Every year, the University of Notre Dame challenges applicants to reflect on their personal experiences, values, and aspirations through its supplemental essays. For the 2024-2025 application season, Notre Dame has introduced a set of essays that provide candidates with an opportunity to delve into their academic interests, personal beliefs, and community involvement. Below, we’ll break down each prompt and offer strategic advice on how to craft compelling responses. Don't forget to check out Sups AI, an AI college counseling platform, which can be a game-changer in brainstorming and getting feedback on your essays.

Breaking Down the Prompts

First, let’s take a look at the required prompts:

1. Required: Briefly share what draws you to the area(s) of study you listed. (100 words)

2. Required: 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. (150 words)

Additionally, you will choose three from the following questions to answer:

1. How does faith influence the decisions you make?

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

3. Notre Dame’s undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?

4. What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

5. What would you fight for?

Now, let's delve into how to tackle each of these prompts effectively.

Crafting Your Responses

Prompt 1: Briefly share what draws you to the area(s) of study you listed. (100 words)

In a mere 100 words, you need to concisely express why you are passionate about your chosen field(s) of study. Focus on pivotal moments, experiences, or influences that have piqued your interest. Avoid generic statements and strive to convey your genuine enthusiasm and curiosity.

For example, you might highlight a specific project, class, or mentorship experience that guided you towards your major. This prompt is a great way to set the stage for the rest of your application, showing not only your academic inclination but also your unique journey towards it.

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. (150 words)

This prompt demands introspection. Think about what truly matters to you in a college environment. Is it a strong sense of community, faculty accessibility, campus resources, or perhaps research opportunities? Be specific and personal. Explain why these factors are critical to your educational success and overall well-being.

For instance, if a tight-knit community is your non-negotiable, describe how you’ve thrived in such environments before and why Notre Dame's strong community ethos aligns with your needs.

Optional Prompts: Choosing the Right Three

Out of the five optional prompts, choose the three that best align with your personal strengths and experiences. Here’s how you might approach each:

1. How does faith influence the decisions you make?

If you have strong religious convictions, this prompt is a great opportunity to illustrate how faith guides your actions and decisions. Reflect on specific instances where your faith played a pivotal role in your life choices.

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

This is your chance to highlight the unique aspects of your background. Choose experiences that have significantly shaped who you are. Explain how these experiences have prepared you to contribute to Notre Dame's diverse community.

3. Notre Dame’s undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?

Focus on your community service and volunteer work. Provide concrete examples of your efforts to give back and explain the impact of these activities on you and your community. Highlight any leadership roles or ongoing commitments.

4. What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

Think about a compliment that reflects your core values or significant achievements. Explain why this recognition was meaningful and what it reveals about you. This prompt is great for showcasing humility, self-awareness, and values.

5. What would you fight for?

This prompt invites you to express your passion and convictions. Choose a cause or issue that you feel strongly about. Describe your involvement and what drives you to advocate for this cause.

Remember, you don’t have to navigate these essays alone. Sups AI is here to assist you with brainstorming, drafting, and refining your responses. Our platform has already helped thousands of students get admitted to top universities. By leveraging our AI tools and one-on-one chats with current students, you can ensure your essays stand out.

Good luck, and remember, your supplemental essays are an opportunity to convey your unique voice and experiences to the Notre Dame admissions committee. Make the most of this opportunity to tell your story.