So you’ve been admitted to the University of Notre Dame! Congratulations! I hope you are taking the time to celebrate this momentous accomplishment.
Senior year of high school is such an exciting time as you close out a significant chapter in your life and look forward to building your future. As you enter this next phase of your college discernment process, you will have a lot of choices ahead of you.
We hope to provide you with some guidance on what we recommend you do next, to help you choose where to call home for the next four years.
Here’s what we recommend you do next to help you make the most informed decision.
Visit Campus
Notre Dame football coaching legend, Lou Holtz, once said, "Those who know Notre Dame, no explanation’s necessary. Those who don't, no explanation will suffice." So how do you get to know this place? I think there is no better way to start than setting your feet on the cobblestones of God Quad and seeing the sunlight reflecting off the Golden Dome with your own eyes.
When I was a (very indecisive) senior in high school, visiting college campuses was the most helpful part of my college discernment process. The opportunity to see campuses, imagine myself in the space, and chat with current students (or simply ask them for directions) was invaluable for really understanding what a campus culture was truly about.
For me, a trip to South Dining Hall and being welcomed by the ND students I just met was one of the biggest reasons I chose to call Notre Dame my home on May 1. There is no understating the importance of those small moments.
That’s why we are excited to welcome admitted students to campus for The Rally, April 3-5. At this immersive experience, we will personally introduce you to the vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring Notre Dame community. You will have opportunities to connect with current students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as learn about academic programs, faith life, and our campus community. (Find registration through your portal.)
If you are unable to attend The Rally, but would like to visit another day, we also offer Admitted Student Campus Tours. We have two Virtual Rally opportunities, and we offer virtual campus tours throughout the spring. Choose whichever format works best for you and your family— we are excited to share Notre Dame with you any time!
Apply for Financial Aid
At Notre Dame, we are committed to making higher education affordable and accessible for all students. This fall, we were proud to announce our transformative financial aid initiative Pathways to Notre Dame. Financial aid meets 100 percent of every student's demonstrated need and our financial aid offers do not include loans.
If you have not already applied for financial aid, it's not too late! Learn about applying for need-based aid.
If you have applied for financial aid but have not yet received your financial aid offer, please check the financial aid tab of your applicant status portal to see if you are missing any required documents.
Want to get an in-depth estimate of what your financial aid offer might look like? Use the MyIntuition quick price calculator to help you and your family prepare for the future.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss your aid package, please feel welcome to reach out to our Office of Financial Aid (finaid@nd.edu or 574-631-6436). We are here to help Notre Dame become a financial reality for you and your family!
Connect with Current Students
As I mentioned earlier, my interactions with ND students while I was in high school were the true catalyst in my college discernment process. In asking questions about majors and clubs and lab projects and campus traditions, I learned so much beyond the content of their answers.
I got a glimpse into the types of conversations I’d be having on campus and the character of the people I would spend the next four years with.
Absolutely take advantage of any opportunity to connect with current students at all the colleges you are considering. The students you talk to will become your future classmates and friends. And they’ve got the best pulse on what the undergraduate experience is currently and honestly like.
Our current student interns are happy to answer any questions you have or to share their own Notre Dame journeys and experiences with you!
Talk with Aya about life as a Muslim student on Notre Dame’s campus, chat with Jakob about consulting for nonprofit organizations, or ask Danny why he believes Pangborn is the best dorm on campus. (It’s actually McGlinn Hall, where I lived for four years. Roll 'Rocks!)
Another good place to start is our Student Perspectives blog posts. Read up on everything ND, from research in the EPOCH Lab to the Taylor Swift lore of campus.
As admissions counselors, we try to know everything we can about our universities, but, alas, our memories are sadly finite.
With over 500 student organizations, 70+ study abroad programs, countless research projects, dozens of centers and institutes, etc. across our global Notre Dame community, there are so many niche opportunities we’ve sometimes never even heard of!
Speaking with current students is the best way to discover the uniqueness and diversity of undergraduate experiences.
Montanna Kirven is an assistant director with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
She is the regional counselor for:
- Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York (Westchester County, St. Lawrence Valley and Adirondacks), Rhode Island
- Belarus, Russia, Poland, Ukraine