You’re Almost Done
“[Insert Name Here] added a comment to the following document” is by far the scariest monster lurking in the shadows of Halloween 2021. Trust me friends, the number of emails from comments-noreply@docs.google.com that hit my inbox during college application season far outnumbered the number of victories the Fighting Irish claimed over USC (and that’s saying something). Lucky for you all, the thirty-seven random Google Docs that all start with bold statements like “bird’s aren’t real” will soon be left untouched as distant memories of the past. That’s right lads and lasses, November 1st is upon us, and above all else that means that it's time to sit back, start listening to Christmas music (that’s right Christmas season has officially started), and give your keyboard a break from commonapp.org. As you’re wrapping up those last minute essays and anxiously awaiting your submission confetti, let’s run through those last minute checks to ensure your application is as complete as can be.
The Seven Wonders of the (Application) World
- Common / Coalition Application
- ND Writing Supplement
- Official High School Transcript
- Letter(s) of Evaluation
- Counselor Evaluation (Recommended)
- Standardized Test Scores (Optional)
- Application Fee
The list you see above is everything you need to submit in order to apply to the University of Notre Dame. I know, I know, the idea of boiling down the complex college application process to seven bullet points seems crazy (almost unfair for how much work applicants put in), but truly, it all lies within these seven bullets. That said, there are a few parts to each piece that can often be overlooked.
Dot Your I’s and Cross Your T’s
As painful as it may be, give your entire application one full and complete look through before you submit it. I can only imagine how many students served as an alter server instead of an altar server, or those poor souls who worked on student counsel instead of council. While one or two typos may be bound to slip through the cracks, I always recommend doing your best to devote 100% of your focus to one final read through to ensure your application is tidied up.
Evaluate Your Evaluations
There can be nothing more stressful than reaching the point at which you are ready to submit an application only to discover your junior physics teacher still has yet to submit her recommendation. Don’t. Freak. Out. Of course, every applicant should do their best to ensure that recommendations and test scores are in on time, Notre Dame’s admissions team understands that some things are out of your control and will continue to accept supplemental application materials past the application deadline. If you come across a similar situation when you submit, simply take a note to check back later to see when it is submitted.
Write Down Your Portal Login
Yeah, this one is kind of a biggie. The only way to view your admissions decision is through your Notre Dame application portal. That said, when those admissions decisions roll in at 6:42 p.m., you want to be sure you’re able to access them. Do your best to save yourself from an awkward phone call and write down your portal login.
Breathe. Or Sleep. Or Both.
As I mentioned before, we know how stressful this application season can be, perhaps even more so than losing three straight home games in the same season (the rivalry is real, sorry Trojan fans). That said, don’t forget to clear your head and relax every now and then. I’m not talking about downtime on the drive to school; make an effort to cut at least an hour out of every week to solely unwind, listen to music, or just reflect. Those intentional breaks in your day will prove much more valuable than you might imagine.
Remember…
If you’re ever feeling like the world is coming to an end, just remember that there are some things in life that will always be true:
- The sun will always rise. I promise. Not kidding. 100% proven.
- Your voice will always sound better in person than on a Voice Memo.
- The best ideas will always come in the shower, just so you can’t write them down.
- It will always take at least two tries to plug in a USB. It doesn’t change when you get into college.
- You will never know what to do when people are singing happy birthday. Or when the money falls out as you’re reading the card.
- Leaving a store without buying anything will always make you feel like a criminal.
- Paying $20 for something will always be cheaper than paying $15 for the product and $5 for shipping.
- You’ll always know that one person who you see all the time but never know their name. When in doubt, go with either Grace or Ryan.
- Fake texting will always be your go-to in a room of strangers. We’ve all sent those “jjdkso ldhgsik” texts before.
- Groceries can always be taken inside in one trip. I don’t care if you bought three gallons of milk, nine pumpkins, and checkout lanes 3-6, it’s always possible.