First-Year Students

The Admissions Committee regards a strong college preparatory program in high school as the best preparation for success at Notre Dame and thus places the greatest emphasis on the type and strength of courses taken and the grades earned.

Accepted students usually rank in the top half of their class.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants are required to be prospective graduates of a high school accredited by the regional association of the College Board or of an approved home school program. If applying with a GED, a score of 145 or higher on the GED® is needed (Performance Level 2: Pass/High School Equivalency). Older GED scores will be reviewed individually.

A minimum of 18 academic units distributed as follows is required:

  • English - 4 Units
  • Foreign Language - 3 Units
  • Mathematics, College Preparatory - 3 Units
  • Science - 2 Units
  • History - 2 Units
  • Electives - 4 Units

The Admissions Committee may accept a student who lacks one or more of the stated requirements, but whose high school record and standardized testing show academic ability.

Early Admission

Applicants may wish to enter the University after three years of high school.

Generally, the applicant should meet the following requirements:

  • Submission of all admissions materials
  • Completion of 13 college preparatory units and three elective units prior to start of college work
  • Minimum of 550 on both the critical reading and math sections of the SAT Reasoning Test
  • Cumulative average of at least 3.0 in required areas of study, as listed above
  • A letter of recommendation from the high school principal
  • A personal interview, including a parent, with the vice president for enrollment management

Note: A criminal history does not disqualify an applicant from admission.