The University of Notre Dame today announced it will reinstate a standardized testing requirement for undergraduate applicants, beginning with the 2027鈥�28 admissions cycle. First-year and transfer applicants seeking to enroll in fall 2028 will need to submit either ACT or SAT scores. In announcing this change, the University highlighted a broadened set of access and affordability initiatives that ensure talented and mission-aligned students from every background and every pathway can find a home at Notre Dame.
鈥淎s Notre Dame reinstates standardized testing, our goal remains unchanged: We hope to attract exceptional young people, from every background and walk of life, to be part of Notre Dame,鈥� said , Notre Dame vice president for undergraduate enrollment. 鈥淩ooted in our Catholic mission and committed to academic excellence, we want students with strong academic potential, high moral character, and a desire to serve the common good. A test score, evaluated in full context of an applicant鈥檚 individual circumstances, is an additional measure to aid us in that process.鈥�
Notre Dame鈥檚 decision follows a detailed review of its own admissions data across multiple cycles, which confirmed that standardized test scores provide important quantitative evidence of academic preparation and showed a strong correlation between test scores and classroom performance after students matriculate. Evaluated relative to the opportunities and norms of an applicant鈥檚 local high school and community, test scores give the admissions team additional information to better understand a student鈥檚 academic profile. The review also underscored an insight articulated by researchers at peer institutions: Students from a variety of backgrounds, including first-generation, Pell-eligible, and rural applicants, are among the populations most likely to be overlooked in the admissions process without a test requirement.
University officials emphasize that this change will not alter the comprehensive nature of the admissions process. A test score is one data point among dozens that Notre Dame considers, including curriculum rigor, performance in the classroom, essays, letters of recommendations, extracurricular activities, volunteerism, and the context of a student鈥檚 high school and community. No single variable opens or closes a door at Notre Dame. Scores will continue to be evaluated contextually rather than against a fixed threshold.
Notre Dame鈥檚 approach to admissions rests on a simple conviction: Talent and promise are everywhere, in rural high schools, in Catholic schools, in homeschools, and in large public systems. The inclusion of a test score helps to ensure that students applying from schools that are less well-known to admissions officers have the same opportunity as those attending more familiar schools.
In today鈥檚 announcement, Notre Dame highlighted several initiatives that reflect its long-standing commitment to affordability and access:
Affordability for families at all income levels. Through , the University practices need-blind admissions for all applicants, domestic and international; meets the full demonstrated financial need of every admitted student; and does not include loans in its financial aid packages.
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Price transparency. For most families earning $60,000 or less annually, the University will cover tuition, fees, housing, and food. For families earning up to $150,000 annually, Notre Dame will cover tuition, and for families earning up to $200,000 annually, Notre Dame will cover at least half of tuition.
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Fee waivers. Notre Dame makes application fee waivers available to any student for whom the cost of applying is a barrier.
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Four-year financial aid promise. Notre Dame recently announced that a family鈥檚 financial aid will not decrease over a student鈥檚 four years on campus, absent a significant change in family income, and will increase if a family鈥檚 demonstrated need grows.
Free SAT preparation and admissions counseling. Effective for fall 2028 applicants, Notre Dame, in partnership with 91视频house.world, will be offering free SAT Bootcamp and College Admissions Workshops to students engaged with a variety of schools and community-based organizations.
Support for rural and small-town students. Notre Dame is a proud member of the STARS College Network and, in collaboration with the network, has added a dedicated college adviser position to work directly with rural students as they navigate the college admissions process, from application through enrollment.
A simplified application. For fall 2027 applicants, Notre Dame simplified its Common Application supplement.
鈥淭ogether, these initiatives reflect what has always been true of Notre Dame,鈥� Kidder said. 鈥淣otre Dame seeks to welcome students from all pathways and income levels who are drawn to the University鈥檚 Catholic character and whose academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and passion for serving those around them will enrich our community and world.鈥�
Contact: Erin Blasko, director of media engagement, 574-631-4127,聽eblasko@nd.edu