LMSoccer

We just visited ND this past week and son loved it. Now I am worried about getting his heart broken if he doesn't get in. What do you think his chances are and what should he work on improving? Should he apply regular decision or chance early decision?

ACT 32 (took twice) 10 writing
GPA 3.8 unweighted 4.3 weighted
Class Rank 9 out of 450

5 AP classes. The most challenging honors classes available all thru HS.

Soccer Team (chance of being team captain)

NHS, PiSigmaPI, MuAlphaTheta, Psycholgy Bowl Competition
Founded (first ever) Psychology Club at his school (nominated President) and recruited students to join. Hopes to get club involved in some service projects over this upcoming Senior year.

Service: Volunteer Homeless shelter (twice)
Wrapped and delivered Christmas presents to needy families (4 years)
Volunteered Library
" Community Business Expo

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Irish45221

GPA looks good. ACT is good but does not particularly stand out. Class rank (top 2%) is very good. The rigor of the schedule looks good as well. The only area that might be lacking is in the area of service. The plan for the Psych Club sounds interesting and I think your son would benefit greatly if the service work started asap. Who knows, that sort of experience may offer a great admissions essay topic. Good luck.

hawkswim09

I agree with Irish45221 in that everything is good (class rank a little better than good), meaning that I think your son is a typical applicant to Notre Dame. However, the thing that sets him apart from everyone else is the club that he started. Notre Dame, like most colleges, look to see if you have some deep passion that you are "fighting for." It seems your son is passionate about this and if he truly develops it and makes a difference in the school community and the community at large, it will be a great essay topic. If this is indeed his passion, make sure your essay is about this as it will demonstrate his passion.

if you haven't gotten it by now: PASSION is key...lol

LMSoccer

Thank you for your responses. Do you think that his service should concentrate on one thing. (i.e. more hours at homeless shelter) or a variety of different areas of service. He's really tied up every day with traveling soccer and shortly Varsity soccer will start with practice every day till six.

We're trying not to be the hovering "helicopter" parents by nagging that getting into college is the priority. However, you would be surprised how much advise from helpful strangers such as yourself motivate him more than from his parents!

Thanks again.

Irish45221

Nothing wrong with helicopter parents. I thank my dad everyday for helping me along the way.

The problem with doing a variety of service is that it can make your son seem desperate to better his service record at the last minute. These sorts of things really stand out at admissions committee meetings.

I would have your son concentrate on one big thing. And if your son can tie the service in somehow with the new Psych Club, then I think that sort of thing really stands out and can make for one awesome admissions essay (demonstrates leadership, academic spirit, and service).