The application pages of the University of Notre Dame Office of Undergraduate Admissions show that Restrictive Early Action (REA) for fall 2027 entry closes November 1, 2026, with decisions released in mid-December; Regular Decision closes January 4, 2027, with decisions in mid- to late March. The same pages state that the test-optional policy runs only through the 2026-27 cycle, and that first-year applicants seeking to enroll in fall 2028 must submit SAT or ACT scores. Irvine seniors face a deadline three weeks away, and juniors need to fit standardized testing into next year’s plan.
Who Is Affected by the Notre Dame Restrictive Early Action Deadline
Seniors applying to the University of Notre Dame for fall 2027 entry, and juniors planning to enroll in fall 2028. Restrictive Early Action is not binding, but it limits early applications elsewhere. The key points:
| Item | University of Notre Dame policy |
|---|---|
| Restrictive Early Action | Due November 1; supporting documents and SlideRoom submissions by November 15; decisions in mid-December; priority financial aid date November 15 |
| Regular Decision | Due January 4; supporting documents by January 15; decisions in mid- to late March; reply by May 1 with a $500 enrollment deposit |
| Early restrictions | Other Early Action programs are allowed; no binding Early Decision I program at any college; Early Decision II is allowed, and an applicant admitted there must immediately withdraw the Notre Dame application |
| Deferral and denial | Deferred applications move automatically to the Regular Decision pool; denied applicants cannot apply in Regular Decision that cycle; a Regular Decision application submitted by November 1 may be changed to REA by November 15 |
| Application | Common App, Coalition on Scoir, or QuestBridge; $85 fee, with automatic waivers available |
| Writing supplement | One required essay of up to 150 words on the applicant’s non-negotiable factor in choosing a college; two of four short answers, each 50 to 100 words, on faith, personal experiences, service to others, and what the applicant would fight for |
| Recommendations | One letter from a core academic subject teacher required; a counselor letter highly recommended |
| Standardized testing | Optional for the 2026-27 cycle; required from the 2027-28 cycle, so first-year and transfer applicants seeking to enroll in fall 2028 must submit ACT or SAT scores |
What to Do Now About the Notre Dame Testing Requirement
Seniors should check the early restrictions first. A student preparing a binding Early Decision I application elsewhere cannot also apply to Notre Dame under Restrictive Early Action; the differences among early plans are explained in Early Decision vs. Early Action: Which Are Binding, and school combinations are covered by the EDUBUS University Admissions Planning service.
Juniors should schedule the test. Applicants for fall 2028 entry must submit SAT or ACT scores, so current juniors need results before applying next fall; preparation options are described in the SAT program.
The essays are short, so the points must be precise. The required essay is 150 words and each short answer is at most 100 words; approaches are covered in the College Essay Bootcamp.
Sources
- University of Notre Dame Admissions: Apply (accessed October 11, 2026)
- University of Notre Dame Admissions: Restrictive Early Action & Regular Decision (accessed October 11, 2026)
- University of Notre Dame Admissions: Application Overview (accessed October 11, 2026)
- CSU Transfer Priority Filing Ends Nov. 30CSU priority filing for fall 2027 transfer applicants ends November 30, 2026; $70 per campus. ADT admission guarantee, upper-division requirements, and next steps.
- Pomona Two Essays, Early Decision Due Nov. 8Pomona College Early Decision I closes November 8, 2026, decisions by December 15. Two supplement prompts of 150 and 250 words, plus recommendation and testing rules.
- Portola High Financial Aid Workshop Oct. 19Portola High School holds a mandatory financial aid workshop for all seniors on October 19, 2026, led by Irvine Valley College, with FSA ID creation. Parent steps first.
- Rice Three Essays, Early Decision Due Nov. 1Rice University Early Decision I closes November 1, 2026, decisions by mid-December. Three supplement prompts of 150, 150, and 500 words, plus testing policy.
