Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2024-25

Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2024-25

Wondering how to approach the Notre Dame supplemental essays? We’ve got you covered. 

The University of Notre Dame, located in the vibrant state of Indiana, is renowned as one of the top private universities in the nation. With a rich history of academic excellence and athletic success, Notre Dame attracts a dynamic community of students. Consequently, the Notre Dame admissions process is competitive. So, given the school’s low acceptance rate of just 12%, students should do all they can to stand out.

Understanding the Notre Dame supplemental essays

If you’re wondering how to get into Notre Dame, we’re here to help. In addition to maintaining a solid academic record, the Notre Dame supplemental essays play a key role in the Notre Dame application process. In fact, your Notre Dame supplemental essays can be the thing that makes or breaks your application.

This guide will explore strategies for gaining admission to the University of Notre Dame. We will delve into the Notre Dame requirements and dissect the Notre Dame admissions criteria so you know how to approach the admissions process. We’ll also analyze the Notre Dame essay prompts and provide valuable insights to help you craft strong Notre Dame essays. By the end of this guide, you will be prepared to craft compelling Notre Dame supplemental essays that make a lasting impression on the Notre Dame admissions committee.

Ready to learn how to get into Notre Dame with strong Notre Dame supplemental essays? If so, let’s go!

Notre Dame Admissions: Quick Facts

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does Notre Dame require supplemental essays?

Yes, the University of Notre Dame requires students to submit Notre Dame supplemental essays. As stated on their website, Notre Dame supplemental essays allow admissions to “get to know you!” 

In total, applicants must submit the Notre Dame Writing Supplement as well as the Common Application or Coalition Application. This supplement—which contains the Notre Dame supplemental essays—is accessible to registrants on either application platform. It should be submitted electronically.

The Notre Dame Writing Supplement is a valuable tool for the admissions team, offering applicants a chance to present themselves beyond the confines of their academic statistics. Applicants are encouraged to allow their individuality to shine through in their responses. The school also encourages students to take creative risks and remember that there is no definitive “correct” response to the prompts.

How many essays does Notre Dame require?

To meet Notre Dame requirements, applicants need to answer one Notre Dame essay questions that is 150 words and three short answer essays that are 50-100 words. Students also need to complete the Common App essay in addition to these four Notre Dame supplemental essays. This makes for a total of five Notre Dame essays and responses. However, keep in mind that three of these will be quite short. 

In the following sections, we will dive deeper into the Notre Dame supplemental essays by looking at the Notre Dame essay prompts. We’ll also provide advice on how to choose the right Notre Dame essay prompt to enhance your application.

What are the Notre Dame supplemental essays?

As discussed, the Notre Dame supplemental essays include one 150-word essay. For Notre Dame supplemental essays, applicants will all respond to the same prompt. For the other three short Notre Dame essays (50-100 words), students will choose among five prompts. So, for these essays, like the Common App essay, you’ll get to choose the essay prompt you respond to.

In the next sections, we will discuss the Notre Dame essay prompts. Let’s start by looking at the first required Notre Dame essay prompt that all students must respond to.

Notre Dame Essay Prompts 

The first prompt of the Notre Dame supplemental essays is as follows:

How to Write the Notre Dame essay

The first of the Notre Dame supplemental essays is similar to a common college essay prompt that you may have already encountered: the why school essay. While the prompt doesn’t technically ask, “Why Notre Dame?”, it is asking what your college home looks like. So, basically, this prompt invites students to consider what they want from a college, and how that has led them to Notre Dame. While the prompt deviates slightly from its normal format, this is essentially a why school essay.

Students who successfully respond to why school essays need to do two things: show why they want to go to Notre Dame and how they’d be a great fit for the campus. First, you’ll need to do your research on Notre Dame. Consider the university’s missions and values. Do they relate to your own? Are they among the most important reasons you want to attend the school? If so, now’s time to highlight them.

However, don’t simply reiterate what you read from the Notre Dame website. You’ll need to show how and why it’s important to you that your college shares these values. Does it remind you of how you grew up? Or is it completely different but is the type of home you longed for? How will these factors shape the future you see yourself having?

Consider other “non-negotiable factors” you have for your college list. Are you looking for a certain type of major or concentration? Is it a specific program that has you forming your college list? Or is it more of a campus feel at a liberal arts school? Truly think about what you want from your next four-year home. Then, use specific examples that show why you’re perfect home is Notre Dame.

Successful Notre Dame Supplemental essays will show how you’ll take advantage of the factor(s) that you choose to mention. Admissions should be able to envision you thriving on campus.

You’ll notice from the prompt that you can mention one or various factors. Remember that this is only a 150 word essay. Rather than listing many different factors, you might choose to hone into one. Like all Notre Dame supplemental essays, you’ll need to be personal and specific in this essay. The best Notre Dame supplemental essays are unique to every student writing them.

Notre Dame Essay – Short Answer Responses

In addition to the Notre Dame supplemental essays, Notre Dame requires applicants to craft three short answer responses that are 50-100 words. For the three short answer Notre Dame supplemental essays, you must select from five short answer prompts.

First, you’ll need to choose the prompts that stand out to you. Are there certain prompts that immediately speak to you? If so, then be sure that they are among the three Notre Dame supplemental essays you decide to write. If nothing immediately calls to you, then do a quick brainstorming session for each. Look at your notes or writings and then decide which are the most meaningful Notre Dame supplemental essays for you.

You can also consider these Notre Dame supplemental essays as an opportunity to add valuable information to your essay that hasn’t been seen elsewhere. Rather than repeating information found in other parts of your application, speak about something new that admissions wouldn’t yet know about you.

If you decide to double-down on a theme you’ve previously spoken about in these Notre Dame supplemental essays, that’s ok, too! Just be sure that you share something new about it, such as mentioning a new experience that might support a previously mentioned theme.

Now, let’s take a deeper look at approaching these short Notre Dame supplemental essays.

How to approach short answer essays

Often, students are happy to see such short essays in an application. However, these short answer Notre Dame supplemental essays can actually be quite challenging. You have very few words to broach some pretty heavy topics. Therefore, you need to prioritize what you want to say, and how you want to say it. To approach these short answer essays effectively, applicants should consider the following tips:

Select the Most Relevant Prompt

Start by carefully reading and considering all the prompts provided. Then, choose the one that resonates most with your experiences, values, and goals. This ensures that your response is authentic and directly addresses the question. Here are some ideas that connect with each prompt:

Be Direct and Clear

You should use clear and concise language to communicate your thoughts. So, avoid unnecessary words or complex sentences. Instead, get straight to the point to ensure your message is easily understood. You only have 50-100 words to write these Notre Dame supplemental essays; therefore, you need to carefully consider each word you use. This doesn’t mean you can’t get creative. But, rather than an intro paragraph to hook the reader, you might only have one, short sentence to do so before getting into your short narrative.

Highlight Impact

If applicable, emphasize the impact of your chosen experience, compliment, cause, interest, or faith on your life or decisions. Explain why it’s important to you and how it has shaped your perspective. Being able to reflect and grow is an important quality that all colleges look for in their applicants. How have you become who you are today? These short essays should be glimpses into your personal development and/or character in some way.

Review and Revise

After composing your paragraph, take the time to review it. Additionally, consider sharing your response with others for feedback. As well as checking for mechanical errors, they can provide valuable insights to make your writing more effective. Just make sure that you maintain your own writing style and voice when applying the feedback of others in your Notre Dame supplemental essay. Admissions wants to get to know you better, not someone else!

Is Notre Dame hard to get into?

The University of Notre Dame is highly competitive. As a prestigious university with lots to offer, the university receives thousands of applications yearly. Last year, Notre Dame received an impressive 28,000 applications, reflecting its popularity among prospective students. Overall, with a low acceptance rate of 13%, Notre Dame’s selectivity is evident.

The university also sets high standards academically, with mid-50% SAT scores ranging from 1450 to 1530 and mid-50% ACT scores ranging from 33 to 35. However, its commitment to a holistic admissions process is what truly sets Notre Dame apart. In fact, the university actively seeks students who go above and beyond in various areas.

Moreover, Notre Dame takes pride in looking beyond academics, valuing a well-rounded student body. The statistics from the Class of 2027 are telling: 43% of accepted students were captains of a varsity sport, 87% participated in community service, 44% were involved in music, drama, fine arts, or dance, and 26% were head of a major school organization. These figures also underscore Notre Dame’s emphasis on character, leadership, and diverse extracurricular commitments.

Does Notre Dame care about essays?

So, does the University of Notre Dame care about Notre Dame supplemental essays? Absolutely!

Notre Dame takes pride in its rigorous admissions process. While academic excellence is crucial, Notre Dame recognizes that true potential extends beyond grades. The Notre Dame supplemental essays also play a key role in the school’s holistic review process.

Additionally, for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, Notre Dame University has embraced a test-optional policy, reflecting its commitment to evaluating applicants beyond standardized test scores. Instead, Notre Dame places more emphasis on the Notre Dame supplemental essays, viewing them as a means to assess the links between students’ values and the university’s mission.

The emphasis on Notre Dame supplemental essays reflects the university’s goal of admitting students who resonate with its values of intellectual, moral, and spiritual development and a collective sense of care for every person. The Notre Dame essay prompts also offer applicants a platform to share their personal stories, experiences, and aspirations. This enables the admissions team to better understand each candidate’s unique qualities and perspectives.

As a result, crafting impactful Notre Dame supplemental essays is paramount for you. These Notre Dame supplemental essays, moreover, don’t just let you show off your writing skills. Rather, they serve as a window into your character, revealing your commitment to enriching Notre Dame’s community. 

How do I make my Notre Dame essays stand out?

Crafting strong Notre Dame University supplemental essays can enhance your application and make a lasting impression on the admissions committee. These Notre Dame essays allow you to reveal your true self and share your life experiences. They also let you articulate how you would contribute to and thrive within the vibrant community at Notre Dame University. 

Here are some valuable strategies to ensure that your Notre Dame supplemental essays stand out:

Your Notre Dame supplemental essays are a powerful platform to convey your passion, perspective, and potential as a future member of the Notre Dame community. By following these strategies for your Notre Dame University supplemental essays, you can create an application that showcases your unique qualities. This will help you highlight why you would be an invaluable addition to the Notre Dame University community.

More Notre Dame resources from CollegeAdvisor

CollegeAdvisor offers even more resources to help you feel confident as you complete your application to the University of Notre Dame. Here are some of our favorite resources to check out:

Notre Dame Supplemental Essays – Final Tips

Navigating the University of Notre Dame supplemental essays can seem overwhelming. However, think of these essays as your chance to shine. 

The Notre Dame supplemental essays provide a unique platform to convey your character, values, and alignment with the university’s mission, which places a significant emphasis on intellectual, moral, and spiritual development and a collective sense of care for every person.

In this guide, we delved into the world of Notre Dame supplemental essays and Notre Dame requirements. So, by now, we hope you feel well-equipped to submit Notre Dame University supplemental essays that complement your application and demonstrate what makes you unique.

To assist you in completing your Notre Dame supplemental essays, here are some final takeaways:

Understand the Importance

Recognize the significance of Notre Dame supplemental essays in the admissions process. These essays offer a unique opportunity to go beyond your academic achievements and reveal your personal qualities. Moreover, Notre Dame supplemental essays allow you to showcase your character, values, and alignment with the university’s mission. So, use them to show why you are an ideal fit for their community.

Know Your Prompts

Familiarize yourself with the specific Notre Dame essay prompts and their nuances. Each prompt is carefully crafted to elicit specific information about you. So, take the time to read and understand each prompt carefully. Then, consider which one resonates most with your experiences and values. 

Craft Authentic Narratives

One of the most powerful aspects of your Notre Dame University supplemental essays is the opportunity to share authentic stories and experiences that have shaped your identity and aspirations. Reflect on your life journey, the challenges you’ve faced, your moments of growth, and the experiences that have profoundly impacted you.

Showcase Genuine Interest

Integrate your knowledge of Notre Dame University into your Notre Dame essays to demonstrate your genuine interest and understanding of the institution. Admissions committees appreciate applicants who have taken the time to research the university beyond surface-level information. 

Conciseness is Key

Given the word limits for Notre Dame University supplemental essays, being concise is of utmost importance. Every word you use should serve a clear and distinct purpose in advancing your narrative. Concise writing respects the reader’s time and showcases your ability to communicate ideas clearly and precisely.

Proofread and Polish

Meticulously proofread and edit your essays. Carefully review them for errors in grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Typos and grammatical mistakes can detract from the impact of your essay and give the impression of carelessness. Additionally, seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers to gain fresh perspectives on your writing.

By incorporating these strategies into your Notre Dame University supplemental essays, you can create essays that meet the requirements, stand out, and make a lasting impression on the admissions committee. Best of luck with your application and writing your Notre Dame supplemental essays!

This article was written by senior advisor, Ashley Hollins. Are you looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. Our team will discuss your profile during your meeting and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.