Transfer FAQ

What are my chances of being admitted?

This is a difficult question. The decision process is decentralized; that is, transfer admissions are determined by the college or school to which you apply. Each one regulates its own enrollment goals. In recent Fall semesters, the overall admission rate has been 30-35%.

Admissibility is primarily gauged by a student’s academic record. The Committee is looking for those students whose academic performance in high school and college is consistently strong. Good high school grades with solid SAT or ACT test results and high grades in college are usually positive indicators of one’s chances of being admitted.

Preference is given to those students whose college courses match the Transfer Evaluation Guides for the college to which they are applying. Strict adherence to the course Guides is recommended.

How many transfer students does Notre Dame take?

Each year, we receive approximately 600 fall semester transfer applications for roughly 140-150 transfer openings. In the spring, we receive close to 100 transfer applications for 25 spots.

  • The fall semester transfer application deadline is April 15. Students are notified between June 1 and July 1.
  • The spring semester transfer application deadline is November 1. Students are notified between December 1 and January 5.

Please note: Notre Dame does not admit enrolling second-semester freshmen.

Does the size of the First Year Class impact the number of transfer openings?

Notre Dame has separate enrollment goals for both First Year and transfer students. The University hopes to enroll approximately 1,985 First Year students and 130 transfer students each fall. In years when we enroll a larger-than-expected number of First Year students, we still plan to enroll 140 – 150 fall transfers.

Since on-campus housing is guaranteed to First Year students and not to transfer students, a large freshmen class typically does impact the availability of on-campus housing for transfers.

Why are math and science requirements so important for an Arts and Letters major?

Notre Dame requires that all students complete First Year of Studies courses before entering a specific College (e.g. Arts and Letters). Transfer students are simply held to the same requirements as students who enter Notre Dame in the First Year.

What do you mean by “course descriptions”?

In order for us to determine whether or not your courses meet the transfer requirements and ultimately transfer to Notre Dame, we need an official course catalog description of each college course you have taken since high school graduation. These can be photocopied from your college’s catalog and specific courses highlighted or you can cut-and-paste the courses from the Web into a document and send that to the Admissions Office. It is most helpful if you group your courses by term taken in chronological order.

I applied to transfer to Notre Dame before, and I was not admitted. Can I apply again?

The Admissions Office retains First Year and Transfer applications for two years.

If you have applied for First Year admission within the past two years, your freshman application materials will be included in your transfer file. You do not need to resend official standardized test scores unless you have retaken the exams. Please pay special attention to items 5 and 7 on the application instructions list. Advanced Placement scores often are not included on high school transcripts.

If you have applied for Transfer admission within the past two years, your previous application materials will be included in your new file. You do not need to duplicate any of the documents already sent. You are required to submit a completed application form, the $65 application fee, an updated Personal Record Form, an original Personal Statement, and course descriptions and grades for any courses taken since you last applied.

I was a student at Notre Dame, but I left before completing my degree and attended another college. Would I be a transfer student?

No. You should apply for readmission to Notre Dame using the “Readmission Application”. Click here to learn more about the readmission process.

Is there an Orientation?

Yes! Each year the Transfer Orientation Committee, comprised of current ND students who themselves transferred to the University, coordinates the many facets of making your transition to Notre Dame easier. There are academic, social and spiritual components to the late-August Orientation Program. For most students it is a fun time to make new friends and get acclimated to ND.

Does Notre Dame admit second-semester freshmen?

Notre Dame does not admit enrolling second-semester freshmen as transfers. Students applying for sophomore transfer admission must have completed a full year of college and have at least 27 transferable credits by the time they enroll as sophomores. Students who have enough Advanced Placement credits to earn sophomore status after one semester must still complete a full year of college before applying for transfer admission.

Could Rudy be admitted to Notre Dame today?

An interesting question! Although there are many transfer applicants each year who share Rudy’s love and devotion for Notre Dame, the academic profile of today’s admitted transfer student has changed since the 1970’s. A competitive transfer applicant typically did well in high school, attends a four-year institution, and follows the course requirements detailed on our transfer website.

The 2005 Transfer Orientation Committee chose a line from the movie Rudy as their theme: “I’ve been ready for this my whole life!”