How to Write the University of Notre Dame Essays

While this question asks you to share about the characteristics and qualities that you looked for in a college, it is important to remember that, like every supplemental essay prompt, this question is really about you. By asking about your college search, the admissions committee is seeking to understand: what do you value? What kind of community member will you be? How do you envision the next four years of your educational journey?

Given that you have likely compiled your college list within the last six months, your response to this prompt should be fresh in your mind. Take some time to reflect on the qualities, characteristics, offerings, or aspects of the community that you consider non-negotiable in your future college or university. You should go back through the notes you took during college visits and other materials you compiled as you evaluated schools on your list for inspiration. Due to the limited word count, whittle your topic down to one or two important factors rather than trying to list them all.

Then, share the personal, academic, or professional reasons that make these factors a priority in your college search. How do these things correlate to your core values, future ambitions, or personality traits? Explain how your non-negotiable factor(s) align with your academic and personal goals. Discuss how choosing a college that prioritizes this factor(s) will contribute to your flourishing.

Making the decision to attend a Catholic high school was not easy; I’d been admitted to my local STEM magnet high school, ranked as the number one STEM high school on the East coast. Yet, I knew intuitively that I wanted my education to align with my religious values and that attending Saint Anne’s would offer me the opportunity to ground my academic growth in my faith. During my time there, I blossomed in my understanding of how faith can inform the way one chooses to navigate the world. Now, equipped with the knowledge that I want to pursue a career devoted to the service of those born with genetic conditions, I seek an undergraduate institution that offers both a world class education and a pedagogy rooted in faith and service. In other words, I know I want to call Notre Dame home for the next four years.

Notre Dame is a Catholic institution, and the admissions committee is seeking to understand how the religious environment and mission of the school aligns with your own personal beliefs. Regardless of your faith background, consider how your choices are informed by spiritual conviction (whether religious or secular) and how you intend to carry those convictions into the next stage of your education.

A classic diversity question, this prompt gives you the opportunity to share something about who you are or what you have experienced that will set you apart from other applicants. Though you only have 50-100 words to answer this question, the prompt asks you to address three distinct questions: first, identifying distinct element(s) of your identity and development; second, what about these aspects of you are important to you; and third, how they will enable you to contribute uniquely to the Notre Dame community.

Notre Dame seeks to admit a diverse group of students to their incoming class every year, so the more insightful and distinctive your choice, the better. Remember that whatever you choose, it should add depth and dimension to a facet of your identity that is not explored elsewhere in your application. Additionally, because the second and third parts of the question require you to address how this distinctive aspect of your identity has informed your perspective and will shape your role on Notre Dame’s campus, you should choose something that you have actively engaged with. Don’t just tell, but show through a compelling and creative narrative how this distinctive feature of your background has made you who you are today.

This is your chance to write about the community service work you have participated in throughout your high school career. Choose a specific and well-documented example of how you have fostered service to others in your community. This could be a single event or an ongoing initiative, but it should be meaningful and impactful. Because you only have 50-100 words, be sure to focus your response on your unique and tangible contributions and the impact you have had on others, rather than on the cause or the reason why you are committed to the particular service opportunity (though you should make a brief mention of your motivation or passion). Finally, briefly share your plans for future involvement and how you intend to further contribute to positive change as a member of Notre Dame’s campus community.

While you should be thoughtful and reflective in choosing the compliment you wish to write about, note that the most important element of this essay is your description of its meaning to you. Rather than offering an opportunity to brag, this question seeks to understand your core values. Do you hold personal growth, kindness, academic excellence, wit, or a particular skill or accomplishment in high regard? What does this say about who you are and what you want for yourself and your future? Select a compliment that truly speaks to who you are and what you value. It could be related to your character, work ethic, kindness, creativity, or any other quality that you hold in high regard. The compliment doesn’t have to be grand or come from someone with authority—it could be something small but significant that left a lasting impression on you, or it could have particular meaning for you because it came from someone you didn’t expect it to come from. What will make the difference between a good essay and a great one is your thoughtful articulation of why the comment was meaningful to you.

“You’ll be able to succeed in anything you set your mind to accomplishing. It will be both a blessing and a curse.”
My math teacher’s words weighed heavily on me as I walked out of my last day of junior year. We had grown close after I’d attended his extra help lunch sessions four days a week for most of the year, determined to earn straight As in my weakest subject. I knew he was impressed by my determination, but his words helped me to realize just how far this quality will bring me as I look to my future.

This question is aimed at understanding your core values and deeply held convictions. This could be an intangible idea such as “freedom of expression” or a concrete object such as “my friends” or “the historic neighborhood that my family has lived in for generations.” When you name what you believe is worth fighting for, be sure to also explain the significance of the cause or belief. This could be because it addresses a pressing societal need, upholds a moral principle, or aligns with your personal values.