What are the entrance requirements for Notre Dame?

Notre Dame's entrance requirements focus on a strong academic record (rigorous courses, minimum 16 units) with holistic review, including essays, counselor recommendations, and optional videos, while being test-optional through 2026-27, meaning scores aren't required but can be submitted. Key elements are a challenging curriculum (preferred 4 Math, 4 Science, 3-4 Foreign Language), impactful essays about fit and values, and other metrics like AP/IB scores or unique experiences.

What GPA do you need to get into Notre Dame?

The University of Notre Dame looks for very strong applicants, with admitted students averaging around a 4.07-4.13 weighted GPA, requiring nearly straight A's in rigorous courses (AP, IB, Honors) to be competitive, though there's no strict minimum GPA, emphasizing academic challenge and strong grades over a specific number. Transfer applicants often need a competitive college GPA of 3.75 or higher, with a minimum of "B" or better in required courses. 

Is it harder to get into Duke or Notre Dame?

Duke is generally harder to get into than Notre Dame, consistently showing lower acceptance rates (around 5-11%) compared to Notre Dame (around 11-20%), though both are highly selective schools with strong academic profiles and competitive admissions. Duke often sees slightly higher average SAT/ACT scores and its admissions are considered more challenging overall, though admissions are complex and depend on many factors. 

What SAT score is required for Notre Dame?

The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1470, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1540. In other words, a 1470 places you below average, while a 1540 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at Notre Dame, but they really want to see at least a 1470 to have a chance at being considered.

Can I get into Notre Dame with a 3.8 GPA?

GPA Requirements

Admitted students typically have very high GPAs, ranging from 3.9 to 4.6. However, according to Notre Dame, ranking near the top of your class is necessary to be competitive, no matter how your school's GPA is computed.

Notre Dame: The Pros, the cons, and how to get in.

Is Notre Dame harder to get into than Harvard?

It is significantly harder to get into Harvard University than the University of Notre Dame, with Harvard's acceptance rate often below 4% compared to Notre Dame's, which has recently hovered around 9-11%. Harvard is consistently ranked among the most selective schools globally, requiring exceptional academic and extracurricular profiles, though Notre Dame is also extremely competitive and considered a top-tier university. 

Should I take the ACT or SAT?

Makes the choice simple.

You may have heard that colleges in some states prefer the SAT while others favor the ACT, but this isn't true. Colleges don't have a preference. All colleges that accept or require an admission test accept the SAT.

How much does it cost to attend Notre Dame?

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the University of Notre Dame's estimated total direct cost (tuition, fees, room, and board) is around $86,000, with tuition and mandatory fees at approximately $67,600, plus living expenses and other costs. After financial aid, the average net price for a student receiving aid drops significantly, with figures suggesting around $30,000-$40,000 average cost after scholarships and grants. 

What was Mark Zuckerberg's SAT score?

Mark Zuckerberg reportedly scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT, achieving the maximum possible score before attending Harvard University. This high score reflects his exceptional academic performance, matching other tech leaders like Bill Gates and Will Smith who also attained near-perfect or perfect scores, according to various reports.
 

What type of student does Notre Dame look for?

Instead, we look for students who challenge themselves within the context of their high school by taking rigorous courses—such as AP, IB, dual enrollment, honors, or other advanced classes offered by your high school—and who earn strong grades. There is no single right curriculum.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Is it harder to get into Georgetown or Notre Dame?

If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then Georgetown University is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.

Is Notre Dame a top 25 school?

#20 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. #10 in Best Undergraduate Teaching. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,880 (fall 2024), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 1,265 acres.

How to increase chances of getting into Notre Dame?

With a GPA of 4.13, Notre Dame requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

Do you have to pay to get into Notre Dame?

Notre-Dame Cathedral is open to all, freely and without charge. To reduce your waiting time at the entrance, you can, however, book a free access online a few hours before your visit. This option is entirely optional and aims solely to streamline entries and minimize unnecessary waiting.

Should I submit a 1440 to Notre Dame?

You should likely submit a 1440 SAT score to Notre Dame, as it falls right at the 25th percentile, meaning 25% of admitted students scored at or below this, but you'll need strong essays, extracurriculars, and high GPA to balance it and stand out, as the score alone isn't a guarantee, especially with high competition and ND valuing non-numeric factors heavily. 

What was Taylor Swift's SAT score?

Taylor Swift's SAT score is not publicly known because she left high school early to pursue her music career and never officially took the SATs for college admission, though she was academically successful in high school, graduating early with a 4.0 GPA before focusing on music. She famously called out a practice test for misquoting her lyrics, highlighting her strong grasp of grammar despite not needing the test.
 

What was Bill Clinton's SAT score?

Bill Clinton

The 42nd president of the United States scored a 1032—12 points above average—on his SAT. Still, Clinton excelled at Georgetown University, where he majored in Foreign Service and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Later, Clinton attended Yale Law School and earned a Juris Doctor in 1973.

What condition does Mark Zuckerberg have?

Mark Zuckerberg and Autism

His 2013 disclosure revealed his diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome, a form once considered a milder variant of autism. The American Psychiatric Association no longer recognizes it as a separate diagnosis.

Will I get financial aid if my parents make over $400,000?

Yes, you can still get financial aid even if your parents earn over $400k, as there's no strict income cutoff for the FAFSA, but need-based grants will likely be reduced; you may qualify for federal loans, institutional aid, merit scholarships, or other resources, so always apply to see what you're eligible for based on your family's specific situation (size, assets, other factors). 

Can you get a full ride scholarship to Notre Dame?

Yes, the University of Notre Dame offers full-ride scholarships, primarily through the QuestBridge National College Match Program for high-achieving, low-income students, and the Stamps Scholars Program for exceptional merit, covering tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. While the main university meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with need-based aid, full merit rides are limited but available via these prestigious programs and for certain Graduate School students. 

What is the most expensive college in the US?

The most expensive college in the U.S. varies slightly by source, but Pepperdine University, University of Southern California (USC), and Harvey Mudd College consistently rank at the top for total cost of attendance (including tuition, room, board, etc.), often exceeding $90,000-$100,000 annually, with Pepperdine sometimes cited as the highest for 2023-2024. Other institutions like the University of Chicago, Columbia University, and Northwestern University also appear among the most costly. 

Is 36 ACT or 1600 SAT better?

A 36 on the ACT is the highest possible score, and it is considered equivalent to a perfect 1600 on the SAT (the highest score possible on the SAT), according to official concordance tables, meaning they are generally viewed as equally exceptional achievements by colleges. While both represent peak performance, the ACT composite is an average of four sections, while the SAT total is the sum of two, but at this top level, they signify the same elite standing, making both scores highly competitive for any university. 

Is 37 a good ACT score?

Yes, a 37 on the ACT is an exceptional score, placing you in the top 1% of test-takers and making you a highly competitive applicant for even the most selective universities like Princeton, Harvard, and Yale. While a perfect score is 36, a 37 is virtually impossible on the standard test; it likely means you're looking at scores in the 34-36 range (99th percentile), which are considered phenomenal and excellent for top-tier schools, though strong grades and extracurriculars are still crucial for admission. 

What does a 27 on the ACT equal on the SAT?

An ACT score of 27 converts to an SAT score generally between 1280 and 1300, often cited as around 1280, falling within the range of 1260-1290, according to concordance tables from testing organizations and universities. This indicates a strong performance, equivalent to scoring in the 85th percentile on the SAT.