The University of Notre Dame has long been recognized as a prestigious institution attracting top-tier students. Back in 1986, the acceptance rate stood at 43%, with the Class of 1990 boasting an average SAT score of 1200 and 75% of students securing spots in the top 10% of their high school class. Over the years, the university’s admissions landscape has undergone significant transformation. By the turn of the millennium, the acceptance rate had dropped to 35%, followed by a further decline to 28% in 2010. Fast forward to 2023, and Notre Dame’s acceptance rate plummeted to an unprecedented low of 12%.
As the journey to securing admission into Notre Dame becomes increasingly arduous, this blog aims to equip you with comprehensive insights into the application process, ensuring you’re well-prepared to navigate the rigorous admissions standards of this esteemed institution.
What is The Notre Dame Early Decision Acceptance Rate?
From a pool of 11,163 applications, Notre Dame extended offers to 1,701 students through Early Decision (ED). This translates to an Early Decision acceptance rate of 15% for the Class of 2027.
What is The Notre Dame: Acceptance Rate?
Notre Dame received a total of 28,351 applications for the freshman class of 2023-24, extending offers to 3,399 students. This sets the acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 at 11.9%. Recent acceptance rates at the University of Notre Dame have been as follows:
- Class of 2026: 13%
- Class of 2025: 15%
- Class of 2024: 19%
What is The Notre Dame SAT, ACT, and Class Rank?
For the enrolled members of the Class of 2026, the middle-50% SAT range fell between 1420 and 1550, while the ACT range was from 32 to 35. Regarding class rank, a significant 91% of freshmen held a position within the top decile of their high school class, with an overwhelming 97% securing spots within the top quartile.
What is The Admission Insights at The Notre Dame?
- REA applications surged by 25% for the Class of 2027.
- Test-optional applicants witnessed a 3% increase in the last cycle.
- Notre Dame’s record-low acceptance rate of 11.9% marks a historic milestone.
- The admitted Class of 2027 represents individuals from all 50 states and 143 countries worldwide.
What is The Notre Dame Demographics?
Let’s explore the demographics of current undergraduates accepted into the University of Notre Dame:
Geographically, the breakdown for the Class of 2026 included:
- Northeast: 21%
- Southeast: 15%
- Midwest: 12%
- Midwest-Plains: 17%
- West/Southwest: 23%
- Outside the United States: 12%
Similar to other selective colleges, applicants from less populated regions like Wyoming, South Dakota, and Idaho have enhanced admissions prospects.
Examining ethnic identity, the accepted Class of 2026 was comprised of:
- Asian American: 11%
- Hispanic: 15%
- African American: 14%
- Native American: 1%
The largest number of total international students originated from:
- China
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Canada
- India
- South Korea
In terms of gender distribution, there were slightly more men than women:
- Male: 52%
- Female: 48%
Accepted students from the Class of 2026 attended various types of high schools:
- Public: 47%
- Catholic: 33%
- Private/Charter: 19%
What is The Notre Dame Yield Rate?
In the previous admissions cycle, Notre Dame’s yield rate, which measures the percentage of accepted students who enroll, stood at 60%. While not reaching the levels of top-tier institutions like Stanford and Harvard, with yields over 80%, it exceeded those of University of Chicago, MIT, and Yale, all boasting 70%+ rates. Notably, Notre Dame surpassed other prestigious private institutions including Vanderbilt, Rice, and Carnegie Mellon.
What is The Admission Criteria at The Notre Dame?
At Notre Dame, the admissions process emphasizes two factors as “very important”: the rigor of a student’s secondary school record and their character/personal qualities. Considered “important” are aspects like class rank, GPA, essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, first-generation or legacy status, and volunteer experience. Additionally, the university considers an applicant’s religious affiliation, racial/ethnic background, work experience, standardized test scores, and level of demonstrated interest.
In the words of Notre Dame admissions officers, they seek well-rounded applicants and take a holistic approach to evaluating applications, considering both academic and non-academic components. The university also values the context of each student’s application, taking into account their high school environment and available opportunities. This means assessing applicants within the context of their school and not comparing them against applicants from different educational backgrounds.
The Notre Dame Application Process Key Tips
If you’re considering applying to Notre Dame among the 28,000+ hopefuls for the upcoming admissions cycle, here’s what you need to know:
- Get acquainted with the application checklist to ensure you’re prepared.
- Notre Dame will maintain its test-optional policy for the 2023-24 cycle.
- Having a legacy connection can boost your application; approximately 28% of recent freshmen had family ties to the university.
- Interviews are not offered through the university. Notre Dame values the insight gained from applicant essays, considering them as a window into your personality and experiences.
- Demonstrated interest is not a factor in admissions decisions. However, reaching out to the admissions office, engaging on social media, and visiting campus (when feasible) can still be beneficial.
- Allocate ample time and effort to craft thoughtful responses to the three supplemental essays required by Notre Dame.
- The University of Notre Dame Writing Supplement includes one required essay response and one essay response chosen from a list of provided options. Each essay should be no more than 200 words.
Conclusion
Applying to the University of Notre Dame is a competitive yet rewarding endeavor. With a holistic admissions process, the university considers various aspects of each applicant’s profile to create a diverse and talented student body. As you navigate the admissions process, remember to thoroughly prepare your application materials, including the supplemental essays, and leverage any available resources to showcase your unique qualities and experiences. While gaining acceptance to Notre Dame may be challenging, the opportunity to join the Fighting Irish community and pursue academic excellence makes it a worthwhile pursuit.