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 - 2 Units
  • Mathematics, College Preparatory - 3 Units
  • Science - 3 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.

Nursing Admission Requirements

Applicants entering the university as a 1st year student who are interested in the nursing major have additional requirements (in addition to the admission requirements listed above) to meet in order to be considered a direct-entry nursing major student. 

Admission Policy for Direct-Entry and Transfer Nursing Students