Located in South Bend, Indiana, the University of Notre Dame sits miles from the Michigan/Indiana border and Lake Michigan and under two hours from Chicago.
The Catholic-affiliated university is committed to service and sustaining a community of people who are passionate, involved, and innovative.
Many breakthrough discoveries have taken place on Notre Dame’s campus, including the first transmission of wireless messages.
Today, researchers at the University of Notre Dame study topics as broad as tropical disease transmission, nanoelectronics, and peace studies.
The top research university has been ranked among the top 25 institutions of higher learning by the U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, and other college rankings publications.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, the University of Notre Dame is an ideal campus for students who desire an intimate class environment.
The university follows through on its commitment to providing experiential learning opportunities for students – 75% of the student body travels abroad, and 89% participate in some form of research study or internship.
Those who graduate from Notre Dame average $70,000 salaries within their first year of employment, and 98% of graduates find permanent work within six months of graduating – a promising outlook for transfer applicants who value the ability to attain a high-paying job immediately after college.
Up next, we’ll share details about Notre Dame’s typical transfer acceptance rate and the ten transfer application materials.
Then, we’ll conclude by noting important deadlines and reviewing some of the reasons that make the University of Notre Dame such an appealing option for transfer students.
University of Notre Dame Transfer Acceptance Rate
The transfer acceptance rate at the University of Notre Dame is 5%.
The number of available spaces at the University of Notre Dame fluctuates from year to year; typically, the school receives nearly 1,000 applications from students hoping to enroll in the fall semester for 50 transfer openings (equivalent to a 5% acceptance rate).
There are some programs at Notre Dame that do not currently accept transfer students, including Science Business, Chemistry Business, and Math Business.
Many of the colleges on campus do not accept transfer students who have already completed the first semester of their sophomore year in college.
Additionally, there are some of Notre Dame’s most popular programs that see wide variation in their amount of open spots, like Neuroscience and Behavior, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Business Analytics.
Above all things, transfer applicants should know that the University of Notre Dame genuinely seeks to add students to their campus who will get involved or demonstrate a passion for a cause. They view their students as assets who contribute to a community.
There are several ways to convey that shared commitment, which we’ll discuss in the next section.
Application Requirements & GPA for University of Notre Dame Transfers
According to the University of Notre Dame Office of Admissions, a competitive transfer applicant boasts an average GPA of 3.75 or higher.
Transfer students must apply to a specific college and major and should note that once they gain admittance to their designated major, they will not be allowed to change majors at Notre Dame without obtaining a dean’s permission.
There are ten application materials (both required and optional) that students submit in the application process.
First, they should have earned a B or higher in the courses whose credits will transfer over to an applicant’s intended major at Notre Dame. The applicant’s cumulative GPA should meet or exceed a 3.75 to be considered truly competitive.
Second, transfer applicants should submit a high school record (typically an official transcript) that illustrates exceptional academic performance.
Third – and optional – are SAT or ACT scores. For the 2022 and 2023 application cycles, Notre Dame has adopted a test-optional policy.
Transfer applicants can self-report their scores to avoid paying testing agencies to submit scores on their behalf. Once an admitted student enrolls at Notre Dame, they will then need to submit their official score reports.
While SAT and ACT score statistics for transfer students only are not available, the school reports that of the nearly 13% of first-year students admitted to the class of 2026, 33% were admitted without submitting a test score.
Fourth, the applicant must meet the school’s definition of a transfer student; they have graduated from high school and earned at least 27 credits at an accredited four-year institution.
A personal statement explaining what about Notre Dame appeals to the applicant, a description of their academic and professional goals, and how transferring to Notre Dame can help them achieve their goals are the fifth required items.
Here is a great place to talk about your passions and experience with service.
The sixth and seventh items are the Mid-Term Report (for the current semester) and the final college transcript (when it becomes available at the end of the term).
A letter of recommendation is optional, as are AP and IB test scores, the eighth and ninth items. The final two items include the course syllabi for all courses listed on the applicant’s college transcripts and the College Student Record Form, which should be completed and submitted by a school official at the applicant’s current institution.
There is an additional item required from international transfer applicants whose native language is not English – these applicants are required to show English language proficiency by submitting one of four exams: the TOEFL, IELTS, DET, or PTE Academic.
University of Notre Dame University Transfer Deadline
Those hoping to transfer to Notre Dame in the fall semester should submit all required application materials by March 15. Notre Dame also accepts transfers for the spring semester, and applicants have until October 1 to submit their application materials.
Those hoping to receive some form of financial aid when they enroll in the fall semester should complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile by April 15 – both documents are available October 1, a year before intended enrollment. Those applying to start their studies in the spring semester should submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by November 15.
What is the Decision Date for Notre Dame Transfers?
Students applying to transfer to Notre Dame in the fall semester will receive an admission decision between June 1 and July 1.
Any transfers hoping to begin their studies in the spring semester will get notified between December 1 and January 5.
Deciding Whether You Should Transfer to University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame is aligned with the Catholic faith – each week, the campus hosts over 40 Sunday masses and 160 daily masses.
Additionally, the school organizes 30 religious retreats every year through the Campus Ministry.
That being said, the school warmly welcomes students of all faiths and creeds. Notre Dame places great emphasis on service to others, and more than 80% of students participate in some kind of service activity or service-learning before they graduate.
For many students, financial aid is a critical consideration when determining whether or not to transfer to a particular university.
While transfer students are ineligible to receive merit-based scholarships, they can apply for need-based financial aid.
In addition to submitting their FAFSA and CSS profile, applicants will also need to send their signed tax returns and W2 forms (as well as their parents’ forms) from the previous year, the Noncustodial Parent Statement (if applicable), and the Verification Worksheet.
RECAP: How to Apply As a Transfer Student to University of Notre Dame
The transfer application process involves completing a variety of required and optional artifacts, and applicants are required to declare a major.
Let’s go over the required items first: a strong GPA in all credits transferable toward the intended major, a high school transcript, 27 college credits with an average of a B (3.0) or above and a course syllabus for each completed course, a personal statement, a mid-term report, a College Student Record Form, and a final college transcript.
That’s a bit to manage, and those are just the required materials! The process, however, is very straightforward. The applicant can email their previous course instructors if they do not have access to the syllabus.
The high school transcripts, college transcript(s), and grade reports are usually submitted by authorities you contact, like an advisor, academic dean, or school guidance counselor. The final college transcript will be available after their last semester has concluded.
Next, there are optional materials that hopeful students can submit, including a letter of recommendation, ACT and/or SAT scores, and AP and/or IB scores.
In most cases, the Office of Admissions will want to receive official copies of these records.
In the personal statement, it would be wise to highlight experiences in service or achievements related to a passion that is meaningful to you.
The strongest candidates demonstrate commitments to both of those pillars, so let your passion shine through!
