FAQ

What do ACE Teachers do after graduating from ACE Teaching Fellows?

ACE Teachers have gone on to become physicians, entrepreneurs, engineers, financial leaders, attorneys, Fulbright scholars, law review editors, university professors, superintendents, leaders of scholarship foundations, presidents and principals of schools, priests, and national science grantees.  Others continue to teach.  From whatever professional or personal path they pursue, ACE graduates continue to advocate for Catholic schools and for the needs of children in low-income communities.

What is the application timeline?  What is the timeline for accepted applicants?

The 2019-20 timeline is as follows:

• September 4: Applications available
• January 21: Application deadline
• March 2 - 11: Notification letters sent
• March 23: Commitment deadline
• April 17 -19: ACE April Orientation Retreat at Notre Dame
• May 29 - 31: ACE 27 Opening Retreat
• June 1: First day of classes

Do I apply to both ACE and the Notre Dame Graduate School? Is the GRE part of my application?

When a candidate applies to ACE, he or she automatically applies to Notre Dame’s Graduate School. The GRE or another graduate school qualification exam (MCAT, LSAT, or GMAT) is a required component of the application.

Does ACE offer an early admission process?  What if I have been accepted into another program but I really want to do ACE?

ACE is happy to work with applicants to conduct an early interview process if another job offer conflicts with the current ACE timeline. ACE will need written documentation of the offer and its deadline. If applicants think this scenario may arise, they are encouraged to contact Michael Comuniello (, 574.631.6561) as soon as possible.

Is there a specific GRE score ACE looks for? What about GPA?

ACE has no specific GRE (or equivalent graduate school qualification exam) or GPA requirements. The middle 50% GPA range for ACE 26 was 3.5-3.8. When evaluating applicants, the selection team considers an applicant’s academic history, record of service, leadership experience, community involvement, openness to spiritual growth, application essays, recommendation letters, and interview, among other factors.

What if I do not graduate until June? Is it possible for me to do ACE?

It is possible, but it will require some flexibility. The ACE teacher may have to sacrifice his or her final week on campus, take final exams early, etc. Some ACE teachers have had to come to Notre Dame’s campus and then return to their undergraduate institution for graduation. The first week of ACE’s summer coursework is essential and cannot be made up.

How am I notified about the decision to whether or not I am accepted?

Applicants will receive either a phone call or e-mail notification between March 3-11, 2020. In this communication, applicants are told whether they have been accepted, placed on the wait-list, or rejected.

How is the wait-list ranked?

ACE’s wait-list is not ranked. Due to the specific requests from the schools, ACE accepts the person best qualified to fill the particular vacancy.

What can I do as an underclassmen to prepare for ACE?

ACE encourages underclassmen to speak with current or former ACE teachers, members of the ACE staff (most of whom are graduates of ACE), and others who have a strong understanding of the program. ACE also encourages prospective applicants to gain experience working with students (e.g., through tutoring, coaching, or mentoring programs), seek leadership roles at their colleges and universities, and engage in faith-based service. Underclassmen may also consider attending ACE functions on their campuses, such as information sessions or post-graduate volunteer fairs.

Do I have a choice in where I am placed?

Applicants rank their preferences for grade level and content/subject area on the application. The dynamics of placement preclude us from guaranteeing placement preference. This process includes the following considerations:

• The specific school requests
• An applicant’s undergraduate background and what he or she is qualified to teach

The selection team is wholeheartedly committed to placing participants in environments that will allow them to thrive and will maximize their skill sets. As an example, candidates with proficiency in Spanish are often placed in schools/communities that serve Spanish-speaking populations.

Are certain academic majors preferred?

ACE welcomes candidates from all academic disciplines. We place teachers

• in self-contained elementary classrooms (2^nd through 5^th grades)
• in middle school content areas (6^th through 8^th grades)
• in high school content areas (9^th through 12^th grades)

Major content areas are the following:

• English & Language Arts
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies
• World Language

Many ACErs teach a combination of these subjects (e.g., middle school Math and Science).

I have a major other than the five content areas. Can I still teach high school?

Potentially. It all depends on the applicant’s ability to pass the content test required for licensure. Typically, one’s undergraduate coursework is a good predictor. Applicants can contact the ACE staff at any time for transcript reviews or advice about teaching qualifications and requirements.

What if I’m an education major? Can I still apply?

Absolutely! ACE welcomes candidates from all academic disciplines, including education. 

What kind of professional support can an ACE Teacher expect?

All ACE teachers have at least four support resources at their disposal throughout their two years in the program: an academic supervisor from the Faculty of Supervision and Instruction, a pastoral administrator, the school principal, and a designated mentor teacher in their local school.

Principals provide ongoing formative and summative evaluations of the ACEr’s teaching, community, and spiritual formation. Mentor Teachers serve a non-evaluative role by helping ACE Teachers orient to their new city and school, conferencing with them about instructional and curricular goals on a regular basis, and reflecting with the ACE Teacher about successes and struggles in and out of the classroom.

Local support resources also include other school faculty, the diocesan superintendent, former ACE teachers who may remain in the area, and Notre Dame alumni club members who welcome the ACE teachers to their local communities.

Are there opportunities to coach and lead extracurriculars while teaching in ACE?

Yes, ACE Teachers will regularly assume leadership positions throughout the school, offering their time and talents in areas such as athletics, student government, Campus Ministry, and many others.

Do I have to find my own housing?

No. Housing and furnishings are provided. ACE Teachers need simply to bring personal belongings to the ND summer session and to their communities.

Do I need a car?

Not necessarily. Not having a car should not keep applicants from applying! ACE teachers certainly do not need cars during the summer sessions at Notre Dame. Many ACE teachers find it helpful to have a personal car at their sites due to school commitments and extracurricular activities. Still, many ACE teachers carpool. Please ask the ACE staff about transportation if you have questions and/or concerns.

Can I be married and teach in ACE?

Out of a deep respect for the sanctity of marriage – and because applicants for ACE must be able to fully commit themselves to each of the three pillars of the program – ACE cannot place married participants due to the conflict between one’s ACE community and home/marriage community.

Do I still get vacation time?

ACE teachers receive the same vacation as colleagues at their schools. Summer vacations are filled with academic coursework at Notre Dame.

Are all ACE schools under-resourced?

ACE is committed to sending faith-filled, committed teachers to Catholic schools. While the biggest poverty served in ACE schools is socio-economic, ACE also serves schools that are in need of strong faith-filled role models.

I am not Catholic. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes! ACE invites all applicants for service to Catholic education. All participants should demonstrate a lived commitment to their faith tradition and should be willing to live and work in community, as well as contribute to the spiritual formation of their students.

What opportunities for spiritual growth do ACE Teachers have?

As Catholic school educators, ACE Teachers will have the opportunity to form and guide their students in their faith lives, which in turn will shape their own. Summers at Notre Dame offer a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth including retreats, liturgies, and prayer services. All ACE Teachers will take one of two classes – Introduction to Teaching Religion or Teaching in Catholic Schools – to better prepare them to serve as a spiritual resource for their students.  Members of each ACE community together develop their spiritual and prayer lives, embracing personal experiences and inviting each other to grow in faith. In addition, ACE Teachers often find spiritual support, direction, and challenge from the pastoral team.