FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
About the Graduate School
Admissions
Application, General
Application Fees
GRE and TOEFL
Letters of Recommendation
About the Graduate School
Q: Does Notre Dame have a graduate program in ( )?
A: Visit the Departments and Programs page for a complete list of programs offered through the Graduate School.
Q: What are the admission requirements?
A: For details concerning both degree-seeking and nondegree-seeking applicants, see the Application Requirements section of our website.
Q: How much does graduate school at Notre Dame cost?
A: It may cost almost nothing. Most departments support most of their students through fellowships, teaching assistantships, or research assistantships. This support often covers the full cost of tuition and living expenses.
Q: How do I apply to The Graduate School?
A: Check on the Apply Now link on the Graduate School website.
Admissions
Application, General:
Q: Can the application for the Graduate School be downloaded?
A: No, the application for the Graduate School is meant to be completed and submitted directly online.
Q: Can I apply to more than one program?
A: Yes. If you have already applied to a Notre Dame program within the last academic year, you will get a warning message indicating that you have a duplicate account when you try to create a new account within ApplyYourself. When you receive the warning message, click on “Continue and create new account.” Once you do this, the system will send you a new PIN to start your new application. Also, please be aware that the system will not let you use a PIN number to re-apply if you already submitted an application using that PIN number.
Q: If I have submitted an application before, do I need to re-apply?
A: Yes, you may submit a new application via ApplyYourself. We hold application materials for only one academic year. Please email GradApp@nd.edu to indicate to us whether or not you will be providing us with new transcripts and/or letters of recommendation.
Q: How should I submit my application materials?
A: Consult the table below to clarify which items must be submitted electronically at the time of application, and which may be submitted via paper documentation. Please note: Other than transcripts and letters of recommendation, no other paper documentation will be processed.
| Must submit electronically at the time of application: | Paper documentation accepted: |
| * Curriculum vitae * Statement of intent * Writing samples (if required) * Preliminary GRE/TOEFL scores, if known; upload a scan of the paper report if you have it * Materials related to the applicant’s history regarding dismissal, probation, or suspension from school, or criminal conviction. |
* Official transcripts * Letters of recommendation (electronic submission preferred) * Official GRE and TOEFL scores from ETS |
Uploading Unofficial Transcripts, GRE scores and TOEFL scores:
Please beware that some institutions may include your Social Security Number within documents. The University of Notre Dame does not require this sensitive information; if it is provided, we cannot guarantee it will be protected. If present, please remove this number before you upload any documents.
Official transcripts and paper letters of recommendation should be sent to Notre Dame’s Graduate Admissions office:
Graduate School Admissions
502 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
Q: Is it okay to have my transcripts and electronic or paper letters of recommendation sent before I’ve submitted my application?
A: Yes, we do accept material that arrives separately before submission of your online application. The materials are matched by name and date of birth and will be uploaded to your application after it is submitted.
Q: Do you send confirmation of receipt of documents?
A: No, but you may monitor your application electronically. To check receipt of your application materials through ApplyYourself:
- Log in to your AY account.
- From the main page, click Application for Admission, and look for the Check Your Application link on the lower left of the page.
Please realize new items may take some time to appear after receipt due to the large volume of application materials received and processed.
Q: Whom do I contact if I have technical difficulties with the application?
A: Please consult online tech support through ApplyYourself. You can find the link at the top center of every page within the application program.
Q: What do I need to do if I forget my user ID and/or password/PIN?
A: Look for the “Forgot your PIN or password?” link at the bottom of the ApplyYourself login box. Enter the name, birth date and email address originally used to sign up for your AY account, and the application will re-send your login information.
Q: What should I do if it is critical to change material submitted online after the application has been submitted?
A: If your application materials require correction or update after you have submitted, please email the new items with an explanation to GradApp@nd.edu, and request that the old materials be replaced by the new.
Q: How will I be notified of the University’s decision?
A: You will receive an email stating that your decision is ready. To review the decision, you must log in to the ApplyYourself application page and click the link at the bottom of the screen that states, “Your application decision is now available.”
Q: How do I accept or decline an offer of admission?
A: This response form is available online, through the ApplyYourself system. Once you log in, you will find the following link at the bottom of your application page: “Your application decision is now available." This page is your online notification of the University’s decision; the last paragraph of this message provides the link to the acceptance/declination of offer form.
Application Fees:
Q: Do I need to submit my application before December 1 to take advantage of the $35.00 fee?
A: Yes. The fee for applications submitted after December 1 is $50.00.
Q: Can applicants pay for the application fee by credit card?
A: Yes, but the credit card information must be entered immediately before you press the application’s Submit button. You should have your credit card information available at that time since you cannot access the credit card payment option at a later time.
Q: To whom do I make checks payable? Where do I send them?
A: Credit cards are the preferred method of payment. If you would like to pay by check, please make it payable to the University of Notre Dame. The mailing address is:
Office of Graduate Admissions
502 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Q: If I have applied to Notre Dame within the last academic year, or I have more than one current application, do I need to pay again?
A: No additional application fee is required, provided you paid the fee with your first application. If you have already paid for an initial application, please inquire by email for instructions before submitting your application.
GRE and TOEFL:
Q: Where can I find institution and department codes for the University of Notre Dame?
A: The institution code is 1841. The GRE web site maintains updated PDF lists of institution, department and major codes on their GRE Download Library page.
Q: Does the Graduate School require applicants to take the GRE Subject Test?
A: The Graduate School requires the GRE General Test, which includes verbal, analytical writing, and quantitative examination sections. The Subject Test is an additional test, which may or may not be required by the admitting department. Check the program listing to find out whether your department requires the Subject Test in addition to the General Test.
Q: Do GRE test scores expire?
A: GRE scores are valid for five years.
Q: Do you have minimum scores for the GRE and TOEFL?
A: If you’re taking the TOEFL CBT the minimum score is 250. If it is available in your country and you are taking the TOEFL IBT, then the minimum score is a total of 80 points, with a minimum of 23 on the Speaking section. Individual departments may require higher scores. The IBT minimums are subject to change as we gain more experience on what these scores actually mean in terms of proficiency. There are no minimum scores for the GRE, as it is only one of several criteria used for admission.
Q: English is not my native language, but it was the primary language of instruction at my previous college. Do I need to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)?
A: The Graduate School will waive the TOEFL requirement for international students who spent a minimum of two years at an academic institution whose primary language of instruction was English. In cases where that is not obvious, a letter from the Registrar’s Office (or the office responsible for academic records) confirming English as the language of instruction is required.
Letters of Recommendation:
Q: Is there a form for the recommendation letters?
A: No, we do not have a form for recommendation letters. Letters of recommendation should be sent electronically, and will be requested through ApplyYourself once you enter the recommender’s contact information.
