Changes to the University of Notre Dame Application

The University of Notre Dame has announced several changes to their application requirements, including the reinstatement of standardized test scores for students applying to start fall 2028, and one less supplemental essay. 

Notre Dame test-permanent once more—and why

After implementing test optional status at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Notre Dame has gone back to requiring SAT and ACT scores starting from students seeking to enroll in fall 2028. This continues a trend we’ve seen at top schools. Colleges such as Georgetown and MIT quickly returned to requiring testing, and more recently schools like Brown, Dartmouth, and Yale reinstated testing requirements for the 2026-2027 application season.

According to Micki Kidder, Notre Dame’s Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment, the university wants “students with strong academic potential, high moral character, and a desire to serve the common good. A test score, evaluated in full context of an applicant’s individual circumstances, is an additional measure to aid us in that process.” 

Notre Dame conducted a years-long review of its own admissions data from cycles that were both test-required and test-optional, and concluded that standardized test scores do provide important quantitative evidence of academic preparation. The review showed a strong correlation between test scores and classroom performance once students enroll in college. When evaluated in the context of an applicant’s local high school and community, test scores give the admissions team additional information to better understand a student’s academic profile.

Furthermore, the Notre Dame News reported that “Students from a variety of backgrounds, including first-generation, Pell-eligible, and rural applicants, are among the populations most likely to be overlooked in the admissions process without a test requirement.”

How is Notre Dame supporting students after the announcement? 

In light of the re-introduction of test score requirements, the University of Notre Dame also highlighted specific initiatives in its announcements, including:

• For most families earning $60,000 or less annually, Notre Dame covers tuition, fees, housing, and food. For families earning up to $150,000 annually, Notre Dame covers tuition, and for families earning up to $200,000 annually, Notre Dame covers at least half tuition.
• Notre Dame provides fee waivers to students who demonstrate financial need.
• Notre Dame recently announced that a family’s financial aid will not decrease over a student’s four years on campus.
• The school is also starting free SAT preparation and admissions counseling, effective for fall 2028 applicants. The school will be offering free SAT bootcamp and college admissions workshops to students engaged with a variety of schools and community-based organizations.
• In collaboration with the STARS network, Notre Dame has added a dedicated college adviser position to work directly with rural students as they navigate the college admissions process, from application through enrollment.

Shortened application

Notre Dame has also removed one of their supplemental essays; applicants now choose two prompts to answer (out of four options), whereas in the past they’d have to choose three prompts out of five. The full list of supplemental essay prompts is below:

Notre Dame University Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

(In “Academics” tab): Briefly share what draws you to the area(s) of study you listed. (100 words)

The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of one (1) required short essay question and two (2) short-answer responses to questions you select from the options provided.

Notre Dame University Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

Please provide a response to the following question. The word count is a maximum of 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.*

Notre Dame University Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

Please choose two questions from the options below. Your response to each short-answer question should be between 50-100 words.

1. How does faith influence the decisions you make?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. What would you fight for?

Notre Dame no longer includes the prompt “What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?”

How to strategize your Notre Dame Application

It is still a pretty long list of supplemental essays, but if you have your eye on becoming a Fighting Irish, take advantage of both the test score and the essay requirements to showcase why you’d be a strong fit.

You can also consider applying Restrictive Early Action to Notre Dame. Remember that REA candidates can’t apply ED to another school, but they can apply to other non-restrictive EA public schools—so apply REA if you don’t have another school you’d rather apply ED. LIke ED, applying REA can give you an advantage, as shown by the table below:

Application Cycle	Notre Dame REA Acceptance Rate	Notre Dame Overall Acceptance Rate
2025-2026	12%	9%
2024-2025	13%	9%
2023-2024	15%	12%

These statistics also illustrated that admission to Notre Dame is becoming increasingly competitive. During results announcements, Notre Dame signaled that “Those admitted demonstrated exceptional academic preparation along with leadership, enthusiasm for Notre Dame’s Catholic mission, and commitment to serving others.” So, when you work on your application, make sure you ensure your application reflects that you have what it takes to be a Fighting Irish.