When Do Notre Dame Decisions Come Out? Class of 2030 Notification Dates

Applying to the University of Notre Dame is exciting, but one of the hardest parts comes after you hit submit: the wait. Every year, thousands of applicants wonder exactly when Notre Dame decisions come out and how the process works. Having a clear idea of the timeline helps you prepare for what’s ahead instead of stressing over the unknown.

In this guide, we’ll break down the full admissions calendar for Notre Dame. From Restrictive Early Action to Regular Decision, plus waitlist and transfer notifications, you’ll learn when to expect updates.

We’ll also share the latest acceptance rates and explain the steps you should take once your decision is released.

• When Does Notre Dame Release Decisions?
• When Do Notre Dame Early Decisions Come Out?
• When Do Notre Dame Regular Decisions Come Out?
• When Do Notre Dame Waitlist Decisions Come Out?
• When Do Notre Dame Transfer Decisions Come Out?
• What to Do After Receiving Your Notre Dame Admissions Decision
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

When Does Notre Dame Release Decisions?

Notre Dame has two key admissions rounds for first-year applicants: Restrictive Early Action (REA) and Regular Decision (RD). Let’s take a look at the timelines:

For the Class of 2030, Notre Dame will release Restrictive Early Action results in mid-December and Regular Decision results in late March. Waitlist and transfer notifications have different timelines, which we’ll explain later in this guide.

When Do Notre Dame Early Decisions Come Out?

Notre Dame requires students to complete their Restrictive Early Action (REA) applications by November 1, including all supporting materials. 

Decisions are then posted before Christmas (mid-December)—that’s when Notre Dame decisions come out for REA applicants. Here’s a timeline to follow:

Students must submit essays, test scores (if applicable), and recommendations by November 1. Once the REA deadline passes, the admissions team reviews all components and then shares decisions by mid-December. Admitted REA students have until May 1 to confirm their intent to enroll.

What is Notre Dame Early Action?

Notre Dame offers Restrictive Early Action (REA) as its early application option. This plan is non-binding, which means if you’re admitted, you’re not required to enroll right away. You’ll still have until May 1 to make your final decision. If you are applying through REA, you must submit your application and supporting materials by November 1.

In return, you’ll hear back sooner: Notre Dame decisions come out in mid-December, giving you clarity months ahead of Regular Decision applicants.

The “restrictive” part matters. If you choose REA, you cannot apply to any binding Early Decision programs at other private colleges. You’re also not allowed to apply to other private universities’ early plans, though you can still apply to:

• Regular Decision programs at any college
• Early Action at public universities (non-binding)
• Foreign institutions or U.S. service academies

REA is a good choice if Notre Dame is one of your top schools and you want to know your result early, but also want to keep the flexibility to compare options until spring.

Notre Dame Early Action results

If you’ve applied to Notre Dame under the Restrictive Early Action (REA) plan, you’ll typically receive your admissions decision in mid-December. Notifications are posted in the Applicant Status Portal, and you’ll also get an email once your result is ready.

Here’s what those decisions can look like:

• Admit. Congratulations! You’ve been admitted to Notre Dame. REA is non-binding, which means you don’t have to commit until the May 1 national reply deadline. This gives you time to compare financial aid offers and finalize your choice.
• Defer. Your application has been moved to the Regular Decision pool. This means the admissions committee wants to take another look at your file in the spring. You’ll get your final answer by late March, along with the Regular Decision applicants.
• Deny. Your application has not been successful this cycle. While disappointing, this decision is final for the year, but it doesn’t define your abilities or future success. Many students who are denied still go on to thrive at other outstanding colleges.

Understanding when Notre Dame decisions come out and what each possible outcome means can help you prepare for the next steps with confidence.

Notre Dame Early Action acceptance rate

Notre Dame’s Restrictive Early Action (REA) round is often viewed as more favorable, but it remains very competitive. For the Class of 2029, 12,917 students applied through REA, and 1,669 were admitted—an acceptance rate of 12.9%.

That rate looks higher compared to Regular Decision, where just 1,861 out of 27,700 applicants were admitted, producing a 6.7% acceptance rate.

When combined, Notre Dame’s overall acceptance rate is 9%. Statistically, applying to the REA does improve your chances.

Still, the early pool tends to attract some of the strongest applicants nationwide—students with rigorous coursework, standout essays, and impressive preparation.

So while REA offers a numerical advantage, the process is still highly selective, and gaining admission is never guaranteed.

When Do Notre Dame Regular Decisions Come Out?

Notre Dame decisions come out in late March for Regular Decision (RD), giving applicants the chance to take more time with their applications than those applying early. Here’s a timeline of the Regular Decision timeline at Notre Dame:

All materials, including essays, recommendations, and test scores (if you choose to submit them), must be submitted by January 1. The admissions committee reviews applications during January and February, and results are released through the applicant portal in late March. You’ll also get an email letting you know when your decision is ready.

If you are admitted, you must secure your spot by May 1 (National College Decision Day) with an enrollment deposit. Being aware when Notre Dame decisions come out for RD can help you prepare in advance, be it comparing offers, reviewing financial aid, or chalking out your next steps.

What is Notre Dame’s Regular Decision?

Notre Dame Regular Decision is the university’s standard, non-binding application option, designed for students who want more time to prepare their materials and compare offers.

Unlike Restrictive Early Action, RD allows applicants to keep their options open and review admission offers from multiple schools before committing. This flexibility can be especially beneficial for students who want to compare financial aid packages or who need more time to strengthen their applications.

Notre Dame Regular Decision results

When Notre Dame decisions come out for Regular Decision, there are three possible outcomes you can expect:

• Admitted. You’ve secured a spot in Notre Dame’s incoming class! Now, you’ll need to accept the offer and submit your enrollment deposit by May 1. 
• Waitlisted. Your application is strong, but Notre Dame cannot offer you admission immediately. If spots open up later, waitlisted applicants may receive offers; final decisions from the waitlist are made by mid-June. 
• Denied. Your application will not be successful in the Regular Decision cycle. While this result is disappointing, many students use this opportunity to explore other great options.

Notre Dame publishes Regular Decision results in late March; you can check the status through the Applicant Status Portal. You’ll receive an email when your decision is posted.

Notre Dame Regular Decision acceptance rate

For the University of Notre Dame’s Class of 2029, the Regular Decision acceptance rate was 6.7%, with 1,517 admits out of 22,484 applicants.

In comparison, Restrictive Early Action applicants had a higher acceptance rate of 12.9%, with 1,669 admitted from 12,917 early applicants.

The overall acceptance rate combining both rounds was about 9% for Notre Dame, reflecting a highly competitive admissions environment.

Notre Dame’s admissions trends show that a significant portion of the incoming class is filled early through Restrictive Early Action, leaving a more competitive and selective Regular Decision round with fewer spots available.

This pattern mirrors selective universities across the country, where early rounds often admit a substantial percentage of the class, making competition intense and lowering acceptance rates for Regular Decision applicants.

When Do Notre Dame Waitlist Decisions Come Out?

Notre Dame decisions come out on a rolling basis for waitlisted students from mid-May to June. Notre Dame decisions for waitlisted students are reviewed after May 1, once the university knows how many admitted students have accepted their offers. Check the timeline given below:

To remain eligible, you must confirm your spot on the waitlist through the Applicant Status Portal by May 1. Notre Dame’s waitlist acceptance rates vary widely year to year.

Furthermore, for the Class of 2028, only 42 out of 1,385 confirmed waitlisted students were admitted, giving us a waitlist acceptance rate of about 3%.

Unlike some schools, Notre Dame’s waitlist is not ranked. Every applicant who confirms their spot is reconsidered if space opens, and decisions are based on institutional priorities.

As the process is dicey, it’s best to remain hopeful but also secure a strong backup plan at another college.

When Do Notre Dame Transfer Decisions Come Out?

Transfer decisions for Notre Dame come out in December to January for spring applicants and in late May to mid-June for fall applicants. Here’s a detailed transfer timeline:

Transfer applicants must submit the Common Application, along with Notre Dame-specific essays, official transcripts, and recommendations as per the deadlines.

Once materials are in, the admissions committee conducts a holistic review, weighing academic progress, personal qualities, and fit for the university.

Decisions are released through the Notre Dame Applicant Portal, and admitted students generally have about two weeks to respond and confirm enrollment.

Notre Dame transfer admissions is competitive. For the Class of 2028, Notre Dame admitted 267 transfer students out of 1,064 applicants, resulting in a 25.1% transfer acceptance rate.

It is pretty hard to transfer because Notre Dame’s incoming classes are already filled up, and most seats are taken up by incoming freshmen, leaving only a handful of spots for transfer students.

Thus, as a transfer applicant, you are encouraged to present your strongest academic record while also keeping alternative options in mind.

What to Do After Receiving Your Notre Dame Admissions Decision

Follow the below given steps below when Notre Dame decisions come out:

If you’re accepted

Celebrate—this is a big achievement! Then log in to the Applicant Status Portal and accept your offer. You’ll also need to pay the enrollment deposit by May 1. Next, submit your final, official transcript from high school (or previous college, for transfer students) immediately upon graduation. Notre Dame requires this to confirm your enrollment.

If you’re deferred

Take a moment. Then upload a thoughtful letter of continued interest via the Applicant Status Portal. Explain why Notre Dame remains your top choice and include any updates—grades, activities, or new achievements since you applied

Make sure all your fall grades and any new awards or accomplishments are reflected as soon as possible. Staying on track academically can strengthen your case when Notre Dame decisions come out in the Regular Decision round.

If you’re waitlisted

Confirm that you want to remain on the waitlist through the portal by the deadline specified (often tied to the May 1 enrollment date) so your name stays in consideration.

Later in the season, after May 1, Notre Dame evaluates how many admitted students have accepted. If space opens up, waitlisted applicants may receive offers. Be ready to respond quickly.

If you’re denied

Allow yourself to process the decision. Then reflect on what you can improve—grades, essay, extracurriculars—and consider applying again or focusing on other offers you have in hand.

Remember: no single decision defines your potential. Many paths beyond Notre Dame lead to success, and careful planning now still makes a big difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What time of day do Notre Dame decisions usually come out?

Notre Dame doesn’t list an exact release time, but decisions are always shared in the evening. You’ll first get an email letting you know your status is ready, and then you can log into your Applicant Status Portal to view the result. For most students, this happens in mid-December (REA) or late March (RD).

2. When does Notre Dame release Restrictive Early Action results?

If you apply by the November 1 Restrictive Early Action deadline, you can expect to hear back in mid-December. Notre Dame will send you an email when your decision is ready, but you’ll need to log into the Applicant Status Portal to see whether you were admitted, deferred, or denied.

3. When does Notre Dame release Regular Decision results?

Students who apply by the January 1 Regular Decision deadline will get their results in late March. This is the main release window when Notre Dame decisions come out. The university keeps this timeline consistent each year, so you’ll know to check your portal toward the end of March for your official decision.

4. Can I appeal if Notre Dame rejects my application?

No, Notre Dame does not offer an appeals process for denied applications. A final decision really is final. If you’re deferred or waitlisted, you’ll have the chance to submit updates and a letter of continued interest, but if you’re denied, the next step would be reapplying in a future cycle or considering transfer admission later on.

5. How does Notre Dame notify applicants of acceptance?

All decisions—admitted, denied, or deferred—are posted in the Applicant Status Portal. You’ll receive an email reminder when it’s time to check, but the full details and next steps (like confirming enrollment or reviewing financial aid) will only be available once you log in.

Takeaways

If you’ve been looking for when Notre Dame decisions come out, here are five key takeaways to note:

• Restrictive Early Action (REA) results are released in mid-December, usually just before Christmas.
• Regular Decision results are usually shared in late March.
• Waitlist movement begins after May 1 and typically concludes by mid-June.
• Transfer applicants receive decisions between December 1–January 5 (spring entry) or May 20–June 14 (fall entry).
• Choosing to work with a college admissions consultant can help you refine your Notre Dame application and increase your chances of success.