How many years has The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program been in existence?
The Class of 2014 is the inaugural class of Scholars and we look forward to welcoming more Scholars to campus every fall.

What are the selection criteria for The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program?
The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program is looking for exceptional young people who have the potential to be transformational leaders. Successful candidates excel in each of the following four criteria: Demonstrated Leadership Abilities, Distinguished Academic Accomplishment, Exemplary Moral Character, and Sincere Commitment to Service. Read more about our selection criteria here.

What are the scholarship benefits?
Our benefits include four years of merit scholarship awards of $25,000 per year; four fully funded Summer Enrichment experiences; Program activities designed to encourage engagement with other Scholars; and guidance, counseling and support from a dedicated Program staff. Learn more about our Program benefits here.

What are Summer Enrichment Experiences?
In addition to scholarship awards, Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars will receive funding for four summer experiences that begin the summer before their first year at Notre Dame. Read more about the individual Summer Enrichment experiences here.

How many Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars will be selected for the Class of 2016?
We will select 25 Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars in April 2012.

I was nominated to The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program by my high school and I submitted a Program Application. What happens next?
We will notify high school nominees in February of our semifinalist decision. In February, we will interview the semifinalists by phone. After the phone interviews, we will invite the finalists to an interview and visitation weekend at Notre Dame at the end of March. By early April, we will have chosen 25 Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars.

Are there minimum academic scores, averages, or class ranks that applicants must have?
No, there are no minimum academic scores, averages, or class ranks; however, it is essential that Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars possess the intellectual brainpower to thrive at Notre Dame. The Program measures academic accomplishment by more than test scores and GPAs. Applicants should meet the admissions standards Notre Dame suggests for Early Action applicants.

See the Undergraduate Admissions website for more information about admission statistics for the University of Notre Dame.

What if I’m not Catholic?
Students of all faith backgrounds are encouraged to apply to the Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program. The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic university and draws its basic inspiration from Catholic teachings, but it welcomes students of all religious affiliations and provides resources to support them in their spiritual development.

Can I apply to binding Early Decision plans to other schools?
If you are planning to apply to another school’s binding plan, we encourage you to contact our office directly to discuss your interest in The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program.  

If I am selected as a Hesburgh-Yusko Scholar may I apply for other scholarships and loans?
Yes, we encourage any applicant to our Program who is concerned about meeting the expense of a Notre Dame education to complete the financial aid applications so our financial aid counselors can evaluate your eligibility for all sources of assistance administered by the University.  To learn more about the financial aid application process visit the Financial Aid Office website.

I was nominated to The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program by my high school. Will my nomination make me more competitive for admission to the University of Notre Dame?
No. Your nomination and application to The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program is separate from Notre Dame’s Undergraduate Admissions selection process.

Does The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program use the material I sent in to Notre Dame Admissions to evaluate me?
We use materials submitted directly to our Program to evaluate candidates: the online application, recommendation letters, and the counselor nomination form.

Do I need recommendation letters?
We request two recommendations for each applicant.  Students may request recommendations from teachers, coaches, club advisors, religious leaders— anyone who can express how the applicant meets the four criteria for The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program. Beyond the nomination form, counselors do not need to write an additional letter of recommendation.

How will my recommenders be notified if I request them to write a letter of recommendation?

In the student application, you will complete a section with the contact information of the people you would like to write a letter of recommendation. They will be sent an automated email detailing how they may submit their letters on your behalf. The student will be able to track the progress of who has submitted a letter of recommendation on their application.

Can I submit the same recommendation letters from my Notre Dame Admissions application for The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars application?

You may ask the same people for recommendations; however, their letters should be different from the letter sent to admission. The University of Notre Dame Admissions and The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program are looking for different things; recommendation letters for our Program should highlight how you embody the four criteria for a Hesburgh-Yusko Scholar and have the potential to grow as a leader in our Program.

I’m a school counselor, and I’d like for my school to be designated as a nominating school next year. How can I request this?
We no longer have a list of nominating schools. All schools are eligible to nominate their best candidate for The Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program.