Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Admissions
Q: Does Notre Dame have a graduate program in ( )?
A: Visit the Degree Programs page for a complete list of programs offered through the Graduate School. If the program you wish to pursue isn't on our list, it may be offered through the Mendoza College of Business, Law School, or School of Architecture
Q: What are the admission requirements?
A: For details concerning both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking applicants, see the Application Requirements section of our website. Addtional program-specific requirements will be posted on the program's profile on the Degree Programs page.
Q: How much does graduate school at Notre Dame cost?
A: It may cost almost nothing. Most departments support their students through fellowships, teaching assistantships, or research assistantships. This support often covers the full cost of tuition and living expenses. For more information on funding, please visit our Funding page. The Office of Financial Aid also offers resources for understanding the costs entailed in graduate studies at Notre Dame.
Q: How do I apply to The Graduate School?
A: Contact your program of interest to obtain application information.
Q: I want to apply for admission next fall/spring, but the application still shows the current year. When will the new application open?
A: You are welcome to begin working on your application under the current year, but do not submit it yet. When the next application cycle opens (usually by the first week of September), you will be able to update the admission term to the correct year and submit the application.
Technical Support
Q: Whom do I contact if I have technical difficulties with the application?
A: Please contact gradapp@nd.edu with any difficulties.
Q: What do I need to do if I forget my user ID and/or password/PIN?
A: Look for the “Forgot password” link on the application login page. Enter your email address and the date of birth originally used to sign up for your account, and the application will resend your login information to the email account of record. If you no longer have access to that email address, please contact gradapp@nd.edu to request an update to your account.
Q: What are the file type and size requirements?
A: The file cannot exceed 2.5 MB in size and should be in .doc, .wpd, .rtf, .xls, .pdf, .docx, .xlsx or .txt format. (For Macintosh users, please note that the filename must include the appropriate three- or four-letter extension.) Please do not attempt to upload a document that is password-protected, does not allow printing, or contains macros. This will cause the process to fail.
Q. I received a message saying the file size of my upload is too large. How do I create smaller/optimized PDF files to upload to the website?
A: If you are working with a scanned file such as a transcript, open the document in Adobe Acrobat Pro X and navigate to View → Tools → Document Processing → Optimize Scanned PDF to reduce the file size. If you are converting to PDF from Microsoft Word, first embed your fonts, and save or print as a PDF with the “Minimum size” option. In either case, verify that the text is clear and legible both in print and on-screen before uploading to the application website.
Preparing Your Application
Q: Can I apply to more than one program?
A: Yes; log in to your application account, select “New application,” and then select the application year and type.
Q: If I have submitted an application before, do I need to re-apply?
A: Yes, you must submit a new application.
Q: If I have previously submitted an application, must I resubmit application material?
A: Yes, all application material must be submitted with the new application. You must submit your transcripts, recommenders, the curriculum vitae, a new statement of intent, and the writing sample, if required. If we have them, we will add your official test scores.
Q: How should I submit my application materials?
A: Unofficial transcripts, recommenders (at least three), the curriculum vitae, the statement of intent, and the writing sample, if required, must be submitted electronically through the application. Please note: All materials received by mail will be discarded.
Within 24 hours of submitting, you will receive a confirmation email listing the materials that you have uploaded, and both you and the department will be able to see the application materials through the application website. Consult the list below to clarify which items must be submitted electronically at the time of application, and which must be ordered and sent by the testing institution.
Please be aware 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.
Must submit electronically by applicant:
- Unofficial transcripts
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of intent
- Writing samples (if required by department)
- Materials related to the applicant’s history regarding dismissal, probation, or suspension from school, or criminal conviction
May be submitted electronically by applicant:
-
To expedite the review, please upload unofficial copies of test scores. Ultimately, official test scores supplied by the testing institution are required for all applicants.
Must be submitted electronically by recommender:
-
Letters of recommendation (Recommenders are added by the student; recommenders will upload the letters.)
Q: Is it okay to have my official standardized test scores and electronic letters of recommendation sent before I’ve submitted my application?
A: Yes, official standardized test scores can by matched at any point in the application process, whether the application is complete and submitted or incomplete and unsubmitted. Test scores are matched by name and date of birth and will be uploaded to your application after it is submitted. The electronic letters of recommendation are automatically linked to your application whether the application is submitted or not. You may return to your online application at any time to verify the status of test scores and letters of recommendation.
Letters of Recommendation
Q: How does a recommender receive the request for a letter of recommendation?
A: The applicant must first enter the recommender’s name and contact email address into a form in the application. You may add as many as five recommenders; three are required.
The recommender (or recommendation service, such as Interfolio) will receive an email providing secure access to the recommendation form and instructions to complete the recommendation electronically. Please note that as soon as a recommender is added to an application, he or she will receive this email. Applicants should only add recommenders when they are prepared for this email to be sent, and for a recommendation to be submitted for that application.
Q: Do you accept letters of recommendation from dossier services or paper letters of recommendation?
A: We accept letters of recommendation from dossier services (such as Interfolio) that have the ability to upload documents into a Slate application. See above for the initial process steps. We do not accept paper letters of recommendation.
Q: Can I add a new recommender?
A: You can revise your list of recommenders after you submit your application. To revise your list of recommenders, log in to your application and, from the left hand navigation bar, select Recommendations. You will need the following:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Street Address (Line 1)
- Street Address (Line 2)
- City
- State
- Postal Code
- Country
- Phone
- Email Address
- Title
- Employer
- Relationship to you
Q: My faculty recommender submitted a recommendation, but it is not marked received in my online application.
A: Most likely, you have more than one application in the system and the recommender received multiple requests to submit a letter of recommendation. If this is the case, you are probably checking one application while your recommender responded to a different application. Please check for all applications you may have and verify the status of each recommendation. If you need further assistance, please contact us at gradapp@nd.edu.
Q: Can I submit my application if my letters of recommendation have not been submitted?
Yes. Please note that you are required to list your recommenders and make the request for your letters of recommendation before you may submit your application. Once you have made the request for your letters of recommendation and completed the application requirements, you may submit your application.
Test Scores: GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo
Q: Does the Graduate School require applicants to take the GRE Test?
A: Some graduate programs require the GRE; for more details, please see the Degree Programs page or the program's website. Applicants who hold a PhD, JD, MD or other doctoral degree are not required to submit GRE scores.
Q: Does the Graduate School accept the at-home GRE at-home exam and/or the TOEFL iBT?
A: Yes.
Q: The program to which I am applying requires the GRE, but the exam is not available to me. Can I request a waiver?
To request a GRE waiver, please send an email explaining your situation to the program's contact listed on the Degree Programs page.
Q: What are the institution and department codes for the University of Notre Dame?
A: The institution code for both the GRE and TOEFL exams is 1841. The department code is not necessary.
Q: Does the Graduate School accept unofficial/self-reported GRE scores?
A: Yes, you may report your preliminary GRE scores in the application. However, an offer of admission is contingent upon receiving the official scores from ETS.
Q: Does the Graduate School require applicants to take the GRE Subject Test?
A: The GRE 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 GRE Subject Test in addition to the General Test.
Q: Do test scores expire?
A: Yes. ETS will not send us GRE scores that are older than five years; TOEFL/IELTS and Duolingo scores are valid for 2 years.
Q: Do you have minimum scores for the GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo?
A: There are no minimum scores for the GRE, as it is only one of several criteria used for admission.
Minimum English language proficiency scores depend on the type of test you’re taking.
- If 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.
- If you are taking the TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution, the minimum score is a total of 550.
- If you are taking the IELTS, the minimum score is 7.0.
- If you are taking the Duolingo English Test, the minimum score is 120.
Individual departments may require higher scores.
Q: Do you accept results from the 100-point scale version of the Duolingo English Test?
No, we will only accept results from the Duolingo English Test on the 160-point scale with subscores provided. Tests taken before July 7, 2020 do not have subscores, but you can add subscores to tests taken between July 15, 2019 and July 6, 2020. We do not accept results from the previous 100-point scale Duolingo exam (all Duolingo English Tests that were taken before July 15, 2019 are based on a 100-point scale).
Q: If my speaking score is below the minimum, should I apply, and will my application be reviewed?
A: Yes we encourage all applications, and all applications are reviewed.
Q: Does the Graduate School accept unofficial/self-reported IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo scores?
A: Yes, we accept self-reported language-test scores in the application. However, an offer of admission is contingent upon receiving the official scores directly from the testing institution.
Q: English is not my native language, but it was the primary language of instruction at my previous college. Do I need to take an English proficiency test?
A: The Graduate School will waive the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo requirement for non-native English speakers who spent a minimum of two academic years at an academic institution whose primary language of instruction was English. If 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 may be required. To expedite the review, please upload a transcript from the academic institution or the letter documenting instruction in English to the “Test Scores” section of the application (in place of the TOEFL or IELTS score). After completing the upload, please confirm with Graduate Admissions by email at gradapp@nd.edu that you have done so.
Fees & Fee Waivers
Q: What is the application fee?
A: The application fee is $75. Please contact gradapp@nd.edu for more information.
Q: Can applicants pay for the application fee by credit card?
A: Yes. You can pay your application fee at any time using credit card.
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 Recruitment and Admissions
110 Bond Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Q: Does the Graduate School offer application fee waivers?
A: Applicants to Graduate School-administered degree programs may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Advanced degrees in architecture and law are administered separately by the School of Architecture and Law School, respectively. All terminal master's programs in the field of business are administered by the Mendoza College of Business. With the exception of the Ph.D. programs in Analytics and Management, the Graduate School does not offer application fee waivers for applicants to the aforementioned professional schools.
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: Yes, the fee is required for each individual application.
After You Submit an Application
Q: Do you send confirmation of receipt of documents?
A: Yes, you will receive an initial confirmation email listing the materials we have received; after the initial notice, you will need to log in to the application site to check the status of uploaded materials and to receive communications about your application and decision status. Note: We confirm uploaded materials on a daily basis during the business week; please allow at least one business day for status updates.
Q: How do I check the status of my application?
A: Please log in to the application and select the submitted application you wish to check. Official decisions will also be communicated through the application system. (See below.)
Q: Can I revise my application after the application has been submitted?
A: No, once submitted, the application may not be changed, although you may add recommenders subsequently. 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. We cannot change applications after the application deadline.
Q: How will I be notified of the University’s decision?
A: When a decision is ready, the Graduate School will send you viewing instructions by email to the account you provided.
To find your online decision letter you will need to:
- Log in to your application
- If a decision is ready, there will be a yellow box titled, “Status Update.” Click on “View Update.”
Q: How do I accept or decline an offer of admission?
A: All acceptance or declination of offer replies must be submitted online. You may notify us of your decision through the link in the last paragraph of your admission letter within the application site.
To find your online letter of admission or provide your enrollment decision you will need to:
- Log in to your application
- Click on “View Update” under the yellow box titled “Status Update.”
- Access enrollment form through the letter (see the last paragraph for the link).