All students admitted to the class of 2029 have been invited to attend The Rally, three days of programming from Thursday through Saturday aimed at introducing students to Notre Dame. An estimated 3,600 visitors are expected to be on campus during the weekend.
The Rally, which launched last year, is a rebrand of Notre Dame’s traditional admitted student days. Previously, students could pick between two dates to visit on a Sunday night and Monday morning.
At The Rally, prospective students will learn more about Notre Dame’s community, academics and opportunities.
Last year, students admitted during the early action round of applications were invited to The Rally in March, with the event repeated for regular decision admits in April. This year’s Rally will be similar to last year’s but has been expanded to include a full 48 hours of programming over one weekend instead of two.
Erin Camilleri, the director of recruitment and strategic partnerships for Notre Dame’s office of undergraduate admissions, and Jennifer McGuire, experiences and engagement program director for the office of undergraduate admissions, wrote in a statement to The Observer, “This extended Rally allows for deeper engagement with faculty, meaningful connections within our vibrant campus community, and the opportunity to forge lasting friendships.”
The programming at The Rally includes a welcome at Purcell Pavilion, campus tours and Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Additionally, students will be invited to take shuttles to downtown South Bend and explore different restaurants Friday night.
To plan these events, the admissions team partnered with various departments at Notre Dame as well as local restaurants in the South Bend community. “From the Colleges and Schools to Student Affairs and UOES, as well as our partners at the Joyce Center, everyone has come together for this effort. Additionally, the strong support from the South Bend community has been amazing. While it has required a lot of hard work, it has also been a lot of fun!” Camilleri and McGuire wrote.
Not all students attending The Rally have committed to Notre Dame, so the admissions team hopes that The Rally will help inform their decisions. “We understand this is a time of important decisions for our admitted students. That’s why we're inviting them to fully experience Notre Dame. We want them to see firsthand the impact of our dynamic faculty, feel the support of our residential communities, and recognize Notre Dame as a place where they'll grow in mind, heart, and spirit—ultimately, empowering them to make the best choice for their college journey,” Camilleri and McGuire wrote.
If students do commit to Notre Dame, The Rally will be the first time they come together as a class. “As the inaugural gathering for the Class of 2029, the Rally marks the beginning of their Notre Dame journey, a story that unfolds through Welcome Weekend, JPW, Commencement, and Reunion,” Camilleri and McGuire wrote.
Current students will volunteer at The Rally in various capacities, including answering questions from students and parents, leading tours of residence halls and setting up for programming.
Freshman Kara Gallagher said that she chose to work at The Rally because of her own positive experience last year. “I remember when I was at The Rally last year, the volunteers had a really great impact on me and they were one of the reasons I chose to come here. They were so friendly and helpful, so I hope to be the same kind of friendly face for the admitted students,” she said.
Gallagher explained that she’ll be greeting students at the check-in desk and distributing goodie bags. She also signed up to give residence hall tours and will be responsible for walking students to the tours they signed up for and answering any questions they might have.
