Any Advice?

[Era Might]

Just watch the movie "Rudy."

[MagiDragon]

[quote name='mcts' timestamp='1304482381' post='2236741']
I have no idea on how to get you into Notre Dame, but I have another suggestion for you. Have you heard of Holy Cross? It's across the street from ND, is more Orthodox, is WAYWAYWAY cheaper, less competitive, smaller (which I count as a good thing because you get to know ALL of the professors, even ones you don't have), and when you go to Holy Cross, you get a LOT of student privileges at Notre Dame.

I know it's not the same, but it's something to think about.
[/quote]

That's actually a really good idea. The Holy Cross priests run Notre Dame, Holy Cross and Saint Mary's, so you do get the privileges of all three by going to any one. From what I understand, it used to be that Holy Cross was basically the seminary, Saint Mary's was the girls' school, and ND the guys' school. Since ND allowed girls, it's changed a lot.

The other thing to improve your odds: have parents that are alumni. (Seriously, if your parents went there, you get a little sticker in your folder, and the only reason you get rejected is if you are totally unqualified.)

Peace,
Joe

[mcts]

[quote name='MagiDragon' timestamp='1304522969' post='2236838']
That's actually a really good idea. The Holy Cross priests run Notre Dame, Holy Cross and Saint Mary's, so you do get the privileges of all three by going to any one. From what I understand, it used to be that Holy Cross was basically the seminary, Saint Mary's was the girls' school, and ND the guys' school. Since ND allowed girls, it's changed a lot.

The other thing to improve your odds: have parents that are alumni. (Seriously, if your parents went there, you get a little sticker in your folder, and the only reason you get rejected is if you are totally unqualified.)

Peace,
Joe
[/quote]


You're basically right, but since I went to Holy Cross, I'm going to get technical.

The Priests of the Congregation of the Holy Cross run ND, the sisters run St. Mary's, and the brothers run Holy Cross.

Holy Cross was only a "seminary" (I use quotes because it was only a two year college for men who wanted to be either a priest or brother in the congregation but couldn't get into ND) for one year, I believe. Then it was opened to all men, then it was open to women.(I believe this was all within a 3 year span) At the time, it was a 2 year college. 10-15 years ago (I can't remember) it was turned into a 4 year college, and they are now a residential school.

Anything else you want to know about Holy Cross, I've got you covered

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

well for starters, whats Holy Cross like??? I have heard about it and stuff, but i haven't really looked at it much. What programs are good there??

[mcts]

[quote name='LinaSt.Cecilia2772' timestamp='1304533183' post='2236939']
well for starters, whats Holy Cross like??? I have heard about it and stuff, but i haven't really looked at it much. What programs are good there??
[/quote]

It's tiny. Like... just over 500 students.That can be a good thing or a bad thing. I choose to think of it as good because you know ALL of the professors and your fellow students end up more like family.

There are only 9 majors. They are Liberal Studies Major, Business, Communications, Education, English Literature and Writing, Psychology, Theology, History, Visual Arts. They also have minors in gerontology, global perspectives, sociology, spanish, and political science. The way it's set up, though, is that, even though they don't have specific subsets of those majors, you end up doing a lot with your specialty through the internship and things like that.

[God the Father]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1304471160' post='2236643']
Or even above average.
Or even mediocre.
Or even be able to pick a football out of a line-up of a football, golf club, small box, and live duck.
Judging by the fact that the Big East is a has-been conference, I don't think even Rudy would have a tough time making first string nowadays.
[/quote]

Notre Dame's football team is independent, but I think you know that and were referring to the other sports with that (accurate) quip.

Exemplary standardized test scores are key. My class rank was less than stellar (15% or so) but my SAT was near perfect and I think that was the primary sell. If you're taking the most rigorous curriculum your high school offers, which you should be, and can pull an upper quintile class rank, you'll be fine if you ace the ACT/SAT.

You should be fine with the "well rounded" side of your application; again, an outstanding test score will buoy deficiencies there to a certain extent (not entirely--my matriculating year, i was told the University rejected two applicants with 1600 SAT, because they didn't like the other side of their app. But again I think you'll be okay.)

Be cautious about going with Holy Cross or St. Mary's because of their proximity and connections--the administration seems to be squeezing off cross-the-street privileges little by little. Something about an X-card at dining halls, I'm not totally sure. Plus football tickets are twice as expensive, and the degree isn't half as prestigious--in my [i]humblest[/i] of opinions.

Keep in mind (according to admissions propaganda) that standards get tougher every year ("incoming freshmen the most competitive class ever!" reads the Observer each Spring), so I had a relatively easy way in. Good luck.

p.s. I think above posters were joking, but try if you can to get a varsity scholarship. Free school, and you won't even have to study!

p.p.s: Your minority status will be a major advantage, but in the event you're admitted, you will likely be frequently mistaken for a varsity athlete (or accurately judged to be a varsity athlete, if you follow the advice in the first postscript)

Edited May 5, 2011 by God the Father

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

[quote name='God the Father' timestamp='1304635644' post='2237703']
Notre Dame's football team is independent, but I think you know that and were referring to the other sports with that (accurate) quip.

Exemplary standardized test scores are key. My class rank was less than stellar (15% or so) but my SAT was near perfect and I think that was the primary sell. If you're taking the most rigorous curriculum your high school offers, which you should be, and can pull an upper quintile class rank, you'll be fine if you ace the ACT/SAT.

You should be fine with the "well rounded" side of your application; again, an outstanding test score will buoy deficiencies there to a certain extent (not entirely--my matriculating year, i was told the University rejected two applicants with 1600 SAT, because they didn't like the other side of their app. But again I think you'll be okay.)

Be cautious about going with Holy Cross or St. Mary's because of their proximity and connections--the administration seems to be squeezing off cross-the-street privileges little by little. Something about an X-card at dining halls, I'm not totally sure. Plus football tickets are twice as expensive, and the degree isn't half as prestigious--in my [i]humblest[/i] of opinions.

Keep in mind (according to admissions propaganda) that standards get tougher every year ("incoming freshmen the most competitive class ever!" reads the Observer each Spring), so I had a relatively easy way in. Good luck.

p.s. I think above posters were joking, but try if you can to get a varsity scholarship. Free school, and you won't even have to study!

p.p.s: Your minority status will be a major advantage, but in the event you're admitted, you will likely be frequently mistaken for a varsity athlete (or accurately judged to be a varsity athlete, if you follow the advice in the first postscript)
[/quote]

thanks soooooo much!!! that helped me boost my confidence a bit!!! I'm definetely going to work sooo hard my junior year. they say that junior year really is the turning point. i hope to take the SAT and ACT this december, and take it again next spring sometime. hopefully both will come out good! thanks again!!!

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

[quote name='mcts' timestamp='1304563671' post='2237349']
It's tiny. Like... just over 500 students.That can be a good thing or a bad thing. I choose to think of it as good because you know ALL of the professors and your fellow students end up more like family.

There are only 9 majors. They are Liberal Studies Major, Business, Communications, Education, English Literature and Writing, Psychology, Theology, History, Visual Arts. They also have minors in gerontology, global perspectives, sociology, spanish, and political science. The way it's set up, though, is that, even though they don't have specific subsets of those majors, you end up doing a lot with your specialty through the internship and things like that.
[/quote]


if i had to choose a major right now it would be education in history. i love to teach, and i think i'll be a teacher some way or another in my life. I had heard that Holy Cross and St. Mary's both have good education programs. If i had to choose a secon major it would be social work, and i heard also that St. Mary's has a good social work program too.

anywhoo....that's really helpful information and i really appreciate everyone trying to help. It honestly means alot. I'll be praying alot these next two years for sure!!

[mcts]

[quote name='God the Father' timestamp='1304635644' post='2237703']
Be cautious about going with Holy Cross or St. Mary's because of their proximity and connections--the administration seems to be squeezing off cross-the-street privileges little by little. Something about an X-card at dining halls, I'm not totally sure. Plus football tickets are twice as expensive, and the degree isn't half as prestigious--in my [i]humblest[/i] of opinions.
[/quote]

Actually, it seems to me that the across-the-street privileges keep growing, at least for Holy Cross. I don't know about the Co-Ex passes for St. Mary's students, but Holy Cross never had them for ND.

Football tickets may be twice as expensive, but our tuition is half as expensive

You've got me on the prestigious thing

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

[quote name='LinaSt.Cecilia2772' timestamp='1304657412' post='2237847']
if i had to choose a major right now it would be education in history. i love to teach, and i think i'll be a teacher some way or another in my life. I had heard that Holy Cross and St. Mary's both have good education programs. If i had to choose a secon major it would be social work, and i heard also that St. Mary's has a good social work program too.

anywhoo....that's really helpful information and i really appreciate everyone trying to help. It honestly means alot. I'll be praying alot these next two years for sure!!
[/quote]
Check out ace.nd.edu

[Amppax]

[quote name='LinaSt.Cecilia2772' timestamp='1304657412' post='2237847']
if i had to choose a major right now it would be education in history. i love to teach, and i think i'll be a teacher some way or another in my life. I had heard that Holy Cross and St. Mary's both have good education programs. If i had to choose a secon major it would be social work, and i heard also that St. Mary's has a good social work program too.

anywhoo....that's really helpful information and i really appreciate everyone trying to help. It honestly means alot. I'll be praying alot these next two years for sure!!
[/quote]

Yay! History! that is going to be my major (unless i drastically change my plans). I also am looking to end up teaching! Cool!

[Amppax]

[quote name='thedude' timestamp='1304682040' post='2237897']
Check out ace.nd.edu
[/quote]

ACE is so cool. I really would like to do that, as of now its the goal.

*Edit: typos

Edited May 6, 2011 by Amppax

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

[quote name='Amppax' timestamp='1304714972' post='2238056']
Yay! History! that is going to be my major (unless i drastically change my plans). I also am looking to end up teaching! Cool!
[/quote]


Thats cool!!! I dont know why but ever since i was little i've always like teaching. It's pretty fun once you get the hang of it and know exactly what you're teaching. Currently i teach swim lessons and give presentations on different things for my youth group at church. I love it =)

[icelandic_iceskater]

Fair warning: This post has little advice regarding how to get into ND.

Regardless of whether or not you plan on attending HCC or SMC, I strongly recommend applying to both of these schools if you want to get in to Notre Dame. I cannot speak for Saint Mary's students, but each year, Notre Dame accepts around 5-10 transfer applications from Holy Cross. HCC has proven to be a great place for students who do not get accepted into Notre Dame to build up their grades. Since we are such a small school, it is quite easy to get involved on campus, which always looks good on an application. We have students who come to HCC, plug themselves into things at Notre Dame, and improve their GPA. Then, many have re-applied and been accepted. Even if you do not plan on attending HCC for four years, an application is a nice back up plan in case you have to take the scenic route to get in to Notre Dame. (and, it is free to apply)

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

very good point........i'll definetely take this into consideration. =) thanks!!!