notre dame supplemental essays 2021-22

The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of one (1) essay response to a required question and one (1) essay response to a question you select from the options provided. In total, you’ll write two (2) essay responses. The word count is a maximum of 200 words per essay.

Notre Dame University Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

Notre Dame is a Catholic university, founded by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, with a mission to educate the hearts and minds of students. What excites you about attending Notre Dame?

Notre Dame University Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

Additional Prompts - (You choose 1) People in the Notre Dame community come from many different places, backgrounds, and walks of life. How is where you’re from a part of who you are? Tell us about a time when you advocated for something you believe in. If you were given unlimited resources to help solve one problem in your community, what would it be and how would you accomplish it? What is the greatest compliment you have ever been given? Why was it meaningful to you?

How to Write Each Supplemental Essay Prompt for University of Notre Dame

How to write notre dame supplemental essay prompt #1.

Notre Dame is a Catholic university, founded by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, with a mission to educate the hearts and minds of students. What excites you about attending Notre Dame? (200 words)

This is a short “Why us?” essay. Because it’s short, the key will be finding 5-7 reasons that set Notre Dame apart from all the other schools you’re applying to.

To help get a strong understanding of how to write to this prompt, check out our “Why us?” essay guide —and pay particular attention to the Cornell example, which is one of our favorites. While that example is longer, you’ll also find advice in that guide on tackling shorter “Why us?” essays, and the Tufts essay is a great example.

Don’t have the time to read the full guide? Here’s the TL;DR version:

Spend 1 hr+ researching 5-7 reasons why Notre Dame might be a great fit for you (ideally one or two of those reasons will be unique to Notre Dame and connect back to you). Why this many reasons? You’ll likely only end up including only some of these, but it’s better to have more than you need. Plus, you’ll learn more about the school if you find this many.

Make a copy of this chart to map out your college research.

Create an outline for your essays based on either Approach 1, 2 (recommended for Notre Dame), or 3 in the full guide above.

Write a first draft!

As you write, try to avoid these common mistakes:

Five Common Mistakes Students Make on “Why Us?” Essays

Mistake #1 : Writing about the school's size, location, reputation, weather, or ranking.

Mistake #2 : Simply using emotional language to demonstrate fit.

Mistake #3 : Screwing up the mascot, stadium, team colors or names of any important people or places on campus.

Mistake #4 : Parroting the brochures or website language.

Mistake #5 : Describing traditions the school is well-known for.

Mistake #6 : Thinking of this as only a "Why them" essay.

Here’s a great sample essay for this prompt. You may not be applying to the Mendoza College of Business like this student was, so don’t worry about that bit of detail. Instead, focus on the specifics and other details he uses, as we’ll discuss in the Tips + Analysis section below.

At the Mendoza College of Business, I am eager to develop my whole self, by incorporating liberal arts and theology into finance. Understanding finance and how it relates to societal functions fascinates me. Through following the NYSE after school, I’ve learned the ability to analyze markets is one of the most important skills in our ever-changing, diverse economic landscape. Professor Bergstrand’s article “Should TPP Be Formed? On the Potential Economic, Governance, and Conflict-Reducing Impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement” captivated me. I agree there are limitations in computer business models, and in order to allow for greater diversity human analysts cannot be replaced. A business major is one thing, but Notre Dame’s unique Poverty Studies minor will expand my understanding of the life billions of people live everyday, allowing me to make financial decisions with a higher purpose in mind. I would be thrilled to couple this learning with working alongside the Center for the Study of Religion and Society, while also advancing my knowledge of the Catholic faith. I aim to study the magnitude of the statistical mark I make as an economist, while concurrently viewing the outcome as a humanitarian. — — —

Tips + Analysis:

Be specific. We’re talking about courses, professors, research studies, clubs: Use their formal names, and make sure to spell them right. Note how this student doesn’t just name a professor he’d want to learn from; he also researched his publications and spoke to why one in particular resonated with him (“I agree there are limitations in computer business models, and in order to allow for greater diversity human analysts cannot be replaced.”). That depth of detail is a great way to show you’ve done your research and aren’t just listing what you saw in the course catalog.

Demonstrate a range of interests. The broad scope of this prompt is intentional. It’s not just asking about your chosen major or your academic interests; it’s probing for details about the breadth of your interests. This student doesn’t do a whole lot of that, and it’s not a do-or-die must, but we definitely recommend it. So, after talking about, say, courses and professors and programs that interest you, talk about campus life—clubs, activities, sports or other extracurriculars. But note that the prompt asks you to share about more than how Notre Dame will transform your “mind”—school officials also want to know about your heart. Given this ...

Speak to your desire to give back. As a proudly Catholic institution (with over 80% Catholic enrollment), Notre Dame values a culture of service. In fact, the first goal in its strategic plan revolves around character : “We strive to build a community that inspires the pursuit of truth and teaches respect, love, and service so that our learning serves the Church and the world, particularly for those who are most in need.” Your budget limit is tight, so keep it brief. This student makes some nice “heart” connections in the final paragraph.

how to write Notre Dame Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

1. People in the Notre Dame community come from many different places, backgrounds, and walks of life. How is where you’re from a part of who you are? (200 words)

This prompt asks you to reflect on where you come from and how that has shaped who you are. It’s a diversity essay , as Notre Dame seeks to know how your experiences would add to the diversity of the college community. While diversity can refer to ethnicity, class, religion or sexuality, think broadly about the elements of your unique context that have influenced your character, which may also include geography, perspectives, ways of living, etc.

This is a new prompt for Notre Dame this year, so we don't have something exactly on point, but this essay, written for another school, would work great.

My great-grandpa’s eyes twinkle as my 5-year-old self struggles to stir the giant pot of cioppino. Like this traditional seafood dish, I too am an Italian-American originating from California. My very loud family crowds my house each holiday, relegating me to an air mattress, a sacrifice I’m more than willing to make. The rooms fill with stories and laughter as we down pizzelles and compete in a cutthroat cookie-decorating contest. Likewise, my California beginnings, though brief, had a sizable impact on my life. I was a year old when we left, but California’s adventurous culture is part of my identity, reinforced by annual trips to visit relatives. From hiking San Jacinto Peak, to days at Disneyland, where my grandparents and mom worked, each excursion left me giddily exhausted. The true centerpiece of our get-togethers isn’t the cioppino, but the stories and experiences that connect us as family. — — —

Tips + Analysis

Identify the identities and communities that have shaped you. This author presents themself as an Italian-American from California. What’s your particular personal constellation? Make a list. Keep in mind that communities can be defined by ...

Place: Groups of people who live/work/play near one another

Action: Groups of people who create change in the world by building, doing, or solving something together (Examples: Black Lives Matter, Girls Who Code, March for Our Lives)

Interest: Groups of people coming together based on shared interest, experience, or expertise

Circumstance: Groups of people brought together either by chance or external events/situation.

Give a taste of each one. Here, great-grandpa’s eyes twinkle as a five-year-old stirs a pot of cioppino. Brainstorm a detail or example for each identity or community using one of your five senses. What does each one look/smell/taste/sound/feel like? The details bring us into the experiences: sleeping on an air mattress when family comes, eating pizzelles, hiking San Jacinto Peak. Bonus points for proper nouns! Bring the reader into your world—the more specific the better.

Show why it matters. This student describes their cultural roots and traditions, but ultimately, they’re talking about the importance of family. Think about your values. How has the way you’ve grown up impacted how you perceive and engage with the world around you?

2. Tell us about a time when you advocated for something you believe in. (200 words)

This prompt is wide open. That may make it feel more intimidating, but one way to narrow it down is to look at your Activities List and ask: Is there anything here that shows me championing a cause? Or advocating for change? Maybe it’s the recycling program you started in your school cafeteria. Or the BLM protest you participated in last summer. Look for something that, instead of a one-time effort, shows an enduring interest/belief/mission. The key will be talking about it in a way that shows it’s important enough to “fight for.”

It’s time to dig into an example to see what that might look like. This is also a new prompt for Notre Dame (they’ve been busy in the admission office this spring!), but this essay, written for a slightly shorter prompt, would work well here.

In eighth grade, I created an art piece addressing a stereotype I had faced and posted it online, encouraging my friends to do the same and hashtag it #StereotypeProject. The drawing snowballed into a viral movement, gathering the attention of over 1,000 youth artists worldwide, each contributing their own stories and drawings. The Stereotype Project has since grown, extending into local schools and calling on the next generation to stand strong against the biases they face due to race, gender, sexual orientation, mental illness, and more. In a time of increasing youth activism and reminders of the potential we have as young revolutionaries, the Stereotype Project is an outlet for creative expression, unity, and a means of imparting a positive impact on the world. Our website continues to be live and accept submissions: stereotypeproject.org. — — —

Don’t feel like you have to save the world. Writing about how you’re changing “the world for the better” may feel daunting. What if my actions aren’t having a global impact? Breathe. We have good news for you: Notre Dame doesn’t expect you to have started a non-profit at the age of 17 (but if you have, cool). The Notre Dame culture of service to others means they’re looking for students committed to making an impact—if not on the world at large, at least on the world around them. That “world” could mean your town, your school, your Debate Club, your friend group, or, as in this case, your online audience. The world you’re impacting isn’t as important as the action you’re taking to help make it better. With that in mind ...

Consider this an extracurricular activity essay of sorts. We have a full guide to that type of essay here . Comb through your extracurricular activity list , specifically looking for an example of how you’re taking action to effect positive change. The extracurricular essay guide has two great brainstorming exercises that can help you find a great topic: the BEABIES and the Elon Musk exercises. Pro tip: Focus on the problem-solving aspect in both exercises.

Keep the topic current. The prompt specifically asks you about “an action you are taking”—with intentional emphasis on the now. So choose something that a) you’re still actively working on, or b) you worked on/launched earlier but built it in a way that continues to effect positive change. The essay above offers a great example of the latter. Besides directly answering the prompt, writing about a current/lasting endeavor shows an ongoing commitment to action.

You don’t have to be tackling Society’s Biggest Challenges. Although we mention issues like racism and the environment in our introduction to this prompt, you don’t necessarily have to write about huge social justice issues for your answer to be legitimate. Even though this essay is on a somewhat relevant topic, the key to its success is in how the student spotlights an issue that has personal meaning to her (a stereotype she herself faced) and details 1) how she took action (posted her art piece online using a hashtag and urged others to do the same, and 2) its impact (“creating an outlet for creative expression, unity, and a means of imparting a positive impact on the world”). In short, the winning formula here is: Issue of Personal Importance + Action You Took + Impact It’s Having = Great Essay.

3. If you were given unlimited resources to help solve one problem in your community, what would it be and how would you accomplish it? (200 words)

This is an essay focused on community service and civic engagement. That means you specifically want to talk about values that show how giving back has deep meaning for you (think purpose and enrichment, but also resourcefulness, leadership, empathy, even laughter and adventure). This Values List will help you identify those that resonate.

Do you have meaningful examples and anecdotes that bring those values to life—like the club you started to teach chess to fifth-graders, or the recycling project you led in your neighborhood, or taking care of your younger siblings or cousins? Your topic of choice should be something you genuinely care about and want to change for the better. You’ll find it much easier to write with enthusiasm if you talk about something you actually find important and interesting.

Like Prompt #2, you can approach this using the tools for extracurricular essays . Read through your Common App Activities List . If you can identify not just one but a few things you can talk about to show you’ve already contributed to the “common good,” they could become an excellent topic for this Notre Dame essay. Then invoke what we call the Elon Musk method ( head here for an explanation + examples), like in this sample essay (which was written for a different school but would work well for this new prompt).

Every school year, I walk around campus, arms and backpack chock full of heavy textbooks. In the classroom, I read the textbook, review a lesson, and complete a worksheet. Rinse and repeat. And not just me: nearly every other student has had this experience. Enter personalized learning. Personalized learning could mean allowing students to master concepts at their own pace, or it could refer to computer programs designed to match one’s personality. For example, some learn kinesthetically, while others learn visually. The possibilities to unlock true learning potential through personalized learning are endless. As an engineer, I want to develop teaching methods that help both the young and the old acquire new skills and enhance learned ones. Through computer science, I can devise an intelligent tutoring system. And after designing a personality quiz, I can create an algorithm to match the student’s preferred learning style and determine which multimedia is best to teach them. Although I personally do not have a learning disability, a close friend suffers from autism. Surprisingly, if you met him, you probably could not tell. From a young age, he was placed in a regular classroom, not a special ed one. As an extrovert, this personalized learning system enabled him to be a social butterfly while also learning at his own pace. Therefore, I believe that by advancing personalized learning experiences and minimizing inflexibility in education programs, we can reduce perceived learning disabilities. The future of intelligence will be much more well-rounded and diversified. — — —

Identify the problem. This student is beleaguered by the boring burden of traditional learning. What is an issue that really concerns you, and why? Help us understand why you care about it. Who is affected and how? What is the consequence if this issue is left unaddressed?

Lay out your plan to solve it. Be specific. The question asks how you’d accomplish your task. Describe the actions you’d take, the tools or programs you’d develop. Let your reader see how your brain works; how do you solve complex problems? Call on your strengths and previous actions. This student approaches the issue through their tools and experience with engineering and computer science. Are you already working on this issue? What have you done so far that you’d expand on?

Name the impact. What will the world look like when you’ve had a chance to do something about this problem? Who or what will be affected and how? Imagine yourself already having achieved it, and let your reader celebrate with you. For this student, this what impact looked like: “As an extrovert, this personalized learning system enabled him to be a social butterfly while also learning at his own pace.”

Think BIG. The prompt offers you unlimited resources to address the issue! You seek to join an institution that could give you access to deep financial support and networking opportunities. Notre Dame is signaling that it’s seeking candidates who are prepared to make a major impact with the resources the school can provide. Show you’ve got vision: How would you leverage these vast resources for the common good?

4. What is the greatest compliment you have ever been given? Why was it meaningful to you? (200 words)

Also a new prompt this year, this one is your Time to Shine. You could try to remember the best compliment someone’s ever given you (and by all means, if it comes to mind, go for it) ... OR, you could think of that quality or skill of yours that you love the most and highlight that. What’s your superpower? What do people love about you? What do you most appreciate about yourself? Then roll back to a time you received a compliment about it and go from there. This is a great opportunity to reveal something about you that hasn’t come through elsewhere in your application.

Bring the compliment to life with examples. Where does this quality or skill show up in your life? What are some times it’s had an impact in your life, on other people or in your community? Give brief, descriptive details of these moments to show how this quality or skill is meaningful to you AND how it’ll contribute to the college community you’ll join.

Always bring it back to values. Something that people celebrate in you says a lot about what’s most important to you. What does this skill and your examples reveal about your core values? Connect each example to a value. You can use the Values List for inspiration.

End with insight. What have you learned about yourself or the world thanks to your superpower? Wink as you walk away (show your capacity for self-reflection).

Want advice on dozens of other supplemental essays? Click here

Special thanks to Shira for contributing to this post.

Shira Harris is an alternative educator, amateur ambassador, former civil rights attorney and queer activist, who received her BA from UC Berkeley and law degree from New York University. Currently, she studies Arabic, Hebrew, migration and mediation in the Mediterranean; upon completion of the masters program, she intends to work for peace in Israel Palestine. Shira loves hiking, camping, traveling, learning, cooking with friends, the CEG community and fourth-grader jokes.

Top Values: Integrity | Curiosity | Love

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Sep 7, 2020

How To Write The University of Notre Dame Supplemental Essays (2020-2021)

You’ve got three essays to write for Notre Dame. Everyone must answer the first question (“Why This College?”). Then you get to choose two prompts from a list of four. For each essay, Notre Dame recommends a 200-word limit.

Here’s how Notre Dame phrases the “Why Us?” prompt:

Although it’s confusingly phrased, the idea is pretty straightforward. They want you to discuss why you want to go to Notre Dame from both an academic angle and a more personal perspective. Ask yourself what type of person you want to become and how you’re going to achieve that through your college education. Are there hobbies you want to pursue or skills you want to develop? How would aspects of the Notre Dame community and extracurricular offerings foster those?

You need to show Notre Dame that you know a great deal about the school, and have good reasons for applying there, but you also need to provide them with enough information about yourself and your achievements to show that you’re a good fit.

Your task here is to show Notre Dame that:

You know what you want to study (make a major up if you’re actually undecided—just choose what makes most sense based on your past experiences);

You can talk about some upper-level classes you’d like to take at Notre Dame (in line with your academic direction. Don’t mention anything that’s readily available at other universities—pick something interesting and unusual);

You can mention a few professors you’d be interested in working with (again, who teach in a subject related to your academic path. These should be tenured professors, or at least professors you suspect will be around for the next four years. Not sure how the vicious academic hierarchy works? Ask us );

You have a sense of which extracurricular clubs and organizations you’d like to be a part of (do your research—the clubs you choose to discuss should be a logical extension of your past academic and extracurricular achievements);

You have identified any other academic or extracurricular opportunities that Notre Dame and the area will provide you with.

Again, this essay isn’t just about Notre Dame. It’s also about you. Make sure you’re relating what you want to do at Notre Dame to your past experiences—that the professors and courses that interest you will help you build on your most impressive achievements.

Please provide responses to TWO (2) of the following questions:

A Notre Dame education is not just for you, but also for those who will benefit from the impact you make. Who do you aspire to serve after you graduate?

This is a curious way of asking you essentially what you’re going to go after graduation, with particular focus on your impact and specifically the people for whom you’re going to make a difference. You don’t need to have a perfect idea of what career you’ll pursue, but for an effective response to this prompt you will want a clear idea of the problem in the world that motivates you the most, whether it be homelessness, inequalities in healthcare, or something else entirely. Then, discuss your plan to tackle it through your college education and future as a leader of some sort in society.

Pay particular attention to the people affected by the problem you identify, as implied by the question’s focus on “who.” Why are these people in need of help? How has the world been unfair to them, or what have they done to deserve help. For example, describe the average homeless person in the United States. Having a meaningful impact on others means understanding their perspectives. Showing you have a clear understanding of who you want to help and why will demonstrate your dedication to making a difference, and hopefully convince the admissions committee that they want Notre Dame to support you in that endeavor.

In response to the ris ing momentum behind the Black Lives Matter movement during June 2020, G. Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean of the Notre Dame Law School, penned an open letter entitled, “I am George Floyd. Except I can breathe. And I can do something.” He issues a call to the Notre Dame community saying, “Each of us must do what we can, wherever we are.” What is one action you are taking “to change this world for the better?”

This reads, to me, as a version of the first prompt for people who are uncertain on what their future holds. In lieu of a plan for what you’re doing in the future, the natural question is what you’re doing right now that demonstrates your commitment to others. This one is fairly straightforward--pick your most impressive service activity and describe your motivations, your role in it, and your impact.

God and the Good Life is an interdisciplinary course created by the departments of Philosophy and Film, Television, and Theatre that asks students to consider moral questions about what they believe and how they want to live their lives. What do God and a good life mean to you?

This is another way of trying to get at your principles and plans for your future. It feels like the first prompt, but with a lot more space for you to decide what to discuss. You don’t have to talk about the future, but the implication is that the principles you have now about living a good life and regarding religion are ones that you will carry forward.

One easy way to trip up here is not to include stories and examples to ground your discussion. It’s easy to start discussing your faith, transition into a general idea of what living a good life involves, and end up with a very vague essay. Make sure to ground your essay with examples of what you’ve done already that you’ve found meaningful, and show how they connect to the picture you paint of a good life. As much as the admissions officer wants to know about your plans for the future, it’s hard to believe you’ll be an extremely dedicated, altruistic, and religiously motivated person for the rest of your life if you cannot show how you’ve been working towards that already.

Notre Dame has a rich history deeply rooted in tradition. Share how a favorite tradition from your life has impacted who you are today.

I love this prompt because it offers a very unique challenge for students: consider what “tradition” means and how it has played into your life. Start by recognizing that nearly everything you do is shaped by tradition in some sense, from the clothes you wear and the food you eat to how you make friends and go to school. Here though, they seem to be asking about more personal traditions. Maybe your family goes to the same place every summer or you wear mismatched socks for important exams. You might consider a tradition any habit that has meaning to it (not like breathing or drinking water after a workout).

Take this opportunity to reflect and think about both why you have these traditions and how they have changed your life. A great choice for this essay will have something interesting for both, although it’s alright to only have the latter (as with a recurring family vacation spot perhaps). Identify the most significant impact, and evaluate whether it reflects a quality you want to highlight for the reader. Learning to fish is fun, but it isn’t a qualification for college unless you discuss transferable skills and/or a mindset. Once you’ve picked a suitable tradition, all that’s left is to tell the story!

What brings you joy?

College is stressful--there’s no doubt about it. Not only do they want to see that you’re going to be able to deal with the stress by having fun hobbies to turn to, they also want you to bring something to the social fabric of Notre Dame. At college , you spend more time outside of class than in high school, and almost all of that time is spent on the campus. How do you have fun, and are you going to bring joy to other students? Are you going to help others discover new passions by sharing your pastime? Beyond that, do you find joy in helping others? What do you find meaningful?

To make this essay stand out , you want to do more than just describing what brings you joy. You need to analyze why. Give the reader insight into what drives you, and you’ll be one step closer to convincing them you’ll be similarly driven in college.

As always, we're here to help. Don't hesitate to reach out .

Supplemental Essays

The Admissions Strategist

How to write the notre dame supplemental essays 2020-2021: a captivating guide.

The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university located in South Bend, Indiana.

Becoming one of the Fighting Irish isn’t easy: The acceptance rate is about 18%.

There’s a lot to like about Notre Dame: It’s a nationally ranked college , has excellent sports programs, and boasts one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation.

To help you tip the admissions scale in your favor, we’re supplying all the tips and info you need to successfully complete the Notre Dame Writing Supplement.

What Are The Notre Dame Supplemental Essay Requirements?

Notre Dame accepts either the Coalition Application or the Common Application . When you add Notre Dame to your college list on either application, you’ll gain access to the Notre Dame Writing Supplement.

This portion of the application is required, and you’ll write three essay responses in total. This is in addition to the essay required through the Coalition or Common apps.

First, you must answer the following question:

The founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Blessed Basil Moreau, wrote, “We shall always place education side by side with instruction; the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” How do you hope a Notre Dame education and experience will transform your mind and heart?

You’ll then select two of the following five questions to answer:

A Notre Dame education is not just for you, but also for those who will benefit from the impact you make. Who do you aspire to serve after you graduate?

In response to the rising momentum behind the Black Lives Matter movement during June 2020, G. Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean of the Notre Dame Law School, penned an open letter entitled, “I am George Floyd. Except I can breathe. And I can do something.” He issues a call to the Notre Dame community saying, “each of us must do what we can, wherever we are.” What is one action you are taking “to change this world for the better?”

God and the Good Life is an interdisciplinary course created by the departments of Philosophy and Film, Television, and Theatre that asks students to consider moral questions about what they believe and how they want to live their lives. What do God and a good life mean to you?

Notre Dame has a rich history deeply rooted in tradition. Share how a favorite tradition from your life has impacted who you are today.

What brings you joy?

Notre Dame recommends a response between 150-200 words.

But here’s the catch:

The maximum word count is 200 words per essay. Stick to a word count close to this number. That doesn’t give you many words to work with, but don’t worry! We’ll give you some tips for making the most of your 200 words in the next section.

General Tips for the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays

There are some general tips that apply to most application essays you’ll write:

Now for some advice from the university itself:

Notre Dame admissions counselor Maria Finan writes, “ When I’m reading applications, I find that the most interesting stories are the ones that leave me feeling like I really know the applicant. The topic is often less important than how the story is told. If a story reveals something about who you are, what you value, where you’re from, or an event or person who has shaped you, that’s often a story worth telling.”

According to Zach Klonsinkski , “ The most memorable (I think that’s a better adjective than “outstanding”) essays always help me get to know the applicant: what they believe, what interests them, and/or what they are super passionate about. Who is this person potentially coming to our campus and what can I imagine them doing here?”

He reminds students to keep the essay about them and their beliefs, values, or actions—not elaborate on a backstory. He suggests making an outline or bullet points for your essay to ensure you include all the important points.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of Notre Dame’s essay questions!

The Required Notre Dame Supplemental Essay

This essay is about “how you fit in” at the university. Notre Dame wants to know what educational impact you foresee the university having on your life. You will need to cover two things:

And remember, you have a maximum of 200 words to do it!

For the first part, do your research :

Make a list of things that made you want to apply to Notre Dame. Look at the list and determine how these things fit with your goals and ambitions. Colleges want to ensure that applicants aren’t applying only because they recognize the name or want to attend a prestigious school.

Rather than listing a variety of reasons Notre Dame stands out to you, focus on one or two aspects of the school, then go into as much detail as possible. This will help maximize your word count.

Most importantly, talk about how these classes or opportunities relate to your future plans. Remember, thousands of students could write these exact same answers — and many probably will!

If the study abroad program stood out to you, the two most important parts of the essay are to explain why do you want to study abroad through Notre Dame specifically, and how will that program impact your mind (educationally) and your heart (emotionally or compassionately).

This is about you taking a role as a responsible global citizen after college, not you landing a high-paying job in a corporate office. Tell Notre Dame how their experience will impact you holistically as you prepare for your future.

Remember, Notre Dame wants to learn more about you, so be personal, authentic, and specific as you develop your answer. This is your chance to show that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about Notre Dame.

Connect us to your school's principal!

Notre dame supplemental essay 2a: aspiring to serve.

Now that we’ve discussed the required essay, we’ll take a look at the five additional essays.

Remember that you only need to answer two of the following five questions.

Get right to the point. Don’t give backstory or an extended anecdote.

We recommend answering the two questions that allow you to provide the most meaningful, important information about yourself. As with the required essay, you only have 200 words max for each question.

The key to this question is considering how you will serve and positively impact your community through your Notre Dame education. How will the knowledge and skills you gain in college allow you to improve and/or give back to your greater community?

Think about the program you plan to pursue. If you’re interested in something like public service, health, or education, it might be easier for you to make a direct connection to how your education will serve others. Choosing marketing, computer science, or architecture, though, might prove a little more challenging.

Consider the following:

Whatever direction you choose, give specific examples, and make sure that it relates directly to you. Avoid spending too much time explaining the “what” or “who” and focus on the “how.” Reserve two or three sentences making the connection between your education and who you will serve, and spend the rest of the essay telling the reader how you will serve.

You don’t need to have a final ending to your essay. As long as you explain your action steps, you can end the essay in whatever manner you like.

Notre Dame Essay Supplemental 2B: Change the World

There is no shortage of polarizing topics in our country at the moment—from issues of social justice to politics to a global pandemic. When considering this essay, think about what it is truly asking. Although this question opens with the dean’s quote referring to the strength of the Black Lives Matter movement, the essay does not ask you to comment on it.

Instead, the question focuses on the dean’s passionate response to the movement to pose a question about how you would change the world for the better. He wants students to make a difference while they can.

First, identify a problem or issue that is important to you. It might be something big like the BLM movement, disparities in health care, or the growing inequalities in education. Or, maybe it hits closer to home with your community’s response to homelessness, food insecurity, or injustice.

Once you identify that issue for which you are passionate, determine what you can do to improve that outcome. How can you, as one person living today, positively impact the world?

Avoid thinking too big and, instead, localize your impact. Think about how the topic or issue you chose can be addressed in your own community. Consider:

Only choose to write this essay if you are passionate about this topic. If it is a struggle to come up with an answer, then move on! The answer to this essay should be authentic and specific to you.

And remember, be sure to answer with specific steps on the action you will take.

Notre Dame Essay Supplemental 2C: God and a Good Life

This essay will require some research and personal reflection.

First, it’s important to know the values and morals that Notre Dame holds high as a Catholic university. Spend some time understanding what the university stands for and hopes to develop in its students.

Notre Dame states that it wants students “ to learn not only how to think critically and creatively, but also how to live fully.” The university’s values lead back to its founder, Reverend Edward Sorin, C.S.C., who wanted Notre Dame to be a “powerful force for good in the world.”

Next, think about how these values and morals are reflected in your own life. Understanding Notre Dame’s values is important, but ultimately, they want to hear what God means in your life. Consider:

Now, the essay wants to know what God and the good life means to you. You will need to define what the good life is to you. Of course, think about this with the lens of your relationship to God as well as the values that define your life and the university.

Jot down your thoughts or make a list about what these things mean to you, then organize them into your 200-word essay. Remember to be sure you are passionate about this question and that your answer reflects your own thoughts and values.

Notre Dame Essay Supplemental 2D: Favorite Traditions

Sharing traditions is a great opportunity to give admissions counselors a glimpse of who you are and what’s important to you. This can be fun and light, while still sharing a lot of information that helps counselors get to know you as a person.

Maybe there is one tradition with family or friends that has happened as long as you can remember and it’s clear this will be your subject. Or, there could be a tradition that you do solo that helps you to unwind, refresh, or reset.

This essay opens up a wide range of possibilities. Remember to show passion and personality in your answer.

And don’t forget the last part! How has this tradition impacted who you have become? This essay is all about you!

Notre Dame Essay Supplemental 2E: Finding Joy

This is a very open essay! Surely, there are plenty of ways you find joy in your life. The essay is almost overwhelming with possibilities.

It might be helpful to define joy, then use that to frame your answer. Thinking of the definition, make a list of things that bring you joy. Explain what joy means to you. Think about which things on your list will help you develop the strongest essay.

Strategy 1: Pillars

Notre Dame espouses five pillars. If you’re finding some of your current ideas uninspiring, think about your experiences that fit in with one of the pillars.

These are the pillars:

You could take a couple of different approaches for the “heart” pillar.

Anyone can write about how meaningful family is, so be sure to use specific, vivid details and explain exactly how your family has molded your identity.

Reflect on what you learned about life, hope, and yourself from this experience.

Of course, the examples above aren’t the only ways to address these five pillars; they’re simply meant to give you some inspiration.

Most importantly, use vivid details and explain why the pillar you’ve discussed is so meaningful. How has it shaped your identity or future goals?

Strategy 2: Responsibility

Think about the people in your life for whom you are responsible.

This is a fairly open-ended exercise that may inspire a variety of responses.

For example:

Write about a responsibility that reflects your individual values and allows you to share something new with admissions officers.

Be sure to explain what you’ve learned from this responsibility and how it has helped you grow as a person.

Strategy 3: Fact

Ask yourself: What’s one thing I know for a fact?

Here’s an opportunity for you to be completely creative, even infusing your response with humor if that fits your personality.

Clearly, your answer to this question doesn’t need to be entirely serious. But it should show your thought process.

Convey passion for the subject you talk about, even if it’s a somewhat silly one.

And keep in mind that you don’t have to be silly—if there’s something you strongly believe in, you’re welcome to write about that too.

Make sure to avoid overly controversial issues, however. You never know who will be reading your essay or what they believe!

Strategy 4: Significance in Your Community

Ask yourself: What is something significant that happened in your community? Why does it matter to you?

Notre Dame is a geographically diverse university, and admissions officers are interested in learning about both you and your community.

Make sure you write about something that genuinely matters to you, and be prepared to explain why it’s significant in your eyes.

Conclusion: Writing the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays

In order to be admitted to Notre Dame, you’ll need to write three short essays. You’re required to explain how a Notre Dame education will impact your mind and heart, but you can choose the other two essay topics from five options.

Focus on providing specific details and helping admissions officers get to know you.

Your personality should shine through in each essay, and the admissions team should be able to picture you on Notre Dame’s campus—and the contributions you’ll make in the future.

If you start early, follow the tips here, and polish your essays carefully, you’ll increase your chances of joining the Fighting Irish in the fall!

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How to Write the University of Notre Dame Essays 2020-2021

We’ve updated this post! Read the 2021-2022 Notre Dame essay guide .

Nestled 100 miles outside of Chicago in South Bend, Indiana lies the University of Notre Dame. Currently ranked #15 in National Universities by US News , and #11 overall for Best Undergraduate Teaching, the University of Notre Dame is home to about 8,600 undergraduate students enrolled across eight colleges and schools and 75 major programs. Priding itself on its distinct culture and achievements in research, Notre Dame aims to cultivate its unique community rooted in faith and enriched by its students’ and faculty’s constant pursuit of knowledge.

And they’ve done just that. Attracting over 20,000 undergraduate applications each year, Notre Dame is quite selective, with an acceptance rate of 21% for the class of 2024.

Students can apply to Notre Dame through either the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or Questbridge Application. While the restrictive Early Action Deadline is November 1, students have until January 1 to apply to the school regular decision.

In addition to the Common App, Coalition or Questbridge personal essay, applicants must complete three shorter supplemental essays in order to be considered for admission to Notre Dame. While the first of these prompts is required for all students, the second prompt allows students to choose from among five options for the two they’d like to answer. Want to know your chances at the University of Notre Dame? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Want to learn what University of Notre Dame will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering University of Notre Dame needs to know.

University of Notre Dame Supplemental Essays

Prompt 1: The founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Blessed Basil Moreau, wrote, “We shall always place education side by side with instruction; the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” How do you hope a Notre Dame education and experience will transform your mind and heart? (200 words)

Prompt 2: Please provide responses to TWO (2) of the following questions (each 200 words):

The founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Blessed Basil Moreau, wrote, “We shall always place education side by side with instruction; the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” How do you hope a Notre Dame education and experience will transform your mind and heart? (200 words)

This prompt is asking two questions ─ why do you want to study your chosen major at Notre Dame and which resources outside the classroom do you want to explore on campus? The admissions officers want to know specific details about your academic and personal passions so they can see you as a whole person. Your essay should let the readers see how you will fit into the Notre Dame’s community ─ they want to imagine exactly what you will do every day within the classroom and outside.

The best way you can write this essay is by tying your passions into the unique programs and activities offered at Notre Dame. Rather than writing about generalities ─ for example, about how Notre Dame will help you be a better Catholic and get a job in finance after graduation ─ you should talk about how you want to discuss liturgy at Theology Club meetings every Tuesday and you would be thrilled to learn about Bolivian commodities in the Emerging Markets Investing program in London. The more details, the better.

A good format for this essay would be to divide it into 4 parts:

1. An introduction which succinctly defines where your mind and heart are, e.g. “my mind is in finance and my heart is in my Catholic faith.”

2. One paragraph which explains which academic opportunities you want to take advantage of at Notre Dame. Mention the names of classes, programs, professors, majors, and minors. Explain why these opportunities appeal to you and how they relate to your background.

3. One paragraph which names the student organizations and campus activities you hope to explore. Which organizations would give you personal fulfillment ─ an education in the finer things that you don’t learn in the classroom ─ and how?

4. A conclusion which explains how you aspire to tie together your educational experiences inside and outside the classroom. Explain how you want to use this combined education after graduation, e.g. “I hope that my Notre Dame education will empower me to combine my passions for finance and my Catholic faith. I not only want to disrupt the world of emerging market investing ─ I want to disrupt it with a sense of Catholic social responsibility.”

Try to avoid making a laundry list of resources activities. When you name a resource, describe why it is important to you before naming another one.

For example, instead of writing “I hope to join the BRAVE (Building Resilience After Violence Exposure) Research Lab, ” you can say the following:

Volunteering at a domestic abuse center showed me the detrimental effects of trauma on young children: they were often withdrawn and fearful, leading other kids to misunderstand and mischaracterize them as “weird” or “mean.” It was my volunteer work that led to my desire to study Psychology. I want to better understand how to support trauma survivors, especially young children. If accepted to Notre Dame, I hope to join the BRAVE (Building Resilience After Violence Exposure) Research Lab, where I can learn about the impact of trauma on childhood development. I’m especially interested in the lab’s international focus, as I know culture can greatly impact how trauma victims are perceived.

Prompt 2: Please provide responses to TWO (2) of the following questions (each 200 words)

A quick note about choosing prompts. Before immediately setting your mind on two prompts, try brainstorming ideas for each of the five options provided. Start to draft bullet points or mini paragraphs to get a sense for which prompts you may be more passionate about. There is no right or wrong prompt, but some prompts will allow you to unleash more of your personality or tell more of your story — which will frame your application in a more positive light.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you choose your prompts:

A person sitting cross legged, pointing to the text, with an abstract monitor behind them

Your GPA and SAT don’t tell the full admissions story

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographics, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details.

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

Prompt 2, Option A

A notre dame education is not just for you, but also for those who will benefit from the impact you make. who do you aspire to serve after you graduate (200 words).

To plan for this prompt, answer think through the following questions:

A good way to start this essay would be by introducing your chosen group of people to serve. Explain who they are with depth ─ for example, if they are homeless people, explain the different levels of homelessness. Then identify why your chosen group is underserved in society, and how the lack of attention given to their issues affects their daily lives.

Afterwards, explain why you desire to serve your chosen group. This part is best explained with a short human story, such as a specific moment from your time volunteering at a homeless shelter. Humanize the group you want to serve by highlighting your interactions with one of its members. For example:

I learned more about homelessness than any class taught me when I asked Mark what music he was listening to on the shelter computer. He told me to come listen, handing me the right earbud. It was an epic violin pop cover, and I was soon bobbing my head along with him. “I can play that on the violin,” he said…

To conclude, state your intended major and career direction. Explain the skills and in-depth understanding you would gain from your education, and how you would apply them to your service. Explain how an extracurricular at Notre Dame would give you service practice before graduation. Finish by tying your message back to your human example of the people you want to serve, and how your service is for them.

For example, the student wanting to serve the homeless might be interested in studying Neuroscience and Behavior at Notre Dame with plans to go to medical school. They want to address the lack of access to healthcare that the homeless often have. At Notre Dame, the student could partner with the Lab for Economic Opportunities, which “aims to identify the innovative, effective and scalable programs that help people move out of poverty.” They could propose a project to treat the mental health of the homeless.

Avoid being too general when it comes to choosing a group to serve. The world, “my local community,” and developing countries are not specific enough.

Prompt 2, Option B

In response to the rising momentum behind the black lives matter movement during june 2020, g. marcus cole, the joseph a. matson dean of the notre dame law school, penned an open letter entitled, “i am george floyd. except i can breathe. and i can do something.” he issues a call to the notre dame community saying, “each of us must do what we can, wherever we are.” what is one action you are taking “to change this world for the better” (200 words).

If you’re especially passionate about the Black Lives Matter movement, this prompt would be a good place for you to share your story and contributions to the cause. Keep in mind, however, that your response isn’t limited to the Black Lives Matter movement. The prompt asks “What is one action you are taking ‘to change this world for the better’?” Your response could focus on other social causes, like the environment, immigration, disability rights, or poverty. As long as your action is impacting the greater good, it’s fair game.

The action you highlight does not need to be worthy of a movie, nor do you need to be the leader of a protest for this essay. Not everyone has the time and resources to change the world in a newsworthy way, but everyone does have the power to make small changes that add up. However, try to avoid mentioning actions that don’t have much of an impact, or don’t require much effort.

For instance, don’t write an essay on how you reshared instagram posts with resources for the Black Lives Matter movement. This is low-effort, and anyone could do this. You could, however, share how you developed a website gathering resources related to the movement, from petitions to organizations to anti-racism resources. You decided to do this because you saw so many resources being shared, but no centralized place to access them. This issue is important to you because you’re a Black American who has experienced racism, so this movement is deeply personal to you.

Here’s an outline that might help:

1. Choose an action that you have taken outside of the classroom, on your own accord. Explain why this action is meaningful to you. The best topic will be one that’s deeply personal and allows you to reveal important elements of your identity.

2. Explain why you think that action will make the world a better place. What have the results of this action been so far?

3. Conclude with your goals moving forward, and ways you might continue that activism at Notre Dame.

In the case of the student who started a website for Black Lives Matter, maybe it’s been viewed over 10,000 times, and they were able to promote local Black-owned businesses that have seen increased patronage after a slump due to the pandemic. The student hopes to continue maintaining the website and adding more resources. They also hope to join the Black Student Association at Notre Dame and develop an affiliated, online anti-racism course.

1. Avoid some of the common pitfalls of essays which talk about diversity, such as the cliche message that “even though we are different, I realized that we are all actually the same.”

2. Don’t mention short-term projects like overseas mission trips, unless you’ve continued to take a related action. An action that you’ve sustained over time, or is sustainable over time, is always preferable. Notre Dame wants to see that you’re truly committed to making a difference.

Prompt 2, Option C

God and the good life is an interdisciplinary course created by the departments of philosophy and film, television, and theatre that asks students to consider moral questions about what they believe and how they want to live their lives. what do god and a good life mean to you (200 words).

This question is best for applicants who practice a religious tradition or are interested in philosophy/theology. That said, steer clear of this prompt if you don’t have a highly-personal story or perspective related to these topics. Otherwise, you might end up with a super general essay on religion that anyone could write.

If you’re adamantly against religion, this would also not be a good time to express those views, as Notre Dame is a Catholic school with a predominantly Catholic student body. You might even reconsider whether Notre Dame is a good fit for you, if you’re opposed to religion.

If you do go ahead with this essay, try to avoid cliche responses not backed up by personal anecdotes. For instance, the thesis of many students’ essays is probably going to be “God is the meaning of life and a good life means serving Him.” That’s okay if you believe the same thing, but explain how your relationship with God and your “good life” are unique.

For example, you could explain how your religion inspires you to start an environmental non-profit, so you can protect God’s Creation. Or you could talk about how a good life for you means running faster every day, since God gifted you with speed. You also raise money for underserved communities through your competitions, and host shoe drives for low-income kids so they can experience how life-changing fitness can be.

You might find the following essay structure helpful:

This is an especially fitting essay for related anecdotes. For instance, you might start your essay with a story of when you first wondered about God or confronted your faith. If your relationship with God and faith changed over time, that would also lend itself well to a series of anecdotes.

Notre Dame has a website dedicated to the God and the Good life course . Try to answer one or more of its front page questions with your essay:

Prompt 2, Option D

Notre dame has a rich history deeply rooted in tradition. share how a favorite tradition from your life has impacted who you are today. (200 words).

Think about a tradition that you have set for yourself or that came from your family ─ the quirkier, the better. You will want to begin your essay by telling a story about what this tradition is and how it arose. The ideal tradition would be one which has been a part of your life for several years.

To think about the impact of your tradition in a new paragraph, answer the following questions:

Imagine that the tradition you chose was waking up at 5am every day to do nothing but think. You could describe how your tradition makes you feel calm, serene, and like you have time in your day.

Take the readers through your experience of the tradition to explain the lessons you have learned. Describe how your mind has wandered through past events and predictions for the future ─ you reanalyzed the reasons why the rocket you made for physics class flew sideways instead of up, and you have thought of a future public policy idea that could close the nation’s education gap. Through all the thinking, you learned the lessons of humility, calm decision making, and how to love yourself.

Lastly, think about how your tradition is a part of your identity. If your identity is being the “philosopher of your school,” the thinking tradition would reinforce your identity. If your tradition is a family or ethnic tradition, e.g. your Tajik family’s Nowruz celebration, you could talk about how Nowruz makes you feel connected to your distant, yet close-to-heart memories of visiting your extended family in Tajikistan.

If you choose a more common tradition, such as a major holiday in the US, be specific about why your experience is unique compared to how others live the tradition. Perhaps your Christmas is Orthodox, and two weeks later than the non-Orthodox celebrations, or your family has a unique twist on Thanksgiving dinner. Sell your uniqueness, and you will be rewarded in the college admissions process.

Prompt 2, Option E

What brings you joy (200 words).

To plan for this essay, brainstorm a list of things that bring you joy. Choose the one that is the most unique to you ─ something that no one else you know derives as much joy from as you do. Describe what this activity or thing is in detail by telling a story about it, for example:

When most people talk about their hobbies, being a clown probably doesn’t come up in the conversation. It has for me though, ever since I was inspired by a clown at my fifth birthday party…

The main point to bring home in this essay is the why ─ why does this activity bring you joy? Connect your joy to something bigger than yourself or a quick moment of pleasure ─ with the clown example, you could say the following:

Don’t worry ─ while the “sad” or “scary” clown is a common trope, I try my best to be a “fun” clown at birthday parties. There’s always a kid or two who isn’t enjoying themselves. It’s my goal to cheer them up. Sometimes a balloon dog will do the trick. Other times, it’s not as simple.

At one party, I’d run through all my usual tricks: balloons, miming, juggling, ventriloquism. I just couldn’t seem to get one kid to crack a smile. He lingered on the outskirts of the group, almost afraid to come closer.

As I approached him after my performance, I noticed he was wearing a Bugs Bunny shirt. I gave my best Bugs Bunny impression “Hey, what’s up doc?!”

He giggled at my horrendous impression, and countered with a “No, not like that! It’s like this…”

His impression was impeccable, and the other kids begged him to teach them. Soon, all you could hear was a cacophony of “What’s up doc?”, yet it was one of the loveliest things I’d heard…

This example gives a little background for the activity, and illustrates an example of how this activity brings them joy. Rather than simply saying, “cheering up kids brings me joy,” the writer shows us this sentiment through an anecdote.

Avoid choosing a general and cliche joyous activity. Instead of choosing soccer, solving challenging math problems, and reading books, write about mentoring new players on the soccer team, attempting to solve the unsolved math riddles of history, and reading the works of Igbo authors while learning Igbo.

If a more common activity is so meaningful to you that you don’t want to choose something else, be sure to make your essay as personal as possible. Don’t just gush in general terms about how playing piano is empowering after mastering a tough piece. Bring us into your life through the essay. Take us to your hours practicing, tough love from your teacher, and late nights composing for your four-piano ensemble.

Some Final Thoughts

Regardless of which prompts you choose to answer, you’ll need to follow some general guidelines in order to craft the best responses possible. Here are some final tips to keep in mind:

DO: give yourself time

Writing a short essay can often seem like a straightforward and deceptively quick process. This isn’t always true. Clear and concise writing often takes more time, as you need to communicate your arguments effectively and in a compelling manner without fluff. While you can build your thesis over the course of a few lines in a longer multi-paragraph essay, you’ll need to jump right into your narrative in a short answer, in a way that still feels thoughtful. Clumsily jumbling together broad and lofty ideas won’t get you far with a 200 word prompt, so leave yourself enough time to plan, draft and redraft your response until it’s ready for submission.

DON’T: regurgitate what’s on the website

It’s important to demonstrate that you’re a quality fit for both the rigor and culture of any school. However don’t just write what you think admissions counselors want to hear. Instead reflect on what about the school aligns most with your goals, values and interests and communicate that in your essay using clear and specific examples. Then reflect on how you as an individual will fit into that picture and what unique perspective you’ll bring as a member of the campus community.

DO: Be Specific

It’s important to tailor any prompt to the specific school it’s intended for. That means including specific details and examples relevant to the school. Don’t simply say that you want to study at a research university. Mention a unique course that aligns with your academic interests a special club that allows you to develop your extracurricular passions.

DO: Be true to yourself

It’s counterproductive to spend hours and hours writing about things that don’t truly matter to you. So be honest! Highlight the things that you care about most and talk about how you hope to pursue them further while on campus. If diversity isn’t key to your interest in a school, then don’t pretend that it is. If you are a standout student in Chemistry, but begrudgingly show up to French class everyday, then don’t pen a response about how foreign language changed your worldview.

Admissions counselors want to get to know you outside of your test scores and GPA and essays are your opportunity to really introduce yourself in your own voice. So take a deep breath and know that no one could ever be better equipped to showcase you than you .

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

University of Notre Dame 2020-21 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

University of notre dame 2020-21 application essay question explanations.

The Requirements: 3 essays of 200 words.

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Oddball , Community

The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of one (1) essay response to a required question and two (2) essay responses to questions you select from the options provided. In total, you will write three (3) essay responses. The recommended word count is approximately 150 to 200 words per essay.

Please provide a response to the following question:, the founder of the congregation of holy cross, blessed basil moreau, wrote, “we shall always place education side by side with instruction; the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” how do you hope a notre dame education and experience will transform your mind and heart .

With this subtly-worded Why essay, admissions wants to know how you plan on using a Notre Dame education to not only accomplish your academic goals, but to enrich your emotional and cultural literacy as well. Beyond the typical reasons, why do you really want to join the Fighting Irish? What will you get out of this experience that you couldn’t possibly get at any other school? In order to give a cohesive, well-rounded response in under 200 words, we suggest you set aside a good portion of time to research the school and learn about what it’s actually like to attend. Will you transform your mind by signing up for the literature course called “#Wanderlust: Medieval Pilgrims, Instagram, Influencers, and Self-Love”? (Yes, this is a real class !) Will you transform your heart by taking advantage of the plethora of volunteer opportunities offered by the Office of Human Resources? Try to gather as much information as you can so that you can infuse your response with detail. The goal here is to demonstrate your commitment to the school, while also showcasing how this education and experience will propel you into adulthood!

Please provide responses to TWO (2) of the following questions in 200 words:

1. a notre dame education is not just for you, but also for those who will benefit from the impact you make. who do you aspire to serve after you graduate.

This prompt is giving you the opportunity to think ahead five or ten years. Once you’ve finished your academic studies, how will this education benefit not just you, but the lives of those around you as well? Will you be a top surgeon, helping to improve your patients’ quality of life? A go-to communications resource for your peers? Feel free to to think beyond your job here — what kind of contributions do you hope to make to society at large? Maybe the education you gain from Notre Dame will enable you to go back to your hometown and serve your community at the local level. Or perhaps your experience amongst some of this generation’s best and brightest student minds will set you up to effect change and expand research in your field, in a way that will benefit the world at large. Take some time to imagine how Notre Dame’s offerings will give you an advantage in the future when it comes to helping those in need.

2. In response to the rising momentum behind the Black Lives Matter movement during June 2020, G. Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean of the Notre Dame Law School, penned an open letter entitled, “I am George Floyd. Except I can breathe. And I can do something.” He issues a call to the Notre Dame community saying, “each of us must do what we can, wherever we are.” What is one action you are taking “to change this world for the better?”

If you choose this prompt, then there is obviously an issue or problem in the world that you would like to see resolved. And rightfully so — there are so many issues at the forefront of our consciousness right now. Maybe you, too, are incredibly passionate about the Black Lives Matter movement, or perhaps it’s global warming, domestic terrorism, or human trafficking that is on your mind. There’s no shortage of contemporary issues for you to address here, so the key is to pick the problem that you have taken the most steps to change or address. Are you organizing peaceful protests in your small Midwestern town? Do you use your social media platforms to educate and mobilize students in your area? Remember that Notre Dame is looking to accept passionate students who want to be a part of a solution.

3. God and the Good Life is an interdisciplinary course created by the departments of Philosophy and Film, Television, and Theatre that asks students to consider moral questions about what they believe and how they want to live their lives. What do God and a good life mean to you?

This is a very personal question, so we recommend taking some time to reflect on your relationship to God and what “a good life” looks like to you. Did you grow up going to church and participating in youth group activities? What have these experiences meant to you? Maybe you were raised agnostic but have developed an innate curiosity surrounding religions across the four hemispheres. What have you taken away from your research? There’s really no way to answer this prompt incorrectly, as long as you are being authentic and have put some consideration into your response. A good life will look different to different people: winning a Pulitzer Prize, giving back to the community, travelling the world, spending quality time with family. Whatever your vision is, own it.

4. Notre Dame has a rich history deeply rooted in tradition. Share how a favorite tradition from your life has impacted who you are today.

Admissions wants to know what consistent aspects of your life have made you into the person you are today. So, let them know! Where do you come from? What has shaped you as a person, and how has that made your perspective unique? What you focus on here can either be reflective of a larger construct like your entire family background, or specific to you and you alone. Maybe every Halloween, your family sets up a spooky maze in your backyard for all the neighborhood kids to enjoy on Mischief Night. What has this spectacle meant to you? Has it made you feel more connected to your town? Perhaps every Chinese New Year, you and your folks walk in the parade in San Francisco. Has this tradition deepened your connection to your Chinese identity? Whatever your story may be, don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Notre Dame is looking to accept students who will not only bring diverse perspectives to their campus, but who value commitment and tradition as well. What can you teach your classmates about traditions within your culture, religion, or community?

5. What brings you joy?

Ah, you love to see it. Admissions has given you an incredibly straightforward prompt in hopes that you’ll take this opportunity to geek out. There’s no wrong way to answer this question, so long as you are being authentic and detailed, you can go wild. You can write about movie nights with your friends (you bring the snacks!), hitting the slopes with your cousins, writing poems on your front porch, acquiring new skills in robotics club, etc. Just be sure to use immersive details to make the admissions officer reading your essay feel like they’re there with you. Finally, be sure to explain why and how the activity, pastime, or experience you choose brings you joy.

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Common App Essay Prompt Guide

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Write Your Best Essay: Tips from A Notre Dame Admissions Counselor (Part 2)

Published: July 29, 2020

Author: Zach Klonsinski

Welcome to our second blog post on Understanding the College Essay.

As part of Notre Dame’s Virtual Preview Days , my fellow admissions counselor Maria Finan and I offered advice on how to write your essays.

You had so many great questions that we wanted to take some time to answer a few more. I would encourage you to watch our presentation first, then read Maria’s blog post , before digging into our final pieces of advice in this post.

You may also find it helpful to make a copy of the Understanding the College Essay handout we created for our presentation so you can work through the prompts and suggested activities at your own pace.

On to the questions!

Question #1: If I wanted to discuss why my faith and/or beliefs are important to me, do you know if universities that do not necessarily share these beliefs would judge my essay in a negative light?

Let me first start by saying that colleges and universities around the country, and the world, are places that want to welcome students, faculty, and staff of different backgrounds, who share diverse beliefs and life experiences.

You are unlikely to find that a college won't admit you if your beliefs differ unless you are espousing harmful or hateful ideas.

As a non-religious student at Notre Dame, I always felt that my voice and opinions mattered, and some of my best memories from college were late night philosophical discussions with my closest friends, almost all of whom have very different views than I do!

The bigger potential essay pitfall is that you demonstrate to an institution you are not someone who is open to having your beliefs challenged. Colleges want students who will engage meaningfully with others who share different opinions.

At Notre Dame, we also value students who will be involved members of our campus community.

If you are sure that a college you are applying to holds beliefs or values that conflict with yours, you should ask yourself whether this college is truly a good fit for you.

Question #2: Do you like to see more unique, fun, and interesting essays or more serious essays?

Maria already touched on this idea in her post , but any style of essay can be an engaging, interesting, and effective way to communicate who you are to your readers! The tone is ultimately up to you and will be guided by the topic you have chosen to write about.

When students ask me: “What do colleges want me to write about?,” I always flip the question: “I don’t know. What do you want to tell us?”

This can be a hard thought exercise because often the college application process is the first time students have really had to write about themselves or think about what they want others to know about them.

The college discernment and application process can be an opportunity for you to learn more about yourself—as much as, or even more than, an opportunity to learn about the colleges to which you are applying.

Question #3: What is a common attribute you've seen in outstanding application essays?

The most memorable (I think that’s a better adjective than “outstanding”) essays always help me get to know the applicant: what they believe, what interests them, and/or what they are super passionate about. Who is this person potentially coming to our campus and what can I imagine them doing here?

I’ve read essays where I know the applicant is going to be a potential residence hall president one day, for example, or that they will bring an incredible passion for research to a lab.

This often means the applicant did an excellent job of making sure the essay was written in their voice.

Sometimes students will over-edit their college essays, edit themselves out, and those essays often read very similarly to one another almost regardless of topic.

Question #4: What is the biggest pitfall that you see students falling into on essays and how do you recommend avoiding this error?

I have read really, really great essays about an applicant’s grandmother or an applicant’s dog.

By the time we get to the end of the essay, I’m really, really excited to admit the applicant’s grandmother or their yellow labrador retriever, but we didn’t actually learn anything about the person who is applying to Notre Dame.

We can try to draw conclusions from the essay (are they loyal because they love their dog?), but the best essays we see do that work for us by revealing themselves through their topic, not in writing about their topic.

We have also read essays that were definitely written for a history or English class in high school. That’s not to say some high school essays cannot also be a good foundation for your college essay, but the college essay has a completely different purpose than showing what information you know . It needs to show who you are .

Question #5: For the supplemental essays, is it better to choose an essay that focuses on the applicant as a person or the applicant’s views or ideas?

Your readers will receive plenty of personal information from the rest of the application, but the college essays are the first time on the application that your readers get to hear about you in your own words.

You want to help your reader get to know what makes you...well, you!

Whether that’s showing off your personality, your academic or extracurricular passions, or grand plans you may have for building a time machine, this is where you get to tell your story.

Question #6: For the applicants who are not amazing writers, any recommendations to improve writing skills prior to submitting our essays?

I am a HUGE outliner.

When I wrote my thesis in college, I actually submitted my first and second drafts as an in-depth, bulleted outline. This meant that I didn’t have to worry about what verb to use in a sentence or what transition was needed to connect two paragraphs while my piece was still in its very early stages.

It helped me see the key pieces I was trying to highlight and how they could potentially fit together to convey and support my larger narrative.

Bulleting also makes it really easy to shift content around.

One of the most helpful things for me in the writing process is to simply start by reading what you have out loud. If something doesn’t sound right when you say it out loud, how would you say it if instead you were speaking with your friends or a trusted teacher?

Not only is this a great way to help your ideas flow more naturally, but it can also really ensure that you are keeping your voice and personality in your essay!

Keep in mind that different techniques work for different people. Try out various outlining and planning methods to see what works for you.

Question #7: What is some advice on who should peer edit your essay?

I think there are three important qualities in a good peer editor.

First, they should know you well enough to recognize your writing if they picked up a random essay at school with no name on it.

Second, they should be someone you trust and someone with whom you are comfortable enough with that they can provide critical feedback.

It’s important to remember “critical” has two definitions (according to the Oxford University Press):

It’s this second piece that you should keep in mind whenever someone is editing something you wrote. They are not trying to demean or tell you how bad your essay is—they are genuinely trying to tell you what your essay does well and how it could be better!

Finally—and this may sound obvious—your peer editor should be a good editor.

One of the greatest things about coming to a university like Notre Dame is that you will never be the smartest person in the room, even if you were an academic standout at your high school. And that’s okay! Understanding your peers, and their individual strengths, will be important for the rest of your life. Start by finding someone who meets the first two criteria AND is also a writer and editor that you really admire. Your essay will be better for it.

Oh, and one last thing: please do not forget to thank your peer editors, along with your other editors: parents, teachers, and whoever else has helped you!

Share your college admission decisions with them and make sure they know how much you value their efforts to help you throughout your college discernment process. Your journey is important to them, too!

Zach Klonsinski is is an admissions counselor with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. He is the regional counselor for Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, parts of Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Read Zach's profile.

University of Notre Dame Essay Guide 2020-2021

In our University of Notre Dame essay guide, we’ll be diving into some tips to help future applicants best represent themselves with the supplemental essays. For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.

The University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana is a private institution with storied athletic programs and a robust Catholic values system. The University has maintained its status as a top 25 school according to the U.S. News & World Report, and is ranked #15 in the 2020 report. Approximately 8,600 undergraduate students call Notre Dame their “home under the dome.” The campus community is enriched by approximately 4,000 graduate students who engage with undergraduates through extracurriculars, research, athletics, and mentorship programs, among the countless other interactions on campus. With eight undergraduate colleges and several esteemed graduate schools such as the School of Law, School of Architecture, and the Mendoza College of Business, there is no shortage of opportunities to build community across academic disciplines and classes.

Life at Notre Dame

The residential life at Notre Dame truly embodies the University’s call to community. One of the first questions anyone you meet on campus or any alumni you speak with will ask is not, “What did you study?” but, “Where did you live?” Each of the 32 single-sex dorms on campus has its own traditions, history, chapel, and layout. Whether you’re a Flaherty Bear or a Siegfried Rambler, you will undoubtedly have a strong opinion about whether North or South Dining Hall is superior and engage in healthy competition through inter-hall sports and campus-wide competitions.

The six undergraduate colleges are the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Engineering, Mendoza College of Business, the College of Science, the School of Architecture, and the Keough School of Global Affairs. It is important to note that students in the School of Architecture complete a five-year curriculum and spend the entirety of their third academic year abroad in Rome, Italy. There are ample opportunities to pursue supplementary majors and minors in colleges other than the one you are in for your major, although it is not currently possible to double major in the Mendoza College of Business.

One of the most helpful tools to use prior to brainstorming your Notre Dame essays is the University mission statement . Notre Dame has an unparalleled dedication to service, community, and justice rooted in the University’s affiliation with the Congregation of the Holy Cross. One of the most pivotal sections of the mission states “…the University seeks to cultivate in its students not only an appreciation for the great achievements of human beings, but also a disciplined sensibility to the poverty, injustice, and oppression that burden the lives of so many. The aim is to create a sense of human solidarity and concern for the common good that will bear fruit as learning becomes service to justice.”

When reviewing applicants, admissions officers are seeking students who not only aspire to academic accolades and a successful future career, but also who will strive to use their education as a force for good once they graduate.

Prompt 1 [required]: What excites you about the University of Notre Dame that makes it stand out from other institutions? (200 words)

This question is essentially asking “Why Notre Dame?” The application readers want to gain insight into how you see the offerings and opportunities at Notre Dame fitting with your personal, academic, and professional goals.

Due to the 200 word limit, you must strike a careful balance of breadth and depth; the best way to accomplish this feat is to be specific . Notre Dame (or any other university) is not expecting seniors in high school to have their entire lives planned out, but they do want to see that you have thoughtfully considered how Notre Dame fits into your future and researched the University prior to applying.

Rather than writing, “I would make the most of the opportunity to join business clubs while pursuing a degree in Mendoza,” it would be more effective to write, “While pursuing a degree in accountancy, I will explore my interest in entrepreneurship by immersing myself in the workshops and venture competitions hosted by the IDEA Center.” Paint a cohesive picture so your application reader can imagine you engaging in the campus community instead of reading about your general interest in getting involved.

Another element to consider is Notre Dame’s unapologetically Catholic identity. In no way should you be discouraged from applying if you are not Catholic, and you should strive for the utmost authenticity in your response. If your religious identity is not part of the reason you are applying, don’t force it. However, it is necessary to think about the values of a Catholic university when answering this prompt and the other Notre Dame prompts. Human dignity, justice, community, and service to others are key tenets of the school and should not be overlooked or contradicted in your writing.

Ask yourself “What actually excites me about attending Notre Dame?” Instead of trying to get in the heads of the admissions officers, take a moment to genuinely reflect on why you are applying and your voice will shine through your writing.

Prompt 2 [choose 2, required]: Please choose two of the following prompts and respond in about 200 words:

Option a: the founder of the university of notre dame, father edward sorin, c.s.c., was only 28 when he established the university with the vision that it would become a “powerful means of doing good.” we have always known that young people can be catalysts for change. what is one way that you have made an impact in your community.

As I mentioned previously with regard to the mission statement, Notre Dame seeks students who are community-oriented. This prompt is seeking evidence of your active community membership and wants to know both how you will benefit from the community, and how you will contribute to it. Communities come in all shapes and sizes, so this essay is broader than it appears at first glance. Potential communities include but are not limited to your family, your friends, a sports team, a bible study, and a high school class.

Though the definition of “community” is broad, your discussion of your impact should be specific. Due to the 200 word limit, it is most effective to select one community to focus on for your response. Think about specific interactions you’ve had with others, moments where you realized the impact you were having on others, or communities that challenged you. Perhaps you have engaged across differences in community or been a role model for others. If possible, focus your response around an example of leadership. You don’t have to have an official title or be selected to be a leader; something as simple as a one-on-one interaction with someone could bear witness to your track record of impacting the communities to which you belong.

Many high schools require service hours to graduate and initiate school-wide service projects. If possible, avoid using these in your essays to maintain originality in your essay; use this as an opportunity to discuss community as it pertains uniquely to you. As commendable as Relay for Life or raising money for a 5k is, these are overused.

Option B: If you were to bring a new friend to your hometown and give them a personal tour, what is a meaningful place you would show them?

This prompt demonstrates the importance of planning and brainstorming your essays prior to selecting the ones you will actually write. A place in your hometown may be highly relevant to the community you considered writing about for Option A, but that essay may fit more closely with Option B. Both Option A and Option B are broad enough that many essays could work for both prompts, so be intentional with your planning.

The two key words in this prompt are “personal” and “meaningful.” Think about the places that have sentimental value for you – the places where important moments in your life occurred, or the places where you return frequently. Being specific is key to successfully answering this prompt. A “place” could be a museum or restaurant, but it could also be a specific park bench or an aisle in the grocery.

Effective writers will carry the perspective of the new friend throughout the essay instead of focusing on the details of the place itself. Many people could have pivotal conversations on that same park bench that you discuss, but why does it matter to you ? Put yourself in the position of actually explaining your selected place; you likely wouldn’t describe the place itself to your friend – you would describe its significance in your life.

Option C: Defend an unpopular opinion you hold.

This essay can be very impactful when well executed, but could harm your application if executed poorly. Think of an “unpopular” opinion as more or a less common twist on a perspective or idea, or as an opinion that has lesser known intricacies. Many truly unpopular opinions are unpopular because they reveal intolerance and other undesirable traits. In general, avoid discussing politics or attacking a specific person.

Most importantly, keep the Catholic values of Notre Dame, as revealed through their mission statement, in mind when articulating your opinion. This is particularly relevant for political and social issues, as Notre Dame is even more conservative than most religiously affiliated universities. Writing about an unpopular opinion that contradicts Notre Dame’s core Catholic values could be detrimental to your chance of admission. However, don’t simply pick a popular opinion or pick an overused unpopular opinion just to be safe. Be creative and original while being aware. As with most essays, the success of this essay hinges on how you frame your ideas.

Option D: Many high schools have books that are required reading. Thinking beyond the common examples, what book do you believe should be on your school’s reading list and why?

This essay prompt appears to be distinctly different from the other supplemental essays for Notre Dame; in reality, your proposed addition to your school’s reading list can say just as much about you as an explanation of a meaningful place in your hometown.

The “why” in the question is the most important element of this two-part prompt. When selecting your book, think beyond the title, the author, and the storyline. Evaluate what you learned from the book. Did you identify with the main character? Change your perspective on an important issue or life decision after reading it? Be creative in the type of book you select. Though most books read in class are typically fiction, don’t hesitate to select nonfiction, poetry, or even a book of speeches/essays. Select something that reveals your curiosities. What do you wish you had learned about in school? Be careful not to devote too many words to summarizing; one or two sentences should suffice. Instead, elaborate on what your choice of book reveals about you.

I highly recommend brainstorming for each of the four options for Prompt 2 prior to selecting the two that you will write. You may surprise yourself by having more to say about a prompt than you anticipated. Also, you should evaluate your application to Notre Dame as a whole and select the two prompts that allow you to say the most about yourself without being redundant with other essays.

If you are interested in spending your college career at Notre Dame, consider applying early action – 44% of the class of 2024 was admitted during the early cycle. The waitlist at Notre Dame is unpredictable and the number admitted off the waitlist varies greatly from year to year.

This essay guide was written by Caroline Marapese, Notre Dame ‘20. If you want to get help writing your Notre Dame application essays from Caroline or other CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts , register with CollegeAdvisor.com today.

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University of Notre Dame's 2022-23 Essay Prompts

Why this college short response.

Notre Dame is a Catholic university, founded by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, with a mission to educate the hearts and minds of students. What excites you about attending Notre Dame?

Discipline and Misconduct Essay

If yes, please explain:

Select-A-Prompt Short Response

Please provide a response to ONE (1) of the following questions:

People in the Notre Dame community come from many different places, backgrounds, and walks of life. How is where you’re from a part of who you are?

Tell us about a time when you advocated for something you believe in.

If you were given unlimited resources to help solve one problem in your community, what would it be and how would you accomplish it?

What is the greatest compliment you have ever been given? Why was it meaningful to you?

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

How to Write the Notre Dame Supplement 2021-2022

Notre Dame is a private university in Notre Dame , Indiana. One of the most famous Catholic schools in the nation, Notre Dame is also known for its football team, The Fighting Irish, which was the subject of the Sean Astin film classic, “Rudy.” Though Notre Dame is a parochial school with religious traditions and offerings, students need not practice Catholicism (or any religion) to attend. Notre Dame has an undergraduate population of about 8,500 and is also known for producing many of the nation’s Fulbright scholars. The acceptance rate is about 19%. Here’s our advice on how to tackle the most recent supplement:

Before you Begin

Before beginning, we recommend reading about the essay prompts as they tell you to in the hyperlink below. No really. The school expands upon what it’s looking for in each response.

The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of one (1) essay response to a required question and one (1) essay response to a question you select from the options provided. In total, you will write two (2) essay responses. The word count is a maximum of 200 words per essay.

Before responding, we encourage you to visit our website to read more about our essay prompts. Please provide a response to the following question:

The founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Blessed Basil Moreau, wrote, “We shall always place education side by side with instruction; the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” How do you hope a Notre Dame education and experience will transform your mind and heart?

As Notre Dame essentially tells you on the website above, this prompt can basically be read as “why Notre Dame?” Before you answer this question, consider the following: We advise all of our students to spend their four years of high school developing an academic expertise in a highly specific area. (Science is too broad, physics is better, astrophysics is even better than that.) Hopefully, you’ve been developing some sort of niche over the last few years reflected by the classes you’ve chosen to take, the extracurriculars you’ve signed up for, and even the hobbies you enjoy in your spare time. Before going forward, identify that niche. The strategy here should be drawing a connection between that area of expertise and what Notre Dame has to offer academically. In this response, you should write about that niche and how enrolling at Notre Dame is the best path forward for developing it further. Identify the major at Notre Dame that most closely aligns with your area of expertise. (Don’t worry, you’re not actually declaring a major here. You can go in undecided once you’re accepted or ditch physics for theater if you’re so inclined!) Talk about specific, higher level classes you would take and the professors who teach them. Next, identify the extracurriculars or clubs that align with that area of expertise and write about them. Finally, end with a sentence about the location and the campus.

Please provide a response to ONE (1) of the following questions:

1. During the spring semester, Notre Dame faculty gave 3-Minute Lightning Talks on exciting topics within their fields of expertise. While you don't have a Ph.D. yet, we bet you're developing an expertise in something. If you were giving a Lightning Talk, what topic (academic or not) would you choose?

If you choose to respond to this one, consider that you just spoke about your academic area of expertise above. We believe the supplement is an opportunity to show the admissions committee a part of your personality that’s not present elsewhere on the application. So, identify a personality trait here (ideally, humor or some other facet of quirkiness). Talk about another niche or hobby you have, the weirder the better. Are you a horror movie junky? List out your top 100 horror movies. Do you love insects? Compare and contrast the defenses of snails and worms. Have fun here and really let your passion shine.

2. There is a story or meaning behind every name or nickname—both those we’re given and those that we choose. What is meaningful to you about your name?

If you have a culturally rich history or background, this might be an opportunity to talk about it. If you want to answer it, however, tell a story with a beginning, middle and end. This can be really simple. It shouldn’t be existential or emotional. If you’re named for your grandmother whom you never met, write out a scene about what the two of you would’ve talked about if you’d ever met. If you’re named for your great-grandfather who made a killer cucumber salad, write out the recipe. The key to this one a detail-rich story. Feel free to get creative with form here, too.

3. What would you fight for?

If you’re not actually involved with making a difference in some way or aren’t interested in doing so, don’t force this one. Otherwise, we recommend picking a specific area. Racism is too broad. Housing is specific. Talk about a particular initiative or bill that you believe would make a difference systemically. Next, talk about how you already are actively working on that issue yourself.

Notre Dame is a great private university with a reputation of having strong academics and a close-knit community. They’re looking for students whose personality match the school’s. You can usually tell a school’s personality through the supplements they decide to put forth. If you enjoy writing these essays, the odds are, it’s probably a good fit for you. Your goals should be to focus on showcasing your own personality traits and drawing a connection between you and Notre Dame academically.

Need help with a school supplement? Call us . We’re experts at helping students craft standout essays.

University of Notre Dame Essay Guide 2020-2021

Life at Notre Dame

One of the most helpful tools to use prior to brainstorming your Notre Dame essays is the University mission statement . Notre Dame has an unparalleled dedication to service, community, and justice rooted in the University’s affiliation with the Congregation of the Holy Cross. One of the most pivotal sections of the mission states “...the University seeks to cultivate in its students not only an appreciation for the great achievements of human beings, but also a disciplined sensibility to the poverty, injustice, and oppression that burden the lives of so many. The aim is to create a sense of human solidarity and concern for the common good that will bear fruit as learning becomes service to justice.”

Prompt 1 [required]: What excites you about the University of Notre Dame that makes it stand out from other institutions? (200 words)

Prompt 2 [choose 2, required]: Please choose two of the following prompts and respond in about 200 words:

Option B: If you were to bring a new friend to your hometown and give them a personal tour, what is a meaningful place you would show them?

The two key words in this prompt are “personal” and “meaningful.” Think about the places that have sentimental value for you - the places where important moments in your life occurred, or the places where you return frequently. Being specific is key to successfully answering this prompt. A “place” could be a museum or restaurant, but it could also be a specific park bench or an aisle in the grocery.

Effective writers will carry the perspective of the new friend throughout the essay instead of focusing on the details of the place itself. Many people could have pivotal conversations on that same park bench that you discuss, but why does it matter to you ? Put yourself in the position of actually explaining your selected place; you likely wouldn’t describe the place itself to your friend - you would describe its significance in your life.

Option C: Defend an unpopular opinion you hold.

Option D: Many high schools have books that are required reading. Thinking beyond the common examples, what book do you believe should be on your school’s reading list and why?

If you are interested in spending your college career at Notre Dame, consider applying early action - 44% of the class of 2024 was admitted during the early cycle. The waitlist at Notre Dame is unpredictable and the number admitted off the waitlist varies greatly from year to year.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 4 tips for writing amazing notre dame essays.

College Essays

The University of Notre Dame is one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. It attracts the best and brightest students from around the country, and its acceptance rate shows that. For the 2021-2022 school year, they admitted only 15% of applicants . Because most applicants have amazing grades and transcripts, your Notre Dame application essays will be one of the most important ways for you to stand out from the crowd!

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about writing Notre Dame's application essays. First, we'll give you an overview of the Notre Dame supplement. Then we'll walk you through each essay individually and answer the following questions:

And finally, we'll give you four top tips for taking your Notre Dame essays to the next level. So let's get started!

Why Are the Notre Dame Application Essays Important?

The hard truth is that getting into Notre Dame is tough. Only 15% of applicants in 2020/2021 were accepted, which makes Notre Dame even harder to get into than schools like Georgia Tech and Vassar !

And because Notre Dame attracts top talent, admitted students also boast excellent standardized test scores. In fact, the average Notre Dame student scored between a 1460–1540 on their SAT or a 33–35 on their ACT.

So what kind of applicants get admitted? According to the Notre Dame Office of Undergraduate Admissions , Notre Dame is looking for well-rounded, passionate students who excel in the classroom and are involved in the community. Here's how Notre Dame sums up the importance of the essay portion of your application:

"The writing supplement gives us an opportunity to get to know you in a more personal way outside of your stats. So, let your personality shine, take risks, and remember that there is no right answer."

In other words, admissions counselors want to know the real you. These essays are your chance to show admissions counselors that you're the whole package, especially since Notre Dame does not conduct admissions interviews.

That means your essay responses will be one of your only opportunities to show admissions counselors that you're an excellent fit for their university .

Let's take a closer look at the Notre Dame supplement, which you'll have to fill out as part of your overall application.

An Overview of the Notre Dame Supplement

The Notre Dame supplement is available through either the Common App or the Coalition App websites. The Common App and the Coalition App are online platforms that let you apply to multiple colleges at once. If you aren't sure what they are or how to use them, check out our guides to filling out the Common App and the Coalition App , which include tips for tackling the personal essays!

Here's where things get a little bit tricky: the Notre Dame supplement is submitted in addition to the application you have already filled out. That means you will be submitting additional essays specific to Notre Dame on top of the essays you've written for your universal application package. That's why it's called the Notre Dame supplement!

The 2 Parts of the Notre Dame Writing Supplement

The supplement itself asks you to write and submit two additional essays, which are split into two groups:

The online portals give you a maximum of 200 words to respond to each prompt. That's not very much space! But remember: your admissions essays are about quality, not quantity.

Now that you have a general sense of the Notre Dame supplement, let's take a closer look at each essay topic.

Essay 1: "Why Notre Dame?"

Notre Dame is a Catholic university, founded by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, with a mission to educate the hearts and minds of students. What excites you about attending Notre Dame?

Remember: this essay topic is mandatory, which means you must answer it to complete the supplement. But don't worry...we're going to walk you through the process!

What Is the Essay Asking You to Do?

This prompt is essentially the "Why This College?" question. This is a common supplemental essay question designed to help admissions counselors understand why Notre Dame—and literally no other university!—is the perfect school for you. The "Why Notre Dame" prompt also serves another purpose: it helps them get a sense of how you, as both a student and as a person, will contribute to the Notre Dame community.

Y our job is to show admissions counselors that you're the perfect fit for Notre Dame, and vise versa.

What Makes for a Good Answer?

If you want to knock this essay out of the park, here's what you should do.

#1: Do your homework.

The key to writing an amazing "Why Notre Dame?" essay is showing admissions counselors that you've really dug into the resources and opportunities available at the school. Doing this proves you're more than interested—it shows you're passionate and motivated, too.

As you research, look at specific classes you might be interested in taking and/or professors you might want to research under. ( Here's a list of all the colleges and departments at Notre Dame to get you started !) For example, if you want to program the next Alexa, you'll want to mention taking classes like Artificial Intelligence and Software Development Practices. Or if curing cancer is more your thing, you can mention working with Dr. Jessica Brown , who is researching RNA to better understand how cancer works.

#2: Not sure what you want to major in yet? No problem.

This is a common question we get when it comes to the "Why This College?" essay. The simple answer is: it's okay to not know! Admissions counselors know that your major isn't set in stone, but they do want to see that you're thinking about the future. Even if you're not 100% certain about what you want to do in the future, pick a potential academic field for the sake of writing this prompt.

#3: Plan to address the "mind" and the "heart."

You probably already noticed that the application prompt very specifically mentions two concepts: the "mind" and the "heart." Notre Dame is a religiously affiliated institution, and while they don't require all students to be religious, part of their core mission is to foster "the development...of those disciplined habits of mind, body, and spirit."

So in your response, you need to make sure you're doing more than just talking about how Notre Dame will shape you academically. Admissions counselors also want to see how the school will shape you as a person. You'll have to address both of these things in order to accurately answer the prompt!

#4: Don't overlook the Notre Dame community, either.

The prompt specifically asks you about how the Notre Dame experience will impact you, which means admissions counselors want to know more about how you'll fit into the Notre Dame community.

For instance, if you were in theatre in high school, you might want to participate in Shakespeare at Notre Dame ! Also, many departments have their own student organizations (like the American Studies Club or Beta Gamma Sigma , a business honors society). Make sure you check departmental pages for this information.

One quick note about religion: Notre Dame is a Catholic university, so many of i ts community programs are religiously affiliated . Unless you're serious about becoming a member of one of these groups, don't mention it in your essay. Admissions counselors read thousands of applications every year, and they will know if you're being sincere!

#5: Start narrowing things down.

Now that you've done your research and have a list of classes, professors, programs, and extracurriculars, choose the two or three things that stand out most. You only have 200 words, so you need to give yourself space to talk about the items you've chosen!

#6: Relate your topics to your goals .

Remember, your job is to show admissions counselors that Notre Dame is the only school for you. Explain how the classes, programs, and activities you've mentioned will put you on the path to achieve your goals while growing as a person.

For example, if you want to study adolescent psychology, explain how your coursework and experience at Notre Dame will help you go on to research how social media affects adolescents' brain development. By making it personal, you'll be able to emphasize how Notre Dame is the only place that can set you on the path to success.

What Are Some Potential Essay Topics?

Along with the examples we mention earlier in this section, here are a few other topics you might consider for this essay:

Are There Pitfalls You Should Avoid?

Avoid these mistakes so you don't leave the wrong impression with admissions counselors.

#1: Avoid generalities

Make sure you're being as specific as possible about what makes Notre Dame special. Don't just say you're excited to attend because of the school's study abroad programs—most, if not all, major colleges in the United States offer study abroad. What specific programs does Notre Dame offer that you can't find anywhere else?

The same goes for talking about your career interests. Don't say that you want to stop climate change. How do you want to do that? How will specific classes, professors, and research opportunities at Notre Dame help you save the world?

#2: Leave sports out of it

We know, we know: part of the appeal of Notre Dame is joining the legion of Fighting Irish. But unless you're joining one of the athletic teams, focus on academics, career, and service opportunities instead.

#3: Don't sound bored

The question asks about what makes you excited to attend Notre Dame, so let your passion show through in your writing.

Essay 2: Choose Your Prompt

For this section of the Notre Dame essay supplement, you're given three essay prompts, and you'll choose one to answer. Again, you'll have a 200 word limit.

How to Choose Your Prompt

For some people, choosing the prompt is the hardest part! There are a few things you can do to make this easier.

#1: Choose the prompt that lets you share new information

Go through the list and rule out any prompts that you've already discussed as part of your Common App or Coalition App. Some of the Notre Dame supplement essays involve talking about similar topics to the Common App and Coalition App essay prompts. Make sure you choose a Notre Dame essay prompt that lets you talk about something fresh and new!

#2: Brainstorm every prompt

Take an afternoon and write down potential ideas for every prompt below. Don't worry about whether the ideas are good or not—just write them down! Once you're done, take a look at which prompts give you the opportunity to share something new that you haven't already mentioned in your application.

#3: Read ahead

Take a minute to read through the Notre Dame essay example topics below. See if any of the ideas or strategies jump out to you!

Now let's take a closer look at each prompt and how to answer them.

People in the Notre Dame community come from many different places, backgrounds, and walks of life. How is where you’re from a part of who you are?

What Is This Essay Asking You to Do?

The purpose of this essay prompt is to learn more about what makes you who you are. This is your change to (briefly!) show how your background, be it cultural or geographical or anything else, has shaped you into the person you are now. You don't have a lot of room, but try to be as specific as possible.

A major part of this essay is explaining how it relates to who you are as a person, so be sure to choose a topic that you feel will give readers a bit of a better insight into who you are.

What Makes a Good Answer?

#1: Be honest. Don't be tempted to choose a topic that you really don't care that much about but feel will "impress" Notre Dame. It'll result in a weak essay they'll see right through.

#2: Explain why your background is important to you. This probably the most important part of your response since it shows readers what makes you tick.

#3: Give examples. Give specific examples of how your background has shaped you. Do you have certain family or cultural traditions? Places you visit? Holidays? Go into detail!

#1: Lying . As we mentioned above, don't make up an interest to try to impress the admissions team. Faking your background is a very bad idea, and won't help your application. Notre Dame wants to get to know the real you. Show them.

#2: Forgetting to tie it back to yourself. So your town has an annual rubber duckie festival? Great! But how does that relate back to you? Notre Dame didn't ask this question to learn more about your home; they want to know about you!.

Tell us about a time when you advocated for something you believe in.

In this essay, you get the chance to not only show what you believe in, but what you're willing to do in order to defend it. In short, it's a great way to show off your character, something Notre Dame cares a lot about. The causes closest to you offer great insight into who you are and what you value.

#1: Choosing an appropriate topic. You may care very, very much about which order the S tar Wars movies should be viewed in, but try to pick something that shows your character and beliefs.

#2: Reflecting on your actions. Remember to say why you felt compelled to advocate for what you believed in. What were the stakes? What did it mean to you? And how did you feel after?

#1: Spending too long setting the scene. You only have 200 words, so you'll need to establish the setting as quickly as possible.

#2: Being vague. Another major pitfall in answering this question is being too vague and general. For example, stating something like, "After I told the school board we needed to focus more on sustainability in our school and lunch supplies, it felt good" isn't quite enough. Why did you feel good? What else did you feel? And what happened afterward?

If you were given unlimited resources to help solve one problem in your community, what would it be and how would you accomplish it?

This essay prompt asks you to choose something in your community that you want to fix. This works in two parts: first, you get to show what you care about in your community. Are you focused on environmental justice? A specific neighborhood? A school? A group of people?

Second, you get to dream big and solve the problem yourself , which shows off your creativity and dedication.

#1: Explaining the problem. You'll need to begin by describing the problem, and stating clearly why it's so important to you to solve. Why this specific issue? Why does it matter, and what are potential consequences? How would it help your community?

#2: Describing the solution . In order to show how much thought you've given to this problem, you'll need to take care in providing the solution. You have unlimited funds to solve it, but this isn't the time to get goofy. Instead, think forward to the future: make sure your solution isn't a quick fix, but something more long term.

#1: Not taking the prompt seriously. Make sure you choose a real problem in your community. You may personally find it terrible that there's no frozen yogurt place in town, but try to dream a little bigger. Notre Dame takes their prompts fairly seriously, and they want to know what you value.

#2: Being too general. You only have 200 words, but try to get as specific as possible. If you're advocating for a community skate park, for example, say precisely how that will help the area, who will be positively impacted, and what your unlimited funds will go toward.

What is the greatest compliment you have ever been given? Why was it meaningful to you?

This essay prompt wants you to think about how you see yourself, and why . There are many types of compliments you can choose from, but try to choose one that reflects your values. Perhaps someone pointed out your helpfulness, which made you realize how much you value service. Or maybe you were praised for a talent or skill you've worked very hard on.

#1: Sincerity. This is a tricky prompt. It can be really hard to talk yourself up, and that's precisely what they're asking you to do. Be your truest self, and make sure you do a lot of inner reflection about which topic you choose.

#2: The right topic . There are many different types of compliments, and they all feel great! But not all of them will reveal what Notre Dame wants from you. It feels wonderful when someone compliments your eyes, but that could be a little tricky to translate into a short essay.

#1: Humblebragging. It's hard! In a lot of ways, this essay is asking you to brag about how awesome other people think you are. But remember to focus this essay on how you accepted the compliment, and what happened to you internally.

#2: Not reflecting enough. Remember the last part of the prompt: you need to say why this compliment was meaningful to you. Really think about this part. Did it give you confidence that you needed? Did it make you see yourself in a new light? Did it change the way you acted?

Body_Main_Building_at_the_University_of_Notre_Dame

4 Tips for Writing a Killer Notre Dame Essay

Follow these four tips to write a great Notre Dame essay that'll show the school who you are and why they want to admit you.

#1: Be Authentic

You're unique, with your own passions, experiences, and beliefs. Admissions counselors want to try to learn more about the "you" behind the transcript, so don't be afraid to let your personality shine through in your essays. Even more importantly, don't try to fabricate stories about yourself that you think will impress the admissions board. We guarantee that there are plenty of compelling things about you! Besides, admissions counselors have a finely tuned lie detector; they'll know if you're making things up.

Admissions counselors look to your essays to learn more about you. That's why it's important to be yourself! Here's what the Notre Dame Admissions website has to say about being authentic: "Your essays are the most enjoyable part of the application reading process. Why? Because we learn about important decisions you've made, adventures you've survived, lessons you've learned, family traditions you've experienced, challenges you've faced, embarrassing moments you've overcome."

#2: Deal With the Religion Question

Not everyone who gets into Notre Dame is religious, but it's important to know that some older demographic surveys show that the student body is up to 85% Catholic . Likewise, institutionally reported data indicates that a student's religious affiliation and/or commitment is considered in the admissions process . So if you are religious and haven't already mentioned that elsewhere, you might consider discussing it in your Notre Dame application essays.

But be careful! Make sure you review Notre Dame's mission and commitments to make sure your answers align with the university's beliefs. Additionally, don't beat a dead horse. Every response shouldn't revolve around religion—Notre Dame is looking for well-rounded students with a variety of interests and passions.

And if you're not religious, don't lie to try and make yourself a more appealing candidate. Like we mentioned earlier, admissions counselors read thousands of applications every year. They'll be able to tell if you're being honest or not.

#3: Jump Right In

Abandon the long-winded introduction! You only have 200 words, so make every one count. To do that, get right into your topic from the very first sentence. If that feels weird, don't worry: you can write a sentence or two of introduction to get you started, then delete it when you start revisions.

#4: Show, Don't Tell

Use descriptive words to paint a picture for your reader. Don't say "I was so nervous to sing in the talent show." Instead, say something like, "My palms were sweaty and I thought I might faint, but I walked on stage and sang anyway." One tells the reader what you did, and the other gives the reader a glimpse at your experience.

What's Next?

Notre Dame is one of the top 20 colleges in the US , so you know admission is competitive. Using an acceptance calculator can help you better understand your chances of getting in .

Notre Dame accepts both the Common App and the Coalition App. Not sure which one you should use? Don't worry: we've got a handy-dandy guide to make your decision a breeze .

Both the Common App and the Coalition App require additional essays beyond the ones we discussed in this post. (Yep, that means even more writing! Yay!) Thankfully, we have in-depth guides for both the Common App essays and the Coalition App essays .

Want to write the perfect college application essay? Get professional help from PrepScholar.

Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We'll learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay that you'll proudly submit to your top choice colleges.

Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now :

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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How to Write the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2020-2021

Padya Paramita

August 28, 2020

The University of Notre Dame prides itself on its close-knit community and strong alumni network. It says a lot about a school when the biggest stereotype surrounding it is that the people are exceptionally friendly. But simply being a nice person will not help you stand out in your college application! If you want to get into this Indiana college , you must take advantage of the Notre Dame supplemental essays 2020-2021 to convey how you would fit in with this lively community. .

At Notre Dame, students can major in one of the 75 programs available across the School of Architecture, School of Business, College of Arts and Letters, College of Engineering, School of Global Affairs, and School of Science. No matter the field, this Indiana university has a program to suit your academic interests. So let the college know who you are and what you can bring to your chosen program by presenting informative and well-written essays. To guide you through the Notre Dame supplemental essays 2020-2021 , I’ve outlined the prompts, the dos and don'ts of your response, and more tips to provide you with a smooth-sailing process.

Prompts for the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2020-2021

The University of Notre Dame Writing Supplement consists of one (1) essay response to a required question and two (2) essay responses to questions you select from the options provided. In total, you will write three (3) essay responses. The word count is a maximum of 200 words per essay.

Required Question

Please provide a response to the following question:

The first and only required prompt among the Notre Dame supplemental essays 2020-2021 asks the classic “why this school” question. Admissions officers want to know which features of the college appeal to you the most and how the resources at Notre Dame can benefit you compared to those at other schools. The key to writing this essay lies in going beyond a listing of things that make Notre Dame an exceptional school. Since these essays are for your college application, your answer should be geared as specifically to you as possible, especially because the word limit is so restricted.

You need to spend a considerable amount of time digging into the university’s website, taking note of which opportunities support your aspirations the most, and letting your knowledge of Notre Dame shine through in your essay. Because your word limit is so tight, you don’t have space to wander all over the place.. Pick one or two criteria that are important to you. Look through academic programs, research opportunities, and extracurricular offerings. How does the particular college within Notre Dame that you’re applying to stand out over other similar undergraduate programs? Are there any particular courses that the university offers in your field that you can’t find elsewhere? Is there a student organization that perfectly aligns with a current club you enjoy? Highlight how you will grow. Make sure your essay can’t be applied to any other college on your list, and convince the admissions officers that Notre Dame is the school for you.

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Download Every Supplemental Prompt Here!

Optional questions.

Please provide responses to TWO (2) of the following questions:

A Notre Dame education is not just for you, but also for those who will benefit from the impact you make. Who do you aspire to serve after you graduate?

On its website, Notre Dame states that it looks for students “who are involved—in the classroom, in the community, and in the relentless pursuit of truth.” Part of this means showcasing that you’re a driven individual who has goals that centre around making an impact, and helping others.

You can tie your aspirations to your academic interests. If you’re a prospective biology major and wish to pursue medicine eventually, what kind of patients do you want to help out when you’ve become a full-fledged MD? If your goals revolve more around architecture, who do you hope will benefit from your designs. Don’t spend too much time describing what your aspirations are. Focus more on why you’ve chosen a particular group of people. Does it connect with the way you grew up? Is there something you’ve always wished to help people who come from the same ethnic background as you with? You should also talk about how those you wish to serve would benefit from what you may have to offer? Why is it crucial that you serve this particular group of people? Finally, if you have space, outline how a Notre Dame education can help you get there.

In response to the rising momentum behind the Black Lives Matter movement during June 2020, G. Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean of the Notre Dame Law School, penned an open letter entitled, “I am George Floyd. Except I can breathe. And I can do something.” He issues a call to the Notre Dame community saying, “Each of us must do what we can, wherever we are.” What is one action you are taking “to change this world for the better?”

Choosing to tackle this second optional prompt within the Notre Dame supplemental essays 2020-2021 is a good way to inform the university about your role as an impactful leader and change maker. Admissions officers don’t want a detailed description of the logistics of the action. Within the given 200 words you must focus on how you are taking efforts to make a difference in your community - so you should take a more reflective approach. Think about your most significant involvement, but stay wary of commonly cited activities such as service trips. Remember that “change the world” doesn’t have to signify a large-scale activity. You could have helped your entire neighborhood or school, or you might have helped one or two individuals who belong to it, and still made a difference. Because the prompt specifically mentions the George Floyd story, your story could revolve around social justice.

Use a short anecdote to highlight the role you played in the activity. What were some of your tangible achievements? How did you involve the rest of the community? How would the result have been different if you weren’t present? What have you learned in the process? While you definitely don’t want to undermine your role in the activity, remember that you shouldn’t sound arrogant either. Talk about your achievements in a way that still conveys humility and portrays you as both a team player and respected leader. And of course, make sure your account is truthful and not overly exaggerated. Don’t write about an initiative your brother has really spearheaded and try to pass it off as your own story.

This is an essay option that can appeal to students with various interests — philosophy, religion, or applicants who are interested in media studies. First and foremost, you should visit the God and the Good life website and learn as much about the course as possible. It’s crucial that you have a baseline understanding of what the class offers before sitting down to write an essay about why you would be interested in exploring the topics within the class. Watch the course trailer, look at the upcoming topics, and skim through the readings for the next lesson. If you believe that you’d want to take this class and are keen on learning more about the lesson materials, this option is a good one for you.

Now we come to the two parts of the actual essay. First, consider the moral questions about what you believe in and how you want to live your life. Is there a unique outlook you have on morals and ethics that have always guided you? Second, what kind of role has God played in your journey and how would you define a good life? Notre Dame may be founded on a Catholic principle, but it welcomes students from all backgrounds. This essay has a lot of nuance and hidden layers, so be very careful about how you tread the waters. Allow admissions officers to learn more about you through this essay, and make sure you haven’t written anything that can offend or harm any individual or group of people. If your view on what God is or what a good life means is unpopular, you may need to be especially sensitive about how you are writing about it. You never know who could be on the other side reading your application.

Notre Dame has a rich history deeply rooted in tradition. Share how a favorite tradition from your life has impacted who you are today.

Pay attention to the words “impacted who you are today.” A good way to start your brainstorming process would be to think about your background and experiences. Is there a part of your identity that you feel adds a unique element to your story? Does your favorite club, neighborhood, or family background allow you to celebrate a particular tradition that has shaped you? Notre Dame prides itself on its diverse student body - how do you feel you can add to it? The word “diverse,” while a buzzword, can help you try and figure out the focus of your essay. While it may definitely evoke your cultural identity, sexual orientation or religious views, you can also think out of the box when it comes to tradition. You could talk about nearly anything, from what the preparation of food from your family’s culture has taught you about community to how your tradition of annual hikes with your friend group has changed your worldview.

Because this is part of your college application, you should also look to answer the question of how the perspective from your experiences would help you contribute to Notre Dame if you have space. Similar to the other essays, don’t talk about what you think admissions officers want to hear. What are you genuinely excited about participating in at Notre Dame? What kinds of activities have you led in high school that you believe have prepared you to continue to make an impact in while at Notre Dame?

What brings you joy?

This is the most open-ended question among the Notre Dame supplemental essays 2020-2021 . The school values students who are particularly invested in activities and topics that are meaningful to them, no matter what the scale. If you have a meaningful hobby that isn’t a conventional extracurricular per se, or you have a favorite movie that you watch over and over again, Notre Dame is telling you to write about it. Just the introductory paragraph to most essays requires over 200 words - you might find it difficult to restrain yourself while talking about your favorite pastime. In order to get your point across, you need to put less emphasis on describing the activity or object - limit it to one or two sentences - and more on what about it brings you joy. Why is it your favorite? How does it recharge you in a way others may not? Has it shaped your perspective in a significant way?

Since admissions officers will see your activities list through the Common App, you should find ways to include anecdotes which will convey additional information about yourself. While you should not pick a purely academic activity or something that you think Notre Dame wants to hear, you also should think of something beyond sleeping, eating, or hanging out with friends. Your outlook on the activity or subject should be unique, and help you stand out among your peers.

Additional Tips for the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2020-2021

The Notre Dame supplemental essays 2020-2021 ask questions which provide admissions officers with the chance to get to know you in order to gauge how you would fit into the community. Don’t miss this chance to show your perspective and convey what makes you a unique and memorable candidate. You got this!

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The University of Notre Dame Writing Supplement consists of one (1) essay response to a required question and one (1) essay response to one of four questions you select from a list of options provided. In total, you will write two (2) essay responses. The word count is a maximum of 200 words per essay.
Notre Dame Essay
In your Notre Dame supplemental essays, you will discuss your motivations for applying to the school as well as your background and experiences. As you write, remember the purpose of the Notre Dame essay prompts—to help the Notre Dame admissions committee get to know you.
2022-23 University of Notre Dame Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide
University of Notre Dame 2022-23 Application Essay Question Explanations. The Requirements: 2 essays of 200 words. Supplemental Essay Type (s): Why, Oddball, Community. The University of Notre Dame Writing Supplement consists of one (1) essay response to a required question and one (1) essay response to one of four questions you select from a ...
How to Write the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2021-2022
Your Notre Dame supplemental essays 2021-2022 are designed to provide new information about you. Narrating the same story won't work in your favor, as admissions officers might think it's a waste of their time. Be as Specific to Yourself As Possible - Remember these are your supplemental essays.
Notre Dame Supplemental Essays: 2021-22 Essay Guide
In your Notre Dame supplemental essays, you will discuss your reasons for applying to Notre Dame as well as your background and experiences. As you write, then, remember the purpose of the Notre Dame essay prompts—to help the admissions team get to know you! View the Notre Dame essays as a chance to show your reader how you will fit into the ...
How to Get Into Notre Dame: Admissions Data and Strategies
The school does favor those with a legacy connection; 28% of 2021-22 freshmen were legacies. There are no interviews offered through the university. Notre Dame states that "it is through your essays that we are able to hear your voice, learn your sense of humor, empathize with your struggles."
University of Notre Dame supplemental essays 2021
Here's a look at the University of Notre Dame's 2022-2023 supplemental essay prompts and how to best answer them. The University of Notre Dame Writing Supplement consists of one (1) essay response to a required question and one (1) essay response to one of three questions you select from a list of options provided. In total, you will write ...
How to Write the University of Notre Dame Supplemental Essays: Examples
The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of one (1) essay response to a required question and one (1) essay response to a question you select from the options provided. In total, you'll write two (2) essay responses. The word count is a maximum of 200 words per essay.
How to Write the University of Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2022-2023
The University of Notre Dame has two required short essay prompts for all applicants. The first prompt asks applicants to share what excites them most about attending Notre Dame, while the second prompt allows applicants to choose one prompt from an option of four.
3 University of Notre Dame Essay Examples by Accepted Students
Read our University of Notre Dame essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year's supplemental prompts. Example 1 Prompt: A Notre Dame education is not just for you, but also for those who will benefit from the impact you make. Who do you aspire to serve after you graduate? (200 words)
Writing the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays (2020-2021)
How To Write The University of Notre Dame Supplemental Essays (2020-2021) You've got three essays to write for Notre Dame. Everyone must answer the first question ("Why This College?"). Then you get to choose two prompts from a list of four. For each essay, Notre Dame recommends a 200-word limit. Here's how Notre Dame phrases the "Why Us?" prompt:
How to Write the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2020-2021: A
Notre Dame Supplemental Essay 2A: Aspiring to Serve Now that we've discussed the required essay, we'll take a look at the five additional essays. Remember that you only need to answer two of the following five questions. Get right to the point. Don't give backstory or an extended anecdote.
How to Write the University of Notre Dame Essays 2020-2021
Read the 2021-2022 Notre Dame essay guide. Nestled 100 miles outside of Chicago in South Bend, Indiana lies the University of Notre Dame. Currently ranked #15 in National Universities by US News , and #11 overall for Best Undergraduate Teaching, the University of Notre Dame is home to about 8,600 undergraduate students enrolled ...
Supplemental Essay Guide 2022-23
Supplemental Essay Guide 2022-23 - College Essay Advisors: Admissions Essay Experts Supplemental Essay Guide 2022-23 What do the 2022-23 supplemental essay prompts really mean, and how should you approach them? CEA's experts are here to break them all down. State Acceptance Rate % - % Undergrad Population - Tuition $ - $ Ivy League Yes
2020-21 University of Notre Dame Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide
University of Notre Dame 2020-21 Application Essay Question Explanations. The Requirements: 3 essays of 200 words. Supplemental Essay Type (s): Why, Oddball, Community. The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of one (1) essay response to a required question and two (2) essay responses to questions you select from the options provided.
Write Your Best Essay: Tips from A Notre Dame Admissions Counselor
The bigger potential essay pitfall is that you demonstrate to an institution you are not someone who is open to having your beliefs challenged. Colleges want students who will engage meaningfully with others who share different opinions. At Notre Dame, we also value students who will be involved members of our campus community.
Case Western Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-22
We have provided the prompts for the 2021-2022 Case Western Reserve University supplemental essays below. You'll find advice on how to approach each prompt alongside tips for writing Case Western supplemental essays that will overcome the low Case Western PPSP acceptance rate.
University of Notre Dame Essay Guide 2020-2021
In our University of Notre Dame essay guide, we'll be diving into some tips to help future applicants best represent themselves with the supplemental essays. For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.
University of Notre Dame's 2022-23 Essay Prompts
University of Notre Dame's 2022-23 Essay Prompts Read our essay guide Why This College Short Response Required 200 Words Notre Dame is a Catholic university, founded by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, with a mission to educate the hearts and minds of students. What excites you about attending Notre Dame?
How to Write the Notre Dame Supplement 2021-2022
How to Write the Notre Dame Supplement 2021-2022 Notre Dame is a private university in Notre Dame, Indiana. One of the most famous Catholic schools in the nation, Notre Dame is also known for its football team, The Fighting Irish, which was the subject of the Sean Astin film classic, "Rudy."
University of Notre Dame Essay Guide 2020-2021
In our University of Notre Dame essay guide, we'll be diving into some tips to help future applicants best represent themselves with the supplemental essays. For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.
4 Tips for Writing Amazing Notre Dame Essays
You may personally find it terrible that there's no frozen yogurt place in town, but try to dream a little bigger. Notre Dame takes their prompts fairly seriously, and they want to know what you value. #2: Being too general. You only have 200 words, but try to get as specific as possible.
How to Write the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2020-2021
Your Notre Dame supplemental essays 2020-2021 are designed to provide new information about you. Narrating the same story won't work in your favor, as admissions officers might think it's a waste of their time. Be as Specific to Yourself As Possible - Remember these are your supplemental essays. In all of the responses, it's ...
Raj Patel v. University of Notre Dame Du Lac, No. 22-2251 (7th Cir
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division. No. 1:22-cv-01329-JPH-MG UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME DU LAC, Defendant-Appellee. James Patrick Hanlon, Judge. ORDER Raj Patel, a former law student at Notre Dame Law School, has repeatedly and frivolously sued the school for refusing to ...