Recently, our campus has seen an influx of admitted students wearing name tags with Notre Dame-gold ribbons proudly boasting “Committed ND” and posing for pictures in front of the Golden Dome. These students and their families visited campus, many for the first time, as part of “The Rally” Admitted Student Days, hosted by the Enrollment Division over two separate weekends, March 24-25 and April 15-16. A total of 1,607 students attended each two-day event, offering them the opportunity to immerse themselves in Notre Dame academics, tour campus, meet classmates and experience the vibrant Notre Dame community.
Formerly known as Admitted Student Days, the event was rebranded as “The Rally” for the class of 2028, as the Enrollment Division and its campus partners took programming to the next level. Offerings included a University welcome featuring the marching band, academic experiences hosted by each college and school, concurrent sessions on first-year success, the Notre Dame Network, the Notre Dame Investment, a Multicultural Student Experience Panel and residence hall tours, among many others.
A resource fair was held in Duncan Student Center, showcasing nearly 100 offices and organizations across campus. Visitors connected with faculty, staff and student representatives who answered questions and invited them to connect further in the fall.
Associate Teaching Professor Jennifer Cronin managed a Mendoza table at the Resource Fair and said The Rally is critical to bringing in top students. “It gives students a really good idea of what their life will be like over the next four years and the opportunities that they can take advantage of. It gives parents a sense of peace that their child will be in good hands, and they leave impressed by the possibilities for growth that their child will undergo.”
Students and families could also visit The Rally Room on the second floor of McKenna Hall to talk with staff, enjoy refreshments and have a photo opp with sample residence hall room setups.
One of the highlights was “Commit Alley at The Rally.” At the east end of McKenna Hall’s first floor, students “committed,” officially confirming their enrollment in the entering class. Students were also able to celebrate by building a custom LEGO figure that looked like them, of course wearing ND gear. Students and families then posed for photos against an ND backdrop and under a blue-and-green balloon arch while confetti guns sprinkled them with green and gold.
“The second I walked on campus, I knew I was home,” said admitted student and Rally attendee Kiersten Parmegiani. “Not only the beauty of Notre Dame, but also its compassionate community assured me that this was the place where I belonged.” Parmegiani committed at The Rally and her parents were there to celebrate with her.
“The overarching themes of The Rally were excellence, community and joy,” said Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment Micki Kidder. “For some students and families, this was their first time on campus and our intent was for them to immediately feel part of the Notre Dame family.”
Partnership with other campus units was key to The Rally’s success and the experience of admitted students. Participation spanned the academy, student affairs, undergraduate education and many colleagues dedicated to an unsurpassed undergraduate education at Notre Dame.
“We are incredibly grateful for the partnership of so many campus partners, including talented and dedicated faculty who welcomed admitted students into their classrooms to Residential Life, Student Activities, Campus Dining, Athletics and beyond,” Kidder said. “Campus-wide participation is essential to The Rally as we welcome students and families to experience this faithful, diverse, and vibrant community.”
The wider campus community plays many important roles in assisting the Enrollment Division to admit and enroll each class.
“What surprised me the most about The Rally was just how many students came to help out during all of the events,” said admitted student Tim Katz. “The fact that so many of them took time out of their weekend to welcome the incoming class just goes to show how strong the Notre Dame family truly is.”
Nearly a third of admitted students who come to campus for The Rally have already committed to attending Notre Dame. They are here to celebrate and familiarize themselves with the University. Their participation is also helpful in sharing information with others who are still discerning their college decision.
Cronin reflected on the sense of excitement the students and parents bring with them to campus for The Rally, saying, “Everyone walks around with giddy smiles on their faces decked out head-to-toe in ND gear. They are genuinely thrilled to be here. There is almost a purity to it — a real sense of joy being on campus day dreaming about what the next four years could hold. It makes you feel proud to be a part of this community and it imposes a sense of responsibility to follow through on greatness.”
The Rally’s impact on admitted students can’t be underestimated. “My favorite part of the Rally was getting to meet my future classmates/prospective classmates,” Peter Belin said. “Additionally, simply being under the Dome for a weekend was a surreal experience I could get used to [having] for four years!”