Just one datapoint but my daughter’s good friend is a freshman at ND. High GPA, high school but not college athlete, no hooks, Catholic, test optional.
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Yes, I know of a girl who had a good GPA, no hook, Catholic, some ECs but not an athlete, went test-optional (she had a 1200 SAT), and is a freshman this year as well.
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Their admissions presentation hints at submitting test scores but they are test optional. My guess is that >90% of the 37% admitted without test scores are from parochial (catholic) high schools that have strong ties with ND and whose principals, staff, teachers have gone to bat “big time” a student who did not submit test scores. ND is huge on strong academics and they will not admit a student who they think is not academically strong (except for maybe football recruits)
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Our local ND Recruiter for our son who is also an “ADMITTANCE DECISION MAKER” for ou region told us to “SUBMIT SCORES” if over 1300 “wink, wink”. You know what I mean.
As a parent of 2 ND kiddos (one from a “feeder” catholic HS school and one from our public high school), I agree with some of your post. I don’t agree that catholic HS kids get any kind of pass on test scores or grades. Mine had a 35 ACT which he submitted and also attended ND’s Leadership Seminar. The competition for admission to ND from catholic high schools is pretty intense.
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yes, definitely agree. There is no pass at all and I can only imagine the intense competition for ND and a few others like BC, Georgetown etc. I personally think it is easier from a public school kid to stand out amongst the ND applicant pool
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My S24 with a 1370 chose NOT to submit his score as an REA applicant, based on being below the mid-50 range (1450-1530) for the most recent admitted class. Perhaps this was a mistake.
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My S22 was denied REA with a 1370, 4.0 UW and he is a 5 family member legacy including his Dad. So with my daughter '24 who ironically got the same SAT, she applied TO since the score is not close to the stats.
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Did anyone get a request for mid-semester grades from the regional admissions officer to the guidance counselor? I was wondering if that means anything or if it is standard for everyone applying REA? My son’s school does not have quarters, so they sent the latest grades from each class.
My daughter submitted her quarter grades, since it was listed as optional. So, hopefully that is a good sign for you son!
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My D applied to ND regular decision last fall. In mid-January, the ND regional AO called her guidance counselor to ask for her mid-year grade report. She was ultimately accepted. I think it is a very good sign. At a minimum it supports a belief that your son has made it past the first cut! Good luck to him and Go Irish!
Does anyone know specifically what time on Dec. 15th will the decisions for REA be released? [edited] nevermind, just saw that it is 6:45 pm Eastern.
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6:42, if you want to get technical! 
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Yup @stardancer is spot on 
1842 the year ND was founded by Father Sorin.
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haha, my Google calendar does not let me pick 6:42 so I put 6:45 as a proxy. 
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I would have reported them. That score is nothing to be ashamed of. With no score, it might as well have been an 1100.
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My daughter has a very good friend with a 1350 SAT that applied test optional to ND last year and is a very happy freshman this year. He had no other hooks other than being Catholic.
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I’m just saying her son had nothing to be ashamed of with an SAT of 1370+ and it’s close to ND’s 50% range so I would have recommended to report. Many other high school counselors will say the same. Unless he had an absolutely stellar GPA, I would have reported.
I’m curious where you’re seeing that percentage? My daughter didn’t submit 1400 as it appeared to be below 25% per CDS. Thanks!
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For my D’s class (entering in Fall 2023) the middle 50% for SAT scores was 1450-1530. My D submitted her 1520 last fall. Not sure she would have submitted if her score were below 1500, as she had no “hooks” – only really strong rigor, grades and ECs.
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