University of Notre Dame

1. Background, identity, interest, or talent: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. Facing adversity: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Challenging an idea: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Gratitude: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Personal growth: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Intellectual curiosity: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Topic of your choice: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Common App enforces the length inside the application. For Common App applicants.

1. A story from your life: Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
2. What interests or excites you: What interests or excites you? How does it shape who you are now or who you might become in the future?
3. A positive impact on others: Describe a time when you had a positive impact on others. What were the challenges? What were the rewards?
4. An idea or belief questioned: Has there been a time when an idea or belief of yours was questioned? How did you respond? What did you learn?
5. A success or obstacle: What success have you achieved or obstacle have you faced? What advice would you give a sibling or friend going through a similar experience?
6. Topic of your choice: Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

The Coalition asks for an essay of about 500-650 words. For Coalition applicants.

1. Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your non-negotiable factor(s) when searching for your future college home.
2. Notre Dame’s undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?

QuestBridge applicants.

Briefly share what draws you to the area(s) of study you listed.

Common App applicants.

Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home.

Common App and Coalition applicants; QuestBridge applicants complete the Notre Dame QuestBridge Supplement instead.

1. How does faith influence the decisions you make?
2. What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?
3. Notre Dame’s undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?
4. What would you fight for?

Common App and Coalition applicants; QuestBridge applicants complete the Notre Dame QuestBridge Supplement instead.