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Notre Dame Supplemental Essays 2025

Notre Dame's supplemental essays are an opportunity for you to showcase your individuality and demonstrate why you would be a valuable addition to their community. While the essays are not required, they are strongly encouraged, and they can make a significant difference in your application.

The 2025-2026 Notre Dame supplemental essays are:

Tell us about a time when you encountered a different culture or way of life, and how that experience changed your perspective.
Notre Dame's mission is to create a diverse and inclusive community. How do you think your unique background and experiences would contribute to our community?
Notre Dame is a Catholic university. What does this mean to you, and how do you think it would shape your experience here?
Optional: Please share any additional information that you feel would be helpful for the Admissions Committee to know about you.

Essay 1: Cultural Experience

In this essay, you should write about a time when you encountered a different culture or way of life, and how that experience changed your perspective. This could be an experience you had while traveling, living abroad, or even just interacting with someone from a different background.

When writing this essay, it is important to be specific and descriptive. Don't just say that you "learned about a different culture." Instead, give concrete examples of the things you saw, heard, and experienced.

You should also explain how this experience changed your perspective. What did you learn about yourself and the world around you? How did it challenge your assumptions?

Essay 2: Contribution to Community

In this essay, you should explain how your unique background and experiences would contribute to the Notre Dame community. This could include your academic interests, extracurricular activities, work experience, or personal qualities.

When writing this essay, it is important to be specific and relevant. Don't just say that you are "a hard worker" or that you are "passionate about learning." Instead, give concrete examples of the ways in which you have contributed to your community.

You should also explain why you think your contributions would be valuable to Notre Dame. What unique perspective or skill set would you bring to the community? How would you make a difference on campus?

Essay 3: Catholic Identity

In this essay, you should explain what Notre Dame's Catholic identity means to you, and how you think it would shape your experience here. This is a particularly important essay for Catholic applicants, but it is also open to non-Catholic applicants who are interested in learning more about Notre Dame's Catholic mission.

When writing this essay, it is important to be honest and respectful. Don't just say what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Instead, explain what Notre Dame's Catholic identity means to you personally.

You should also explain how you think Notre Dame's Catholic identity would shape your experience here. How would it affect your academic pursuits? Your social life? Your spiritual growth?

Tell us about a time when you encountered a different culture or way of life, and how that experience changed your perspective.

Optional Essay

The optional essay is an opportunity for you to share any additional information that you feel would be helpful for the Admissions Committee to know about you. This could include information about your family, your hobbies, your work experience, or your aspirations.

When writing the optional essay, it is important to be yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not. The admissions committee wants to get to know the real you.

Tips for Writing Notre Dame's Supplemental Essays

Here are a few tips for writing Notre Dame's supplemental essays:

Start early. The essays are due on January 1st, so give yourself plenty of time to write and revise them.
Be yourself. The admissions committee wants to get to know the real you. Don't try to be someone you're not.
Be specific and descriptive. Don't just say that you "learned about a different culture." Instead, give concrete examples of the things you saw, heard, and experienced.
Explain how your experiences have changed you. What did you learn about yourself and the world around you? How did your experiences challenge your assumptions?
Proofread carefully. Make sure your essays are free of errors in grammar and spelling.

Conclusion

Notre Dame's supplemental essays are an opportunity for you to showcase your individuality and demonstrate why you would be a valuable addition to their community. By following the tips above, you can write essays that will make a strong impression on the admissions committee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long should my essays be?

A: The essays should be between 250 and 650 words each.

Q: Are the essays required?

A: No, the essays are not required, but they are strongly encouraged.

Q: What is Notre Dame looking for in the essays?

A: Notre Dame is looking for essays that are well-written, specific, and descriptive. They are also looking for essays that demonstrate your individuality and your potential to contribute to the Notre Dame community.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid in the essays?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid in the essays include being too vague, being too general, and not being yourself.

Q: When are the essays due?

A: The essays are due on January 1st.