If you are looking for a prestigious university in the Midwest, it is hard to ignore the University of Notre Dame. You might be drawn to the nationally recognized Mendoza College of Business, or inspired by the fact that 80 percent of Notre Dame’s pre-med graduates are accepted to medical school, nearly twice the national average. You would not be alone. Applications to Notre Dame have reached record highs, making the competition more intense than ever.
Currently ranked 15 among national universities, Notre Dame has grown increasingly selective, with an acceptance rate in the low teens. This means that your application needs to stand out in every area, and the supplemental essays are one of your best opportunities to show who you are beyond your academic record.
The Notre Dame Writing Supplement gives you a chance to share your priorities, experiences, and values in a way that numbers cannot. Each prompt is an invitation to let the admissions committee see how you think, what you care about, and how you will contribute to the Notre Dame community. Here is InGenius Prep’s guide to the Notre Dame supplemental essays, with strategies to help you make the most of each word.
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Notre Dame Supplemental Essays
The University of Notre Dame Writing Section consists of responses to one (1) short essay question and three (3) short-answer responses to questions you select from the options provided.
Short Essay (max of 150 words)
Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home.
This is your chance to identify the core value or opportunity you must have in your college experience. Choose something that is truly essential to you, not something generic that could apply to dozens of schools. For example, if your non-negotiable is a faith-centered learning environment, connect it to Notre Dame’s residence hall ministry, campus worship opportunities, or the Center for Social Concerns. If you value hands-on research as an undergraduate, mention specific labs, faculty, or initiatives such as Notre Dame’s Institute for Advanced Study. The strongest answers explain both what your non-negotiable is and why it matters to your growth, then clearly tie it to Notre Dame.
Short Answer (50-100 words)
Choose three questions from the options below.
1. How does faith influence the decisions you make?
Notre Dame welcomes students of all faiths but values a thoughtful approach to moral and ethical decision-making. If you have a religious tradition, describe a moment when it shaped your choices, perhaps influencing how you resolved a conflict or decided to serve others. If you do not identify with a specific faith, you can still address a moral framework or guiding philosophy that influences your actions. Show self-awareness and a willingness to live your values.
2. What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community, etc)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?
This is a diversity and identity prompt. Choose an aspect of your background that has meaning, such as your cultural heritage, family traditions, a challenge you have faced, or a community you belong to. Show how these experiences have shaped your perspective and how they will contribute to the diversity of thought and experience on campus. Mention specific ways you might share your background at Notre Dame, such as through cultural organizations, campus events, or peer leadership.
3. Notre Dame’s undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?
Avoid vague statements like “I enjoy helping people.” Instead, describe a concrete example of service, such as organizing a tutoring program, volunteering at a local shelter, or leading an environmental cleanup. Explain your motivation and what you learned from the experience. If possible, connect your service values to Notre Dame’s mission and opportunities, like the Center for Social Concerns or service-learning courses.
4. What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?
Choose a compliment that reveals something important about your character. It could be about your integrity, resilience, creativity, or kindness. Explain the context in which you received it and why it mattered to you. This question is less about flattery and more about showing what you value in yourself and how you hope others will experience you in the Notre Dame community.
5. What would you fight for?
This prompt invites you to express a deeply held conviction. Choose an issue or principle you feel passionate about, such as educational equity, environmental sustainability, or human dignity, and explain why it matters to you. Share a specific action you have taken or would take in support of this cause. Connect your answer to how you would continue this work at Notre Dame, whether through clubs, research, or service projects.
Additional Tips for Writing the Notre Dame Supplemental Essays
- Pick strategically. Choose short-answer questions that allow you to share different aspects of your personality and experiences.
- Stay focused. Each answer should have one clear main idea, especially with tight word limits.
- Be specific. Use details, names, and examples to make your responses memorable and authentic.
- Tie back to Notre Dame. Even for short answers, find ways to show why your values and goals align with the school’s mission.
The key takeaway for the Notre Dame supplemental essays is that admissions officers want to understand your priorities, your character, and how you will add to the campus community. Keep your answers honest, focused, and rooted in experiences that matter to you.
If you are looking for more help on your supplemental essays and other writing materials, InGenius Prep is here to help. Our team of Former Admissions Officers from top schools like Caltech know exactly what admissions offices are looking for. Book a free strategy call today and become one of the 6,000 students we have helped get an acceptance letter from their dream school!