sbrownell

Hi!
I love ND and have been working hard to try to get the best academic record possible - could you chance me

GPA 3.93 uw 4.3 weight (school only weights AP's not honors now)
ACT 33
SAT 2100
Have taken 6 AP's already (4 tests next week) and 4 more next year
My EC's are weak as I spend most time studying, working and a few clubs. Some science experience too.
NHS, I a have done 2 summer things. One month in Spain in immersion program and this summer in COSMOS at USCS.

It seems so competitive these days. I am worried about getting into a good school.

pccool52

GPA, ACT, and course toughness looks great. Does your school rank? If so what's your rank? ND generally wants somebody in the top 5% of the class.
Like any elite school ND will put a lot of emphasis on extra curricular activities. By what you've posted about your ECs, you NEED to get more involved! Do volunteer work, get some leadership positions, find an EC and excel at it. ND is going to be incredibly hard to get in next year since it's using common app. Also, having a hook would help (legacy, URM, athlete, etc.). Your academic stats are there, but your EC's aren't. If you want a chance at ND, you have to have both great EC's and academics.

Kor_JP

I kinda agree with pccool52 that you need to get involved in some extracurricular activities that really DEFINE who you are. For example, if you're a science person, then you can increase your chance by taking more science-related activities (working at hospital, or pharmaceutical companies, etc). I think colleges also want to see some activities that are quite ORIGINAL and CREATIVE.

To be honest, i think your GPA, ACT, SAT are in pretty much safe range. Even me, who got lower GPA, and little bit higher SAT than you got accepted to ND. I kinda disagree with pccool52 that ND generally wants somebody in top 5% of the class. It pretty much depends on your school reputation. If your school is prestigious and known for high competition between students, I don't think ND looks at top 5% of the students of that high school, but rather 10% or 20% or even 30%. I was in top 30% of the students in private international school in Korea, but still got in. I wish good luck and hope to see you at ND!

thirstyice

u should really try to be ingenious on ur essay.
ND admission counselor told me that what they primarily look for in an applicant is whether he can fit into ND community since that's one definite value ND works to achieve. He told me that the admission committee would rather take a ND mold type of person than a person w/ perfect SAT score or a valedictorian. So definitely express ur creativity and religious values on ur essay.
Also, ur ECs are extremely important. If u are a junior, it's probably late for u to make a new character in the resume. but hey, if u get an opportunity to go to a church mission trip, I strongly suggest that u go since that's a significant one-time experience that admission officers will strongly value, plus it's Catholic-related.

I didn't have high GPA or SAT scores as you have, but my ECs formulated who I am as a person and my essay enforced creativity.

Bottom line: Don't bore admission committee members w/ trite essay and usual ECs. Be unique!

claremarie

The admissions committee folks can usually figure out when an applicant is desperately trying to boost ECs at the beginning of senior year. Why not make the most of the resume you've already got -- for example, many colleges regard part-time jobs as a positive factor, especially if your job puts you in a leadership or responsible position, or if you're working to help your parents with expenses. If you have a particularly interesting job and can tie it in to your essay, that would probably help your chances much more than joining a few more clubs in September. Actually, even if you have a completely boring and ordinary job, you can still find plenty of material for a very interesting essay.

vc08

^^agreed. You can pick up a few more activities, but definitely focus on what you do well. good luck!

DancingFeet17

just don't sell out. be who you are, and you'll have a better shot than if you tried to tailor yourself to what you think they want.