The University of Notre Dame has reviewed a record 12,917 Restrictive Early Action (REA) applications for the Class of 2029, a 16 percent increase from last year’s total of 11,163. In its first admission cycle since announcing Pathways to Notre Dame, the University experienced a significant increase in the geographic diversity of the applicant pool. Specifically, this year’s REA applicant pool includes students from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and 149 different countries. In 2023, the REA applicant pool included students from 109 countries.

Applicants learned their decisions on Tuesday, December 17, at 6:42 p.m. ET—a tribute to the University’s founding year of 1842. A total of 1,669 applicants were admitted during this cycle, each of them exemplifying academic preparation and excellence, intellectual curiosity, a commitment to the common good, and enthusiasm for Notre Dame’s Catholic mission.

“We could not be more excited to welcome this group of admitted students home to Notre Dame,” says Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment Micki Kidder. “Their academic preparation and embodiment of the values of Notre Dame are impressive, and we are proud to welcome them to a community where their talents and leadership will continue to flourish.”

In September 2024, University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. announced Pathways to Notre Dame, a historic expansion to the University’s affordability and access programs. With this announcement, the University became the first highly selective faith-based university in the United States to be need-blind for all students, both domestic and international. Pathways to Notre Dame also eliminated loans from the University’s need-based financial aid offers, ensuring that a Notre Dame education is more affordable to admitted students and their families.

Admitted students who completed applications for financial aid by November 15 also received their financial aid offers on Tuesday, December 17. “Notre Dame is committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of all admitted students and communicating this information to families as soon as possible,” says Kidder. “Making a Notre Dame education affordable and accessible to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds is a fundamental priority. As the leading Catholic global research university, this is core to our mission.”

Regular Decision (RD) application review is ongoing. The University will host The Rally, Admitted Student Days April 3 - 5, 2025.

Detailed information about the enrolled Class of 2029 will be shared in late August 2025.