Don Bishop, associate vice president of undergraduate enrollment, explained, “Notre Dame has always been committed to a holistic evaluation process. Over the past 10 years, we have been less reliant on a student’s test score in our final assessment. This year, under the leadership of Director of Admissions Christy Pratt, we feel confident that our evaluation process remains strong and we are selecting students who will find success at Notre Dame.”
He added: “Our most competitive applicants are creative intellectuals, passionate people with multiple interests. Above all else, they are involved in the classroom and in their communities. They have a driving ambition for and track record in using their energies to improve the world around them.”
The test-optional policy allows students to choose whether to submit a test score to be included in the evaluation of their application. The goal is to empower students to decide what they consider to be the strongest application to put forward to Notre Dame.
“Continuing our test-optional policy creates a pathway to Notre Dame for all students in the face of the continuing challenges brought on by the pandemic,” Pratt said. “By making our announcement now for both the applicant classes of 2022 and 2023, we allow prospective students and their counselors the ability to anticipate and make informed decisions. We want students to know that we continue to be committed to providing access and equity in our application process during these uncertain times.”
The policy includes first-year and transfer applicants and applies to all decision plans, including restrictive early action and regular decision, and for consideration for all merit scholarships, including membership in the . Students who have already taken the SAT or ACT, or who have plans to take the exams, may report their scores for evaluation if they choose through their application or applicant status portal.
The will continue to include the student’s academic performance in high school and a review of the rigor of the curriculum pursued, along with written essays, letters of recommendation and the student’s resume of extracurricular activities.
Notre Dame will continue to adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the recruitment of and application review process for student-athletes.
]]>First-year and transfer applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores as part of their application for undergraduate admission. The test-optional pilot reflects conversations that leaders of Notre Dame’s admissions, scholarship and financial aid community have been conducting for a number of years.
, associate vice president of enrollment, explained: “Notre Dame has always been committed to a holistic evaluation process. Over the past 10 years, we have been less reliant on a student’s test score in our final assessment. It’s important for members of the enrollment management community to review and analyze standardized tests, including the SAT and ACT, and their impact to the selection process in the fuller context of student success.”
The test-optional pilot program will allow students the choice to submit a test score to be included in the evaluation of their application. This empowers students to decide what they consider to be the strongest application put forward to Notre Dame that may or may not include a standardized test score.
“Moving to test-optional creates a pathway toNotreDame for all students in the face of challenges brought on by the pandemic,” , director of admissions, said. “We want students to know that we continue to be committed to providing access and equity in our application process.”
First-year and transfer applicants who decide against submitting standardized test scores for the 2020-21 application year will not be at a disadvantage in the application review process. International students whose native language is not English still must demonstrate proficiency by taking theTOEFL, IELTS, DET or PTE Academic. Students who have already taken the SAT or ACT, or who have plans to take the exams, may submit their scores for evaluation of their own choice.
The will continue to include the student’s academic performance in high school and a review of the rigor of the curriculum pursued, along with written essays, letters of recommendation and the student’s résumé of extracurricular activities.
Bishop added: “Our most competitive applicants are more than just students — they are creative intellectuals, passionate people with multiple interests. Above all else, they are involved — in the classroom, in their community and in the relentless pursuit of truth. Our primary consideration is to view the productivity of students with the talents and resources they have had through their high school years and then assess how well they will use the academic, entrepreneurial and community-centered resources provided to them at Notre Dame.”
Notre Dame will continue to follow the rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA in the recruitment of and application review process for student-athletes.
]]>Pratt, a longtime enrollment manager and admissions leader, has been appointed director of admissions at the University of Notre Dame, effective July 8. She will succeed , who will retire after a 36-year career at Notre Dame.
“Bob Mundy has provided Notre Dame with a deep sense of wisdom and thoughtful caring in his 36-year career. Bob’s stature in the national community of admissions leaders and high school counselors has represented exactly the type of intelligent, thorough and spiritual approach that matches the University mission,” said , associate vice president of undergraduate admissions
Bishop added, “To many, Bob reflects the best of what is thought of about Notre Dame. At the University many offices and leaders have relied on Bob for his wisdom and thoroughness on all matters relating to admission. He will be missed for his professionalism, openness, collegiality and most of all for his innate goodness. Everyone at Notre Dame who has interacted with Bob over the years admires him. He is one of the most respected department leaders in the history of the University. He has also been an inspiration, friend, counselor and mentor to so many students.”
Mundy will assist Pratt with her onboarding to the and South Bend community before he departs in August.
Pratt comes to Notre Dame from the University of Virginia, where she was a senior associate dean for undergraduate admissions. There, she played a pivotal role in achieving UVA’s admissions and recruitment goals while increasing the academic and diversity profile of the first-year and transfer classes. Pratt serves on national and regional councils for The College Board and other professional organizations such as QuestBridge and Posse and is often a featured presenter at national enrollment management conferences and events. Pratt’s 18 years of experience in higher education brings new perspectives to the undergraduate enrollment office.
After earning a bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University, Pratt was granted a master’s degree from Hood College. She held roles in college admissions offices at Hood College, Frederick Community College and East Carolina University before her position at UVA.
“Christy Pratt has established a great national presence of leadership in the field of highly selective university admissions. She is a dedicated professional who cares about students, assisting them to make informed and personally inspired choices. That sense of caring balanced with her reputation as an organizational management leader has benefited her past institutions,” said Bishop.
He continued, “We are excited to have Christy join our community and look forward to working with her as we find, select and enroll students who understand the special nature of Notre Dame as both a top academic institution as well as a place where personal formation and servant leadership is championed. Christy appreciates that Notre Dame is different, and we look forward to how she will help us make a difference in the lives of the students we seek to cultivate.”
Pratt stated, “I am honored to be selected as the next director of admissions for Notre Dame. Notre Dame’s commitment to faith and service along with a world-renowned education is a powerful combination for our students. The opportunities presented for students at Notre Dame simply do not exist at other institutions and are part of what makes Notre Dame unique. I am excited to work with such a talented admissions staff and alumni network to enroll the next generation of students. We will build upon the outstanding foundation that my friend and colleague Bob Mundy has achieved over his career.”
Pratt’s husband, along with their two golden retrievers, will be joining Pratt as she joins the Notre Dame family and community in South Bend.
]]>Global Citizen Year is an eight-month global immersion and leadership development program conducted during the year between a student’s graduation from high school and entering a university. Global Citizen Year Fellows live with a host family in one of four countries — Brazil, Ecuador, India or Senegal — and apprentice to a local organization working in education, health or the environment. Through this experience, students gain insights, perspectives and skills that will help them thrive at Notre Dame and make a positive impact, both on campus and in the world.
“I’mdelightedthat we are working with Global Citizen Year to advance our goal of attracting and cultivating students with a strong sense of human solidarity and concern for the greater good,” said , associate vice president of undergraduate enrollment at Notre Dame.“This program is a natural match withour unique history and mission among the nation's top universities.I have no doubt that these global change-makers will enrich our campus community in numerous ways, and go on to be some of our most influential alumni.”
For all students admitted to both Notre Dame and Global Citizen Year, the Office of Admissions will defer admission offers for one year to allow them to pursue this life-changing experience prior to matriculating.
Growing evidence shows that taking a gap year can provide short- and long-term benefits to students — from improving student performance and happiness in college, to helping students make the most out of their postsecondary education, to setting young people up for a lifetime of global impact.
After gaining a strong foundation for the global understanding and cultural fluency nurtured by a Notre Dame education, participants in the program who are interested in continuing global learning and service will find rich opportunities at the and many other centers on campus.
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