Notre Dame Summer Scholars: A Complete Guide

There are many extracurricular activities and programs you can join for the summer. But if you’re looking for something that can help you grow more holistically, then why not try the Notre Dame Summer Scholars?

This program, offered by the University of Notre Dame, offers college-level academics and workshops that can build your leadership skills and gain a more global perspective. Keep reading to learn more about the program, how to be a participant, and why you should consider applying.

• What Is the Notre Dame Summer Scholars?
• Notre Dame Summer Scholars Acceptance Rate
• Notre Dame Summer Scholars Application Deadline
• Notre Dame Summer Scholars Requirements
• How to Get into the Notre Dame Summer Scholars
• Why Join the Notre Dame Summer Scholars?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is the Notre Dame Summer Scholars?

The Notre Dame Summer Scholars is an intensive two-week program on the university’s campus. Here, you’ll be part of small classes taught by Notre Dame’s faculty and experience rigorous coursework that will give you a taste of college academics. You’ll also get one transferable college credit once you’ve completed your program track.

Outside of academics, the program also gives you time to collaborate with classmates and experience college extracurriculars, even those that are unique to Notre Dame.

The Notre Dame Summer Scholars has two sessions this 2025:

• Session I: June 7 to 21, 2025
• Session II: June 28 to July 12, 2025

There are many classes you can choose from for the 2025 sessions, but here are a few examples:

Another big part of the Notre Dame Summer Scholars program is its integration with the iLED (International Leadership, Enrichment, and Development) program, which focuses on cultivating leadership skills, personal growth, and global awareness among high school students. This makes the Notre Dame Summer Scholars a more holistic program compared to other summer extracurriculars.

You can expect workshops and interactive sessions that will prepare you for leadership roles both in and out of the academe. You’ll also have cultural excursions, community service projects, and collaborative group tasks encouraging you to step outside your comfort zone and engage with diverse perspectives.

Notre Dame Summer Scholars Acceptance Rate

Notre Dame Summer Scholars does not release an official acceptance rate. However, there were at least 1,500 applicants in 2023 and more than 1,900 in 2024, so the program is highly competitive. Additionally, the program’s description and requirements strongly suggest a selective admissions process.

Given these factors, only students with strong academic credentials and notable personal qualities are likely to be accepted.

Notre Dame Summer Scholars Application Deadline

This 2025, the Notre Dame Summer Scholars application deadline was last February 19. Here are the other important dates for the program:

These are the typical deadlines for the Notre Dame Summer Scholars program. To make sure you catch the next set of important dates, keep an eye on the official website.

Notre Dame Summer Scholars Requirements

If you want to be part of the Notre Dame Summer Scholars, you’ll need to hit some eligibility and application requirements first.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Notre Dame Summer Scholars, you must:

• Be a current sophomore or junior
• Be at least 16 years old by or on August 1, 2025
• Have strong academic standing
• Have solid extracurricular activities

Required documents

To apply, you’ll need to submit the following documents:

• High school transcript
• Counselor report
• Letter of recommendation
• Standardized test scores (optional)
• TOEFL, IELTS, DET, or PTE Academic results
• Application fee

What you’ll really only need for the application process on your side are:

• High school counselor name and email address. The Notre Dame Summer Scholars admissions office will send an auto-email to your counselor requesting your transcript, counselor report, and school profile.
• High school recommending teacher’s name and email address. Similarly, your chosen high school teacher will also receive an email that requests the recommendation letter.
• Standardized test scores (optional). SAT or ACT scores are optional but may enhance your Summer Scholars application.
• TOEFL, IELTS, DET, or PTE Academic results. This requirement is only for international applicants who don’t attend an English-speaking high school.
• Application fee. You can pay the $60 fee with any major credit card.

Program cost

The program cost for the Notre Dame Summer Scholars can be divided into several fees:

• Application Fee. $60
• Enrollment Fee. $300
• Tuition/Room and Board. $4,650

The school doesn’t offer any merit-based scholarships, but there is limited need-based financial aid that’s rarely granted.

How to Get into the Notre Dame Summer Scholars

Want to get into the Notre Dame Summer Scholars? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply:

Step 1: Gather the required documents and information.

For the online application, the only other information you’ll need to work for is asking your counselor and recommending teacher’s name and email address. When asking for the information, be transparent about why you need it and explain that they can expect an email from Notre Dame requesting the documents.

When deciding which teacher you’d like to ask for a recommendation letter from, consider someone who can speak to your academic abilities and extracurricular involvement.

Step 2: Submit your application.

When you have your information ready, fill out the online application, which will ask for personal information, academic history, and extracurricular activities, among others. The application system can let you track whether all parts of your application have been received, so make sure to review this checklist frequently.

You’ll also need to pay the $60 application fee.

Step 3: Follow up your supporting documents, if needed.

Once you’ve submitted your part of the application, you should proactively follow up with both your high school counselor and recommending teacher. Confirm that they’ve received an email from Notre Dame and kindly remind them of the deadline.

Remember that your application will only be viewed once all supporting documents have been received.

Step 4 (optional): Submit financial aid application.

If you need financial assistance to cover the program costs, complete and submit a request for financial aid. Decisions for application fee waivers are made on a weekly basis, and you’ll be notified through email. Meanwhile, if you qualify for tuition-based financial aid, you’ll be notified through the admission decision letter.

Step 5 (optional): Submit your standardized test scores.

Test scores (SAT or ACT) aren’t required, but Notre Dame strongly encourages submitting them since they can improve your application by also providing evidence of academic preparedness. If you choose to submit scores, simply scan and upload a copy of the electronic score report directly into the online application.

Why Join the Notre Dame Summer Scholars?

There are many benefits to participating in the Notre Dame Summer Scholars program. Below are some of them:

1. Experience college-level academics

One of the main benefits of the Notre Dame Summer Scholars program is the opportunity to experience college-level academics firsthand. You’ll be immersed in a more challenging, rigorous academic environment—mostly through small, highly interactive classes designed and taught by Notre Dame faculty. You’ll get a taste of why the school ranks 18th among national universities in the country.

The faculty members are accomplished scholars and experts in their fields, bringing cutting-edge research and insights directly into the classroom. Thanks to that, you gain knowledge that’s in line with current industry trends.

You’ll study specialized subjects in-depth, building your independent thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. You can also expect to engage in college-level reading, writing, and assignments, which often involve applying theory to real-world situations like case studies, research projects, and group discussions.

This exposure helps you get a feel of the pace, depth, and expectations of college coursework. It also lets you explore potential majors in a hands-on environment, helping to solidify or discover new academic interests before committing to a college degree.

The small class sizes also allow for personalized attention, giving you in-depth engagement with complex topics and direct mentorship from university professors.

2. Have a taste of authentic college life

Beyond academics, the Notre Dame Summer Scholars program gives you a taste of authentic college life. You’ll be on the University of Notre Dame campus for two weeks, where you’ll also experience the day-to-day realities that college students face—from living in dorms to eating in dining halls.

Like any college student, you’ll interact with peers from diverse backgrounds, navigate campus resources, and participate in various campus activities and social events.

This firsthand experience gives you great insights into the daily rhythms, freedoms, and responsibilities of collegiate living. This can help the transition from high school to college less daunting and more exciting. You’ll learn independence, time management, and how to balance academic commitments with social engagement, giving you a sense of readiness for your future undergraduate years.

3. Earning transferable college credit

Another great benefit of the Notre Dame Summer Scholars program is that you’ll earn transferable college credit for the course you complete during the two-week session.

This credit isn’t automatically transferable to every university, but most institutions will recognize the value of this experience and the Notre Dame credit. Then, when you apply these credits toward your future degrees, you can give yourself a head start on your college education.

4. Grow personally and intellectually

The Notre Dame Summer Scholars program will challenge you academically but also encourage self-reflection and self-discovery in a college environment.

For one, you’ll be surrounded by peers from across the country and around the world, which can expose you to different perspectives and broaden your intellectual horizons.

Academically, you’ll be pushed to take on projects and assignments that require more independent learning than what you’d typically expect in high school. This experience can help you become more self-reliant in your learning and increase your intellectual confidence.

Outside the classroom, you’ll deal with managing your time, balancing academics and social activities, and adapting to an environment that is both familiar and new. These challenges will require you to grow emotionally as you become more independent, adaptable, and confident in handling situations that come your way.

5. Gain community engagement and service opportunities

Some of Notre Dame’s core values are service, leadership, and social responsibility. Through iLED, you’ll experience extracurricular opportunities, seminars, and workshops that will teach you leadership, problem solving, and intercultural communication.

This angle on service aligns with Notre Dame’s broader mission, offering you a chance to experience the university’s holistic approach to education, which combines intellectual development with a commitment to social impact and ethical leadership. This benefit makes the Notre Dame Summer Scholars stand out from other purely academic summer programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Notre Dame Summer Scholars hard to get into?

The school doesn’t release an official acceptance rate. However, the Notre Dame Summer Scholars can be quite hard to get into since it requires applicants to have strong academics and personal qualities.

2. Who is eligible for Summer Scholars at Notre Dame?

To be eligible for the Summer Scholars at Notre Dame, you have to be a current sophomore or junior with strong academics and solid extracurriculars.

3. How much does it cost to go to Notre Dame Summer Scholars?

The total cost for the 2025 program is $4,950. This includes tuition, housing, enrollment, and application fees. Limited need-based financial aid is available.

4. Is Notre Dame Summer Scholars prestigious?

Yes, the Notre Dame Summer Scholars program is a prestigious program. It offers a rigorous college-level curriculum taught by Notre Dame faculty and the opportunity to earn transferable college credit.

Takeaways

• The Notre Dame Summer Scholars is a two-week on-campus program where sophomores and juniors can experience college-level academics taught by the university’s faculty.
• The program dates for 2025 are June 7 to 21 and June 28 to July 12.
• Some benefits to participating in the Notre Dame Summer Scholars include experiencing college-level academics, having a taste of authentic college life, earning transferable college credit, growing personally and intellectually, and gaining community engagement and service opportunities.
• Want to attend similar programs that help you grow holistically? Talk to a senior consultant to help you choose the right programs and polish essays that can increase your chances of admission.