University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private · 8,818 undergrads

Admit rate: 11.3% (28,353 applicants)
SAT middle 50%: 1455–1560 (ACT 33–35)
Undergraduates: 8,818 (6.9% international)
Average net price: $26,780 (per year after aid)
Graduation rate: 95% (within 6 years)

Deadlines

Restrictive Early Action: Nov. 1, 2026
Regular Decision: Jan. 4, 2027

Essays

Required short essay (150 words)

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.

Short answer option 1 (choose two of four) (50-100 words)

How does faith influence the decisions you make?

Short answer option 2 (choose two of four) (50-100 words)

What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?

Short answer option 3 (choose two of four) (50-100 words)

Notre Dame’s undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?

Short answer option 4 (choose two of four) (50-100 words)

What would you fight for?

Editor's notes

Notre Dame's CDS rates the essay Very important, the same as your grades. With only 150 words for the main essay and 100 for each short answer, every sentence has to carry information. Cut the warm-up lines.
This is the last test-optional year. Scores are optional for fall 2027, but the school says its strongest applicants usually show significant quantitative evidence, and AP or IB results count. If your scores help, send them.
Restrictive Early Action is non-binding but it does limit you: no binding ED1 anywhere else. It's also where merit priority sits, and an REA denial ends your application for the year. Apply REA only if your file is finished by Nov. 1.
If you want business, know what you're signing up for. You'll learn at admission whether you're pre-approved, and getting into the major later is described as extremely limited.