Student Opportunities At Holy Cross College At Notre Dame

Holy Cross gives students a strong mix of internships, service learning, student leadership, pathway programs and tri-campus access. Because the college is small, students often find it easier to get involved early and build relationships with faculty and staff.

Academic And Practical Opportunities

Opportunity	How students benefit
Required internship	Every student completes an internship before graduation
Pathways	Preferred admission into 25 graduate and professional school programs
Service learning	Community engagement is built into the college experience
Research and academic support	Access to mentoring, tutors and faculty-guided academic work
Tri-campus access	Events, resources and networks at Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s
Student activities	Clubs, intramurals, student government and faith programming
Career development	Support from the Career Development Center and local employer links

Why The Model Matters

Holy Cross is structured around the idea that students should leave campus with both knowledge and proof of application. The required internship helps students test a field early, while the pathways model gives strong students a clearer route into advanced study.

The tri-campus environment matters too. Students can stretch beyond the scale of Holy Cross itself and still keep the benefits of a small college home base.

Global And Career Opportunities

For international students, Holy Cross can be attractive because it combines a close campus with access to a larger regional network. Students in business, psychology, computer science, theology and education can build experience through internships, service and graduate-school planning.

The college also reports strong graduate outcomes in several areas, including business, psychology and elementary education, which suggests that its practical opportunities are not just promotional language.

How To Make The Most Of Holy Cross

Students should:

• Complete the internship requirement as early as possible
• Join at least one club, ministry or leadership role in the first year
• Use advising to map a pathway to graduate school or a first job
• Build relationships with Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s resources where relevant
• Treat the tri-campus setting as part of the academic plan, not just campus scenery

Holy Cross rewards students who are willing to participate early and consistently.