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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:

• What is the essay asking you to do?
• What makes for a good answer?
• What are some potential essay topics?
• Are there pitfalls you should avoid?

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:

• First, there's the mandatory essay . This is the prompt that everyone who applies to Notre Dame must answer.
• For your other essay, you're given a choice between four prompts and must answer one.

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:

• Talk about how you hope to contribute to a specific ongoing research project with professor in your department.
• Explain your future career goals and mention how joining specific campus organizations will help put you on the path to success.
• Discuss how you want to take classes in two departments in order to think about a problem in your future profession in new ways.

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?

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 .

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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Notre Dame Essay Guide: 2022-2023

Notre Dame Essay Guide Quick Facts: 

• University of Notre Dame acceptance rate: 19% — U.S. News ranks Notre Dame as a highly competitive school. 
• Notre Dame application: Notre Dame accepts the Common Application, the Coalition Application on Scoir, and the Questbridge Application. 
• Common App or Coalition Application essay
• 1 (200-word) required Notre Dame essay question
• 1 (200-word) additional essay: applicants must respond to 1 of 4 prompts
• Notre Dame is a Catholic university located in suburban Notre Dame, Indiana.
• #1 Notre Dame Essay Tip: Start early so you have enough time to focus on the Notre Dame essays. Supplements are just as important as your Common App essay, so don’t leave them to the last minute.

Not sure how to approach the Notre Dame essay prompts? Our guide to the Notre Dame essay supplemental essays will show you exactly how to write engaging Notre Dame essays and maximize your admissions odds. If you need help responding to the Notre Dame essay prompts, create your free account or schedule a complimentary advising consultation o n line .

Does Notre Dame have supplemental essays? 

Yes, Notre Dame requires all applicants to complete Notre Dame supplements. You will submit your Notre Dame supplemental essays in addition to your personal statement on the Common App or Coalition App.  

Need some help writing your Common App essay? Get great tips from our Common App essay guide .  A strong Common App essay, in addition to well-written University of Notre Dame supplemental essays, will only bolster your application. 

Notre Dame essay requirements:

There are two Notre Dame supplemental essays. Both of the Notre Dame supplemental essays are required for all applicants. 

The first Notre Dame essay prompt essentially asks, “Why Notre Dame?” The second of the required Notre Dame essays, however, is more open-ended. For the second essay, each applicant must choose one of four additional Notre Dame supplemental essay prompts to answer.

Keep reading this guide for a breakdown of each of the Notre Dame essay prompts. Every Notre Dame application essay has a limit of 200 words. So, you don’t have many words to impress Notre Dame admissions with your Notre Dame essays.

What are the Notre Dame supplemental essays?

The Notre Dame supplemental essays are on the Common App site . You can also visit the Notre Dame Admissions site for details about each of the Notre Dame essay prompts. The Notre Dame website also offers a full list of their evaluation criteria beyond the Notre Dame supplemental essays.

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. 

Don’t view the Notre Dame essays as just another part of the Notre Dame requirements. Instead, think of the Notre Dame supplemental essays as opportunities to tell your story and persuade the reader that you will contribute to and benefit from the Notre Dame community. 

Notre Dame Essay — Prompt 1 ( Required ):

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 Notre Dame application essay essentially asks you, “Why Notre Dame?” 

While you’ve likely seen this sort of “why school” essay prompt, the best Notre Dame supplements will specifically address specific details. Your Notre Dame essays should go beyond your in-class education to discuss your growth as an individual and community member. How will Notre Dame help you achieve your academic, personal, and life goals?

In this Notre Dame application essay, think about reasons why Notre Dame specifically will help you achieve your ambitions. As you write your Notre Dame supplements, try to be personal and specific. You may want to use this first required Notre Dame essay to write about particular moments or people that have shaped your decision to apply. Additionally, in your Notre Dame essays, include the programs, organizations, and groups that you plan to join. Why do these programs excite you? How will you grow and learn? 

Mention your intended majors and minors

If you are applying to a specific major and/or minor , mention it in your Notre Dame application essay. Are there classes that interest you? Professors you would like to do research with? Your Notre Dame essays also might discuss a unique intersection of fields you would like to study. Try to seamlessly infuse your Notre Dame supplemental essays with details specific to you. A successful response to the Notre Dame essay prompts will be a cohesive narrative that shows the reader that you will succeed at Notre Dame.

In your Notre Dame supplements, include opportunities that are less academic in nature. Perhaps you want to get involved with Campus Ministry or the Center for Social Concerns. Do you want to play intramural sports ? Study abroad? By integrating these elements into your Notre Dame essays, you will show the admissions team how you will contribute to the Notre Dame community. 

Make every word count

You only have 200 words to write this Notre Dame essay, so make sure every word counts. In your Notre Dame supplements, don’t paint your undergraduate years as a means to an end. Notre Dame is a vibrant community where you will inevitably grow and change. Yes, you will be prepared for the “real world” and gain an immense network of alumni resources. However, that’s not what the admissions team wants to see in your Notre Dame essays. 

In your Notre Dame application essay, don’t just write about common traditions, emotional connections, or your attachment to Notre Dame’s Catholic theology. Instead, in your Notre Dame essay, focus on the specific parts of Notre Dame that interest you. 

Notre Dame Essay Reflection Questions: 

• Is your Notre Dame essay response both specific and personal?
• Do you address why this school attracts you in this Notre Dame essay?
• Does your Notre Dame application essay discuss your identity as it relates to Notre Dame?

Notre Dame Essay — Additional Questions:

Choose one of the following options (200 words), #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.

With the first prompt, Notre Dame admissions wants to see how your background has shaped who you are today.  Strong Notre Dame supplemental essays will not only show how applicants’ backgrounds have formed their identities, but also how they will bring that diversity to Notre Dame’s campus . 

You can respond to the first of the four Notre Dame supplemental essays in many ways. Perhaps you’re a first or second generation immigrant, and a certain culture has played a large part in your upbringing. Or, perhaps you’re the first born sibling of eight and have teetered the line between older sibling and extra parent. Or, maybe you just live in a small town that has its own traditions that have shaped your childhood. Anything that has played a role in who you are today is fair game in this Notre Dame application essay. 

If responding to this prompt, make sure you choose something that you can write passionately about. Remember, Notre Dame admissions needs to see what you will bring to campus in these Notre Dame supplemental essays. How has your community shaped you, and how will you share that with the Notre Dame community? Strong responses to the University of Notre Dame supplemental essays will not only show who you are, but what you will be able to share with the Notre Dame community during your time on campus. 

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

The second of the Notre Dame Supplemental essays is all about passion for a cause. Notre Dame admissions looks for students who actively pursue their values. So, this Notre Dame application essay should show how you publicly supported a cause that you believe in.

For this Notre Dame essay, “advocacy” can mean a variety of things. A moving response to this Notre Dame application essay could be something as simple as writing about a time when you spoke up and helped someone to understand a different perspective. When writing this Notre Dame essay, think about how you have created some sort of change or made an impact by speaking up about something you value.

Respond to this prompt, like the other Notre Dame supplemental essays, with as much detail as possible. In this Notre Dame application essay, talk about why you advocated something and how it made a change. How did the experience with advocacy affect you? How might it affect your future?

#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?

Choose the third of the Notre Dame supplemental essays if you think of yourself as a passionate problem-solver. The solution to the problem you tackle in this Notre Dame essay doesn’t need to “save the world.” You don’t have to write about solving something as grandiose as climate change in your Notre Dame application essay. In fact, successful Notre Dame supplemental essays will speak on a solution to a problem that is meaningful to you. 

In your Notre Dame application essay, you may even choose to address a problem that you’ve started working towards already. What else could be done to solve the issue? How would it create change? Strong Notre Dame essays will revolve around impact.

Don’t forget the “why”

In your response to this Notre Dame application essay prompt, you should include how and why you would want to tackle this particular issue affecting your community. Your Notre Dame essay should teach your reader something about you—not just about your topic. Be sure to articulate why you have chosen to help solve this problem in this Notre Dame essay. What does your Notre Dame application essay show about your identity and values?

Students may choose to write about something related to their intended area of study in the third of the four Notre Dame supplements. However, don’t feel limited to make the problem and your solution relate to academics in this Notre Dame essay. Remember that in all of the Notre Dame supplemental essays, Notre Dame admissions wants to learn more about you. You certainly have interests outside of academics; talk about them in this Notre Dame application essay. 

Dreamers may be inclined to respond to this Notre Dame application essay. Get creative with your solution. Just make sure that your passion for solving this particular problem shows in this Notre Dame essay. 

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

The last of the Notre Dame supplemental essays asks applicants to think about the best compliment they have ever been given. When writing this Notre Dame application essay, try not to get too caught up in the actual compliment. This Notre Dame essay, similar to the other Notre Dame supplemental essays, is all about how it relates back to you. Strong Notre Dame essays will show the impact that compliment had on you. Out of all the compliments you’ve ever received, why did that particular one get logged in your memory?

When responding to this Notre Dame essay, show why the compliment was so meaningful. In this Notre Dame application essay, the compliment itself doesn’t matter; its importance to you does. Does the compliment speak to who you inherently are? Or was it from someone that you particularly admire? This Notre Dame application essay is all about the depth behind the compliment. 

Successful University of Notre Dame supplemental essays will not brag. A strong response to the last of the Notre Dame essay prompts will focus on the impact the receiving that compliment had on you.

Which Notre Dame essay prompt should I choose?

Each of the Notre Dame essay prompts allows you to discuss something different. There’s no right or wrong topic to choose when it comes to the Notre Dame essays. Instead, choose the prompt that speaks to you most. 

The best strategy to choose your Notre Dame application essay is to brainstorm a topic or two for each. Think about how you might respond to these Notre Dame essay prompts by writing a few bullet points for what you would include in your Notre Dame essays. Then, choose the Notre Dame application essay that best lets you showcase your identity. 

• Does your choice of the Notre Dame essay prompts allow you to best show who you are?
• In your Notre Dame application essay, do you avoid repeating content from elsewhere on your application?
• Is your Notre Dame essay clear and concise?

How do I write Notre Dame’s supplemental essays?

How do you write strong Notre Dame supplements that will enhance your Notre Dame application? Let’s discuss some strategies for responding to the Notre Dame essay prompts. 

The most successful Notre Dame supplemental essays will be genuine, personal, and specific. You should choose engaging and authentic topics for your Notre Dame essays. Remember, your readers evaluate your Notre Dame supplemental essays for both content and writing ability. It’s not only about what you say in your Notre Dame essays, but also how you say it.

It may feel daunting to fit everything you want to say in two 200-word Notre Dame application essays. Approach each of your Notre Dame essays with a plan. Brainstorm first, then make a detailed outline for each Notre Dame application essay. Once you have an outline, write and revise. Clear and concise writing will help you maximize your space. Every word matters in the University of Notre Dame supplemental essays. 

The “so what?”

Most importantly, include the “so what?” in your Notre Dame supplemental essays, particularly when describing your own experiences. You should provide enough context that your reader understands your narrative , but your Notre Dame essays should ultimately answer why this story matters. What skills can you highlight in each Notre Dame application essay? How did your mindset shift? What values does your story reveal about who you are? Why did you choose to tell this story?

Leave yourself time to proofread and polish your Notre Dame supplemental essays. Remember, your Notre Dame essays help the admissions team understand who you are beyond your grades and test scores. So, don’t underestimate their importance. These Notre Dame essays are much more than mere Notre Dame requirements. Think of each Notre Dame application essay as a chance to at depth to your Notre Dame application narrative.  

How important are Notre Dame’s supplemental essays?

Well, how important are Notre Dame essays to the Admissions Committee? 

The University spends time each year determining their Notre Dame essay prompts. The admissions team changes the prompts at least slightly each year, and they sometimes unveil entirely new questions. This year’s Notre Dame essay prompts are significantly different from last year’s. This year’s Notre Dame requirements also signify a shift toward quality over quantity—in the second Notre Dame application essay, students used to choose two prompts rather than just one. 

Ultimately, what does Notre Dame look for in essays? Authentic and well-written stories about what makes you who you are. Use this essay guide to write Notre Dame supplemental essays that stand out. Engage your reader through interesting stories, vivid descriptions, and an actionable plan for your time on campus. These details will make your Notre Dame essays stand out.

5 Tips for Writing the Best Notre Dame Supplemental Essays: 

Successful Notre Dame supplemental essays will vary based on an applicant’s personal experiences and future goals. However, there are certain things that will help when taking on any of the University of Notre Dame supplemental essays. 

How to write stand out Notre Dame essay responses:

#1 – start early.

Give yourself time to edit and revise each of your Notre Dame supplemental essays! Notre Dame has two deadlines : Restrictive Early Action on November 1, 2021 and Regular Decision on January 1, 2022. Give yourself plenty of time to complete the Notre Dame requirements.

#2 – Ignore the stats

Don’t worry about things like the Notre Dame acceptance rate when you are working on each Notre Dame application essay. Instead, try to write the best Notre Dame essays possible. Forget all of the Notre Dame requirements and just focus on the Notre Dame supplements when writing. 

#3 – Opt for passion

You have full control over your Notre Dame essays. Choose a topic that you can write passionately about and pay close attention to the message that your Notre Dame supplements send. Each Notre Dame application essay serves as your introduction to the admissions committee. 

#4 – Look at the big picture

Consider the entirety of your application before submitting. Make sure that each essay says something new. No two successful Notre Dame essays are the same, just like no two Notre Dame students are the same.

#5 – Be yourself

The Notre Dame supplements really are the best opportunity to just be you. Don’t focus on what you think admissions wants to hear in each Notre Dame application essay. Let your experiences, passions, and goals leap off the page and impress Notre Dame admissions. Successful Notre Dame supplemental essays will show who you are and what’s important to you. 

Notre Dame Supplemental Essays — Final Thoughts

Notre Dame is an undoubtedly special university to attend. Don’t try to tell the admissions team what you think they want to hear in each Notre Dame application essay. Be yourself and tell your story . Do your research to make sure each of your Notre Dame supplemental essays shows why you belong at Notre Dame. Remember that passion is key, so get excited about your responses to each Notre Dame application essay. Good luck!

Want to learn more about the Notre Dame admissions process? Check out this Snapchat take over from a current Notre Dame admissions counselor for tips on essays and insight into the university’s holistic application review process.

Notre Dame is an undoubtedly special university to attend. Don’t try to tell the admissions committee what you think they want to hear. Instead, be yourself and tell your story. Finally, do your research to make sure each of your Notre Dame supplemental essays shows why you belong at Notre Dame. Good luck!

For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources on Notre Dame, including stories from CollegeAdvisor students who were accepted to Notre Dame , click here . Want help crafting your Notre Dame supplemental essays? Create your free account or schedule a no-cost advising consultation online .

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How to Write the Notre Dame Supplement 2018-2019

The University of Notre Dame is an academic powerhouse with Catholic roots. Religion isn’t omnipresent at Notre Dame, but it does provide a notable backbone for how the school functions. It’s a school with history, with legacy, and it’s very proud of it. If you like sports take note that they love their athletics too.

We classify Notre Dame as a “highly selective” school. It’s easier to get into than, say, Harvard, but a 17.7% acceptance rate doesn’t scream “accessibility.” Fun fact: of the students that got in last year and ended up enrolling (a total of 2070), 38% were captains of a varsity sport and 33% lead a major student organization (aka a club) at their high school. They collect leaders like some people collect cookie jars and Notre Dame’s penchant for student leaders should be a crucial guide as you approach the supplement.

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 recommended word count is approximately 150 words per essay.  

First off, while they say “approximately 150 words,” the actual limit in the Common App (as in, your essay will cut off at that point) is 200 words. Does this mean you should use 200 words? No. Does it mean that you can’t go a little above 150? No. But it’s better to keep close to their guideline than to stretch it to its limits.

Please provide a response to the following question:  

What excites you about the university of notre dame that makes it stand out from other institutions.

This is the question you have to answer. You don’t have a choice, but it shouldn’t be hard for you. Like many supplements, this is just a funky wording of a “Why us?” essay prompt. Since you only have 150-200 words, you should start by assembling what you NEED to include:

●      Prospective major

●      One professor you’d like to work with

●      One course you’d like to take

●      One club, sport, or student organization you’d like to take part in.

What you don’t need to include are comparisons to other schools. Asking for you to say what “makes it stand out” can lead students down the path of comparison, but that’s just a distraction from what you should be focused on: why you and Notre Dame are a perfect fit.

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

As a catholic university, we strive to be a community in which the dignity of each person is respected and everyone can truly flourish. notre dame’s president, rev. john jenkins, c.s.c., challenged our community to reflect on the following statement: “let us never do anything to make another member of our community feel unwelcome, and let us not stand by if we see others doing so. either we walk together in mutual support, or we do not walk at all. either we are all notre dame, or none of us are." tell us about a time when you walked with others..

Now you get to pick two from the four options, and this is a great place to start! This prompt begs to be answered with a short story. Don’t aggrandize yourself. Don’t go big. Don’t write about a situation where you had all of the power and shared it, but about a time that you were genuinely equal with those around you, so sharing or giving or merely being present was indeed an act of solidarity. It’s ok to be vulnerable, so don’t be a hero. And remember, 150-200 words isn’t much.

If you don’t have an example from your life that you feel would fit this, skip it. Readers will be able to tell if you fished for something, so it’s better to stay authentic than to try to transform a turkey into a swan.

What is one thing you will definitely bring to college with you?

Bravery? No. Resilience? Absolutely not. An electric kettle so you can make that tea you’re obsessed with for your floormates? YES.

What we’re saying is that you shouldn’t see this question and immediately jump into the realm of intangibles. Rather, you should see this and start listing out physical objects that have humorous, poignant, or simply have strange stories attached to them.

Why can’t you list a trait? For one, everyone will be doing it. But it also takes itself too seriously. By using your worn out running shoes as the entry ramp into a story about yourself, you’ll be able to share the same sentiments as you would if you said “resilience,” but with the added benefit of story.

What is your proudest accomplishment for which you did not receive recognition?

This question is practically calling out for whiney and entitled people to express why the world is unfair to them. Even if you aren’t typically whiney or even remotely entitled, you can very easily appear to be so should you answer this question incorrectly. Because of this trap, we advise people to skip this question.  

You have 150 words. Take a risk.

We love this. It’s basically our dream prompt, but we also recognize that if you don’t have someone guiding you, this one could go downhill fast. If you would like to work with someone, we’ve got you covered , but if you’re going it alone and are set on answering this prompt here are some ideas for how you could play with it!

Share a favorite recipe or directions for something you love to do. Describe your workspace (desk, kitchen table, etc.), write a MadLib, build a top 10 list (we like “Top 10 Edible Fats”), or describe a trip you took to Ikea. Don’t write about illegal things (yes, we’ve seen people do it), or about your first kiss or how you lost your virginity (yes, we’ve gotten those too).  

Overall, the Notre Dame supplement is fun because it’s not long, but it does give you room to play. Because the word counts are tight, you may be tempted to try to bang this one out in one night. Please don’t do that. Remember that all good writing takes time, even if it’s only 150 words.

If you’re looking for a helping hand , we’re pretty good at helping great kids get into college if we must say so ourselves (*brushes shoulder off*).

How to Write the University of Notre Dame Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2023/2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What are the notre dame supplemental essay prompts.

• How to write each prompt for Notre Dame
• Prompt #1: Multiple options (choose 2)
• Option 1: "Service / Community" essay
• Option 2: "Diversity" essay
• Option 3: "Advocacy" essay
• Prompt #2: Short answers (choose 3)
• Option 1: "Why us?" essay
• Option 2: "Joy" essay
• Option 4: "Why major?" essay
• Option 5: "Faith" essay

Notre Dame gives you a few options to choose from to help them see more of who you are and what you bring to the college campus. 

But before you dive right into the prompts, get an extensive, by-the-numbers look at Notre Dame’s offerings in its Common Data Set , and for deeper insights into how the university wants to grow and evolve, read its strategic plan . 

The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of responses to two (2) brief essay questions and three (3) short-answer responses to questions you select from the options provided.

Notre Dame University Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

Please choose two questions from the options below. Your brief essay response to each question should be no more than 150 words. Notre Dame fosters an undergraduate experience dedicated to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual development of each individual, characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community? What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community, etc)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community? Describe a time when you advocated for something you believed in and influenced others through thoughtful discourse to promote a deeper understanding of a difficult situation.

Notre Dame University Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

Please choose three questions from the options below. Your response to each short-answer question should be no more than 50 words. Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home. What brings you joy? What is worth fighting for? What is something that genuinely interests you, and how does this tie to the academic area you hope to study at Notre Dame? How does faith influence the decisions you make?

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

How to write notre dame supplemental essay prompt #1.

Please choose two questions from the options below. Your brief essay response to each question should be no more than 150 words.

• Notre Dame fosters an undergraduate experience dedicated to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual development of each individual, characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?
• What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community, etc)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?
• Describe a time when you advocated for something you believed in and influenced others through thoughtful discourse to promote a deeper understanding of a difficult situation.

Option 1: Service / Community essay

Notre Dame fosters an undergraduate experience dedicated to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual development of each individual, characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community? (150 words)

Two questions to ask yourself as you brainstorm topics for this prompt:  

What sort of service and civic engagement projects have you been involved with? Your Activities List is a good place to start. 

Are there any essays you’re already writing for another school that you could double with this prompt? If so, it may be a candidate for a Super Essay . 

Do you have meaningful examples and anecdotes that show how you have been of service and how you’ve fostered service in others—like the club you started to teach chess to fifth-graders, or the recycling project you led in your neighborhood, or the comedy skits you put on for the local senior center? Your topic of choice should be something you genuinely care about. You’ll find it much easier to write with enthusiasm if you talk about something you actually find important and interesting.

Once you’ve picked a topic, you’ll notice you’re (probably) writing an extracurricular activity essay. Here’s a complete guide on how to write that. You’ll want to make sure your values are super clear by the end of the essay.

Finally, you have the option to weave in how you’ll continue this work (or continue to explore these values) at Notre Dame. If so, consider connecting your goals with unique resources at the university. Read this “Why us?” essay guide for tips and examples. This might make up just the end of your essay. 

Below is an example of a super essay approach—the student used this essay for many different school prompts, including Georgia Tech, but it could work well for Notre Dame with some small tweaks.

If there were a “cry graph” for the number of times students at my school broke down from freshman to junior year, it would increase exponentially. We often found ourselves weeping together in philosophy class, one of the only safe spaces to open up emotionally about the stress we all experienced. The phrase “I’m going to kill myself” became so popular that it was difficult to walk from one end of a hallway to the other without hearing it, and my closest friend confessed that she considered quitting school to escape the asphyxiating stress. These red flags led me to decide that it was time to change the picture of the cry graph and create a space outside of philosophy class where we could support each other, so I founded the Psychology and Mental Health Club. Knowing how tough our second semester of junior year would be, I organized the first Psych Club meeting with a sense of urgency. We designed a survey to gauge the stress levels of students and to identify the most common sources. Then, I researched empirically proven de-stressing methods, and found that yoga, art therapy, and canine therapy can lower blood pressure and cortisol levels while increasing oxytocin levels. I organized stretching and doodle sessions, and collaborated with the library to host therapy dogs so that students could ‘paws’ and relax. After each event, we asked students to indicate their stress levels before and after; 96% of students responded that their stress decreased. I am elated to say that the Psych Club seems to have successfully reversed the ‘cry graph.’ We have received numerous requests to continue and expand our work, so we plan to hold our sessions every two weeks, and to introduce meditation, calming music, herbal teas, and other mindfulness activities that I continue to explore. (300 words) — — —

Tips + Analysis

Consider starting with an engaging hook. The author here does a great job of drawing readers in with her first line. She sets up a problem and explains it in an unconventional way. She does this by telling us that a great proportion of students at her high school face significant mental health challenges through the idea of a “cry graph.” Mental health is something that a lot of students might choose to write on for this prompt, so it could be hard to stand out, but the way this applicant approaches the topic feels fresh and unique. It’s odd to think about something like crying being graphed like a mathematical equation, but it’s also intriguing, and that makes us want to keep reading. Use your hook to show your mind working in unconventional ways, and perhaps introduce a dilemma that you can resolve as your piece progresses. This both raises the stakes for readers and piques their curiosity about you.

Make sure the purpose of each paragraph is clear and different from the previous one. This essay is divided into three paragraphs. They each build on one another and push the narrative forward. The first sets up the problem through the eyes of the writer and briefly alludes to her proposed solution: she noticed how severe a problem mental health was at her school, so she founded the Psych Club. The second paragraph expands upon the author’s self-created solution and we get great specific details about what she did to change the culture of the school. The last paragraph is a bit more introspective and reflects upon what the author hopes to accomplish in the future now that the club has proven itself to be a success. 

This structural division of these ideas and elements of the larger story helps us process what’s going on more effectively. If this was just one big dense block of text, we might find ourselves bored or tired of reading. We might also be a bit confused as to what the key takeaways are. Use the structure of your essay to amplify the content and maintain your reader’s attention.

Quantify or qualify impact. Impact can come in a lot of different forms. You can recount personal anecdotes or reflections. You can talk about statistics and numbers. You could even relive specific emotions or tap into visceral senses to convey the magnitude of a moment or event. In this case, the author uses numbers, telling us that an impressive 96% of her classmates reported feeling better after her club was formed. Why is it important that she included this number? Well, while all the activities the club planned sound incredible and the problem at hand seems like an important one, impact grounds ambiguity in reality. We don’t want to be left guessing about the effect of this narrative. Impact gives the piece a sense of purpose and helps us better understand how this applicant has concretely contributed to her community. The more you can do to convey impact and highlight the real life implications of your topic, the better.

How do you foster? Because the example above was written for a different school’s prompt, it doesn’t directly address the How do you foster service to others in your community? phrasing of the Notre Dame prompt as directly as it could, depending on your interpretation: “Foster service” could just refer to how you have served others, but it could also be interpreted to mean how you’ve influenced others to be in service to community. We’re not positive which interpretation Notre Dame intends here, but it may help your essay if you include specific details that clarify how you’ve encouraged others to be of service through your actions.

Option 2: Diversity essay

What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community, etc)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community? (150 words)

This is a fairly standard “how will you contribute” prompt.

Essentially, a way to think of this kind of prompt is that it’s a combo of “community/identity/background” and “why us” prompts: use some of your response to show how you’ve become who you are, and then show how those experiences shape what you will bring to the college through linking to specific opportunities/groups/details. Connect your unique upbringing, in a very broad sense of the word, with what the school offers and how you will make a great team.

While there are many things outside of “community” that might fit this prompt, if you’re looking for a way to brainstorm ideas, that’s a good place to start. (But keep in mind that you’ll want to include some “how will you contribute” details in your essay—this isn’t just a “tell us about a community” prompt.)

For a full guide to “community” essays , head there, but here’s the short version, plus how to add “how will you contribute” elements:

STEP 1: DECIDE WHAT COMMUNITY YOU WANT TO WRITE ABOUT

Create a “communities” chart by listing all the communities you’re a part of. 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/situations

STEP 2: USE THE BEABIES EXERCISE TO GENERATE YOUR ESSAY CONTENT

You’ll find detail on the BEABIES Exercise + a chart you can use at that link.

STEP 3: DO SOME “HOW WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE” RESEARCH

You’ll want to offer a few specific ways that show how the experience/s you’re discussing in your essay will allow you to contribute to the college. The easiest way to do this is to do some “Why Us”-like research and find ways you’ll engage with and contribute to the school’s community. 

STEP 4: PICK A STRUCTURE (NARRATIVE OR MONTAGE)

Step 5: write a first draft.

Here’s an example essay written for Columbia but that illustrates how to approach this kind of prompt:

At family dinners over gnocchi and arancini, my grandpa would always ask my two older brothers how their education and sports were going. I’d wait for my turn, but the question was never directed my way. In contrast, my grandma always tells me how thankful she is that I’m able to get an education of my own. She frequently mentions how she regrets never getting an education. I pursue my education with a fire within me to do what she wasn’t allowed to. During the summer of 2021, I realized that I could impact other girls in a similar way by writing a children’s book about influential women in STEM in order to inspire the next generation of female scientists.  At Columbia University, I hope to contribute to the empowerment of women by creating a Society of Women in Science, hosting Alumni Panels, Graduate Student Q&A’s, and creating a safe space for women in similar majors to discuss their successes and setbacks. In addition, joining the Student Wellness Project will provide another community that prioritizes mental health. This empowering environment is the ideal place to help me develop as both a feminist and a scientist. — — —

Tips + Analysis:

View the prompt broadly. While this prompt offers you the perfect opportunity to explore the impact race, socioeconomic status, and other societal factors have had on you, don’t feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the prompt. As in the example above, where the student recounts her experiences with a cultural and generational divide, there are many experiences we’ve had that have shaped who we are. Some are deep, like being the only person of color at your high school, while others are more light-hearted, like having to learn to make your own grilled cheese at age 8 as a latchkey kid. Both are admirable in their own ways. Both may be really important to you. And both can make really effective responses.

Make campus connections. The second part of the prompt is as important as the first. While the college wants to hear about your past experiences, they’re just as curious about how they’ll shape your time on campus, leaving the school better than as you found it. But remember, they probably want at least some (if not all) focus on outside-the-classroom experiences here, so dive into their list of student organizations and find a few that truly resonate with you and that you feel you could make a meaningful contribution to. The student above does just that with their reference to the Student Wellness project and how they expect to contribute.

Be a changemaker. Can’t find an organization at Notre Dame you'd like to join? Create your own! The student in the example above plans to start their own organization and even outlines some of the specific events she plans to hold. It's clear she's done her research to see where the college might be lacking in female-centered organizations—and she's going to take the charge to correct that.

Tie the two together. Make sure your past connects with your future. That means tying the lessons from your childhood, preteen, and adolescent years with the contributions you're going to make on campus. The response above does a great job in doing that. As a young female who has, from a young age, been committed to empowering young women, it’s clear how this student is going to make a specific impact on the college’s campus community.

And here’s another example, written for Williams’ version of this prompt:

In the 1930s, 36 members of my family were lost to the Holocaust, and that fact has since led me to carry on the memory of my ancestors through tradition—preparing for my Bar Mitzvah, observing Jewish holidays, and going to synagogue for Rosh Hashana. Additionally, it has driven me to teach others about the Holocaust. At my first-year Entry, I would share my involvement within the Jewish community, and how it has led me to become a more engaged member of society. During this past school year, I became an educator on the Student Leadership Board of the Seattle-based Holocaust Center for Humanity. Meeting biweekly, we discussed historical anti-Semitism as well as modern-day discrimination toward oppressed groups of people. Before joining the board, I had felt disconnected from Jewish activism and lacked a community of fellow Jewish activists. My year on the board solved that. Each week, I added my ideas and learned from fellow students during group discussion. Additionally, I built an interactive website to share the story of a Holocaust survivor.  Even though we weren’t all Jewish, this group’s drive for educating others and spreading peace brought us closer. It was a community where we could talk about serious current events, but also where we could share a laugh. At Williams, I hope to discover that same kind of community. I’ll join the Williams College Jewish Association, where I can carry on what I loved about the Holocaust Center’s board, participating in discussions, leading service projects, and making impactful art to share stories. Even outside that group, I’ll bring to Williams my Jewish values and enthusiasm for meeting people from different backgrounds, spreading a greater message of peace and kindness. (282 words) — — —

Option 3: Advocacy essay

Describe a time when you advocated for something you believed in and influenced others through thoughtful discourse to promote a deeper understanding of a difficult situation. (150 words)

Part—and really, a big part—of the college experience is being exposed to new people, perspectives, and ’periences (and, perhaps, playing with creative alliteration). This prompt offers you a chance to show how you can engage in productive dialogue around complex issues.

A few things to keep in mind as you brainstorm possible topics for this prompt:

Don’t think you have to write about a knee-jerk issue and a blow-up here. You can. But the point of this prompt is essentially to help a college see the kind of student you will be in a classroom—can you engage with people who disagree with you in ways that lead to productive discussions rather than just shouting or conflict. (See Tips below for more on this.)

Focus more on the engagement, change, and growth than on the conflict. How you engaged on the issue, what you learned, and how you grew are far more important to your readers here than the conflict itself. You can plan on spending fairly little word count on the conflict/topic, so that you can spend most of your time exploring some deeper whys.

This is a new prompt for Notre Dame, so we don’t have any examples specific to this school. But this essay, written for Princeton, offers a clear example of how you can approach this prompt.

I probably argue with my grandfather more than I do with most other people combined. It’s not because we’re at odds. We just have different perspectives, influenced by our experiences—his as a life-long resident of India, mine as a first-generation American.  One pretty common argument we have is over Eastern vs. Western medicine. My solution to a headache, for example, is to take Advil. His is to rub Tiger Balm on his forehead and coconut oil on the soles of his feet. I try to convince him of the benefits of taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, describing how it can reduce inflammation by blocking the production of certain chemicals. He tries to convince me that the balm creates a cooling effect, distracting the brain from pain and relaxing the muscles. Rather than becoming sore at or resentful of each other, we’ve grown closer through these debates, and I’ve learned how to disagree without letting the situation get acrimonious. Through these interactions, I’ve learned that a discussion shouldn’t be confrontational. The purpose isn’t to win, but to share my knowledge with the other party and learn from them as well. So rather than saying, “Rubbing balm on your forehead is stupid; you should just take Advil,” I say, “While rubbing balm on your forehead seems to work, I’ve noticed that taking an Advil has a stronger and more immediate effect.” Respecting the opposing party makes them more willing to hear you out.  I’ve also learned there’s a fine line between logic and emotion. I try not to take personally the things my grandfather says in an argument. Just because he doesn’t think taking Advil is the better solution doesn’t mean he thinks I’m stupid. If I take it that way, we begin to move away from what the argument really was about—the facts.  I’ll continue to apply these learnings in discussions and debates I have with others, realizing that having  a “successful argument” isn’t about winning. It’s about sharing my opinion and learning from theirs, expanding our perspectives without alienating each other. (340 words) — — —

The conversation topic can be anything. You might assume that for your essay to be attention-grabbing, you need to pick a “hot topic” like a recent SCOTUS decision or climate change. And those topics are fine, if they’re really reflective of who you are. But smaller discussions can be just as lively … just as relevant … and just as revealing. This student does a great job at finding a unique cultural difference—Tiger Balm vs. Advil—and showing how he’s used that as a springboard to finesse his art of debate and understanding.

Show your stance. One common fear with these “differing opinion” supplemental essays is that the admissions officer reading it may not agree with your stance or belief. This is actually not the point of these essays. Many colleges have opted to ask this question because of widespread public concern around free speech on college campuses , and requests from their college leadership (such as the Board of Trustees) to identify students who are willing to listen to multiple viewpoints. Given this, a student’s response is generally more powerful when they specifically clarify that their own position is, rather than sticking to vague terminology so that the reader will see them as “neutral.” Otherwise, you run the risk of coming off as apathetic or indifferent, which lessens the meaning and significance of your example. Here, this student gives specific examples of their support for Western medicine. Sure, it’s not the most controversial opinion, but again, that’s not necessarily the goal! You can choose any opinion, so long as it demonstrates your values and beliefs and a change in how you approach dialogue.

Be willing to be wrong. We can learn as much from our failures as we do from our successes. In fact, sometimes, it says more about us when we’re willing to be vulnerable enough to admit we’re wrong—or, at least, not entirely right. This student echoes that point, acknowledging it “isn’t about winning.” Instead, having viewpoints that are different from those he respects and admires helped him learn about balancing logic and emotion as well as practice the art of listening. 

Unveil your “software update.” You know when your phone annoyingly lets you know that you have to install a critical software update to use your favorite app (and you’re like… ugh, bruh, it was working fine before)? Well, in this case, the admissions officer is actually actively craving that update notification. They want to know specifically how your approach has changed when navigating differing opinions. This student does exactly that by using actual quotations: “So rather than saying, ‘Rubbing balm on your forehead is stupid; you should just take Advil,’ I say, ‘While rubbing balm on your forehead seems to work, I’ve noticed that taking an Advil has a stronger and more immediate effect.’” The “2.0” version of this student is more advanced, more sophisticated, and more willing to tackle complex “bugs”—without corrupting someone else’s data. Whether you quote yourself or not, be sure to use this essay as a chance to unveil  “You 2.0” to colleges. 

how to write Notre Dame Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

• Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home.
• What brings you joy?
• What is worth fighting for?
• What is something that genuinely interests you, and how does this tie to the academic area you hope to study at Notre Dame?
• How does faith influence the decisions you make?

Short Answer option 1: "Why us?" essay

Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home. (50 words)

These are your classic short answer questions that several colleges require.

 Here’s a larger guide to questions like these.

And here are some general tips to get you started on the short-answer portion of the Notre Dame application:

Think of your short answers as an advent calendar. Consider that each of your short answers, no matter how short, is a tiny window into your soul. Make sure the reader finds something inside that's awesome and different from the window before.

Use all or most of the space allotted to explain your answer. You’re given space for 50 words for an answer that could easily be one or two words. So use it up! In other words, you can answer "why," even if the prompt doesn't ask you to. Do this because your core values may be hard to express in 1-2 words.

Get specific. Don’t just give a generic answer followed by a generic reason for your generic answer. Be creative and use details that give you a distinctive/memorable voice.

Feel free to take (calculated) risks on these. Get creative. Push boundaries (a little). To clarify, we don’t mean shock for the sake of shock value; make sure you’re still revealing core values (one of which might be humor, for instance). Speaking of which ...

Don't check your humor at the door. If you're funny in life, feel free to be funny in your short answers. If you're not funny, no need to start now. ;)

Offer a variety of things you're interested in. If you love science and wrote a supplemental essay about science, don't answer prompt #2 with 20 journals, websites, or publications you’ve read on ... science. Show how you find joy in astrophysics but also literature, philosophy, Star Trek, programming, and Godfather 1 and 2 (but not 3.)

Note that there isn’t, like, some magical key/code with these where, if you answer the right thing for your favorite website, then the door to the college will be magically opened to you (sure, that would be nice, but no, not how this works). These are just a chance (well, three chances) for the school to get to know you better. So make the most of them by sharing values and insights, but don’t over-obsess as though your life depends on them. ‘Cuz it doesn’t. 

To illustrate how you can approach these, here are some examples for some of the prompts above:

Short Answer option 2: "Joy" essay

What brings you joy? (50 words)

Essay examples:

Genuine personal interaction brings me joy. I’d rather grab a burger with friends than go to a raging house party. My perfect night is spending time with friends engaging in absurd “philosophical” conversations or creating pastimes, like sky-pong (ping-pong… but you hit the ball off the ceiling versus the table). — — — A warm meal with family lets me connect with my Romanian heritage through traditional dishes and desserts, and with my brothers, my first and closest friends. And biking down a steep hill after having cycled all the way to the top is a transient yet exhilarating reward for my labors. — — — Cardmaking is a mixture of precision and artistry, a blend that brings me joy. It combines creative calligraphy and colorful cardstock. I smile at the reaction of a music-loving friend on her birthday as she notices that I used sheet music to create the base of her card.  — — — Every November 1st, my family starts on Christmas Lego: first the new set, then ones from past years. It takes until the week before Christmas to complete the sprawling brick village across the dining room sideboard. Nothing gets me more in the Christmas spirit (and I really love Christmas). — — — Humming, singing, and belting. Or a combination of the three. Regardless of how I am doing, these activities never fail to make me feel ten times better, whether that be because I am performing, or just because I am screaming in my room.  — — — Finding a manatee mother with her baby on Banana River, open gym volleyball, sunny but cool California weather, when my coding works the way I want, creating funnily-shaped breads with my sister Amy, aroma of cinnamon tea wafting from my cart as I pass out tea to the nurses station — — — Six-word stories; poems by Jorge Luis Borges; the state of peace from doing yoga; immersing myself in history fictions before bed; Friends; holding my mom’s hand on our walks; the breathtaking sunset of Mount Hermon; talking and laughing across from a dear friend selfishly wishing the moment could last forever.  — — —

Short Answer option 3: "Advocacy" essay

What is worth fighting for? (50 words)

Visiting relatives in India, I noticed the real inequity in world healthcare. The United States spends over $10,000 per person on healthcare annually, whereas India spends less than $100 per person. Access to proper healthcare should be a basic human right and not based upon a country’s development.  — — — Society’s disproportionate focus on beauty often prevents girls from achieving their true potential. Until we begin measuring womens’ worth by their talents and innate values instead of their looks, I worry that girls who don’t fit conventional standards of weight and beauty will be held back from pursuing their dreams. — — — America’s prison system forces anyone with jail time, even nonviolent offenders, to be labeled as less than human by society—felons are denied many rights, including the right to vote. The prison system needs to be overhauled, starting with decriminalizing nonviolent offenses, such as marijuana possession. — — — At my school, there isn’t much emphasis on community enrichment and discussion. “I’m not affected, so why is mental health my problem?” “I can’t vote, so why should I discuss gun rights?” By prioritizing civic engagement, we can encourage genuine discourse, preventing the widespread complacency that exacerbates societal issues. — — —

Short Answer option 4: "Why major?" essay

What is something that genuinely interests you, and how does this tie to the academic area you hope to study at Notre Dame? (50 words)

Think of this as a super short “Why Major” prompt (with an option for a “ Why Us? ” detail at the end). Because it’s so short, you’ll want to be judicious with your word budget to clearly articulate both the what (the field of study you’re interested in) and the why (where your interests come from).

To get you started, here’s a complete guide to the “Why Major'' essay . Below is a condensed version.

One possible approach:

Think of this as a quick origin story.

Step #1: Imagine a mini-movie of the moments that led you to your interest and create a simple, bullet-point outline.

Step #2: Put your moments (aka the “scenes” of your mini-movie) in chronological order, as it’ll help you see how your interests developed. It also makes it easier to write transitions.

Step #3: You’ll likely want to include a specific thesis that explicitly states your central argument—in this case, what you want to study and why. This thesis can come at the beginning, middle, or end of your essay.

Once you have those pieces, you have a few structural options:

A. A quick hook that thematically sets up where you’ll take us, and, ideally, shows an aspect of your intellect/personality (If you do this, it can be stylistically effective to bookend—to end the essay by linking back to what you opened with.)

B. An initial moment that sparked your interest

C. Your thesis

Body (but to clarify, this essay can be a single paragraph if you choose)

The moments of your mini-movie, illustrating both the development of your interest and some of your core values

One option: Go narrower—perhaps link to specific aspects of the college that will help you continue on your path toward a future goal.

Another option: Go wider—name the road you hope to follow (for example, career path, organizations you’d like to work with, the greater value/implications of studying what you want to).

Because Notre Dame’s word count is so short, you’ll likely only have space for 2-3 sentences here, covering the areas above.

And last, a quick tip: Be sure this essay is consistent with your personal statement if you’ve mentioned aspects of your major/career there.

Here’s a nice example essay written for Yale’s “Why Major” prompt (and thus double Notre Dame’s word count limit), but can give you a nice sense of the direction to head with your content:

Storytelling has shaped me. At four, I read The Lion King until I’d memorized it. I’d snuggle in bed as my dad read Wilderness Champion or Tom Sawyer. Later, I found audio and visual storytelling, mesmerized by This American Life and Whiplash. Now, I create my own stories through newspaper satire, podcasting, and locally-broadcasted radio.  My major at Yale would be the next chapter in my life of storytelling. I’d explore past narratives and how they can be digitally innovated. Whether exploring media’s disfiguration of truth, developing screenplays, or analyzing mise-en-scene, I hope to pioneer new networks of connection. (99 words) — — —

(Quickly) hook the reader. The first line performs a few functions here. First, it pulls us in and makes us curious about what exactly she means by claiming that storytelling has shaped her. Second, it gives us a sense of a core aspect of her identity and values. 

Show the development of your interest through moments that connect to core values. She packs a nice amount of detail into 99 words. The details she includes point toward her values and identity, as do her interests in newspaper satire, podcasting, and local radio. The details in the second paragraph show some nice depth and development. 

Describe how Notre Dame can help with the next steps. This author links her brief origin story to how the college can help her on her path, and how it will help her develop both her understanding and her values.

Short Answer option 5: "Faith" essay

How does faith influence the decisions you make? (50 words)

Essay example:

For the past couple of months, I’ve chosen each day to perform a mitzvah (a good deed). Whether through planning for a Cookies for Cancer bake sale and donating the proceeds, or driving a friend home after school, I am constantly seeking to achieve the most selfless version of me, an idea that my religion consistently promotes. — — —

Special thanks to Tom for writing this blog post.

Tom Campbell (he/him) is an eternally extra Gemini who has spent the past seven years helping students and families navigate the college admissions process—one alliterative/assonant aphorism at a time. Prior to joining College Essay Guy, he worked as a college counselor at Lakeside School and an admissions officer at Pomona College and College of the Holy Cross (his alma mater). He stans em dashes and semicolons, Kacey Musgraves (all eras, not just star crossed and Golden Hour), superior breakfast burritos, and complaining about space tourism.

Top Values: Authenticity | Fun | Vulnerability

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Command Education Guide

How to write university of notre dame essays, updated for 2023-2024.

The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of responses to two (2) brief essay questions and three (3) short-answer responses to questions you select from the options provided.

Please choose two questions from the options below. Your brief essay response to each question should be no more than 150 words.

1. Notre Dame fosters an undergraduate experience dedicated to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual development of each individual, characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?

Explanation:

This is your chance to write about the community service work you have been a part of 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 150 words, be sure to focus your writing on your specific actions and the impact you have had on others, rather than on the cause or the reason why you are committed to it! Finally, briefly share your plans for future involvement and how you intend to further contribute to positive change in the communities of which you are a part.

2. What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community, etc)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?

Notre Dame is seeking to learn more about your personal experience through this question in order to understand what you might contribute as a member of their future campus community. To respond effectively, first take some time to reflect on the personal experiences and aspects of your development that set you apart. Consider your family support, cultural background, personal background, disabilities, and the impact of your community—what has had the greatest impact on your distinct perspective and way of looking at the world. Is there a defining characteristic or experience that informs your cultural identity or values? Then, explain the circumstances, challenges, and the role of the experience in your life and growth as a person. How have they influenced your perspective and personal growth? Finally, show that you understand what Notre Dame values in its community members and emphasize how your experiences are in harmony with these values.

3. Describe a time when you advocated for something you believed in and influenced others through thoughtful discourse to promote a deeper understanding of a difficult situation.

The job of Notre Dame’s admissions committee is to build an academic community that is characterized by teachability and diverse perspectives. In asking this question, they want to understand what kind of value-add you would bring to their future community. Because they are asking you for a specific example, this essay should take the form of an anecdote where you specifically describe a time when you helped bring people together over a deeply held belief in a difficult situation and/or found ways to unite people who were previously divided. A successful essay would demonstrate not only your abilities to work well with others but also shed some light on what you believe the value of collaboration or inclusivity to be. In brainstorming your essay, start by thinking through some of your core beliefs and values—have you ever had to defend those values, convince others of their importance, or use them to influence a group of people with whom you attended class, engaged in an extracurricular activity, played on a sports team, or worked? What did that experience teach you about finding common ground with others or about the perspective of another individual or group of people?

Please choose three questions from the options below. Your response to each short-answer question should be no more than 50 words.

1. Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home.

Take some time to reflect on the qualities, characteristics, or aspects that you consider non-negotiable in your future college or university. These are the factors that are most important to you and that will significantly impact your decision. Then, share the personal, academic, or professional reason that makes this factor a priority in your college search. Finally, in one sentence or so, 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 future success and well-being.

2. What brings you joy?

The key to answering this question is authenticity and self-reflection. Notre Dame genuinely wants to understand where you find enjoyment and fulfillment, so share something meaningful to you!

3. What is worth fighting for?

This question is aimed at understanding your core values and deeply held convictions. 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.

4. What is something that genuinely interests you, and how does this tie to the academic area you hope to study at Notre Dame?

To answer this question, you should first consider the subject you plan to major in and the subdiscipline(s) within it that are most interesting to you. Then, you should research specific ways in which Notre Dame offers avenues for you to deepen your engagement with this topic. Reflect on and express the connection between your intellectual interests and curiosities and the specific curricular and extracurricular opportunities at Notre Dame.

5. How does faith influence the decisions you make?

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.

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Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2023-24 Prompts and Tips

September 8, 2023

The University of Notre Dame is a famed Catholic institution located outside the city of South Bend, Indiana. It is a dream college for many brilliant high school students around the globe, across all faiths. For the Class of 2027, the acceptance rate fell just below 12%, roughly one-third the figure seen back in the late 1980s. This begs the question—if most of the 28,000 applicants to Notre Dame are academically qualified, how does the school decide which 3,400 to accept? While the answer to that question is, of course, multifaceted, one of the answers is that you need to take advantage of the Notre Dame supplemental essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into the University of Notre Dame? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Notre Dame: Admissions Data and Strategies   for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Your mission is to write compelling, standout compositions that showcase your exceptional writing ability and reveal more about who you are as an individual. There are two parts to Notre Dame’s writing supplement and you must select a total of five prompts—two short answer (150 words or fewer) and three very short answer (50 words or fewer). Below are Notre Dame’s supplemental prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with tips about how to address each one.

Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2023-24

Please choose two questions from the options below. Your brief essay response to each question should be no more than 150 words. 

Notre Dame fosters an undergraduate experience dedicated to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual development of each individual, characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community? 

To truly understand where Notre Dame is coming from with this question, one needs to look no further than the school’s own mission statement: “Notre Dame wants to educate and inspire its students to be moral citizens within their communities and the larger world, to use their talents to the best of their ability, and to develop the generous sensibilities needed to relieve injustice, oppression, and poverty in all of their manifestations.”

If you have been involved in some type of charitable/community service endeavor throughout your high school years, this is a great opportunity to speak about that venture in more detail. Looking forward, how might you continue the work you’ve been doing? You can also connect your aspirations in this realm to specific service opportunities that are available at Notre Dame.

What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community, etc)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?

Some students may have a powerful and deeply personal story to tell about their racial/ethnic identity, sexual/gender identity, family background, cultural background, or religious identity, among others; others may feel that there isn’t anything particularly compelling about their own identity in any one of those categories. Alternatively, you could also talk about your place in an affinity group. Perhaps your involvement in an affinity group centered on Dungeons & Dragons, anime, volleyball, chess, painting, being a fan of a sports team, film, or any other interest one can fathom that is a core, essential, can’t-imagine-life-without-it component of your identity. If so, this essay will likely be a perfect fit for you.

Notre Dame Supplemental Essays (Continued)

Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within your Common App personal statement and activities list. What important aspect(s) of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)? The admissions officer reading your essay is hoping to connect with you through your written words, so—within your essay’s reflection—be open, humble, thoughtful, inquisitive, emotionally honest, mature, and/or insightful about what you learned, how you grew, and how you hope to impact the Notre Dame community as a result.

Describe a time when you advocated for something you believed in and influenced others through thoughtful discourse to promote a deeper understanding of a difficult situation.

At its core, this essay is a chance to illustrate that you are a mature leader who follows their conscience. After all, this kind of young person would be a welcome addition to the Notre Dame community. Your essay is likely going to be strongest if the task of standing up for something you believed in was difficult. There is likely to be an element of friction to this story, perhaps a sacrifice of some kind.

Advocating for something we believe in is easy when it jibes with the beliefs of the majority group or an institution to which we belong. The more revealing anecdotes will likely come from instances of disagreement with your family, a coach, a teacher, a religious leader, a group of your peers, etc. As you consider whether or not to select this essay, assess whether or not you have a truly dynamic and personal story to tell in this realm.

Please choose three questions from the options below. Your response to each short-answer question should be no more than 50 words. 

• Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home.

If you choose to answer this question, know that you’ll need to think very deeply about your answer. Admissions officers are going to receive scores of responses about aesthetically pleasing campuses and top-ranked sports teams. As such, dig deep into what your non-negotiable factors are, and think about which ones will be genuinely satisfied by attending Notre Dame. The strongest responses here will likely speak to some aspect of Notre Dame’s academic structure, social community, or general ethos . Ideally, the answer will communicate something important about how your academic and extracurricular priorities are a great fit for what Notre Dame has to offer.

2) What brings you joy?

What brings you glee, exuberance, jubilation, delight, elation, bliss…joy? There are a multitude of universal and highly relatable experiences that bring joy to one’s soul. For example, it could involve family, pets, hobbies, habits, scenes of natural beauty, literature, travel, etc. However, you could also talk about dreams for the future, more bittersweet moments, abstract thoughts, moments of glorious introversion, or a time that you  unexpectedly felt joy.

3) What is worth fighting for?

Out of everything on this Earth, what makes you tick? What keeps you up at night? What issue could you talk about or debate for hours? If you could address one problem in the world, large or small, what would it be? What values do you hold most dear? If you are answering at least one of these questions, you are on the right track with this essay.

4) What is something that genuinely interests you, and how does this tie to the academic area you hope to study at Notre Dame?

What subject makes you read books and online content until the late hours of the night? Which topics have you encountered in or outside of school that pique your curiosity? What confuses, surprises, or makes you want to learn more? Whatever your answer is, remember that you’ll need to speak to how it ties into the academic area you’d like to pursue in college, so you’ll need to be able to make a clear connection between the two. For example, your obsession with creating the perfect soufflé may have natural tie-ins to a potential chemistry major but not so much to computer science. As such, you’ll likely want to brainstorm a variety of interests so that you can choose one that clearly relates to your major.

Alternatively, you might find it helpful to approach this essay in reverse—first, consider your academic area of choice, and then, identify interests that relate to it. Or, you can take on the challenge of finding how two seemingly disparate interests/areas overlap, of course (if you end up writing an essay about soufflés and computer science, please send it to us!).

5) How does faith influence the decisions you make?

Notre Dame is a Catholic university, and religion will be part of your education and experience. If you do consider yourself to be a religious, spiritual, and/or faithful person, how does that inform the way you move through life and make decisions?

If you’re not a religious or spiritual person and do not feel that faith has any impact on your decisions, you’ll likely want to avoid answering this one.

How important are the essays at the University of Notre Dame?

There are only two factors that Notre Dame considers to be “very important” to their evaluation process. They are: rigor of secondary school record and character/personal qualities. The next tier of “important” admissions factors includes class rank, GPA, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and the essays. Without question, the essays play a sizable role in the admissions process at Notre Dame. They can help the committee decide who to admit when choosing between similarly credentialed (GPA, test scores, etc.) applicants.

Want personalized assistance with your Notre Dame supplemental essays?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Notre Dame supplemental essays, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

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How to Write the University of Notre Dame Admissions Essays 2018 – 2019

The University of Notre Dame, located in South Bend, Indiana, is a private Catholic research University ranked #18 on the U.S. News and World Report’s Best National Universities List .

Boasting a football team with 11 national championships, the nation’s top Italian program, world-renowned business and architecture schools, rich alumni connections, Notre Dame offers all the benefits of a small tight-knit college community in the context of a larger top-notch research institution.

Over 80% of the university’s undergraduate students live on campus in one of the 31 single-sex residence halls, each with its own traditions, legacies, events, and sports teams. There is no greek life on campus, but the majority of students live in the same residence hall for all four years. The university is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross, with over 47 chapels on campus, however, religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission. The university boasts over 120,000 alumni, including noteworthy graduates like Condoleezza Rice, Nicholas Sparks, and Joe Montana.

Notre Dame’s acceptance rate for the class of 2022 was roughly 17.6% with applications up 4% over the previous year. With three 150 word short responses, Notre Dame’s writing supplement allows you to set yourself apart from the 20,000+ applications that vie for the coveted spots.

To apply to Notre Dame, candidates may submit either the Common Application, or the Coalition Application. The college does not prefer one or the other. Candidates may apply through the Restrictive Early Action process (due November 1st), or the Regular Decision process (due January 1st).

In addition to the required essay in the Common Application or Coalition Application, Notre Dame requires three supplemental essays: applicants are all required to complete the first prompt, but may choose from 4 different options for the second and third prompts. Read on to find out how to tackle them!

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.

Prompt #1 ( Please respond in about 150 words)

What excites you about the university of notre dame that makes it stand out from other institutions  .

Like other schools, Notre Dame has a “Why X School?” prompt to understand why the applicant is passionate about applying to Notre Dame. While this type of essay will rarely be the reason why an applicant is accepted to a certain school, it can demonstrate commitment and understanding of that school. Simply put, Notre Dame wants to understand why you want to attend their institution over all the other schools you are applying to — what makes them unique in your list.

There are a few qualities that will make your essay stand out . Be as specific as possible — specificity is the key to writing a good, eye-catching essay. Try to include specific details about Notre Dame. Is it the non-existence of greek life, the religious dedication of the school, or the research-based curriculum that intrigues you? Is there a specific program that Notre Dame offers that other schools don’t or is it the rich alumni connections that provide you stronger internships and job prospects that you really care about?

These are the type of details that Notre Dame wants to hear from you — how do the programs, opportunities, and curriculum that they offer fit into what you are looking for in your college experience?

Generic statements like “Religion is important to me”, or “I enjoy the study abroad options available” are too broad and non-unique , they are cookie-cutter and can be used for many universities across the US (many colleges have a religious affiliation and most colleges offer opportunities to study abroad). Rather, turn this around to demonstrate how going to a strong Catholic institution will strengthen your spiritual roots or how a service trip that Notre Dame offers to Nicaragua can give you the chance to work with underserved communities and utilize your Spanish skills.

The more specific, the better your essay will be and the more you will stand out. Don’t be afraid to refer to specific professors, labs, internships, study abroad opportunities, and even classes that you are excited to take. This shows that you have done the research for Notre Dame and aren’t simply using another school’s essay and replacing the school name to Notre Dame.

Prompt #2: Please choose two of the following prompts and respond in about 150 words:

A quick note about choosing prompts. Before immediately setting your mind on two prompts, try brainstorming ideas for each of the four options provided. Start to draft mini paragraphs and sense which prompts you may be more passionate about. There is no right of 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, especially for Notre Dame:

• Which prompts will allow you to really showcase your personality (especially aspects of generosity and true character)?
• Which prompts are you more passionate about?
• Which prompts do you think will allow you to have a stronger, more confident voice?
• Which prompts will allow you to discuss something meaningful that cannot be found anywhere else in your application?
• Which prompts will allow you to further showcase your desire to attend Notre Dame?

Option 1: As a Catholic university, we strive to be a community in which the dignity of each person is respected and everyone can truly flourish. Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C., challenged our community to reflect on the following statement: “Let us never do anything to make another member of our community feel unwelcome, and let us not stand by if we see others doing so. Either we walk together in mutual support, or we do not walk at all. Either we are all Notre Dame, or none of us are.” Tell us about a time when you walked with others.

Essentially, this prompt is asking, “How have you supported others?”

The stronger essays will be more personal about a time you helped out a family member, friend, neighbor, or community in need. You want to show how you specifically had an impact on someone else and were there to support them through a rough time. Avoid talking about raising money for an organization or 5Ks (or 10Ks) that you did for a certain cause. While those activities may mean a lot to you, they don’t show the direct impact your actions had to support someone.

Rather, something more powerful to write about would be the time your friend was really confused in math class and you sat down and helped him/her through the homework problems even though you had to skip tennis practice to do that. This shows your more humane, compassionate side — which is what Notre Dame wants to see.

Really try to focus on the small gestures that had an impact on someone else.

For example, you could write about the time you acted as a mentor to underclassmen, showing them around school on the first day when they were lost. While this may seem like a nonessential action that you took, it demonstrates how you supported freshmen and made them feel welcome in their new high school environment. The essay really wants you to show how you welcomed, supported, and helped a person (or group of people).

Another thing to note is that your action doesn’t need to have an earth-shattering impact on someone else. However, the more reflective you are, the stronger the essay will be. Talk about how you felt helping someone else(were you worried? Confident? Nervous?) — add a more humanizing element to the essay to show that you are more than your GPA and test scores.

Focus on a time you supported someone, be specific, provide details, and include how your actions impacted that person. This essay is straightforward, and with only 150 words, make sure to be concise, yet include specific details and reflections to make the essay stand out.

Option 2: What is one thing you will definitely bring to college with you?

This prompt is very open-ended , and allows you to be creative. You could write about anything from a pet, a lucky pencil, or even a stuffed animal that you will bring to college with you. The college admissions officers are not going to judge you for what you necessarily say as the one item (make sure to keep it appropriate of course), but what they care about is your explanation of why that certain item means a lot to you.

For example, if you are bringing your favorite stuffed animal that is a pig, they want to know why this stuffed animal is so important to you. Have you had this stuffed animal since you were a small child or was this the stuffed animal that you always went to when you were down and made soaking wet with your tears? This type of detail and personal touch will make your essay stand out from the more generic ones. Adding specific elements that are personal and showcase the reasons why that object is important to you will help the college admissions officers understand you as an applicant better.

You may also want to consider bringing something that is not tangible. Bringing certain emotions, memories, or ideas can be a spin on this essay. For example, bringing an inspiring phrase your grandmother always told you or your dedication to saving the environment, can take this essay in an interesting direction.

Whatever one thing you choose, make sure to include personal details explaining why it means a lot to you.

Option 3: What is your proudest accomplishment for which you did not receive recognition?

While this question may seem straightforward, it is definitely one of the harder of the 4 essay options. Rather than starting with how to answer this prompt, let’s start with how not to answer this question . Do not talk about the time that your parents didn’t say “good job” for your stellar grades, or how your teacher didn’t notice that you were the one that put together the entire presentation by yourself (even though it was a group presentation). Also, do not compare yourself with a sibling and comment how your sibling always gets praised and you don’t. These are all situations that come off as whiny, immature, and accusatory .

Instead, the way to go about this essay is talking about the personal accomplishments you made over the past four years. Talk about your own personal goal to run a mile everyday for a year or your new resolution to eat dessert only once a week. These may all seem like trivial aspects of your life — but they give insight into who you really are. Running a mile everyday for a year shows college admissions officers that you have the drive and hard-work necessary to continue something for an entire year while eating dessert only once a week demonstrates your self-control and discipline. You may not have received recognition for these actions (as many may not even know that you are doing them), but they mean something to you .

Another way to approach this essay is to talk about a personal challenge you had to overcome. Maybe it was a social problem you had to face in high school forcing you to stand up for a close friend, or a friend that passed away. These type of situations may not come off directly as proud accomplishments, but can be turned around to demonstrate how proud you are afterwards for sticking up for that friend or for being able to move on and be level-headed after that funeral.

These type of situations show college admissions officers that you are able to turn lemons into lemonade. Your proudest accomplishment doesn’t have to be about the good times, it can also be about the bad— but if your choose this route, make sure to clearly explain why you it was a proud moment.

Option 4: You have 150 words. Take a risk.

This option allows you to be completely creative and take a bold risk . You could write about a community service project you are part of, why you think McDonalds is better than the West Coast In-N-Out, or your passion for figure skating (even though you always fall). The best essays will be ones where you unleash your inner personality and give insight into who you really are.

You can take this in two ways. If you are funny, take a jab and write a humorous piece about the life of a high school AP Chemistry student. If you are very serious, maybe take time to reflect on how being serious your entire life has helped, or even hurt, you. Notre Dame wants you to take that risk with this essay and really express who you are (keep in mind you only have 150 words to do this though).

If you have taken a creative writing class, or done some personal writing that is on the more creative side, this is the prompt for you. Explore with different forms of writing — poetry, satire, comedy, or even an extremely short 150 word story. This will be sure to stand out from the other applicants.

If you feel uncomfortable with creative writing, you can go the more traditional route and talk freely about something you are passionate about. This more traditional essay pairs well if you have dedicated your past four years towards something you are really passionate about whether that be a certain political movement, club that you started, an organization you are on the board for, or research that you have done every summer. If you have something like that, this essay gives you the opportunity to expand on why those personal projects mean so much to you.  

This essay could go incredibly well, or easily come off the wrong way to someone who doesn’t know you. So be sure to have other people read your essay (especially someone who might not know you well!).

Taking this option, while it may have a high risk, also has high rewards.

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The 2022-23 Short Answer Prompts: A Quick Guide from a Notre Dame Admissions Counselor

Published: August 05, 2022

Author: Maria Finan

Each year, members of the admissions team brainstorm new short answers prompts for the application.

We always ask one required question about why a student wants to attend Notre Dame, but the final question gives students a chance to choose which prompt to answer.

There are no “right answers” to these questions; rather, these questions provide another opportunity for applicants to tell us about themselves.

This year’s short answer prompts can be found here.

Since we know that writing the essays can be the hardest part of the application, we wanted to compile some advice for you as you tackle these Notre Dame-specific questions. These prompts are meant to be answered briefly (200 words maximum), and will hopefully give you some fun topics to think about as you’re putting your application together. 

Required prompt for all applicants:

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?

This is your opportunity to tell us “why Notre Dame.” We encourage you to reflect on what draws you to Notre Dame, and what makes it unique from other universities.

Although you may have a lot of essays to write, this is not the time to simply reuse an essay from another university and change the school name to Notre Dame. Spend some time reflecting on why you hope to attend Notre Dame, and what you might offer to our community.

Choose one of four additional prompts:

My best advice for choosing which question to respond to is to think about what else you’d like to highlight about yourself in your application. This last response can be the perfect place to tell us something new about yourself, or about some distinctive aspect of your personal story or passions.

If you are trying and struggling to respond to one of these questions, pick a new one!

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?

At Notre Dame, we value the distinct experiences of every student and celebrate the diversity present in the Notre Dame family. This question gives you an opportunity to share how where you’re from has shaped you.

Maybe you’re an international student who will be bringing a unique perspective from outside the U.S., or you are a student living in a rural part of the country, or someone who wants to share how their ethnic or cultural background has shaped your sense of self and identity.

Whether you’re coming from an urban city, have lived your whole life in the same suburb, will be the first in your family to attend college, or are the youngest of five kids, we want to hear how your community has impacted your identity—and how you will bring that with you to Notre Dame.

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

One of my favorite book quotes is, “It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” We want to hear how you’ve fought for something you believe in, whether that has been amongst your friends, at school, or at home.

The key word in this prompt is “advocated.” How have you created change, helped someone see a different perspective, made someone feel included, or found a way to make an impact? We want to hear how you’ve lived out your values as an advocate. 

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?

We’re not asking you to save the world, but we would love to hear about a problem you’re passionate about solving. This could relate to your academic interests, but we often find that our students care about causes beyond their intended fields of study.

This question is asking you to dream big and think about how you could find a solution for an issue facing your community. We hope that it’s personally meaningful to you, and that you’ll be creative about how to solve this problem. Don’t forget to share why this cause is so important to you and your community! 

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

Think about the nicest thing someone has said to you. What did they compliment you on, and why is it something that you still remember?

We want to read about the greatest compliment you have received, and what makes it so special to you. It may be significant because of who paid you the compliment, or perhaps it speaks to something inherent to who you are as a person. Maybe it recognizes the values and commitment you have demonstrated in your interactions with others.

No compliment is too big or small for this prompt. 

Maria Finan is a senior assistant director of admissions for the Western Region of the U.S., along with Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong Province.  Learn more.

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How to Write the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

Padya Paramita

October 11, 2021

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 2021-2022 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 2021-2022 , 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 2021-2022

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

Required Question

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?

The first and only required prompt among the Notre Dame supplemental essays 2021-2022 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.

Optional Questions

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

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?

This is a very open-ended question, one that you should answer honestly and in a unique manner. Think carefully about what you can give a presentation on at this very moment. Since the prompt has stated “academic or not,” you could talk about ANYTHING, from your favorite theory in physics to your favorite basketball player. Often, admissions officers appreciate students thinking critically about topics that normally people might write off. So, if there’s a topic that might have been underestimated that you might bring a fresh perspective to, as long as it’s not controversial or problematic, go for it! 

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 talking about—and maybe 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? 

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?

This is a question that can be seen as more lighthearted than the others—but it doesn’t have to be. As you brainstorm your Notre Dame supplemental essays 2021-2022 think about whether this particular prompt would allow you to show a side of yourself that you haven’t been able to elsewhere in your application. It doesn’t matter whether your name is common or super unique—what admissions officers want to see is the connection you have with your name. You could also write about a nickname because the prompt has specified so! If you do, think carefully about where the nickname came from, who refers to you with the nickname, who you might have grown to become because of it. If you write about your name, consider who you are with your name—and who you might be without it. If there are particular anecdotes that can help you demonstrate why your name is meaningful to it, definitely share those! Remember that admissions officers are just trying to get to know you. There is no right or wrong answer here.

What would you fight for?

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 center 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? Or, if you’re involved in activism, what kind of causes or beliefs do you want to protect? Within the given 200 words you must focus on how you would take efforts to make a difference in your community or cause—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 fighting for someone or something doesn’t have to signify a large-scale activity or cause such as the planet Earth. You could want to fight for your entire neighborhood or school, or you might fight for one or two individuals who you care about, and still make a difference. 

Don’t spend too much time describing what your aspirations are. Focus more on why you’ve chosen a particular group of people or cause. 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 what or who you wish to fight for would benefit from what you may have to offer. Why is it crucial that you serve this particular cause? Finally, if you have space, outline how a Notre Dame education can help you get there.

Additional Tips for the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

• Choose Your Optional Prompt Wisely - Since the Notre Dame supplemental essays 2021-2022 have provided you the liberty of picking only one of the three optional essays, you must take advantage of this circumstance. Go through all of the prompts carefully and decide which one can inspire the most powerful essay from your perspective. You could begin by eliminating prompts that might be too risky.
• Don’t Repeat the Personal Statement - Choose a topic where you don’t have to repeat information that’s already included in the rest of your application. If your personal statement highlights the people you wish to help out later in your career, choose essay prompts from the four other options. 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. In all of the responses, it’s easy to be tempted to elaborate more generally on the topics—whether it’s Notre Dame’s resources or the cause you might fight for. But resist that urge! You’re under a very strict limit. Use it wisely—connect the majority of your points to yourself. Why does it matter to you if Notre Dame has particularly good resources? What is your personal connection to an unpopular opinion? Avoid generic responses at all costs. 

The Notre Dame supplemental essays 2021-2022 ask questions that 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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University of Notre Dame 2020-21 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

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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Notre Dame Supplemental Essay Examples

Taking a look at Notre Dame supplemental essay examples is a top-notch method for learning how to write your own responses to the essay prompts.

Supplemental college application essays are one of the best ways to stand out and show your top-choice school why you are a perfect applicant for their program. They allow you to showcase your personal self, and that is the best way to stay in the minds of the admissions committee and go from an applicant to a student.

How to write a college essay can be tricky; there is a lot to say within a word count that might seem big, but gets eaten up quickly. Studying sample college essays will illustrate writing methods and give you tremendous insight into how to go about creating your own essay.

This article will provide samples to the Notre Dame supplemental essays.

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Article Contents 11 min read

Please note that all Notre Dame supplemental essays have a maximum word count of 200 words.

Applicants are required to answer two prompts in total. All applicants must use the first prompt, but may choose from three additional prompts for their second essay.

Need more tips for writing?

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?

Sample Essay #1:

These days we see science and religion as enemies, fighting with one another.

Born Catholic I started my life unquestioning my religion. When I was in high school, I began walking two paths: one towards science, the other away from faith.

I was frustrated with the Church, avowed there was no God and picked fights with family and friends about it.

My studies gave me the opportunity to visit a particle accelerator. One of the scientists who gave us the tour was, as I found out, religious. I stayed behind, grilling him about how he reconciled faith and science, and he talked about the mystery of the universe. His pursuit for Truth in science was because he loved the profound expanse of nature. His love of God came from the same place.

Notre Dame prides itself on its religious origins and its Catholicism. I have come to a place where I want to explore the universe in an institution that advances science, but remains humbled by the profundity of Creation. I think that these qualities of Notre Dame’s will help me to reconcile the struggle my values and find my place in the universe.

During the spring semester, Notre Dame faculty gave 3-Minute Lightning Talks on exciting topics within their fields of expertise. While you don\u2019t have a Ph.D. yet, we bet you\u2019re developing an expertise in something. If you were giving a Lightning Talk, what topic (academic or not) would you choose? ","label":"1st prompt (of 3)","title":"1st prompt (of 3)"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

I spent a lot of my recent years trying to read as many important books as I can, tracking down lists of books everybody “should” read, mostly composed of classics, academically-sanctioned works of genius, and the most seminal benchmarks of literature throughout the ages. All of this has made reading a chore – a list that I check off. I’m not saying they aren’t great works, just that I put the canons of others ahead of my own enjoyment.

My Lightning Talk would be on literary enjoyment – reading for pleasure – and how this act opens up the mind and the imagination. When I was a boy, I read tirelessly, mostly seeking out the sort of science-fiction and fantasy novels that were likely to have a Frank Frazetta painting for a cover. They were pulpy explorations of pretend worlds that fueled my mind and let me push my imagination to its limits.

I would like to unpack the idea that literature can be fun and still beneficial. I would talk about those pulp-fantasy novels and how they have opened my mind to new worlds.

Sample Essay #2:

Jumping out of a plane is safe enough that they’ll let untrained members of the public go skydiving. But if it’s so safe, why do people get a thrill out of it? Shouldn’t we relax up there?

I’m a bit of a thrill-seeker, spending hours at skateparks, trying to learn parkour, and driving a little faster than I’m supposed to. Recently, I’ve started to wonder “Why?”

I’ve been reading a lot of articles and books about adrenaline and people who go looking for that rush. Freud posited the death wish. Psychologists call it “sensation seeking”. Some people claim it’s for fun, others for a challenge. Adrenaline junkies get worse and worse, needing more of a “hit” as though these heightened brain chemical reactions are the same as a drug.

My talk would be about the reasons why we go looking for thrills and about how it affects our minds and bodies. Knowing why people seek out adrenaline-inducing experiences would help us master our habits and pursue our passions.

Sample Essay #3:

I was listening to the Howard Stern Show, and two of the guys on the show were really yelling at each other. Howard’s program is filled with these moments and it’s one of the most popular shows of all time.

Contentious posts rate higher on social media. Youtube videos with titles like, “So-and-so DESTROYS Somebody” gain millions of views. Why do we fight? Is there a value?

I’ve begun to research why we argue and if there are benefits to it. There are! We work out ideas together as a group that way, we engage with each other, and we can either work out problems or discover who is problematic.

There is a strong movement for social media companies to take responsibility for their users’ speech and shut it down if it gets out of hand. Ironically, the discussions on this topic – free speech and censorship – are as divisive as the speech itself.

My Lightning Talk would be about our fascination with, and the uses for, argumentative behaviors, and about whether or not we should be allowed to say anything we want.

There is a story or meaning behind every name or nickname \u2013 both those we\u2019re given and those that we choose. What is meaningful to you about your name? ","label":"2nd prompt (of 3)","title":"2nd prompt (of 3)"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

My name, Dipti, has been a source of relentless pain and teasing, bringing me down constantly, and I hated it.

When we moved to the US, nobody said anything mean to the three-year-old me, but as soon as I went to school, I was bullied. It was my clothes, so I stopped wearing “weird” clothes. It was my food, so I got mom to pack “normal” lunches. It was my name, and I couldn’t escape.

I tried to be called “Dee”, but I was “Dipti” in roll-call.

Dipti means “light”, but it felt heavy. It’s my grandmother’s name, but I didn’t remember her. I had to meet her again when we got enough money to bring her over to stay with us.

Grandma Dipti was Light. I barely understood her words, but I understood her love, and felt shame for trying to abandon her name, like I was abandoning her beautiful spirit.

Now I don’t care who dislikes my name. Embracing who I am found me friends who love me for me. I am working on a family tree, plunging into my personal history, and I love knowing where I come from.

Now my name is a joy and a light in my life.

I share my name with a month of the year and with a general; my name is Julian.

First, I learned of Caesar’s conquests and power. It set a high standard to strive for, and led me to run for student council – Julian the Senator. My connection to a famous historical figure also gave me a love of history; I study it, love it, and hope to become a history professor.

But, in my studies, I also discovered Gaius Julius Caesar’s abuses of his power, precipitating the fall of the Roman republic and the rise of the Roman empire. This is a cautionary tale: use power for good.

Some people nickname me Jules or Julie. “Girls’ names!” That used to annoy me a lot, but I have gained two perspectives in consequence of these labels: the first is that I need a thicker skin; little things shouldn’t bother me. The second is that teasing might sting a bit, but others have it worse with aggressive misgendering, or severe bullying.

I know that I have certain powers on student senate and if I ever cross the Rubicon, it will be for the rights of the bullied, not to become a tyrant.

My parents just liked the sound of the name “Alan”, so that’s my name. I have no relatives named Alan, they didn’t have any close friends named Alan, and Alan doesn’t even mean anything. Some people speculate that it means “deer”, but there are others who think it means, “little rock”, or “handsome”, so it could mean anything.

I gave this very little heed growing up, although I did get annoyed once when my siblings and I were all looking up our names and they had substantive meanings but mine just means nothing.

Some people have names they have to live up to. Their names are grand. Mine is plain. But I like that. I like that, with my name, I don’t have to live up to my name, but I can fill it.

I wasn’t captain of the debate team because I had something to prove, no; it was because I loved debating. My passion led me forward, not some silly high bar set by a name.

This lack of meaning in my main moniker taught me to strive for individuality.

While your essays will be personal, you should use the academic essay structure to make your story flow.

No. You have some choice, but you must complete two essays.

All applicants complete the first essay prompt (Prompt #1), and then choose one from the three other sub-prompts (three entries in Prompt #2).

Generally-speaking, any time you are given the option to submit an essay, test, or short answer, take advantage of the opportunity to showcase your application and make it more memorable.

Essentially, consider everything mandatory, because good quality submissions will all help your application.

Consider them strict, yes.

Keep to the directions you are given, find your creative voice within those boundaries.

Colleges look for people who think outside the box, not those who color outside the lines.

Notre Dame doesn’t use interviews in its admissions process, so the essays are the best way that the admissions committee has of seeing the “you” beyond pure numbers and data. While you can give a picture of yourself through extracurriculars, the essays allow you to speak directly to the committee and show your passion and your journey that is taking you to your top-choice school.

You will be talking about yourself, but specifically highlighting experiences you’ve had, knowledge you’ve gained, and traits and abilities you’ve acquired that will appeal to the school you’re applying to (in this case, Notre Dame).

Try to highlight courses, research, or values that the school has, even if only in oblique ways.

Valuable qualities to show are leadership, curiosity, perseverance, dedication, problem-solving, studiousness, and creative thinking.

If you can showcase that you learn from failure, that can also be beneficial.

Your goal is to say something meaningful about yourself, something memorable that will stick with the admissions committee, and something that will make you connect with the college you’re applying to. If you’ve done that with fifty words to spare, there’s nothing wrong with coming in under the word count.

On the other hand, if you’ve only written fifty words out of two-hundred, it’s likely that you haven’t said enough.

Avail yourself of college essay advisors so you know when you’ve said what you’re trying to say.

Notre Dame is open to all denominations, faiths, and persons from non-religious backgrounds. No matter who you are, you are welcomed into Notre Dame’s studies, and your application is not contingent on your spirituality or lack thereof.

Many universities and colleges in the US were founded by religious institutions or religious persons, but none of those schools will penalize a non-religious applicant or make them feel unwelcome on campus or in class.

When you’re applying to a variety of schools, and we do recommend you apply to 8-10, there may be some overlap in college essay topics . As always, do your research. Before writing all of your essays, take a look at the different topics, and if you find areas of overlap, you can certainly reuse writing.

With that said, colleges are looking for values in line with theirs, so you may need to make sure that your essays align with multiple colleges in every way, not just the specific prompts.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, notre dame supplemental essays.

I'm planning on applying to Notre Dame and I heard that they have supplemental essays. So, does anyone know what type of questions they usually ask and how to best prepare for them?

Notre Dame does indeed require supplemental essays as part of their application process. While the prompts may change slightly from year to year, they generally revolve around three themes: community, academics, and personal growth. Here are some of the most common questions you might come across:

1. Community: Notre Dame seeks to create a tight-knit community that is diverse and inclusive. You might be asked to describe a time when you interacted with someone whose background differs from yours and how it impacted you. Alternatively, you could be asked about how you would contribute to the Notre Dame community.

2. Academics: Notre Dame values intellectual curiosity and a strong academic foundation. You might be asked to discuss a time when you engaged in a scholarly pursuit that went beyond your coursework requirements or how you plan to make use of your education after graduation.

3. Personal Growth: Personal development is an essential part of the Notre Dame experience. You might be asked to write about a time when you faced a challenge, how you overcame it, and what you learned from the experience. Or, you could be asked to describe a goal you have for your future and how Notre Dame can help you achieve it.

When preparing to write these essays, it's important to reflect on your experiences and consider what makes you a unique candidate. Think about how your interests, goals, and values align with Notre Dame's mission and values. Be genuine and authentic in your responses, and make sure to provide specific examples to support your claims.

To stay organized and focused, create an outline before you start writing. This will help you ensure your essay is well-structured and flows logically from one point to the next. Additionally, consider asking a teacher, school counselor, or trusted friend to read your essays and provide feedback. This can help you identify areas where you need to clarify your ideas or polish your writing.

Finally, keep the word count in mind as you write. Notre Dame has a word limit for supplemental essays, usually around 150-200 words, so it's essential to be concise and make every word count.

With thorough preparation and thoughtful reflection, you'll be well on your way to writing strong supplemental essays that will help you stand out in the Notre Dame application process.

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