What the 11.1% Notre Dame Acceptance Rate Means to Applicants

Notre Dame was founded in 1842 by a French Catholic priest. Today, the school maintains its commitment to its Catholic heritage by seeking to admit students who wish to be an enlightening force in the world. 

The school aims to produce citizens who understand not only how to think but also how to live and who are dedicated to academic scholarship and strong personal values. With the 11.1% Notre Dame acceptance rate, it’s clear that the university has met and will continue to achieve that goal.

The University of Notre Dame acceptance rate for Fall 2024 reflects two distinct admissions processes. This year, the school received 11,498 applications for its nonbinding Restrictive Early Action (REA) application option. Of those applicants, 1,724 students were admitted for Fall 2024, with an REA acceptance rate of 15%. 

This year, the University of Notre Dame received 18,445 Regular Decision (RD) applications. It sent admissions offers to 1,600 of those students for an RD Notre Dame acceptance rate of just 8.6%.

These are the basic admissions statistics for the University of Notre Dame’s Class of 2028:

• 29,943 total applicants
• 3,324 admitted students
• 11.1% Notre Dame acceptance rate

This rate is similar to the Class of 2027’s 12% acceptance rate. However, it’s important to note that the Notre Dame acceptance rate has been steadily dropping for some time. Since 2019, it has declined sharply from 19.7% to just over 11% for the most recent class.

Notre Dame is located in Indiana. Because geographic location is a consideration in its admission process, the school typically enrolls about one-third of its student body from the surrounding Midwest states. However, as a top research university with a robust athletics program, Notre Dame attracts students from all over the nation and the world. 

For the class of 2028, students were admitted from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as seven U.S. territories and 137 countries. The school noted in a recent press release that it had received the largest number of applications from international students in its history.

Typically, Notre Dame’s admitted classes are roughly split between students identifying as male and female. Because of the school’s commitment to diversity, 30% to 40% of students are usually from underrepresented groups, and roughly one-fifth are first-generation college students.

Notre Dame has yet to release official academic profile statistics for the Class of 2028. However, as an academically competitive school, the admitted student profile typically comprises those who display high levels of academic preparedness and success.

Notre Dame does not publish an average GPA for admitted students. Still, the school noted that 92% of the students in the Class of 2027 ranked in the top 10% of their high school classes. The Class of 2028 will likely reflect a similar level of academic excellence.

The school remains test-optional through 2025. Last year, the average SAT composite score for the middle 50% of admitted students was 1450 to 1530. The average ACT score for the middle 50% of admits was 33 to 35.

With such a low Notre Dame acceptance rate, it’s clear the school wants to see a high GPA and class rank paired with a rigorous curriculum that reflects intellectual preparedness and curiosity. Your essay and recommendations are also considered of high importance, so it’s important to ensure that they reflect your academic and personal strengths.

Additionally, Notre Dame heavily considers extracurricular activities and personal character, aiming to admit students who display the values of leadership and service. More than a quarter of its admitted students have been heads of student organizations, nearly 90% have participated in community service, and over 40% are involved in the arts.

As a Catholic school, Notre Dame also considers religious affiliation in the admissions process. Standardized test scores and geographic residence are considered, but they are not critical factors.

No one can predict your chances of being admitted to any school. However, you can raise your chances of admission to this highly selective institution by maintaining a high GPA and class rank, taking the most rigorous classes available, taking on leadership roles in extracurricular activities, and writing a stellar essay.

Notre Dame looks for students who display academic preparedness as well as solid personal character. This means maintaining academic success while also developing yourself and leading the way in service to others.

With a Notre Dame acceptance rate of 11.1%, the school accepts roughly 1,600 to 1,800 students in each of its REA and RD admissions rounds.