20 University of Notre Dame Interview Questions and Answers

The University of Notre Dame is one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Located in South Bend, Indiana, Notre Dame is known for its rigorous academic programs and competitive athletics.

If you’re hoping to land a spot at Notre Dame, you’ll need to ace your interview. The interview process at Notre Dame is highly competitive, so you’ll need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions.

In this guide, we’ve provided a list of sample Notre Dame interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

University of Notre Dame Interview Process

The interview process at University of Notre Dame can be long and difficult, depending on the position you are applying for. Many positions require multiple rounds of interviews, both in person and over the phone. The questions asked during the interviews can also be very difficult, so it is important to be prepared. Overall, the experience can be positive or negative, depending on the interviewer and the position you are applying for.

1. What are your research interests?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer your passion for academics. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any professors you’ve worked with or research projects you’ve been involved in.

Example: “I have always had an interest in psychology and how people interact with one another. I took several classes on human behavior and learned about different personality types and communication styles. My favorite professor was Dr. Smith, who taught me about cognitive behavioral therapy. She helped me understand why some people act the way they do and how we can help them change their behaviors. I would love to continue my education in this field.”

2. What is the most challenging part of being a graduate student?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are aware of the challenges of being a graduate student and how you overcome them. You can use this question as an opportunity to discuss any personal struggles you have had in school, but also highlight how you overcame those challenges.

Example: “The most challenging part of being a graduate student for me was balancing my coursework with my internship responsibilities. I took on two internships during my master’s program, which meant I was working full-time while taking classes. To manage this workload, I scheduled all of my assignments and projects ahead of time so I could focus on one thing at a time. This helped me stay organized and avoid stress.”

3. Why do you want to be a graduate student here at Notre Dame?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get to know you better and understand why you are passionate about Notre Dame. It’s also an opportunity for you to show your knowledge of the school, so be sure to mention some unique aspects that interest you.

Example: “I chose to apply here because I am fascinated by the research being done in the business department. I have always been interested in entrepreneurship, and I think this program would give me the skills I need to start my own company one day. I love the idea of working with other students who are passionate about similar things as me.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to work under pressure. How did you handle it?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to handle pressure and perform under challenging circumstances. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you had to work on an important project or task with limited resources.

Example: “In my senior year of high school, I was working on a group project for my AP English class. We were given a lot of material to cover in a short amount of time, so we didn’t have much time to meet as a group. One day, our teacher told us that we would need to present the next day. I knew that I needed to do most of the presentation myself because my group members weren’t prepared. I stayed up late studying and practicing my speech until I felt comfortable enough to give the presentation.”

5. Do you have any experience with online teaching?

The University of Notre Dame is a highly respected institution that offers many online courses. Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience teaching in an online environment and how you feel about it. If you do, share your experiences with the interviewer. If you don’t, explain why you’re interested in working for a university that has so much online coursework.

Example: “I’ve never taught in an online setting, but I’m very excited to learn more about the University of Notre Dame’s online program. I think it would be interesting to teach students who are at home or on the go. I also love the idea of being able to work from home while still getting paid.”

6. Describe a project that you worked on where you were responsible for managing the budget.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your budgeting skills and how you manage money. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to create a budget, monitor spending and submit reports on the project’s financial status.

Example: “At my current job, I am responsible for managing the company’s marketing budget. Each month, I meet with our CMO to discuss what we need to spend in each area of the marketing department. We then decide on an overall budget that we can spend per quarter. After deciding on the budget, I break it down into monthly expenses so I know exactly how much we have to spend each month. Then, I monitor our spending throughout the quarter to make sure we stay within the budget.”

7. Which classes are you interested in teaching?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and what you hope to accomplish in the classroom. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few classes that you enjoy teaching and why. You might also include any relevant experience you have with these subjects.

Example: “I’m passionate about teaching math because I love seeing students discover new concepts for themselves. In my last position, I taught algebra, geometry and trigonometry, but I would also like to teach calculus if possible. I took calculus in high school and really enjoyed it, so I think I could help students understand the subject well.”

8. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision, how did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your decision-making skills. It can also show them how you handle conflict and stress. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to make a difficult decision and what steps you took to ensure that you made the best choice possible.

Example: “In my previous position as an admissions officer at a local college, I was tasked with deciding which applicants would receive offers for admission. This is always a challenging task because there are so many qualified applicants. In order to decide who should receive an offer, I first reviewed their academic history, including GPA and test scores. Then, I looked at extracurricular activities and volunteer work they were involved in. Finally, I considered any special circumstances they may have had.”

9. Can you tell me about a time when you helped someone achieve their goals?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your leadership skills and how you motivate others. Think of a time when you helped someone overcome an obstacle or achieve their goals, such as helping a coworker complete a project on time or encouraging a friend to apply for a job they were nervous about.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, one of my coworkers was having trouble completing her projects on time. She would always ask me for help with her work, which made it difficult for me to get everything done in a timely manner. Eventually, I talked to her about this issue and offered to help her create a schedule that would allow her to meet all of her deadlines while also allowing me to do my own work. After creating a schedule together, she was able to complete her work on time without needing my assistance.”

10. Are you comfortable working independently or would you prefer to work in a team environment?

The interviewer is trying to determine if you are a good fit for the Notre Dame culture. This question also helps them understand how much time you will spend alone versus with others in your role. When answering this question, consider what type of work environment you prefer and why.

Example: “I am comfortable working independently, but I also enjoy collaborating with my colleagues. In my previous position, I was responsible for managing all social media accounts for our company. While I enjoyed creating content and interacting with followers, I also appreciated when other team members would help me brainstorm ideas or provide feedback on my posts.”

11. What is your greatest strength and weakness as a researcher?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Interviewers want to know that you can identify your weaknesses and are working on improving them. They also want to see that you have strengths that will help you succeed as a researcher at their university.

Example: “My greatest strength as a researcher is my ability to work independently. I am able to research topics without much guidance from others, which allows me to complete projects quickly. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on the task at hand that I forget to ask for help when I need it. I’ve been working on remembering to ask questions more often so that I don’t make this mistake again.”

12. Have you ever been involved in peer-reviewing before? If so, what was your experience like?

Peer-reviewing is a common practice in academia, and the interviewer may want to know if you have experience with it. Peer-reviewing involves other academics reviewing your work before publication. This can be an important part of academic research because it helps ensure that the information published is accurate and meets certain standards.

Example: “I’ve been involved in peer-reviewing for several years now. I find it’s a great way to get feedback on my work from experts in the field. It also gives me the opportunity to give back to my community by helping others improve their work.”

13. What do you think the biggest challenge will be if you get this position?

Employers ask this question to see if you are aware of the challenges that come with a role. They want someone who is willing to take on these challenges and use their skills to overcome them. When answering, think about what you know about the position and the company. Think about what the biggest challenge might be for this job and how you would handle it.

Example: “I think the biggest challenge will be working with students from all over the world. I have experience working with international students at my current job, so I am familiar with some of the issues they may face. I also speak two other languages, which can help when communicating with foreign students.”

14. When was the last time you had to deal with conflict? How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle challenges and solve problems. Use examples from your past experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to work with others.

Example: “In my last position as an event planner, I had to deal with conflict when one of my clients was unhappy with some aspects of their wedding reception. Instead of letting the situation escalate, I met with the client in person to discuss their concerns. They were happy that I took the time to meet with them and they appreciated my willingness to listen to their feedback. We worked together to find solutions to their issues.”

15. What is one thing you wish you could change about your current program?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your critical thinking skills and how you approach challenges. It also helps them understand what you like about your current program, so they can compare it to Notre Dame’s offerings. When answering this question, try to focus on something that is not necessarily negative but rather something you would change for personal reasons.

Example: “I wish my current university offered more opportunities for hands-on learning. I love being in the classroom, but I think there are many ways to learn outside of traditional lectures. For example, I wish we had more lab time or field trips where we could apply our knowledge to real-world situations.”

16. Give an example of a time when you made a mistake. How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and see how you respond to challenges. It also helps them understand your ability to learn from mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on a mistake that taught you something new or helped you develop a skill.

Example: “When I was in high school, I had an opportunity to take a college-level English class. However, I didn’t realize at the time that it would count as one of my electives. This meant I couldn’t take another advanced course for my senior year. I spoke with my guidance counselor about the situation and they were able to work out a solution where I could take the course again during summer school.”

17. What is your favorite class that you’ve taken thus far?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your interests. It also helps them determine if you would be a good fit for Notre Dame’s academic environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a class that helped you develop skills or knowledge that will be useful in your future career.

Example: “My favorite class so far has been my public speaking course. I’ve always had a fear of public speaking, but this class taught me how to overcome that fear by learning about different techniques and practicing them. Now, I feel much more confident when presenting in front of others.”

18. What kind of leadership roles have you held?

Leadership roles are important for students who want to become future leaders. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience leading others and how well you did in those positions. When answering, list the leadership roles you’ve held and what your responsibilities were. Explain how these experiences prepared you for a career in business management.

Example: “I was president of my high school’s debate team for two years. In that role, I had to organize our practices, delegate tasks to other members and make sure we all showed up on time. It also helped me develop public speaking skills because I had to give speeches at competitions. Another example is when I worked as an intern at a marketing firm last summer. My supervisor gave me more responsibility after seeing how well I performed in my first few weeks.”

19. What is something that you’re still struggling with as a graduate student?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your personality and how you handle challenges. It also helps them understand what areas you’re looking to improve in as a student. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about any struggles you may have while still being positive about them.

Example: “I’m still working on my time management skills. I’ve always been someone who is able to juggle multiple tasks at once, but now that I’m in graduate school, I find myself having trouble focusing on one task for long periods of time. I’ve started using an app on my phone to help me stay focused during class and study sessions.”

20. How would you describe yourself as a teacher?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your teaching style and how you can help students succeed. Think about what makes you a good teacher, such as patience or organization skills.

Example: “I am a very organized person, so I like to have lesson plans ready for each class period. This helps me stay on track with my lessons and gives students a clear idea of what we will be learning that day. I also think it’s important to make sure all students understand the material, so I always ask questions to ensure they comprehend the information. I find this method helps them learn more effectively and ensures they are prepared for tests.”