In August 2024, I brought an idea to Notre Dame’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions:
In August 2024, I brought an idea to Notre Dame’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions:
In August 2024, I brought an idea to Notre Dame’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions:
“What would it look like to give transfer students a full day to experience Notre Dame? To show them our community, our people, our campus, and why this place is worth choosing?”
“What would it look like to give transfer students a full day to experience Notre Dame? To show them our community, our people, our campus, and why this place is worth choosing?”
“What would it look like to give transfer students a full day to experience Notre Dame? To show them our community, our people, our campus, and why this place is worth choosing?”
I shared by experience as a transfer student, identified the gap in the recruitment journey, and made the case for why the time was right. The Office was on board, with the understanding that they had no additional bandwidth.
I shared by experience as a transfer student, identified the gap in the recruitment journey, and made the case for why the time was right. The Office was on board, with the understanding that they had no additional bandwidth.
I shared by experience as a transfer student, identified the gap in the recruitment journey, and made the case for why the time was right. The Office was on board, with the understanding that they had no additional bandwidth.
The strategy, planning, and execution would be led by me.
The strategy, planning, and execution would be led by me.
Project Begins
Project Begins
August 2025
August 2025
The Idea
The Idea
The Idea
A full-day, transfer-specific open house designed to show prospective students the Notre Dame community and give them the information they actually need to make a decision.
A full-day, transfer-specific open house designed to show prospective students the Notre Dame community and give them the information they actually need to make a decision.
A full-day, transfer-specific open house designed to show prospective students the Notre Dame community and give them the information they actually need to make a decision.
The Starting Point
The Starting Point
The Starting Point
No existing template, no budget blueprint, no precedent. This was Notre Dame’s first-ever transfer-specific recruitment event, built from scratch.
No existing template, no budget blueprint, no precedent. This was Notre Dame’s first-ever transfer-specific recruitment event, built from scratch.
No existing template, no budget blueprint, no precedent. This was Notre Dame’s first-ever transfer-specific recruitment event, built from scratch.
The Agreement
The Agreement
The Agreement
Full support from the Office of Admissions, with ownership delegated to me. Two admissions counselors served as my supervisors, but the strategy, planning, and execution were mine to lead.
Full support from the Office of Admissions, with ownership delegated to me. Two admissions counselors served as my supervisors, but the strategy, planning, and execution were mine to lead.
Full support from the Office of Admissions, with ownership delegated to me. Two admissions counselors served as my supervisors, but the strategy, planning, and execution were mine to lead.
Transfer Students weren’t being treated differently -- and that was the problem.
Transfer Students weren’t being treated differently -- and that was the problem.
Transfer Students weren’t being treated differently -- and that was the problem.
The Recruitment Gap
The Recruitment Gap
The Recruitment Gap
Notre Dame had no dedicated events for prospective transfer students. If they wanted to visit, they attended the same info sessions and tours designed for first-year applicants -- an experience that didn’t reflect their circumstances or what they actually needed to know.
Notre Dame had no dedicated events for prospective transfer students. If they wanted to visit, they attended the same info sessions and tours designed for first-year applicants -- an experience that didn’t reflect their circumstances or what they actually needed to know.
Notre Dame had no dedicated events for prospective transfer students. If they wanted to visit, they attended the same info sessions and tours designed for first-year applicants -- an experience that didn’t reflect their circumstances or what they actually needed to know.
The Transfer Experience
The Transfer Experience
The Transfer Experience
Transferring schools is uniquely isolating. Students are often unhappy at their current school, but feel that they can’t talk about it openly. They’re simultaneously managing grades, mental health, and a complex application process that looks different at every institution, with little guidance or community support.
I know this firsthand: I transferred to Notre Dame from the University of Alabama, and I experienced each of these gaps.
Transferring schools is uniquely isolating. Students are often unhappy at their current school, but feel that they can’t talk about it openly. They’re simultaneously managing grades, mental health, and a complex application process that looks different at every institution, with little guidance or community support.
I know this firsthand: I transferred to Notre Dame from the University of Alabama, and I experienced each of these gaps.
Transferring schools is uniquely isolating. Students are often unhappy at their current school, but feel that they can’t talk about it openly. They’re simultaneously managing grades, mental health, and a complex application process that looks different at every institution, with little guidance or community support.
I know this firsthand: I transferred to Notre Dame from the University of Alabama, and I experienced each of these gaps.
The Opportunity
The Opportunity
The Opportunity
Transfer students have already lived the college experience. They don’t need the basics anymore -- they need specifics. What is Notre Dame really like? What does it take to get in? What happens after you arrive? The existing recruitment strategy wasn’t built to answer those questions.
I designed this event to change that.
Transfer students have already lived the college experience. They don’t need the basics anymore -- they need specifics. What is Notre Dame really like? What does it take to get in? What happens after you arrive? The existing recruitment strategy wasn’t built to answer those questions.
I designed this event to change that.
Transfer students have already lived the college experience. They don’t need the basics anymore -- they need specifics. What is Notre Dame really like? What does it take to get in? What happens after you arrive? The existing recruitment strategy wasn’t built to answer those questions.
I designed this event to change that.
Building the Team
Building the Team
The team evolved across two semesters with a core planning group in the Fall and a full volunteer staff recruited, interviewed, and trained for the day of the event.
The team evolved across two semesters with a core planning group in the Fall and a full volunteer staff recruited, interviewed, and trained for the day of the event.
Volunteer Recruitment Funnel
Volunteer Recruitment Funnel
Volunteer Recruitment Funnel
74 Applicants
74 Applicants
74 Applicants
34 Interviewed
34 Interviewed
34 Interviewed
24 Hired
24 Hired
24 Hired
Mass email sent to the Notre Dame transfer community followed by group interviews conducted by myself and my co-Chair, Owen. Volunteers selected on communication skills, campus involvement, and ability to represent the transfer experience well.
Mass email sent to the Notre Dame transfer community followed by group interviews conducted by myself and my co-Chair, Owen. Volunteers selected on communication skills, campus involvement, and ability to represent the transfer experience well.
Managing the Team
Managing the Team
Managing the Team
Throughout the project I managed relationships across multiple levels, meeting weekly with Owen to delegate tasks and align on progress, coordinating and training 31 volunteers across seven event roles, and reporting back to my in-Office supervisors on a weekly basis.
Throughout the project I managed relationships across multiple levels, meeting weekly with Owen to delegate tasks and align on progress, coordinating and training 31 volunteers across seven event roles, and reporting back to my in-Office supervisors on a weekly basis.
The Experience Blueprint
The Experience Blueprint
Everything we designed was an intentional departure from the first-year recruitment experience. Here’s what we designed and why.
Everything we designed was an intentional departure from the first-year recruitment experience. Here’s what we designed and why.
Everything we designed was an intentional departure from the first-year recruitment experience. Here’s what we designed and why.
01
01
01
Front-load information
Front-load information
Front-load information
By covering the basics early on, students began every experiential moment with enough context to ask detailed questions and make use of their time on campus.
By covering the basics early on, students began every experiential moment with enough context to ask detailed questions and make use of their time on campus.
By covering the basics early on, students began every experiential moment with enough context to ask detailed questions and make use of their time on campus.
02
02
02
Let transfers tell the story
Let transfers tell the story
Let transfers tell the story
With each of our volunteers being a transfer student, current students were put at the forefront, which gave them the opportunity to share their experience at Notre Dame. Prospective students could see themselves reflected in people who have lived the same experience.
With each of our volunteers being a transfer student, current students were put at the forefront, which gave them the opportunity to share their experience at Notre Dame. Prospective students could see themselves reflected in people who have lived the same experience.
With each of our volunteers being a transfer student, current students were put at the forefront, which gave them the opportunity to share their experience at Notre Dame. Prospective students could see themselves reflected in people who have lived the same experience.
03
03
03
Put prospective students in the community
Put prospective students in the community
Put prospective students in the community
Lunch at the Student Center was an intentional choice that allowed students to see what everyday life at Notre Dame looks like.
Lunch at the Student Center was an intentional choice that allowed students to see what everyday life at Notre Dame looks like.
Lunch at the Student Center was an intentional choice that allowed students to see what everyday life at Notre Dame looks like.
04
04
04
Show academic depth and opportunity
Show academic depth and opportunity
Show academic depth and opportunity
The Academic Spotlight featured students across undergraduate colleges with a variety of post-graduate plans. Prospective Transfer Students had the opportunity to ask specific questions about the opportunities Notre Dame would hold for them.
The Academic Spotlight featured students across undergraduate colleges with a variety of post-graduate plans. Prospective Transfer Students had the opportunity to ask specific questions about the opportunities Notre Dame would hold for them.
The Academic Spotlight featured students across undergraduate colleges with a variety of post-graduate plans. Prospective Transfer Students had the opportunity to ask specific questions about the opportunities Notre Dame would hold for them.
05
05
05
End with something authentically Notre Dame
End with something authentically Notre Dame
End with something authentically Notre Dame
Concluding the day with Fr. Pete McCormick celebrating Mass in Baumer Hall gave students the opportunity to participate in an authentically Notre Dame experience.
Concluding the day with Fr. Pete McCormick celebrating Mass in Baumer Hall gave students the opportunity to participate in an authentically Notre Dame experience.
Concluding the day with Fr. Pete McCormick celebrating Mass in Baumer Hall gave students the opportunity to participate in an authentically Notre Dame experience.
February 28, 2026
February 28, 2026
February 28, 2026
On the day of the event, everything came together. The months of planning, volunteer training, and logistics allowed the schedule to run smoothly.
We welcomed approximately 45 prospective transfer students and their families. Because the day was designed to be largely student-led, there was a natural warmth, authenticity, and credibility to the Open House.
Before the event programming had begun, a prospective student approached me and said:
“Wow. I feel so welcome!”
We had achieved our goal before 10:30am.
On the day of the event, everything came together. The months of planning, volunteer training, and logistics allowed the schedule to run smoothly.
We welcomed approximately 45 prospective transfer students and their families. Because the day was designed to be largely student-led, there was a natural warmth, authenticity, and credibility to the Open House.
Before the event programming had begun, a prospective student approached me and said:
“Wow. I feel so welcome!”
We had achieved our goal before 10:30am.
On the day of the event, everything came together. The months of planning, volunteer training, and logistics allowed the schedule to run smoothly.
We welcomed approximately 45 prospective transfer students and their families. Because the day was designed to be largely student-led, there was a natural warmth, authenticity, and credibility to the Open House.
Before the event programming had begun, a prospective student approached me and said:
“Wow. I feel so welcome!”
We had achieved our goal before 10:30am.
45 Prospective Transfer Students
and their families welcomed
45 Prospective Transfer Students
and their families welcomed
45 Prospective Transfer Students
and their families welcomed
7 Hours
of intentionally designed programming
7 Hours
of intentionally designed programming
7 Hours
of intentionally designed programming
31 Volunteers
recruited across 7 roles
31 Volunteers
recruited across 7 roles
31 Volunteers
recruited across 7 roles
Outcomes
Outcomes
Reflection
Reflection
For Prospective Students
For Prospective Students
45 prospective students and their families experienced a day at Notre Dame that was built specifically for them. They saw our campus from the perspective of a transfer student, and left with more information, increased confidence, and a clearer sense of life at Notre Dame.
45 prospective students and their families experienced a day at Notre Dame that was built specifically for them. They saw our campus from the perspective of a transfer student, and left with more information, increased confidence, and a clearer sense of life at Notre Dame.
Personal Impact
Personal Impact
This project meant a lot to me personally. Having transferred to Notre Dame nearly three years ago, being able to give back to a community and process that changed my life was incredibly rewarding. It was a powerful way to close that chapter of my life.
This project meant a lot to me personally. Having transferred to Notre Dame nearly three years ago, being able to give back to a community and process that changed my life was incredibly rewarding. It was a powerful way to close that chapter of my life.
For the Office of Admissions
For the Office of Admissions
The Transfer Open House demonstrated measurable demand for transfer-specific programming, giving the Office visibility into a community it had not catered to previously. The Office has indicated that the Transfer Open House will become an annual event.
The Transfer Open House demonstrated measurable demand for transfer-specific programming, giving the Office visibility into a community it had not catered to previously. The Office has indicated that the Transfer Open House will become an annual event.
What I’d Do Differently
What I’d Do Differently
For version 2, I would like to see the Office invest time in branding the event beyond “Transfer Open House.” Giving it an identity that feels as intentional as the planning was makes way for greater impact and traction
For version 2, I would like to see the Office invest time in branding the event beyond “Transfer Open House.” Giving it an identity that feels as intentional as the planning was makes way for greater impact and traction
For the Transfer Community
For the Transfer Community
24 volunteers spanning the Classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 came together to welcome students who are walking the path we once stood on. This experience gave our community the opportunity to connect with one another and share our “Why Notre Dame” stories.
24 volunteers spanning the Classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 came together to welcome students who are walking the path we once stood on. This experience gave our community the opportunity to connect with one another and share our “Why Notre Dame” stories.
Moving Forward
Moving Forward
This project taught me how to identify an idea, communicate it, and take the necessary steps to make it happen. I leave this project with strong project management skills, a robust understanding of how to lead people across experience levels, and confidence that I can work effectively across micro and macro levels of a project.
This project taught me how to identify an idea, communicate it, and take the necessary steps to make it happen. I leave this project with strong project management skills, a robust understanding of how to lead people across experience levels, and confidence that I can work effectively across micro and macro levels of a project.
Outcomes
For Prospective Students
45 prospective students and their families experienced a day at Notre Dame that was built specifically for them. They saw our campus from the perspective of a transfer student, and left with more information, increased confidence, and a clearer sense of life at Notre Dame.
For the Office of Admissions
The Transfer Open House demonstrated measurable demand for transfer-specific programming, giving the Office visibility into a community it had not catered to previously. The Office has indicated that the Transfer Open House will become an annual event.
For the Transfer Community
24 volunteers spanning the Classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 came together to welcome students who are walking the path we once stood on. This experience gave our community the opportunity to connect with one another and share our “Why Notre Dame” stories.
Personal Impact
This project meant a lot to me personally. Having transferred to Notre Dame nearly three years ago, being able to give back to a community and process that changed my life was incredibly rewarding. It was a powerful way to close that chapter of my life.
What I’d Do Differently
For version 2, I would like to see the Office invest time in branding the event beyond “Transfer Open House.” Giving it an identity that feels as intentional as the planning was makes way for greater impact and traction
Reflection
Moving Forward
This project taught me how to identify an idea, communicate it, and take the necessary steps to make it happen. I leave this project with strong project management skills, a robust understanding of how to lead people across experience levels, and confidence that I can work effectively across micro and macro levels of a project.
© 2025 - Sarah McArthur All Rights Reserved
© 2025 - Sarah McArthur All Rights Reserved
© 2025 - Sarah McArthur All Rights Reserved