choirs at ND?

ND Admissions

We have a few different a cappella groups on campus, including Halftime , a coed group, the Undertones , a men’s group, and Harmonia, a women’s group. Other Music Ensembles are described here. You can certainly participate in these without majoring in music

Jessica - atlanta,

Are students able to get scholarship during those 4 years at Notre dame, even if they didn't applied for scholarship before they enter the college?

ND Admissions

Hi Jessica,

Financial aid is evaluaed on an annual basis. If you were interested in applying for financial aid for your freshman year, you would want to file the FAFSA and CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE now. In order to receive aid in future years, you will need to re-file the FAFSA and CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE each year you are enrolled. If you do not apply for aid for your freshman year but decide you would like to apply for aid for your sophomore, junior, or senior year, you are still welcome to apply at that later date – regardless of whether or not you applied for aid the previous year.

Brian - Wheaton, il

How easy is it for students to get men's basketball tickets?

ND Admissions

Most students who want basketball tickets are able to get them. I do not think tickets are guaranteed to everyone, like football tickets, but then again, the basketball stadium can’t hold 80,000+ people =)

Robert - Los Angeles, CA

which men's dorms have air-conditioning?

ND Admissions

The dorms on Mod Quad – Knott and Siegfried – as well as the dorms on West Quad – O’Neill, Keough, and Duncan – have air conditioning.

Emily - Greenville, SC

So how would I enroll in the program to obtain this teaching certificate? Have people received this certificate along with a separate undergraduate degree from Notre Dame before?

ND Admissions

This website should be very helpful in understanding the program and the process to enroll in it. The student’s primary degree is from Notre Dame.

Felipe - Winston Salem, NC

I would like to know how many nights can I stay with a current student at ND to see what the college life is like.

ND Admissions

Hi Felipe, Normally, admitted students spend one night with an assigned student, generally a Thursday night so you can attend Friday classes. If you know a student on campus, you can make arrangements with them to spend a weekend.

Brian - St. Louis, MO

I play the guitar and my amplifier is 4 feet tall (don’t worry I wouldn't play it in the dorm, only at gigs) so is there any place on campus to store that?

ND Admissions

Hey Brian!

Hmmm…that is a tough one. I would say that the best place would be your dorm. There may be a special room or closet there so you don’t have to keep it in your room. That will probably depend on the dorm though ‘cause all the dorms are a little different.

Felipe - Winston Salem, NC

Hey! Recently my parents lost their jobs and now, my family is facing a hard financial situation. I want to know how committed is ND in helping students to pay all the college expenses.

ND Admissions

Hi Felipe,

I am sorry to hear that your parents lost their jobs. I can imagine this is difficult for you as you consider your college enrollment.

Since the FAFSA is based upon 2008 income it may not reflect this change. We should see this information on the PROFILE since you will estimate 2009 income information. I also would suggest sending a letter to our office explaining this change and estimating your parents’ 2009 income. We will consider this information in evaluating your application.

Notre Dame is committed to providing financial assistance to students who demonstrate need. Last year we awarded over $78 million in need-based scholarship assistance to undergraduate students.

Felipe - Winston Salem, NC

Can anybody tell me when are we going to know if we were accepted to the Honors College.

ND Admissions

The Honors Program sends invites out each spring, if you have not heard from them yet that you have been invited to apply, you can expect to hear from them before the end of April, and, should you fill out their application and enroll at ND, you will hear of your acceptance into the program slightly thereafter.

Katie - Orland Park, Il

Since I am taking multiple AP classes, I have to decide which AP tests to take in May. Is there a school administrator who could tell me which tests/credits would be most beneficial?

ND Admissions

Katie, most of our students take AP English, Calculus, and History exams. Any ND student would find credit from these subjects to be helpful. Languages, sciences, and social sciences would be the next most popular. All of these are beneficial.

Michael - Geneseo, IL

I sent in a CD for music consideration with my application. Is this also how I am being considered for a scholarship, or will I have to do another audition or send in another audition cd?

ND Admissions

Another audition is not necessary. The CD will be sufficient for that review.

Andrea - Champaign, IL

If i was not admitted as a Notre Dame Scholar, do I still have access to undergraduate research in my first year of studies?

ND Admissions

Thank you for your question, Andrea. I am aware that students may initiate their own research projects and present them at the end of each spring semester via our Office for Undergraduate Research. You may also approach professors for opportunities or respond to departmental advertisments seeking research assisitants. In short, opportunities abound!

Kate - Grosse Pointe, MI

When are you expecting the college town across from campus to open?

ND Admissions

Hi Kate! We are thrilled that the Eddy Street Commons will open in the Fall of 2009. Check it out here: http://www.eddycommons.com/highlights.cfm

Karen - Ortonville, MI

Do most kids stay on campus during the semester? Is South Bend a safe city?

ND Admissions

About 80% of the student body lives on campus because if you ask anyone what was the best part of his/her ND experience, dorm life will be in his/her top 2 if not #1! A good number of students life off campus as well and there aren’t too many incident reports. I would say South Bend is safe for the most part. NDSP will also patrol your hose or apartment during breaks to make sure your stuff is safe when you’re away.

Alex - Warren, NJ

Are the students who do an overnight stay with an ND student able to get into a basketball game, if there is one on that night?

ND Admissions

Hi Alex,

If you can find an extra ticket, you’re more than welcome to attend! Good luck and go Irish!

Emily - Greenville, SC

How would I go about receiving an education or teaching certificate from Saint Mary's, along with my degree from Notre Dame?

ND Admissions

Generally, this program takes 4 years total.

Mark - Houston, TX

Of the 1700 students admitted Early Action, how many do you expect will accept the offer?

ND Admissions

We’ll expect between 55-65% to matriculate at Notre Dame. GO IRISH!