What Is Notre Dame’s Waitlist Acceptance Rate?
Notre Dame’s waitlist is one of the most well-documented among top universities (Notre Dame Admissions), with 25 years of available data. The average waitlist acceptance rate across years when Notre Dame published sufficient data is 13.19%, but the range is extreme: from 0% (Classes of 2005, 2010, 2017, and 2019) to 48% (Class of 2006). For the Class of 2029, Notre Dame admitted just 54 students from 1,475 who accepted their waitlist spot, a 2.47% rate (Notre Dame CDS, 2024-2025). For how this compares to other schools, see our waitlist rates comparison.
| Class | Accepted WL Spot | Admitted | WL Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2029 | 1,475 | 54 | 2.47% |
| Class of 2028 | ~1,200 | ~150 | ~12.5% |
| Class of 2027 | ~1,100 | ~80 | ~7.3% |
| Class of 2024 | ~900 | ~275 | ~30% |
| Class of 2019 | ~800 | 0 | 0% |
Source: Notre Dame CDS, 2015-2025. 25-year average: 13.19%.
When Does Notre Dame Notify Waitlisted Students?
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Late March 2026 | RD decisions released, including waitlist notifications |
| Early April 2026 | Confirm you want to remain on the waitlist |
| April 19-20, 2026 | The Rally (Admitted Student Days) – yield signals emerge |
| May 1, 2026 | Enrollment deposit deadline – Notre Dame assesses yield |
| Mid-May to June 2026 | Waitlist offers go out if needed |
Source: Historical Notre Dame patterns.
How to Write a Notre Dame LOCI That Works
Notre Dame values mission alignment above all. Your LOCI should reflect genuine enthusiasm for Notre Dame’s Catholic identity, community culture, and commitment to service. Reference specific programs, dorms (the residential life system is central to the ND experience), or service initiatives that connect to your interests. Include one meaningful update since your original application. State clearly that Notre Dame is your first choice. For a detailed template, see our LOCI template and guide.
How Does Notre Dame’s Waitlist Compare to Peer Schools?
| School | Recent WL Rate | Historical Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 2.47% | 13.19% |
| Georgetown | 3-10% | 7.42% |
| Boston College | 0.16-8.5% | ~5% |
| Tufts | 35.72% | 16.75% |
| MIT | 0-12% | ~7% |
Source: Common Data Sets, 2020-2025.
Final Thoughts: Your Notre Dame Waitlist Action Plan
Accept your waitlist spot immediately. Write a mission-aligned LOCI within 7-10 days. Commit to your best alternative by May 1. Then wait. Notre Dame’s waitlist has historically been generous (13.19% average), but individual year outcomes are unpredictable. For the latest Notre Dame acceptance rate data, see our analysis. For personalized waitlist strategy, schedule a consultation with Oriel Admissions.
What Else Can You Do While on Notre Dame’s Waitlist?
Beyond writing a strong LOCI, send updated transcripts showing strong senior year performance. Ask one additional recommender to submit a supplementary letter – ideally someone who can speak to your service orientation and community engagement, which Notre Dame values highly. If you have a meaningful new accomplishment in community service, leadership, or academics, share it in a brief update. For recommendation strategy, see our recommendation letter guide. For broader waitlist strategy, see our complete waitlist guide. For Notre Dame-specific data, see our Notre Dame acceptance rate analysis.
Commit to your best alternative school by May 1 and pay the deposit. This is required and does not affect your waitlist standing. If admitted off the waitlist, you withdraw from the other school and forfeit the deposit. For help comparing your options before the deadline, see our college yield rates analysis and decision strategy guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Waitlist decisions at Notre Dame are based on enrollment management needs, not religious identity. When spots open after May 1 deposits, Notre Dame evaluates waitlisted students based on the same holistic criteria used in the initial review: academics, extracurriculars, character, and fit with the university’s mission. Catholic identity is part of the campus culture but does not formally influence waitlist positioning. A strong LOCI that demonstrates genuine fit with Notre Dame’s values-driven community matters more than religious affiliation.
Yes. Notre Dame accepts LOCIs and values continued interest. Emphasize: your child’s genuine connection to Notre Dame’s community-oriented culture, a specific program (Mendoza Business, Engineering, the Keough School for Global Affairs), and one meaningful update since the original application. State clearly that Notre Dame is your first choice. Notre Dame’s admissions team values students who want to be part of the community, not just attend a prestigious school. The LOCI should convey authentic enthusiasm for the Notre Dame experience specifically, not generic prestige-seeking.
Commit to whichever of BC or Georgetown your child prefers and stay on the Notre Dame waitlist. The three schools share a Catholic or values-driven orientation but differ significantly. Georgetown is the most cosmopolitan (DC location, international affairs focus). BC is the most balanced (Boston location, strong business school, Jesuit but less insular than Notre Dame). Notre Dame is the most community-intensive (South Bend creates a campus-centered world). For business, Mendoza (ND) and Carroll (BC) are comparable; McDonough (Georgetown) is slightly stronger. For government and policy, Georgetown is clearly superior. For community and school spirit, Notre Dame is unmatched.
Notre Dame’s primary waitlist activity occurs between mid-May and late June. Notre Dame has been moderately active with its waitlist in recent years, admitting students in waves as yield data solidifies. The university may ask waitlisted students to reconfirm interest before extending offers. If you have not heard by early July, your chances approach zero.
Notre Dame does not formally distinguish between REA-deferred and RD-waitlisted applicants in its final waitlist review. Both groups are reconsidered together when spots open. However, an REA applicant who was deferred has been in the pipeline longer and demonstrated earlier interest, which may informally strengthen their case. Regardless of how you reached the waitlist, the LOCI quality and any meaningful updates are the most important factors in waitlist conversion.
Notre Dame does not publicly state whether its waitlist is ranked. Many schools maintain unranked waitlists and re-evaluate holistically when spots open – this is likely Notre Dame’s approach as well. An unranked waitlist means a strong LOCI and meaningful updates can genuinely influence your chances regardless of initial positioning. The practical advice is the same regardless: write a compelling LOCI, provide one meaningful update, and state clear first-choice commitment.
Yes. Students admitted from the waitlist receive the same financial aid consideration as all other admitted students. The Pathways to Notre Dame program (tuition-free for families under $150K) applies to all admitted students regardless of when they were admitted.
Do not have parents contact the admissions office. Do not send multiple updates or supplementary materials beyond your LOCI. Do not attend events designed for admitted students. One well-crafted, mission-aligned LOCI and one additional recommender letter is the right level of engagement.
