Office of Admissions
This week, our school welcomed Don Bishop, Associate Vice President, Undergraduate Enrollment for the University of Notre Dame. With that title, you’d never expect the down-to-earth, funny, relatable, and inspiring person that he is. We shared some quality time, and I asked how many applications a computer or algorithm rejected. He shared that whilst 15% are immediately inadmissible that every file of the 22,000 applicants to Notre Dame is reviewed by a person— including that 15% that are easily filtered out. That dedication astounds me and gives me so much hope for our world. Recent headlines have made college admissions a hot topic; however, Don’s integrity is tangible.
As our conversation continued, he recalled dozens of admissions stories—sharing them so intimately. Without sharing names, it felt like each student was their own child.
This summer, I had the privilege to accompany seven rising seniors that traveled to our sister parish in Kenya as part of the Mariner Immersion Ambassador program. 24/7 for two weeks, traveling 10,000 miles and back, compelled us to grow very close quickly. There’s no way to hide the ‘real’ you from your fellow travelers. And more importantly, there’s no way to hide the ‘real’ you from yourself. One of those students, Keaton R., was accepted to Notre Dame through Early Action this past December. And it didn’t surprise me that his writing supplement reflected our trip to Kenya. Notre Dame’s admissions page states in significant, bold type: “We want to meet the real you.”
God loved every one of us into being. I propose that the same love, in all its forms—family, closest friends, spouses—is what God uses to allow the ‘real’ us to be introduced to and acknowledged by others. At St. Monica, we are committed to providing opportunities for our parishioners and students to express their ‘real’ selves: to be welcomed, to be loved, to be seen, to have their voices heard, and to hear, ‘thank you.’ Whether it’s our sacramental life, Cornerstone, bereavement, Stephen Ministry, Hope at the Door, GLO, a silent retreat, or the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults—St. Monica has an amazing admissions policy: all are welcome.
