United States · 2026–27 first-year application
Notre Dame writing supplement
Notre Dame's current Common App and Coalition writing supplement asks for a short essay about non-negotiable factors in choosing a college. Applicants then select two of four questions about faith, personal experience and contribution, service, or a cause they would fight for. QuestBridge applicants use a separate portal supplement with two required questions, so its route should not be confused with the Common App choices.
Writing format
One required essay up to 150 words and two selected answers of 50–100 words each
What to prepare
- 1For the 150-word answer, identify a real non-negotiable factor and show how you came to value it before connecting it to a future college home.
- 2Choose two 50–100-word prompts that reveal different sides of your values or experience; the four options cover faith, background, service, and conviction.
- 3If applying through QuestBridge, prepare its two portal questions about a non-negotiable factor and care for others instead of assuming the Common App choices apply.
How to approach the writing
- Use concrete decisions or actions to make the short answers personal; the word limits leave little room for abstract introductions.
- Keep the application-platform essay and Notre Dame supplement separate, and check that all required pieces are submitted online.
Before you submit
Notre Dame's current application overview requires one 150-word essay and two selected 50–100-word answers. An older admissions article describes a different question count; follow the current application page and the live Common App or Coalition form. QuestBridge has its own portal supplement.
Read Notre Dame current application overview and writing supplement ↗Read Notre Dame QuestBridge supplement ↗Official source checked 2026-09-26.