So you just got into Notre Dame, congratulations! That is an incredible accomplishment, but what now? Much like you, I was admitted to Notre Dame in Restrictive Early Action on December 16, but in 2021, not 2025. I remember it like it was yesterday, and one of the most chaotic weeks of my life. I had gotten deferred from one of my applications on Monday, into another school on Wednesday, and into Notre Dame on Thursday at 6:42 - all while studying for my finals and trying to get in the Christmas spirit!
My friends will tell you that I was always going to go to Notre Dame. That’s not true. I never had a dream school. Sure, I had schools that I considered more heavily throughout my life (ND actually not being one of them), but I intentionally did not have a dream school when applying to colleges. Throughout my entire college application and discernment process, I held the belief that everything was going to work out exactly the way that it should. I decided to trust that I had worked hard enough and done enough in high school and that there was nothing else I could do to help with admissions. I did my best, and if a school accepted me, it meant it was possible that I could accept them too! This mentality carried me through the process. I was able to take all decisions as they came to me with hope and belief that the decision was exactly what I was meant to get.
Like everyone else, I was terrified to open all of my college decisions, but especially Notre Dame. I hadn’t really let myself imagine the possibility of going to ND before my admission. I think it was difficult for me to imagine what it would be like before I knew I actually had a chance. So when I got in, I was ecstatic! But I also maintained an open mind, waiting to get all of my decisions back before committing. However, after December 16, 2021, I had a tiny feeling in my gut that I might end up at Notre Dame.
I went through senior spring like everyone else. Final dive meets, making memories with my friends, show choir competitions, student ambassador meetings, and opening college decision letters sprinkled throughout it all. With each admission or denial, the draw towards Notre Dame became a little stronger. I kept an open mind, kept gathering information about each school, and started imagining my life a year out. And I kept coming back to Notre Dame.
Finally, I received my last admissions from a different school in mid-March. At that point, my mom was tired of me “dragging my feet” and wanted me to make my final decision (which she knew was Notre Dame). On March 29, my grandmother was turning 78 and my mom told me a commitment to Notre Dame would be the best birthday present ever, as this grandmother LOVED Notre Dame. So I decided to trust that feeling in my gut, clicked “I commit,” put my Boston Terrier, Louie (yes, for Lou Holtz), in his Notre Dame jersey, and never looked back. And it has been one of the best decisions of my life.
I love Notre Dame. Obviously, or else I wouldn’t be an Admissions intern. But it has provided me with some of the greatest friendships, opportunities, and memories that I will forever be grateful for. If I could go back in time, I would choose Notre Dame a thousand times over. I am devastated that I only have one semester left, but I am choosing to make the best of my remaining time.
So congratulations! In four years, you could be sitting in my exact seat (I’m so jealous). I encourage you to trust that feeling in your gut and maintain the belief that everything works out exactly as it should. (But also, Notre Dame is the greatest place on Earth.) Regardless of your choice, I congratulate you and your accomplishments! Godspeed, and Go Irish!