University of Notre Dame supplemental essays

The prompts, one by one

1. Academic interests short answerup to 100 words · Why this major

   “Briefly share what draws you to the area(s) of study you listed.”

   What it's really asking

   The moment this subject stopped being a class and became a question you couldn't drop. Notre Dame wants evidence you've chosen on purpose, not by default.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Turning it into a résumé: grades, awards and "I have always been passionate about." A list of achievements is not a reason to study something. Grand missions ("to cure cancer") read as borrowed.

   The shape of a strong answer

   One specific experience, one specific confusion or question it left you with, and what you did about it on your own. Then one or two things in Notre Dame's version of the major that match that question. Small and real beats big and vague. At 100 words there is room for exactly one example, explained properly.

2. Non-negotiable factors essayup to 150 words · Goals

   “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 it's really asking

   Whether you've thought past admission. Notre Dame wants a direction and the reasoning behind it, not a guaranteed career plan.

   Where drafts go wrong

   A job title with no reasoning, or a mission so large it can't be checked ("change the world"). Plans that don't connect to anything you've done.

   The shape of a strong answer

   The problem or kind of work that pulls you, one thing you've already done toward it, and what you'd need next that Notre Dame provides. It's fine to say the plan might change; say what wouldn't. At 150 words there is room for exactly one example, explained properly.

3. Short answer option: faith (choose 2 of 4)50-100 words · Leadership

   “How does faith influence the decisions you make?”

   What it's really asking

   Not your title but a moment where you changed what a group did. Notre Dame reads "leadership" broadly; the youngest sibling organising a family can answer this as well as a club president.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Describing the role instead of a decision. "As president, I led the team to success" contains no information. Taking credit for a group's work.

   The shape of a strong answer

   One situation, one decision you made that others didn't have to accept, how you got them to, and what happened. Include what it cost you or what you'd do differently. At 100 words there is room for exactly one example, explained properly.

4. Short answer option: personal experiences (choose 2 of 4)50-100 words · Community

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

   What it's really asking

   Two things at once: which community actually shaped how you think, and what you will bring to Notre Dame because of it. The second half is where most drafts stop short.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Describing the community instead of your role in it, or choosing the one that sounds impressive rather than the one that changed you. "Diversity" as an abstraction, with no scene.

   The shape of a strong answer

   Pick a community you can describe with a scene, not a label. Show one moment where it taught you something or asked something of you. Spend the last third on what that means you'll do at Notre Dame: a specific contribution, not "bring my perspective." At 100 words there is room for exactly one example, explained properly.

5. Short answer option: service (choose 2 of 4)50-100 words · Community

   “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?”

   What it's really asking

   Two things at once: which community actually shaped how you think, and what you will bring to Notre Dame because of it. The second half is where most drafts stop short.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Describing the community instead of your role in it, or choosing the one that sounds impressive rather than the one that changed you. "Diversity" as an abstraction, with no scene.

   The shape of a strong answer

   Pick a community you can describe with a scene, not a label. Show one moment where it taught you something or asked something of you. Spend the last third on what that means you'll do at Notre Dame: a specific contribution, not "bring my perspective." At 100 words there is room for exactly one example, explained properly.

6. Short answer option: fight for (choose 2 of 4)50-100 words · Short answer

   “What would you fight for?”

   What it's really asking

   Personality in a sentence or two. These are read fast, often together, to see whether a real person wrote the application.

   Where drafts go wrong

   Trying to be impressive in 50 words, or trying to be quirky on purpose. Both read as effort. Repeating something already in your other essays.

   The shape of a strong answer

   Answer the literal question with one concrete, specific detail you'd actually say out loud. Short sentences. One thing, not three. If it makes a friend smile, it's right.

Every US applicant also writes the Common App personal statement: 650 words, seven prompts. Don't repeat it here; the supplements are for what the statement didn't show.

A self-check before you submit

Cover the school name and read the essay. Then cover your name and read it again. It should fail the first test (it only makes sense for Notre Dame) and pass the second (only you could have written it). If it passes the first test, it's a brochure. If it fails the second, it's a template.