She enrolled in Fashion PR programs at five US universities
Notre Dame, Indiana, USA · The University of Notre Dame is one of the top twenty universities in the United States and the only major private university with a need-blind admissions policy for all students—including international ones. As of September 2024, Notre Dame became the first leading U.S. university with a religious mission to completely eliminate loans from financial aid packages; students receive only grants that do not need to be repaid. Admission to the University of Notre Dame offers access to top-20 academic standards, a powerful alumni network, and financial support comparable to that of the best Ivy League universities.
The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842 by members of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. It is located in the city of Notre Dame, Indiana, 150 kilometers from Chicago. The 1,265‑acre campus is considered one of the most beautiful in the country: it features Gothic architecture, the famous Golden Dome, the Sacré‑Cœur Basilica, and two lakes on the grounds.
Notre Dame is not just a Catholic university; it is a world‑class academic institution that consistently ranks among the top 25 national universities in the United States. According to US News 2026, Notre Dame ranks #20 in the country and #10 in terms of the quality of undergraduate education. According to the QS Subject Rankings, Notre Dame’s theology and religious studies program is #1 in the world.
Notre Dame has produced 27 Rhodes Scholars — the second‑highest number among all universities in the United States. 80% of students in pre‑med programs go on to medical school — twice the national average.
Bachelor’s degree: $67,607 per year (tuition + fees, 2025–2026)
Master’s degree: depends on the program — Mendoza MBA is about $72,000–$80,000 per year; Law School JD is about $70,000; other programs vary
Doctoral program: most PhD programs are fully funded through departmental fellowships and assistantships
The total estimated cost of attendance (Cost of Attendance) for 2025–2026 is approximately $87,000 per year, including tuition, housing, meals, and personal expenses.
The actual costs for most students are significantly lower thanks to the Pathways to Notre Dame program:
The Notre Dame campus spans 1,265 acres in Notre Dame, Indiana. The Golden Dome, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, “Touchdown Jesus” (the famous mosaic on the library building), and two lakes create a unique atmosphere. It is one of the most picturesque campuses in the United States.
Freshmen are required to live on campus. The system of 31 residential residences (dorm) is unique for American universities: each dormitory is a self—governing community with its own chaplain, sports teams and long-standing traditions.
More than 500 student clubs and organizations operate on campus. Notre Dame Fighting Irish football games at the stadium, which has a capacity of 77,000 people, are an integral part of student culture.
Admission to the University of Notre Dame is a competitive process: the acceptance rate is 9% with 35,401 applications. Applications are submitted via the Common App.
The student is admitted to a specific college: Mendoza, Engineering, Arts and Letters, Science, or Architecture.
GPA 3.95+ for most admitted students. SAT mid-50%: 1470–1540; ACT: 33–35. Test-optional starting in 2026–2027.
Notre Dame poses a mandatory question about one’s attitude toward the Catholic mission. Students of any faith are accepted and welcomed — the question requires sincerity, not religious affiliation.
Notre Dame is one of the few top‑25 universities that consider volunteer experience to be “very important.”
Two from teachers, one from the homeroom teacher.
Restrictive Early Action – up to 1 leaf fall (acceptance rate 12.9%). Regular Decision – up to 1 day (acceptance rate 6.7%).
For international applicants — transcripts with translation, TOEFL 100+ iBT or IELTS 7.0+, standard Common App package.
The key change in 2024: the Pathways to Notre Dame program has made Notre Dame the first leading university in the USA with a religious mission to adopt need‑blind admission for all students around the world. The family’s financial situation does not influence the admission decision for any applicant — neither American nor international.
The Class of 2029 became historically the most economically diverse international class in Notre Dame’s history — a direct consequence of the new financial policy.
Pathways to Notre Dame is an official financial aid program (September 2024):
Notre Dame International Merit Scholarship — a competitive program for outstanding international applicants.
All financial packages are valid for four years, with a guarantee of continuation subject to meeting academic requirements.
The median salary of graduates after six years is $86,210 (US News). The graduation rate over 4 years is 89%.
The Notre Dame alumni network — with more than 151,000 people worldwide — is one of the most cohesive in the US. Alumni actively support each other regardless of geography or specialty.
Among the leading employers are: Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble. 80% of pre‑med students enroll in medical schools.
Notre Dame attracts more than $200 million in external research funding annually. It consistently ranks #1 in the US for NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities) fellowships. Theology and religious studies are ranked #1 worldwide (QS Subject Rankings).
27 Rhodes Scholars — #2 in the US. More than 500 Fulbright scholars since 1946.
Key centers: Notre Dame Energy, Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, Kellogg Institute for International Studies, ND Center for Civic Innovation.

Notre Dame is the first leading private university in the United States with a religious mission to introduce need‑blind admission for all international students (September 2024).
#2 in the USA in terms of the number of Rhodes Scholars — the best result among the top 25 universities outside the Ivy League.
A mandatory semester in Rome for architecture students — a unique program in the top 20 in the USA.
Notre Dame Stadium — with a capacity of 77,000 — is one of the largest student sports facilities in the United States.
The Pathways to Notre Dame program (2024) has created the most economically diverse international class in the university’s history.
The Hesburgh Library is one of the largest university libraries in the world; the “Touchdown Jesus” mosaic on its wall has become a symbol of Notre Dame.
Getting into Notre Dame requires an understanding of the university’s specifics: Catholic mission alignment in essays, REA vs RD strategy, and an emphasis on volunteer experience. At SelfStartGlobal, we help:
Our students have already received scholarships worth more than $35 million.
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