University of Notre Dame

First-year admission

First-year applicants apply through the Common Application or the Coalition Application (on Scoir) and submit the Notre Dame Writing Supplement: one required short essay of up to 150 words and two short answers of 50-100 words chosen from four prompts. QuestBridge applicants may apply through QuestBridge instead. Required materials are an official secondary school transcript, a teacher evaluation from a core-subject teacher and the application fee of $85 (automatic fee waivers are available through the Common Application and Coalition Application). A counselor evaluation is recommended. No alumni or on-campus interviews are offered. Notre Dame states there is no minimum test score and no minimum GPA is published.

Expected high-school preparation is 3 units of mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry; 4 preferred), 2 units of foreign language (3-4 preferred), 2 units of science (4 preferred) and 2 units of history/social science (3-4 preferred).

Deadlines

• Restrictive Early Action (non-binding): November 1; decision mid-December; applicants receive priority consideration for merit scholarships
• Regular Decision (non-binding): January 4; decision mid- to late March
• Reply and $500 enrollment deposit: May 1

Standardized testing

Notre Dame is test-optional through the 2026-2027 admissions cycle (SAT/ACT scores may be self-reported; admitted students submit official scores). A requirement for either ACT or SAT scores is reinstated for first-year and transfer applicants seeking to enroll in Fall 2028. Scores are superscored.

Transfer admission

Transfer applicants must have completed at least one full academic year (at least 24 transferable credits; dual-enrollment credit does not count) at an accredited institution after high school, apply to a specific college and major, and present required courses with a grade of B or higher. The average GPA of recently admitted transfer students has been 3.75 or higher. Deadlines: October 1, 2026 (decision between December 1, 2026 and January 5, 2027) and March 15, 2027 (decision between May 20 and June 14, 2027).

International applicants

International applicants submit the same application, official secondary school records including national examination results, and a teacher evaluation. Predicted results from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, CGE Advanced Levels (3+ required) or the French Baccalaureate are accepted in place of SAT/ACT scores for students who completed secondary education outside the USA. British-curriculum students submit GCSE/IGCSE results and predicted A levels and are typically enrolled in at least three A-Level subjects. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose secondary education was not primarily in English submit TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test or PTE Academic scores (TOEFL code 1841; the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition is not accepted). Recommended scores: TOEFL iBT 100 overall with at least 25 in Speaking (pre-February 2026 scoring), or an average of 5.5 with no section below 5.0 on the updated scale; IELTS 7.5 overall. English tests are waived with 650 or above on SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or 26 or above on the ACT English or Reading section.

Graduate admission

Graduate study is admitted through The Graduate School, with more than 2,200 students in post-baccalaureate programmes across engineering, humanities, sciences and social sciences; applications are made to the individual programmes.

Notre Dame, Indiana (main campus). The University was established on 524 acres given by the bishop of Vincennes, next to two lakes in northern Indiana. The residential campus holds the Golden Dome, the Basilica and chapels, the Log Chapel replica, the original Old College building, the Duncan Student Center (which includes rock climbing), the 33 residence halls, libraries and research core facilities, and the stadium and athletics facilities.

The University also runs global programmes, including summer programmes abroad such as the Istanbul Summer Program, and the Keough School of Global Affairs works through partnerships around the world.