University of Notre Dame Admissions: Acceptance Rate, GPA, SAT
Catholic research university with a famously loyal alumni network.
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What it takes to get into Notre Dame
Notre Dame accepts roughly 12.9% of applicants — competitive but more accessible than the most selective Ivies.The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1450 and 1550 on the SAT, and the average unweighted GPA is around 4.06.
Numbers alone don't get you in. Notre Dame reads holistically — they want to see academic rigor in your high school transcript (AP/IB/Honors course load), genuine intellectual curiosity, leadership in extracurriculars, a clear “spike” or area of demonstrated excellence, strong essays, and recommendation letters that vouch for your character.
Test-optional policies vary year to year. Even where tests are optional, applicants who submit scores in the 75th-percentile range typically have an edge. Check Notre Dame's admissions page for the current cycle's policy.
What Notre Dame Weighs in Admissions
Visual breakdown from Common Data Set Section C7
Notre Dame Acceptance Rate
12.9% acceptance rate with SAT, GPA benchmarks and selectivity analysis.
How to Get Into Notre Dame
Data-driven admissions strategy based on CDS weights and what actually matters.
How to Write the “Why Notre Dame?” Essay
Research tips, common mistakes, and what admissions is actually looking for.
See Where You Stand
GPA vs SAT scattergram — compare your stats to admitted and rejected students.
Practice Notre Dame Interview Questions
AI-scored mock interview with real alumni questions. 5-dimension feedback.
Notre Dame Supplemental Essays
Every prompt for the 2026-27 cycle with word limits, intent, and pitfalls to avoid.
Notre Dame Admissions FAQ
What is Notre Dame's acceptance rate?
Notre Dame admits approximately 12.9% of applicants based on the most recent reported Common Data Set figures. This rate has trended downward over the past decade as application volumes have grown.
What SAT score do you need for Notre Dame?
Admitted students at Notre Dame typically score between 1450 (25th percentile) and 1550 (75th percentile) on the SAT. Hitting or exceeding the 75th percentile gives you a meaningful edge.
What GPA do you need for Notre Dame?
The average admitted student at Notre Dame has an unweighted GPA of approximately 4.06 on a 4.0 scale — though weighted GPAs and course rigor matter just as much as the raw number.
Is Notre Dame test-optional?
Notre Dame's testing policy varies by cycle. Some years they are test-optional, some years test-required. Always confirm on the official admissions page before submitting.
Compare Notre Dame with similar schools
Stats are approximate, drawn from publicly-reported Common Data Set figures. Confirm current numbers on Notre Dame's official admissions site.