What extracurriculars should I focus on for a Notre Dame business major application?

For Notre Dame business, the strongest extracurriculars are the ones that combine leadership, service, and sustained impact, not just a list of business-themed clubs. Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business puts a real emphasis on ethical leadership and using business as a force for good, so activities that show initiative, responsibility, and service to others tend to fit especially well. A genuine profile would usually include one or two deeper commitments where you led, built, improved, or served, rather than five superficial business activities.

Good fits include leading a school or community organization, starting a project with measurable results, or taking on real responsibility in something like student government, DECA, FBLA, a school store, finance club, or an entrepreneurship effort. But just as important are service-oriented roles, especially if you can connect problem-solving and leadership to helping others, since Notre Dame values community and mission very clearly. For example, organizing a donation drive is less compelling than building a sustainable tutoring, fundraising, or micro-business project that continues beyond one event.

Work experience can also be very strong for a business applicant. A part-time job, helping with a family business, managing inventory, customer service, bookkeeping, or even informal entrepreneurial work can show practical judgment and maturity.

What matters most is coherence. If your activities suggest, "I like leading teams, solving practical problems, and creating value for others," that fits Notre Dame business very well. A strong mix might be one business-related activity, one major leadership role, one meaningful service commitment, and possibly work experience or a self-started project with clear results.