If your decision letter included an invitation to join the waiting list, you may be wondering what comes next. We’re grateful for the time, care, and thoughtfulness you put into your application, and we appreciate your interest in the University of Notre Dame.
Being offered a place on the waiting list means your application will remain under consideration for the Class of 2030 in the Regular Decision round. While we are not able to offer admission at this time, the waiting list allows us to revisit applications in the greater context of the applicant pool
If you would like to remain under consideration, your first step is to accept your place on the waiting list through your applicant status portal.
Below, you’ll find helpful information about what to expect and how to proceed.
What to Expect
Each year, we review the waiting list after the May 1 enrollment confirmation deadline, once we know how many students have accepted their offers of admission. Because this varies from year to year, it is difficult to predict how many students, if any, we may be able to admit from the waiting list.
If space becomes available, applicants are typically notified in early May. However, each year is different, and waiting list activity depends on a variety of factors.
Historically, about 60 percent of applicants offered a place on the waiting list choose to remain on it. Please note that the waiting list is not ranked, and all admission decisions are made through a comprehensive review process.
Next Steps to Take
There is no single action that guarantees admission from the waiting list. However, the steps below will help ensure your application remains complete and up to date.
1. Research the colleges you’ve been admitted to and choose one to attend.
Applicants who remain on the waiting list must also select another college to attend by May 1. It is important to enroll at a school where you feel excited to learn, grow, and thrive academically and socially.
2. Write a letter of continued interest and upload it to your Notre Dame applicant status portal by April 15.
If you feel there is more you would like to share about your goals, interests, and reasons for applying to Notre Dame, you are welcome to submit a letter of continued interest.
Take time to reflect before writing. Thoughtful letters often include meaningful updates, a clear sense of purpose, and reflection on the impact you hope to make within the Notre Dame family.
Give yourself time and space to reflect on your experiences, your goals, and the values that guide you. This reflection can help you share updates and insights that may not have been included in your original application.
Please submit your letter by April 15 through your applicant status portal.
3. Submit any updates (and your letter of continued interest) via your applicant status portal by April 15.
If you have meaningful updates to your academic, extracurricular, or personal achievements, you may submit them through the Upload Materials section of your applicant status portal.
Please note that there is no need to email materials separately. Admissions staff are able to review all materials submitted through the applicant status portal, and new submissions are automatically highlighted for us on our end.
In addition, we do not recommend submitting additional letters of recommendation.
If you plan to share updates, please submit them by April 15.
4. If you haven't already, apply for financial aid.
The waiting list process is need-blind for all students. If you intend to apply for financial aid, please ensure that all required documents have been submitted. Submitting your materials in a timely manner will help ensure you receive a financial aid offer promptly if you are later offered admission.
If you are admitted and eligible for need-based assistance, Notre Dame is committed to meeting your family’s full demonstrated financial need, regardless of when you are admitted. Because we understand that cost is an important part of the college decision process, waiting list offers are non-binding.
You can review your Financial Aid tab in your applicant status portal to confirm which documents have been received.
If you are offered admission from the waiting list, you will receive a deadline to accept or decline your offer based on when your decision is released.
Learn more about applying for need-based financial aid here.
Questions?
If you have questions, your admissions counselor is always available to help. You can contact them through your applicant status portal.
You can also review our waiting list FAQs for answers to many commonly asked questions.
Thank you again for your interest in Notre Dame.