I've got my eye on the University of Notre Dame and I'm curious about the school's demographics. Any insight on the diversity? I want to ensure that I'll be entering an inclusive environment that will widen my perspectives. Any application advice for a rising junior with these priorities?
From a demographics standpoint, the University of Notre Dame has a diverse student body in many respects. The university seeks to create a diverse and inclusive environment, and it has steadily been making strides toward improving diversity statistics for race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and international representation.
As of the most recent institutional data (2023-24 academic year), about 61% of students are White, 14% Hispanic/Latino, 5% Black or African American, 6% Asian, 6% Two or More Races, and 0.2% for both Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native. That being said, Notre Dame is part of the American Talent Initiative, which strives to attract, enroll, and graduate high-achieving, low-income students. Notre Dame also has in place numerous cultural and diversity programs, such as the Multicultural Scholars Program and the Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame, which aim to foster an inclusive environment on campus.
As for application advice, being a rising junior is a great time to start demonstrating a genuine interest in diversity and inclusiveness. This can be done through extracurricular activities, taking courses related to multiculturalism or social justice, or community service that supports underrepresented groups. Notre Dame values individuals who enrich their environments, and demonstrating commitment to diversity could definitely help you stand out.
In your college essays, express your willingness to learn from diverse perspectives and how you plan to contribute to this inclusive culture at Notre Dame. As one example, perhaps you could write about an experience you had with people of a different culture or socioeconomic background that shaped your perspective.
Lastly, make sure to research each college's specific initiatives and programs related to diversity and inclusion. Showing a keen understanding of these programs and even citing them in your essays will demonstrate your interest and make you a more compelling candidate. For Notre Dame, you could look into their Moreau First Year Experience, which is designed to help first-year students make a meaningful transition to collegiate life at Notre Dame by integrating their academic, co-curricular, and residential experiences.
This information could give you a sense of the inclusivity and diversity present at Notre Dame, but do remember that every student's experience is different and hugely dependent on the activities they choose to be part of, the classes they take, and the people they interact with. So take this into account while making your college choice.
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