Established in the year 1842, The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic university near South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame's admission process is slightly selective with an acceptance rate of 12%. The university maintains a favorable student to faculty ratio of 9:1, fostering a collaborative and personalized learning environment.
With a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,968 students as of fall 2023, the university offers a diverse array of over 75 undergraduate majors across various disciplines. These majors are housed within six undergraduate schools and colleges: College of Arts and Letters, College of Science, Mendoza College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Architecture, Keough School of Global Affairs.
Notre Dame ranks in the top 20 universities in the US .The most popular majors at Notre Dame include: Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, Political Science, Computer and Information Sciences, Neuroscience, Psychology and Mechanical Engineering
Notre Dame boasts a distinguished list of alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields. Notable graduates include Iconic television host Regis Philbin, Bestselling author Nicholas Sparks and Nobel Prize-winning developmental biologist Eric Wieschaus.
How To Improve Your Chances Of Getting Into Notre Dame
1. Achieve a high GPA while taking the most challenging classes available
It’s extremely important for Notre Dame applicants to not only possess outstanding grades but for those grades to come in challenging courses. International students accepted to an elite university like Notre Dame typically complete between 5 to 8 advanced courses in high school.
Taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams is a great way to enhance your academic profile and demonstrate your commitment to challenging coursework. These exams allow you to showcase college-level knowledge which can impress admissions officers looking for students who push themselves academically.
2. Aim for a 1540 SAT or a 35+ ACT
Notre Dame is Test Optional till 2026. This means that students have an option whether they wish to submit their scores or not.
The middle 50% of Notre Dame class of 2024 earned SAT scores of 1440-1540 and ACT scores of 33-35+. Any score in the middle 50% is good, however, the higher the score, the better your odds of admission.
3. Explore your favorite subjects via Research Papers
One common factor that we have noted in the resumes of students admitted to the Ivy Leagues and other top colleges is the prevalence of research work while still in high school.
There are three main reasons, as to why Research Papers help students stand out. A high-quality research paper shows that you have the energy and the initiative to go beyond what is taught in the class and apply it to real life problems. It shows that your interest in the subject extends beyond the questions provided at the end of the chapter. Secondly, you learn the discipline of not rushing intuitively to the likely answer, instead using a deliberate process in which you are guided by the data. Lastly, in working with a skilled professor or mentor you learn how to organize your thoughts better, ask the right questions and try to answer those questions in the best way possible subject to the constraints.
4. Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “niche”)
For selective institutions like Notre Dame, extracurricular activities can play a larger role in admission decisions. Up to 25% of an admissions decision can be determined by a student’s activities outside of the classroom. While it’s true that there is no such thing as a bad extracurricular activity, some extracurricular activities are more impressive than others.
Admissions officers evaluate extracurriculars with one being the most exceptional and four being the most common. For example:
Tier 1 activities are rare and demonstrate exceptional achievement or leadership at a national or international level. Some examples are, 1) International Mathematical Olympiad, a math competition for pre- university students, 2) International Science Olympiads in various areas of the formal sciences, natural sciences and social sciences.
Tier 2 extracurriculars show high levels of achievement and leadership but aren’t quite as rare as activities found in Tier 1 (they’re more of state-level achievements). These include making an all-state selection in athletics, serving as student body president, or being selected for a prestigious state-wide summer program like governor’s school.
Tier 3 extracurricular activities are great for showing an applicant’s interest outside of the classroom but don’t have the cachet of higher-tiered extracurriculars. These activities are smaller leadership roles and achievements that often appear on applications. These include being captain of a sports team or holding a lesser officer position in a club.
Tier 4 extracurriculars are the least impressive and most common activities seen by admissions officers. These activities include playing a sport or instrument, participating in a club but not holding a leadership position, and volunteering.
5. Write engaging essays
Essays are the best way to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Notre Dame requires all applicants to submit one personal essay, one short essay question and three short-answer questions as part of its application. The required question prompt is given below:
Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home.(150 words)
This prompt is asking you to reflect on what matters most to you in selecting a college or university. It’s a way for the admissions team to understand what drives your decision-making process and helps them see if their school aligns with your values and needs.
When selecting a college, some students prioritize strong academic programs that align with their career goals. For example, someone passionate about environmental science might look for universities with well-established sustainability programs and research opportunities, hands on experience, research labs ensuring they can build expertise in the field.
When searching for a future college home, some students prioritize factors tied to their passions, like music or sports. Take Rahul, for example—his love for music has always been a driving force in his life. He’s spent years playing guitar and singing, dreaming of performing on big stages. As he began researching colleges, he realized that the program’s opportunities for live performances, access to professional venues, and opportunities to collaborate with other musicians were non-negotiable for him. He wanted a school where he could nurture his artistic talent, surrounded by students who shared the same passion for music. Similarly, Sita, a talented basketball player, couldn’t imagine attending a college that didn’t offer competitive teams or top-tier athletic facilities. She knew she needed a program that would support her physical development while also emphasizing academics, with coaches who valued growth both on and off the court. For Sita, a balance of athletics and academics was essential in choosing the right school.
If you are someone that enjoys leadership roles and community involvement, a school with a strong network of student organizations, volunteer programs, and leadership development initiatives, would allow you to grow personally and professionally.
What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community, etc)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?(50 to 100 words)
This question is asking you to reflect on what makes you unique based on your life experiences. Think about aspects of your background—your family, culture, challenges, or any defining experiences—that have shaped who you are today.
Then, explain why these experiences matter to you. How have they influenced your values, perspectives, or goals? Finally, connect your experiences to how you will contribute to the Notre Dame community. What perspectives, skills, or ideas will you bring to campus? How will you engage with others and make a difference? The key is to be personal and specific and tell a story that highlights what makes you, you.
Example: Ever since Sita was a child, she’s been fascinated by the power of storytelling. Growing up in a multicultural family, she was exposed to different traditions, languages, and perspectives, which sparked her love for narrative. These experiences deepened her understanding of how stories can bridge gaps and foster empathy. Over time, she became involved in community theater, helping others tell their stories through performance. This experience taught her the value of collaboration and the importance of creating inclusive spaces. At Notre Dame, Sita hopes to bring her passion for storytelling to the community, fostering deeper connections and sparking meaningful conversations.
Q. What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you? (50 to 100 words)
When answering this prompt, focus on a specific compliment that stands out in your memory and explain why it resonates deeply with you. You could reflect on a compliment from a teacher, a friend, or even a family member that recognized a quality or achievement you hold dear. Think about how that compliment made you feel—did it affirm your strengths, boost your confidence, or inspire you to continue growing in a certain area? Tie it back to your values or how it influenced your personal journey. Keep the tone sincere and reflective, offering a glimpse into your character.
Example: One compliment that stayed with Sita for a long time came from her teacher after a class debate. The teacher acknowledged her ability to remain calm and think clearly under pressure—something she had worked hard on but never truly recognized in herself. Her words made her realize how valuable that skill was, especially in high-stress situations. It wasn’t just a fleeting moment of praise; it sparked something in Sita, motivating her to continue honing this skill, knowing it would serve her well in the future.
Q. What would you fight for? (50 to 100 words)
To approach this prompt, think about what matters most to you—think about something that deeply resonates with you — a cause, value, or belief that you'd be willing to stand up for, no matter the difficulty. It could be something personal, like protecting your loved ones or defending your integrity, or something broader, like advocating for social justice or environmental sustainability. The key is to express why it matters to you and what drives your passion for it. Be authentic, and give a glimpse into your character, showing not just what you care about, but why it's worth fighting for.
Example: Sita always felt a deep connection to animals, ever since she was a child. Growing up, she saw how people often treated pets as disposable, leaving them abandoned or mistreated. Over the years, this issue became more than just something she felt upset about—it became a cause she couldn’t ignore. She joined local animal rescue groups, helping to rehome pets and advocating for stricter laws against animal abuse.
6. Recommendation Letters
Letters of recommendation (LOR) help paint a complete picture of who you are in front of the admission officers. Like any good painter, you want to be in control of your whole application. It is important to ensure that you are approaching teachers, mentors etc. that know you well. The LOR provides an insight into your personality, behaviors and work ethic and are crucial to your application. Notre Dame requires you to send recommendations from
Teacher – Required 1
High School Counsellor – Required
Other – Optional 1 (Example: Art teacher, Clergy, Coach, College Access Counselor, Employer, Family Member, Peer etc.)
You should approach your high school teachers several months in advance. Requesting a letter of recommendation from a teacher is a big ask—they’re busy and don’t get paid to write recommendations. Make it easy for your recommenders by giving them plenty of time, providing them with as much relevant information as possible.
7. Apply Early Action/Early Decision
Notre Dame has a non binding Restrictive Early Action program. This means:
A student applying Restrictive Early Action to Notre Dame may apply to other Early Action programs but not to any binding Early Decision 1 program
If you apply to Notre Dame through REA, you may apply to any Early Decision 2 program as this has a deadline post our REA decision release in mid-December.
The REA deadline for Notre Dame is 1st November.
The primary criterion for admission to Notre Dame is academic excellence. Notre Dame seeks individuals whose intellect is matched by their capacity and desire to make a meaningful contribution to the world. They are looking for students who are leaders in and out of the classroom, who seek to ask enduring questions of the world, and of themselves. Following the guidelines above will help you present your best self to Notre Dame and maximize your admission chances.
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