The University of Notre Dame Writing Supplement consists of one (1) essay response to a required question and two (2) essay responses to questions you select from the options provided. In total, you will write three (3) essay responses. In honor of our University’s 175th anniversary, the recommended word count is approximately 175 words per essay.
What excites you about the University of Notre Dame that makes it stand out from other institutions? Min: 1 / Max: 200


When I hear about my school or country I never feel that true sense of identity or patriotism that most people feel, and this has always bothered me. My cousins attended Notre Dame and they strongly identified with their college. Every time they mentioned Notre Dame, it was always about something awesome that had happened, from an amazing lecture to even a milkshake mass, which I had never heard of.

I wanted to visit the campus to see what they raved about. I heard about a summer engineering camp at the University and applied right away. 

The camp was amazing; I understood why my cousins love their alma mater so much. After spending three minutes on campus I loved it. From the lakes to the main quad, the campus captivated me. The camp counselors, current students, were smart, thoughtful and created a welcoming environment. The lectures captivated me; I had never attended aerospace engineering, cyber security, bioengineering, or electrical engineering lectures. I felt inspired to further study the subjects covered. 

Notre Dame also has an Engineering/M.B.A. Dual Degree program which would be the perfect degree for me, since it would allow me to study computer science and business administration.



Please provide responses to TWO (2) of the following questions:

The University of Notre Dame is a Holy Cross institution whose educational philosophy has been formed around five core principles inspired by Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C., the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. These principles, or pillars, of a Holy Cross education are Mind, Heart, Zeal, Family, and Hope, and they continue to shape our students today. 

Which pillar or pillars resonate most with you? Why? Max: 200

Family. I firmly believe that it is the single most important thing in a person’s life after God. Family provides us with all the things we need growing up. It gives us a place that we can call home, an education, and guidance whenever needed. But having a family is not enough, a virtuous one is also necessary. This set of values, I believe, comes from religion. 

Families that stay together with parents who provide a moral education to guide their children to become good people, is critical. My family has done just this for me; they have been there to support and guide me every step of the way, encouraging me to be the best version of myself. My family has helped shaped who I am today, and for that I am grateful. 

This is why a family with strong values is so important for a child, and even more so for a society, so that the values can be transmitted on to the next generation, and society can prosper.



What is one thing that you know for a fact? Why are you certain? Max: 200

I have thought deeply about existential issues, the why’s and how’s of life. At some point I became dejected, pondering the meaning of my existence. I could not find an answer and I felt like there was no reason for me to be here.

I remembered reading about the Mind, one of the Holy Cross pillars, and how we must search for the relationship between faith and reason. How could this possibly be true? I had never seen any proof that God existed; therefore, I lived my life without a sense of purpose.

As I studied about cells, our bodies, and the universe, I perceived a divine organization;ow the universe seamlessly allowed there to be life; how our bodies work with such harmony;and how even the tiniest of cells knows precisely what to do. There was no way that all just randomly fell into existence; there had to be an architect that designed it all and I realized that such an architect sounds a lot like God. 

Once I knew that there was an organization, a plan, as to why I was here, I finally felt like there was an objective, a meaning for my life.