[UPDATED 2025] University of Notre Dame Acceptance Rate & Admission Guide
Acceptance Rate Trend
| Year | Acceptance Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 20.0% |
| 2016 | 18.0% |
| 2017 | 18.6% |
| 2018 | 17.7% |
| 2019 | 15.8% |
| 2020 | 15.0% |
| 2021 | 14.6% |
| 2022 | 13.0% |
| 2023 | 12.5% |
| 2024 | 11.1% |
| 2025 | 9.0% |
University of Notre Dame Acceptance Rate (Latest)
For the Class of 2028 (Fall 2024 entry), Notre Dame received nearly 30,000 applications and admitted a highly accomplished cohort.
11.3%
Overall Acceptance Rate
29,942
Total Applicants
62%
Yield Rate (# of enrolled students / # of admitted students × 100)
2,075
Number of Students Enrolled
Academic Profile of Admitted Students
1470–1540
SAT Range (Middle 50%)
33–35
ACT Range (Middle 50%)
92%
Percent in Top 10% of High School Class
22%
First-generation or Pell recipients
ℹ️ Score ranges reflect those who submitted test scores. Notre Dame is test-optional through at least the 2025–2026 cycle.
Restrictive Early Action vs Regular Decision
Notre Dame offers Restrictive Early Action (REA), a non-binding early application process. In 2023–24, 1,724 of 11,498 REA applicants were admitted (approx. 15%). Official acceptance rates for Regular Decision are not published separately, but overall selectivity remains high.
| Application Type | Acceptance Rate | Avg SAT | Avg ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Early Action | ~15% | 1470–1540 | 33–35 |
| Regular Decision | Not published | 1470–1540 | 33–35 |
Tip: REA is non-binding; students may not apply Early Decision elsewhere.
Acceptance Rate by College or Major
Notre Dame does not publish acceptance rates by individual college or major, but the most popular academic interests among enrolled students are Business, Science, Engineering, and Arts & Humanities.
| College/Interest | Enrollment % | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business | 23.5% | Mendoza College of Business |
| Engineering | 22% | College of Engineering |
| Science | 23% | College of Science |
| Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences | 25.5% | College of Arts & Letters |
| Architecture | 3% | School of Architecture |
| Global Affairs | 3% | Keough School of Global Affairs |
Acceptance Rate by Residency Status
Notre Dame does not publish separate acceptance rates for in-state, out-of-state, or international applicants. International students make up 8% of the Class of 2028.
| Residency | Acceptance Rate | Class of 2028 % |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. (all states) | Not published | 92% |
| International | Not published | 8% |
ℹ️ Students come from all 50 states and over 100 countries.
How Does Notre Dame Compare?
Notre Dame is among the most selective U.S. universities, with an acceptance rate similar to other top private institutions.
| School | Acceptance Rate | Avg SAT | Avg ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 11% | 1470–1540 | 33–35 |
| Duke | 7% | 1510–1570 | 34–35 |
| Vanderbilt | 6% | 1510–1560 | 34–35 |
| Georgetown | 13% | 1390–1550 | 32–34 |
| Emory | 11% | 1460–1550 | 32–34 |
| Boston College | 16% | 1430–1540 | 33–34 |
| Tufts | 10% | 1460–1550 | 33–35 |
| Wake Forest | 21% | 1410–1500 | 32–34 |
How to Boost Your Chances of Getting In
- Show leadership that aligns with Catholic social teaching. For example, if you organized a neighborhood food drive or built a tutoring program for underprivileged students, highlight how your leadership served others.
- Write your Notre Dame supplement like a mission statement. Connect your purpose to Notre Dame’s Catholic values, whether through service, ethics, or spiritual growth, and explain how Notre Dame will help you live out that mission.
- Ask teachers to write about moments of moral or intellectual courage. For example, if you challenged a widely held assumption in class or stood up for someone unfairly treated, those stories demonstrate the character Notre Dame values.
- Frame extracurriculars in terms of impact and inclusion. Instead of listing roles, describe how you changed systems or supported others, like creating accessible debate materials for ESL students or mentoring underclassmen in STEM.
- Emphasize service that’s consistent and personal. Admissions looks for sustained commitment more than one-time mission trips.
- Show how you’ve explored ethics, spirituality, or social justice even if you're not Catholic. Whether through personal reflection, interfaith work, or reading Augustine, show you’re someone who wrestles with life’s big questions.
- Demonstrate how you uplift others. Notre Dame seeks students who lead with empathy. Ex) launching mental health programs at school or advocating for inclusive policy changes.
Notre Dame Admissions FAQs
Q. Is Notre Dame harder to get into for international students?
A. Notre Dame does not publish separate acceptance rates for international students, but international students make up about 8% of the class.
Q. What GPA do I need to get into Notre Dame?
A. Most admitted students are in the top 10% of their class.
Q. Does Notre Dame superscore SAT/ACT?
A. Yes, Notre Dame uses the highest composite and section scores from all test dates.
Q. Is Notre Dame test-optional?
A. Yes, Notre Dame is test-optional through at least the 2025–26 cycle.
Q. Can I get into Notre Dame with a 3.8 GPA?
A. It is possible, especially with strong essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars, but most admitted students are in the top decile of their class.
Q. What does it mean to be deferred or waitlisted at Notre Dame?
A. Deferred applicants are reconsidered in the Regular Decision pool. Waitlisted students may be offered admission if space becomes available after May 1.
Q. What is the difference between Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision at Notre Dame?
A. REA is non-binding and restricts applying early to other private colleges. Essentially, if a student applies REA to one institution, they cannot apply ED or EA to any other private colleges. Both rounds are highly competitive.
Q. How does Notre Dame's holistic review process work?
A. Notre Dame evaluates academics, essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, service, and character. No single factor guarantees admission.
Q. Can I double major or switch majors after enrolling?
A. Yes, students can double major or change majors, subject to departmental requirements.
Q. What is Notre Dame’s financial aid policy?
A. Notre Dame has a need-blind admissions policy for all students, meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, and does not include loans in its aid packages. Instead, students receive grants and scholarships. About 70% of undergraduates receive some type of financial aid.
Q. How and when will I receive my admissions decision?
A. REA applicants are notified in December, Regular Decision in late March/early April. The reply deadline is May 1.
Q. Does Notre Dame offer interviews as part of the admissions process?
A. Notre Dame does not require or offer interviews for undergraduate admissions.
Q. How does Notre Dame support first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students?
A. Notre Dame offers need-blind admissions, meets 100% of demonstrated need, and provides support programs for these groups.