HighSchoolOS How to Get Into University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit · 2025-2026 cycle · Verified data
University of Notre Dame Admissions Statistics
How to Actually Get Into University of Notre Dame
Understand what 11.3% really means
Below roughly a 15% admit rate, admissions stops being something you earn cleanly and becomes probabilistic. Nearly everyone who applies to University of Notre Dame has strong stats, so strong stats get you into contention, not into the class. Treat University of Notre Dame as a reach no matter your profile, and build real targets and a real safety underneath it. If your list is all schools like this one, your expected outcome is mostly rejections, regardless of how strong you are.
Position your scores against the real bands
The middle 50% of enrolled students sits around 1455-1560 combined SAT or 33-35 ACT. Above the 75th percentile, scores work for you, though at this tier they only buy you a ticket. Below the 25th percentile, the rest of your application has to carry the file, treat it as a reach. Since scores are not required (test-optional) here, submit only if you're inside or above the band; a below-band score is information you don't have to volunteer.
Use the Restrictive Early Action round deliberately
University of Notre Dame uses Restrictive Early Action: non-binding, but it limits where else you can apply early. That restriction is the price of signaling first-choice interest without the ED lock-in. It only makes sense if University of Notre Dame is genuinely your top pick; otherwise keep your early rounds flexible.
The supplements are where files separate
University of Notre Dame asks 6 supplemental questions (the exact prompts are below). At this tier, essays decide between equally qualified contenders, generic answers read as generic everywhere, so specificity about University of Notre Dame is the whole game. Answer why THIS school, with details that could not be pasted into another application.
The bigger picture: no single school decides your outcome, the shape of your whole list does. Read how top counselors build a college list before you finalize where University of Notre Dame fits.
University of Notre Dame Application Deadlines (2025-2026)
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Regular Decision (RD) | January 2, 2026 |
| Restrictive Early Action (REA) | November 1, 2025 |
Deadlines verified from official sources for the 2025-2026 cycle. Rounds change year to year, always confirm on the school's site before submitting.
University of Notre Dame Supplemental Essay Prompts
-
1. Briefly share what draws you to the area(s) of study you listed.
100 words
-
2. 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
-
3. Write your response to the first essay prompt (100 words or fewer)
100 words
-
4. Write your response to the second essay prompt (100 words or fewer)
100 words
-
5. Write your response to the third essay prompt (100 words or fewer)
100 words
-
6. Who will you ask for recommendation letters? Teachers: 1 required, 1 optional. Other recommenders: up to 1 optional. List only.
50 words
Application Requirements & Costs
| Application platform | Common App |
| Application fee | $85 |
| Test scores | Not required (test-optional) |
| Writing supplement | Not required |
| Counselor recommendation | Required |
| Teacher evaluations | 1 |
University of Notre Dame Cost & Financial Aid
| Total cost of attendance (sticker, per year) | $83,271 |
| Tuition & fees | $65,025 |
| Room & board (on campus) | $17,900 |
| Average net price (aid-receiving families) | $26,780 |
What You'd Actually Pay, by Family Income
Average net price per year (after grants and scholarships) for aid-receiving families, from federal College Scorecard data:
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0-30k | $7,244 |
| $30-48k | $7,254 |
| $48-75k | $11,432 |
| $75-110k | $18,670 |
| $110k+ | $45,321 |
These are averages, not your number. Get your family's actual price in about 10 minutes:
Use University of Notre Dame's Official Net Price Calculator →More University of Notre Dame Data, Coming Soon
We're building the deepest per-school database in admissions. Rolling out for University of Notre Dame: