The University of Notre Dame (usually just called Notre Dame but technically named The University of Notre Dame du Lac) is a private Catholic research university. Located in the aptly named Notre Dame, Indiana, the university is made up of seven schools and colleges, one of which is the College of Engineering. If you are dreaming of being a Notre Dame engineer, you need to be a competitive applicant. While Notre Dame doesn’t release a separate acceptance rate for their engineering school, the overall acceptance rate was just 11% last year. This is a very competitive rate, meaning if you hope to get into Notre Dame, you need to be a top candidate. Luckily, we have some tips to help you build a Notre Dame-worthy application.
Get the Grades
The first step to getting into Notre Dame is getting excellent grades. There is really no way around this. Last year, 92% of accepted students came from the top tenth of their high school graduating class. They are looking for students with impressive academics. This goes further than just a great GPA. You also need an impressive transcript. Your transcript should be packed with Honors, IB, AP, Accelerated, and/or Dual Enrollment courses. The bare minimum for engineers is taking the highest level of math and science available to you. However, challenging classes more generally will also help you stand out at Notre Dame.
Notre Dame is still test-optional, but sending impressive SAT or ACT scores will help your overall package as an engineer. Last year, only around 58% of students submitted scores, so take these numbers with a hefty grain of salt, but the 50th percentile of Notre Dame students was either a 1540 on the SAT or a 34 on the ACT. Again, because not very many students submitted, these numbers are likely slightly inflated. However, if you can, push yourself to receive similar scores (or even better ones!), it will help your overall application.
Build a Niche
Just saying you hope to study “engineering” isn’t enough. There is a big difference between computer science and chemical engineering. Notre Dame’s engineering school has five departments and even more majors. It should be clear from your resume and application which major you intend to pursue. Having a clear history of involvement in your academic interests is what we call an “academic niche.” The better defined your niche, the stronger your application will be. There are a couple of steps that you should take to start building your niche.
Courses and Reading
You need to be an expert in your field, and there is no getting around that. That means learning as much as you can about the thing you’re interested in. A great (and really simple) first step is reading books. Before you say anything, there are 100% a ton of books about STEM topics. A lot of young people don’t read much outside of class, which is a bummer because reading books will make you better at speaking and writing about your academic interests, which will come into play during application season. We highly recommend making a reading list for yourself. You can supplement this list with podcasts, scientific journals, etc., but it should also have books on it.
Another initial resource we love is online classes. Many universities offer pre-tapped, often free, courses through platforms like Coursera or EdX. You can also look for courses related to your academic niche at local community colleges or summer university programs. However you do it, taking classes outside of your normal school day is a great way of showing Notre Dame you are serious about your academic interests and learning more in the process.
In School Extracurriculars
Great applicants are involved in extracurriculars. This includes in-school clubs. Ideally, your in-school activities should support and build on your academic niche. Great clubs for hopeful engineers include robotics teams, science Olympiads, mathletes, STEM tutoring clubs, solar car teams, computer science societies, etc.. Your application should tell a story, and getting involved with related clubs can help you tell that story. If your school doesn’t offer STEM-based clubs, you can ask about starting your own. Likely, there will be a lot of other students looking for similar opportunities.
However, just signing up for clubs is not enough for Notre Dame. They are looking for students who commit time and effort to their clubs and take on leadership roles. Trust us, they will not be impressed with a one-hour-a-week commitment to the Robotics team as a member. A 10-hour-a-week commitment as the head of programming on that team, now we are talking! Helping that team make it to regionals, now you have our attention.
Out of School Extracurriculars
Just like your in-school activities should support your academic interests, your out-of-school extracurriculars should support your overall story. We love students who get involved all year round, but you need to especially make sure that you are using your summers strategically to build a strong resume. While there are many opportunities that could work here, Notre Dame-level applicants will usually have a mix of research, internships, and academic programs during their summers. Remember, to have a strategic summer, these opportunities shouldn’t only be impressive, but should help build on your academic interests. If you don't know where to start, we can help.
Build Something Cool
Show off your hands-on engineering skills to Notre Dame by building something impressive. In the past, we have worked with students who have built apps, solar panels, computers, drones, and so much more. Build whatever makes you excited. While this is a great way to show off the skills you already have, it is even better if you challenge yourself to build something that forces you to learn some new skills. They also have worked closely with professors or other professionals to get real world experience.
Consider Applying Early
While many schools offer higher acceptance rates during Restrictive Early Action, Notre Dame’s is only slightly higher at 13%. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider applying early. If Notre Dame is your top choice, applying REA will show them that you are serious about going to the school. For qualified applicants, REA is your best chance of getting in. There are some drawbacks to REA (like not being able to apply to other EA schools). Take some time to weigh your options and make a strategic plan. You need a well-balanced list and a clear ED/EA/REA plan.
It is hard to get into Notre Dame. If you are dreaming of their engineering program, you need to be a top candidate. Don’t worry, if you don’t know where to start, we can help.
We work with everyone from freshmen to transfer students with all things college. Contact us to talk to a dedicated counselor today!