I’d agree with @GeronimoAlpaca that getting deferred REA is a neutral to a slightly mild positive factor when it comes to your chances in RD.
In round numbers, in the REA round ND accepts 25%, defers 15% and denies 60%. The REA round should be a bit stronger than the overall pool. ND eventually gets to a 20% admit rate overall, which means about a 15% admit rate for RD.
By getting deferred, you should feel confident that you are not going to be in the lower ranges of the RD pool where a deny is pretty much a certainty (let’s say 5% chance or less). But you won’t be in the very highest range of the RD pool either, where an acceptance is very certain (let’s say 75% chance).
So your chances, logically, should be the chances of the middle-ish part of the RD pool. Which should be about the overall average – which is 15%. Although I think it is actually a bit higher in reality. Since I don’t think the posted numbers fully account for the defer kids who drop out and/or don’t really continue to fully pursue ND in the RD round.
So don’t give up on ND if you got deferred, but definitely plan accordingly.
@NDMomof5 thank you for replying. We are thrilled for her. It’s a win win. In my mind I keep saying it’s not a denial!!! When the kids graduate their diploma is 100% University of Notre Dame? Like I had said before, our D shadowed at ND and met two students in the program and they loved it. She’s gonna teach out to them as well.
I was deferred from REA with a 34 ACT, 4.0 UW and a 4.45 W. I took nearly all the AP’s my school offers, played 2 sports (captain of one), leadership in other areas, what I believe to be good recs, and good essays. What are the realistic chances I have to be accepted RD? Is it still worth hoping for?
My daughter did Gateway last year. She was initially planning on going to Villanova and struggled with the decision a great deal. In the end she chose Gateway and is so glad that she did. She loved it and has now just finished her first semester at ND. She wrote an article for The Irish Rover this past fall which might be helpful to read. Her name is Theresa Olohan and I believe the article was titled ‘ My continuing Journey to Notre Dame’ or something like that.
@Winelover–looked for the facebook parent page with no luck–I have tried many combinations. Maybe I am doing something wrong. I would like to participate as I am a past ND mom and my son was just admitted.
Hey everyone! I haven’t seen anyone posting with a story like mine, but I wanted to say I was shocked to find out yesterday that I was accepted to Notre Dame! I applied to Notre Dame through Questbridge initially and was not matched (Notre Dame was my second choice, after Rice) and after not matching to any schools, I decided to apply to Rice binding Early Decision. On Friday afternoon, I was disappointed to find out that I was rejected from Rice. I spent the rest of the evening feeling frustrated and disheartened, wondering if I would even have a chance at a top-20 school if I was straight-up rejected from Rice, not even deferred. The next morning (Saturday), I checked my emails and was stunned to see an email from Notre Dame that said “Your Decision Is Ready.” Mind you, I applied to Notre Dame REGULAR DECISION, not binding early action. I was not expecting any decision from Notre Dame until March or April. I waited for almost half an hour to open the email because I was so terrified…and when I finally worked up the courage to check, I saw that I was accepted!!! I could not have been more excited.
Just as an FYI for those wondering, I’ve checked on my Common App many times now to be sure that I applied RD, not ED, and will be calling Notre Dame on Monday to make sure that there wasn’t any mixup in decisions. I am wondering if they got back with me early because they have already had my application and materials for a few months now through Questbridge. Either way, I am thrilled to be accepted into Notre Dame, and will almost certainly be attending next fall (gotta make sure that financial aid is sufficient for our family first!) Congrats to everyone else who made it, and best of luck to those deferred or denied. Trust me, I know that IT HURTS. The last 48 hours have been a whirlwind of emotions. All I can say is that I’m so grateful that I have been given the opportunity to join such an incredible group of peers at Notre Dame!
@bookworm13579. This is truly extraordinary - thank you for sharing! My (limited) understanding is that as Questbridge unmatched Finalist, ND will transfer your application automatically to REA, and this seems to be what happened in your case as well - check with your AO tomorrow. As you have been rejected by Rice, I would not talk about this application at all. Admitted is admitted and after you reconfirmed with Notre Dame that everything is good from their end, all will be set and financial aid information will follow in due course for REA applicants who have applied for it. Congratulations!
Very excited when I found out that I had been accepted to Notre Dame a couple of days ago!! Does anyone know when information about financial aid will be sent out?
@lastof10 our D was accepted into the ND/HC Gateway as well. We will be attending the 2/25 info session. It’s such a blessing. I honestly feel that way. Being deferred would of been agonizing for our D and myself truth be told. With this program, she and we know where she’ll be next August. Participating in the program, ND events, clubs and living in a space that will be perfect for dipping her toe into the bigger University for the first year! Best of Luck to your D and Go Irish!
Thanks HM0527! Our D was initially confused as we did not know about the Gateway program. She is coming around to believe the Gateway is a really good opportunity for her. She has a friend at ND that has already referred her to a current gateway student to discuss. We also signed up the the 1/25 session and are excited to go! D really excited to go up and see HC and meet some current Gateway students! As she just told me, this happened for a reason!
