The University of Notre Dame is one of my top colleges. I just want to know how much emphasis the college puts on extracurricular involvement because right now I’m already a senior and haven’t done much. I just started to get involved in the second semester of my junior year and am now part of a youth mentoring program. That program is basically my only major extracurricular involvement. I’m not sure if helping out at a church counts as an extracurricular activity because I actually did assist in teaching catechism every Saturday during my entire junior year. My school didn’t really offer that many clubs or organizations that I could be part of. However, I’m very strong when it comes to academics. Do you guys think Notre Dame is out of my reach?
You would be on the lower end of EC activities, but you put down what you’ve done and you submit your best app. Out of your reach? That depends on a lot of other factors like grades, standardized test scores, essays and your social situation. They do employ a holistic approach to admissions. Good luck.
Notre Dame should be considered reachable. My daughter is a freshman this year. She did not have a long list of ECs, but those that she participated in were meaningful–quality vs. quantity. Also, her volunteer work was outside the school-- through our church and a children’s rehabilitation institute that she approached on her own.
Also, if you worked during high school, whether in the summer or during the year - you should include that. And if there were extenuating circumstances, like needing to take care of a younger sibling after school, or your lived far from the school and had to take a bus, so couldn’t participate in after school activities, be sure to include that somewhere. They understand that each applicant has a unique story - just make yours known.
An EC does not need to be a school based activity. Any commitment you have outside of your regular schoolwork can be considered an EC. Certainly teaching catechism should be included.