I'm entering my junior year of high school and I plan on applying to Notre Dame when the time arises.

I'm definitely starting to get worried, though. Exactly *how* good does someone need to be in order to not be flat-out rejected? I have a 4.67 GPA and I'll have taken 11-12 AP classes/exams by the time I graduate. I'm not enrolled in the IB program but I have taken one IB chemistry course. I haven't taken the SAT/ACT yet. I'm captain of the Mock Trial team, president of a religious debate club, and a member of a political debate club. I've had some writing published here and there but I don't do any sports.

Would that sound in any way impressive to Notre Dame, or is that exactly what they get from every single other applicant? Would it be a good idea to write about being an atheist in my statement since it is a Catholic school and all?

That reminds me -- exactly what should I talk about in my personal statement? My family isn't poor nor rich, so I have no sort of overwhelming financial struggles to talk about. I'm not an only child or an orphan or anything like that so I don't have any heartwrenching tales to recount. That's why I was considering talking about my atheism since it's the only real thing about me that I think might intrigue them -- then again, it might make them deny me for being a heathen. They always say "talk about your passions and what makes you unique"; well, there's really nothing unique about me and I have no idea how to play myself up without either lying or making myself out to be a total jerk. My only passion is debating theology and writing books, but that's pretty stupid sounding when I consider that fact that everyone else is going to be talking about how they are world-class violinists and artisan sculptors who had to swim to America from Russia or other like shenanigans.

Help please T_T

Well the Irish system is a lot different so I can't tell you if that's impressive or not, though it sounds like a very good application.

Everybody is unique, in your personal statement talk about things you are passionate about. Do you like music? Do you play instruments? Have you worked in any interesting jobs? Got any views on world politics and issues?

quote Itami

I'm entering my junior year of high school and I plan on applying to Notre Dame when the time arises.

I'm definitely starting to get worried, though. Exactly *how* good does someone need to be in order to not be flat-out rejected? I have a 4.67 GPA and I'll have taken 11-12 AP classes/exams by the time I graduate. I'm not enrolled in the IB program but I have taken one IB chemistry course. I haven't taken the SAT/ACT yet. I'm captain of the Mock Trial team, president of a religious debate club, and a member of a political debate club. I've had some writing published here and there but I don't do any sports.

Notre Dame isn't that picky. As long as you have a general area you're good at and you have the credentials to back them up, as long as you're Catholic it's very credible that you'll get in. I have a few classmates this year who got in. One was a math and science type of guy, and the other was a liberal artsy girl, and they're not the best of my class but got in.

quote AtoChansu

as long as you're Catholic it's very credible that you'll get in.

No, *bleep* that, man. It won't help you anyway.

quote Notre Dame's Office of Admissions

We welcome students, faculty, and staff of all religious affiliations and provide resources to support them in their spiritual development. Through the efforts of Campus Ministry, members of the Notre Dame family rejoice together at interfaith prayer services, explore together during faith sharing groups, share together at a variety of retreats, and pray together in one of the many spaces designated for worship. No matter your belief, we at Notre Dame want you to feel welcome here.

It's like 70% Catholics. So should you take the chance at being the 30% minority and try to get in or be one of those 70%? It's better than a 2 to 1 chance you'll get in if they know you're Catholic. I don't think you'd have to be devout. -_-() Just enough so you can fit in on Sundays.