Transfer Applicants
Notre Dame seeks to admit a small number of extraordinary transfer students each year who will enhance the University through their involvement, passions, care for others, and demonstrated academic excellence. Each year, we receive approximately 1000 fall semester transfer applications for 50 transfer openings, and we receive close to 100 transfer applications for 5-10 spots in the spring.
Students who successfully transfer to Notre Dame have completed at least one full academic year in a degree-seeking program at another college or university after graduating from high school. High school students who are dual-enrolled in both high school and college programs should apply through our first year admission process.
Evaluation Criteria
All transfer students apply to a college and specific major at Notre Dame. To present a competitive application, you must have:
- Appropriate course selection for your intended major and excellent academic performance in those courses.
- Completed and earned a ‘B’ or better in courses required by your prospective college. (Please note: Online courses are only transferable from the spring semester of 2020 through the summer of 2021).
- A competitive college GPA (In recent years, the average GPA for admitted students is 3.75 or higher.)
- Outstanding high school academic record
- ACT or SAT assessment scores (optional for 2023 and 2024 application cycles)
- 24 transferable credits and a minimum of one year of college at a four-year accredited institution. Dual-enrollment courses do not count towards this minimum.
- A well-crafted personal statement explaining your interest in Notre Dame, your academic and professional goals, and how transferring to Notre Dame can help you achieve them.
A list of required materials and instructions can be found under Application Instructions.
Dates and Deadlines
Spring Enrollment
- Deadline: October 1, 2022
- Notification between December 1, 2022 - January 5, 2023
Fall Enrollment
- Deadline: March 15, 2023
- Notification typically between June 1 - July 1, 2023
More information about the Fall and Spring Enrollment plans can be found under Apply.
Major Availability
A student’s previous academic performance as well as the availability of space within the intended major are critical to a favorable decision. Open spots in individual programs vary from year to year. Some of our most popular majors like Neuroscience and Behavior, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Business Analytics, and Finance have very limited availability in a given year. Regardless of which intended major you select, it is strongly recommended that you indicate an alternate intent on your application so that more options will be available to you.
Once admitted to a particular major, a student will not be allowed to change to another major at the University without the permission of their dean.
The following programs are not open to transfer students for the foreseeable future:
- Actuary Minor
- Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) track of Computer Science
To learn more about each of the colleges, explore their websites:
- College of Arts and Letters
- College of Engineering
- College of Science
- Keough School of Global Affairs
- Mendoza College of Business
- School of Architecture
Course Selection
To learn more about what classes you need to take for your intended major in order to present a strong application, please view our required courses. It is imperative that you have the prerequisites needed for your intended course of study, so carefully review the required curriculum for your intended College. When deciding what additional classes to take, we recommend aligning your course selection with Notre Dame’s Core Curriculum. Regardless of major, you should prioritize taking one or two math classes, at least one natural science class, and an English composition class. Course requirements vary by college and major.
Beyond the Classroom
Your days will not just be spent in the classroom, but as a member of a vibrant campus community. Learn more about student life, housing, Welcome Weekend, financial aid, and frequently asked questions. We also have additional information for international transfer students.
If you have any remaining questions after reviewing the transfer website, please email transfer@nd.edu.