I have a few questions...
How big of an impact does being a minority (Hispanic in my case) make for admission Notre Dame?
It helps a lot. Lack of diversity is a common knock on ND, and the University has struggled to improve on this front for decades.
Hispanic undergraduate enrollment is currently 9%; as jimmymac noted, other minorities have a larger advantage, but being Hispanic is worlds more advantageous than being one of the ~5 million Caucasian applicants named Matt or Mike from the Midwest.
My great uncle is an alumni of ND, my grandfather went to Notre Dame for three years before he had to leave to support his family. Neither of my parents graduated college, and while my grandfather spent time in college I don't believe he got his degree. Does this qualify me as a first generation college student?
So you're: (1) a minority; (2) a legacy; (3) and projected to be the first one in your family to graduate from college? Your personal statement writes itself, and it will make the Admissions Officer moist.
Seriously though, 25% of each incoming class is reserved for legacies. It's much less competitive than the general applicant pool. Factor in your minority heritage, etc. and you're in a great position.
Edit: If Domeisourhome's post below is correct, you won't be considered a legacy; but you should still be a competitive applicant for the other reasons listed above.
Is it possible to get in with average academics (GPA in a 3.3-3.6 range) if an applicant has a "hook," such as founding a charity, being a published author, etc?
A 3.9 weighted is definitely good enough for the applicant pools you'll be competing in.
Thanks for the recognition. I was overwhelmed when I received my notice that I was accepted. I was super excited and tears were shed over the fact that my hard work has finally paid off. Even though it's a year later than what I had hoped, I will still be a part of the ND family. Can't wait to be home under the Dome finally!
Congrats! Very few undergraduates truly appreciate ND as students, except for the transfers. Relish every moment.