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Notre Dame Chemistry sees rise in graduate program ranking

Published: April 26, 2022

Author: Deanna Csomo McCool and Rebecca Hicks

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s graduate program at the University of Notre Dame has moved up 17 places in rankings for “Best Chemistry Programs” by U.S. News & World Report.

Notre Dame now claims the 42 nd spot out of 211 ranked schools. This significant improvement from the latest report in 2018 was the second largest change of any of the programs on the list.

“Our department has taken meaningful steps over the past decade to solicit feedback from external and internal reviewers, and we have made earnest efforts to implement improvements to our graduate program on many levels,” said Brian Baker, Coleman Professor of Life Sciences and Department Chair. “It is very gratifying to see the hard work of our faculty, staff, and students be recognized by our peers.”Graduate program rankings in the sciences are based on the results from reputational surveys sent to academic officials who rate the quality of programs on a scale of 1 to 5. These results are then averaged and used to determine the ranking of a given program.

Recent research in the journal Scientometrics by Mary Prorok, assistant department chair, and Masaru Kuno , professor, both in the Chemistry and Biochemistry department, provides a more detailed analysis of these rankings and their meaning. This study sought to find quantifiable metrics behind U.S. News’ 2018 peer assessment scores. 

The study identified seven departmental and institutional metrics that correlated with the rankings. Research visibility and impact – judged by median “h-indices,” numbers reflecting the scientific impact of individual  professors – was found to be the most significant predictor of US News rank order. Two others included the number of tenure/tenure-track faculty members in a department and the  per capita research expenditures of those faculty members. In whole, these three metrics accounted for about 84 percent of U.S. News’ rank order of domestic graduate chemistry programs.

Other factors were related to the prestige of the program. This included the number of faculty inducted into the National Academy of Sciences, and whether the parent university was a member of the Association of American Universities. 

“An inevitable concern with purely reputational rankings such as U.S. News involves anchoring, which refers to cognitive bias in raters,” Kuno said. Cognitive bias occurs when raters ascribe future value based on past results or rankings.

“For the specific case of graduate program rankings, this implies that a program’s initial 1994 US News rank is “sticky,” Kuno said.

Their study finds that while some degree of anchoring exists in U.S. News’ ranking of graduate chemistry programs, the likelihood of significant change in rank order increases with time. Kuno and Prorok’s study found that anchoring fades with every subsequent generation of raters.

“Therefore, it is not surprising that ND’s graduate chemistry program’s ranking has risen significantly as the Department has made sustained efforts in hiring and in infrastructure enhancements,” Kuno said. “The 17 spot-jump reflects peer recognition of these improvements.”

Steven Corcelli, chemistry professor and incoming chair of the department, was pleased with the new ranking, adding that the increase in rank also occurred because of hard work and dedication.

“Our faculty and staff have been tremendously committed to providing the very best training environment for our graduate students,” he said. “It's a testament to their hard work and dedication that our reputation is growing.”

Other contributors to the study were physics doctoral student Shubin Zhang, Huy Huynh associate teaching professor if IT, analytics and operations in the Mendoza College of Business, and Thurston Miller, physical science librarian, Hesburgh Library. 

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University of Notre Dame PhD in Chemistry

The main focus area for this major is General Chemistry . For more details on this concentration, visit its profile page.

Chemistry is a major offered under the physical sciences program of study at University of Notre Dame. Here, you’ll find out more about the major doctor’s degree program in chemistry, including such details as the number of graduates, diversity of students, and more.

If there’s something special you’re looking for, you can use one of the links below to find it:

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How Much Does a Doctorate in Chemistry from Notre Dame Cost?

Notre dame graduate tuition and fees.

In 2019-2020, the average part-time graduate tuition at Notre Dame was $3,169 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students. Information about average full-time graduate student tuition and fees is shown in the table below.

How Much Can You Make With a PhD in Chemistry From Notre Dame?

The median early career salary of chemistry students who receive their doctor’s degree from Notre Dame is $57,318 per year. That is 10% lower than the national average of $63,921.

Does Notre Dame Offer an Online PhD in Chemistry?

Notre Dame does not offer an online option for its chemistry doctor’s degree program at this time. To see if the school offers distance learning options in other areas, visit the Notre Dame Online Learning page.

Notre Dame Doctorate Student Diversity for Chemistry

Male-to-female ratio.

Of the students who received their doctor’s degree in chemistry in 2019-2020, 64.3% of them were women. This is higher than the nationwide number of 40.6%.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

Of those graduates who received a doctor’s degree in chemistry at Notre Dame in 2019-2020, 14.3% were racial-ethnic minorities*. This is about the same as the nationwide number of 14%.

PhD in Chemistry Focus Areas at Notre Dame

Chemistry students may decide to major in one of the following focus areas.

Majors Related to a PhD in Chemistry From Notre Dame

You may also be interested in one of these majors related to chemistry.

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*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General admissions, q: does notre dame have a graduate program in ( ).

A: Visit the Degree Programs page for a complete list of programs offered through the Graduate School. If the program you wish to pursue isn't on our list, it may be offered through the  Mendoza College of Business ,  Law School , or  School of Architecture

Q: What are the admission requirements?

A: For details concerning both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking applicants, see the Application Requirements section of our website. Addtional program-specific requirements will be posted on the program's profile on the Degree Programs page.

Q: How much does graduate school at Notre Dame cost?

A: It may cost almost nothing. Most departments support their students through fellowships, teaching assistantships, or research assistantships. This support often covers the full cost of tuition and living expenses. For more information on funding, please visit our Funding page. The Office of Financial Aid also offers resources for understanding the costs entailed in graduate studies at Notre Dame.

Q: How do I apply to The Graduate School?

A: Contact your program of interest to obtain application information.

Q: I want to apply for admission next fall/spring, but the application still shows the current year. When will the new application open?

A: You are welcome to begin working on your application under the current year, but do not submit it yet. When the next application cycle opens (usually by the first week of September), you will be able to update the admission term to the correct year and submit the application. 

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Q: whom do i contact if i have technical difficulties with the application.

A: Please contact [email protected] with any difficulties.

Q: What do I need to do if I forget my user ID and/or password/PIN?

A: Look for the “Forgot password” link on the application login page . Enter your email address and the date of birth originally used to sign up for your account, and the application will resend your login information to the email account of record. If you no longer have access to that email address, please contact [email protected] to request an update to your account.

Q: What are the file type and size requirements?

A: The file cannot exceed 2.5 MB in size and should be in .doc, .wpd, .rtf, .xls, .pdf, .docx, .xlsx or .txt format. (For Macintosh users, please note that the filename must include the appropriate three- or four-letter extension.) Please do not attempt to upload a document that is password-protected, does not allow printing, or contains macros. This will cause the process to fail.

Q. I received a message saying the file size of my upload is too large. How do I create smaller/optimized PDF files to upload to the website?

A: If you are working with a scanned file such as a transcript, open the document in Adobe Acrobat Pro X and navigate to View → Tools → Document Processing → Optimize Scanned PDF to reduce the file size. If you are converting to PDF from Microsoft Word, first embed your fonts, and save or print as a PDF with the “Minimum size” option. In either case, verify that the text is clear and legible both in print and on-screen before uploading to the application website.

Preparing Your Application

Q: can i apply to more than one program.

A: Yes; log in to your application account , select “New application,” and then select the application year and type.

Q: If I have submitted an application before, do I need to re-apply?

A: Yes, you must submit a new application .

Q: If I have previously submitted an application, must I resubmit application material?

A: Yes, all application material must be submitted with the new application. You must submit your transcripts, recommenders, the curriculum vitae, a new statement of intent, and the writing sample, if required. If we have them, we will add your official test scores.

Q: How should I submit my application materials?

A: Unofficial transcripts, recommenders (at least three), the curriculum vitae, the statement of intent, and the writing sample, if required, must be submitted electronically through the application . Please note: All materials received by mail will be discarded.

Within 24 hours of submitting, you will receive a confirmation email listing the materials that you have uploaded, and both you and the department will be able to see the application materials through the application website . Consult the list below to clarify which items must be submitted electronically at the time of application, and which must be ordered and sent by the testing institution.

Please be aware that some institutions may include your Social Security Number within documents. The University of Notre Dame does not require this sensitive information; if it is provided, we cannot guarantee it will be protected. If present, please remove this number before you upload any documents.

Must submit electronically by applicant:

• Unofficial transcripts
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of intent
• Writing samples (if required by department)
• Materials related to the applicant’s history regarding dismissal, probation, or suspension from school, or criminal conviction

May be submitted electronically by applicant:

To expedite the review, please upload unofficial copies of test scores. Ultimately, official test scores supplied by the testing institution are required for all applicants.

Must be submitted electronically by recommender:

Letters of recommendation (Recommenders are added by the student; recommenders will upload the letters.)

Q: Is it okay to have my official standardized test scores and electronic letters of recommendation sent before I’ve submitted my application?

A: Yes, official standardized test scores can by matched at any point in the application process, whether the application is complete and submitted or incomplete and unsubmitted. Test scores are matched by name and date of birth and will be uploaded to your application after it is submitted. The electronic letters of recommendation are automatically linked to your application whether the application is submitted or not. You may return to your online application at any time to verify the status of test scores and letters of recommendation.

Letters of Recommendation

Q: how does a recommender receive the request for a letter of recommendation.

A: The applicant must first enter the recommender’s name and contact email address into a form in the application . You may add as many as five recommenders; three are required.

The recommender (or recommendation service, such as Interfolio) will receive an email providing secure access to the recommendation form and instructions to complete the recommendation electronically. Please note that as soon as a recommender is added to an application, he or she will receive this email. Applicants should only add recommenders when they are prepared for this email to be sent, and for a recommendation to be submitted for that application.

Q: Do you accept letters of recommendation from dossier services or paper letters of recommendation?

A: We accept letters of recommendation from dossier services (such as Interfolio ) that have the ability to upload documents into a Slate application . See above for the initial process steps. We do not accept paper letters of recommendation.

Q: Can I add a new recommender?

A: You can revise your list of recommenders after you submit your application. To revise your list of recommenders, log in to your application and, from the left hand navigation bar, select Recommendations. You will need the following:

• Street Address (Line 1)
• Street Address (Line 2)
• Postal Code
• Email Address
• Relationship to you

Q: My faculty recommender submitted a recommendation, but it is not marked received in my online application.

A: Most likely, you have more than one application in the system and the recommender received multiple requests to submit a letter of recommendation. If this is the case, you are probably checking one application while your recommender responded to a different application. Please check for all applications you may have and verify the status of each recommendation. If you need further assistance, please contact us at [email protected] .

Q: Can I submit my application if my letters of recommendation have not been submitted?

Yes. Please note that you are required to list your recommenders and make the request for your letters of recommendation before you may submit your application. Once you have made the request for your letters of recommendation and completed the application requirements, you may submit your application.

Test Scores: GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo

Q: does the graduate school require applicants to take the gre test.

A: Some graduate programs require the GRE; for more details, please see the Degree Programs page or the program's website. Applicants who hold a PhD, JD, MD or other doctoral degree are not required to submit GRE scores.

Q: Does the Graduate School accept the at-home GRE at-home exam and/or the TOEFL iBT?

Q: the program to which i am applying requires the gre, but the exam is not available to me. can i request a waiver.

To request a GRE waiver, please send an email explaining your situation to the program's contact listed on the Degree Programs page.

Q: What are the institution and department codes for the University of Notre Dame?

A: The institution code for both the GRE and TOEFL exams is 1841. The department code is not necessary.

Q: Does the Graduate School accept unofficial/self-reported GRE scores?

A: Yes, you may report your preliminary GRE scores in the application. However, an offer of admission is contingent upon receiving the official scores from ETS.

Q: Does the Graduate School require applicants to take the GRE Subject Test?

A: The GRE Subject Test is an additional test, which may or may not be required by the admitting department. Check the program listing to find out whether your department requires the GRE Subject Test in addition to the General Test.

Q: Do test scores expire?

A: Yes. ETS will not send us GRE scores that are older than five years; TOEFL/IELTS and Duolingo scores are valid for 2 years.

Q: Do you have minimum scores for the GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo?

A: There are no minimum scores for the GRE, as it is only one of several criteria used for admission.

Minimum English language proficiency scores depend on the type of test you’re taking.

• If you are taking the TOEFL IBT, then the minimum score is a total of 80 points, with a minimum of 23 on the Speaking section.
• If you are taking the TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution, the minimum score is a total of 550.
• If you are taking the IELTS, the minimum score is 7.0.
• If you are taking the Duolingo English Test, the minimum score is 120.

Individual departments may require higher scores.

Q: Do you accept results from the 100-point scale version of the Duolingo English Test?

No, we will only accept results from the Duolingo English Test on the 160-point scale with subscores provided. Tests taken before July 7, 2020 do not have subscores, but you can add subscores to tests taken between July 15, 2019 and July 6, 2020. We do not accept results from the previous 100-point scale Duolingo exam (all Duolingo English Tests that were taken before July 15, 2019 are based on a 100-point scale).

Q: If my speaking score is below the minimum, should I apply, and will my application be reviewed?

A: Yes we encourage all applications, and all applications are reviewed.

Q: Does the Graduate School accept unofficial/self-reported IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo scores?

A: Yes, we accept self-reported language-test scores in the application. However, an offer of admission is contingent upon receiving the official scores directly from the testing institution.

Q: English is not my native language, but it was the primary language of instruction at my previous college. Do I need to take an English proficiency test?

A: The Graduate School will waive the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo requirement for non-native English speakers who spent a minimum of two academic years at an academic institution whose primary language of instruction was English. If that is not obvious, a letter from the Registrar’s Office (or the office responsible for academic records) confirming English as the language of instruction may be required. To expedite the review, please upload a transcript from the academic institution or the letter documenting instruction in English to the “Test Scores” section of the application (in place of the TOEFL or IELTS score). After completing the upload, please confirm with Graduate Admissions by email at  [email protected]  that you have done so.

Fees & Fee Waivers

Q: what is the application fee.

A: The application fee is $75. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Q: Can applicants pay for the application fee by credit card?

A: Yes. You can pay your application fee at any time using credit card.

Q: To whom do I make checks payable? Where do I send them?

A: Credit cards are the preferred method of payment. If you would like to pay by check, please make it payable to the University of Notre Dame. The mailing address is:

Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions 110 Bond Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556

Q: Does the Graduate School offer application fee waivers?

A: Applicants to Graduate School-administered degree programs may be eligible for an application fee waiver . Advanced degrees in architecture and law are administered separately by the School of Architecture  and  Law School , respectively. All terminal master's programs in the field of business are administered by the  Mendoza College of Business . With the exception of the Ph.D. programs in Analytics and Management, the Graduate School does not offer application fee waivers for applicants to the aforementioned professional schools.

Q: If I have applied to Notre Dame within the last academic year, or I have more than one current application, do I need to pay again?

A: Yes, the fee is required for each individual application. 

After You Submit an Application

Q: do you send confirmation of receipt of documents.

A: Yes, you will receive an initial confirmation email listing the materials we have received; after the initial notice, you will need to log in to the application site to check the status of uploaded materials and to receive communications about your application and decision status. Note: We confirm uploaded materials on a daily basis during the business week; please allow at least one business day for status updates.

Q: How do I check the status of my application?

A: Please log in to the application and select the submitted application you wish to check. Official decisions will also be communicated through the application system. (See below.)

Q: Can I revise my application after the application has been submitted?

A: No, once submitted, the application may not be changed, although you may add recommenders subsequently. If your application materials require correction or update after you have submitted, please email the new items with an explanation to [email protected] , and request that the old materials be replaced by the new. We cannot change applications after the application deadline.

Q: How will I be notified of the University’s decision?

A: When a decision is ready, the Graduate School will send you viewing instructions by email to the account you provided.

To find your online decision letter you will need to:

• Log in to your application
• If a decision is ready, there will be a yellow box titled, “Status Update.” Click on “View Update.”

Q: How do I accept or decline an offer of admission?

A: All acceptance or declination of offer replies must be submitted online. You may notify us of your decision through the link in the last paragraph of your admission letter within the application site .

To find your online letter of admission or provide your enrollment decision you will need to:

• Click on “View Update” under the yellow box titled “Status Update.”
• Access enrollment form through the letter (see the last paragraph for the link).

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Gre prep online guides and tips, graduate school acceptance rates: can you get in.

Even the most qualified and confident applicants worry about getting into grad school. But don’t panic! Graduate school acceptance rates, which give the percentage of applicants that were admitted to a particular school or program in an academic year, can help you determine how likely you are to get into a given program.  But where can you find grad school admissions statistics?

In this article, we’ll first investigate the trends and factors associated with graduate school acceptance rates. Then, we’ll take a look at some of the current acceptance rates and give you expert tips on how to find acceptance rates for your programs. Finally, we’ll show you how to determine your odds of getting into grad school.

Graduate School Acceptance Rates: Factors and Trends

Grad school acceptance rates are the same as any other acceptance rate: the lower the acceptance rate, the more selective the school or program is. Similarly, the higher the acceptance rate, the less selective the school or program is. As with undergrad acceptance rates, grad school acceptance rates vary widely, from extraordinarily selective (less than 5 percent) to incredibly lenient (nearly 100 percent).

Unlike undergrad rates, though, grad school acceptance rates are usually calculated for specific programs or departments and  not for entire universities. This is because with grad school, you are essentially applying to an individual program rather than an overall institution (as you did for undergrad).

Now that we’ve covered all of the basics, let’s look at a few key trends. Our research indicates there are three major factors that help determine grad school acceptance rates:

• School or program prestige
• Degree type
• Amount of funding

Let’s look at how each of these factors influences grad school acceptance rates.

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#1: School or Program Prestige

How prestigious a particular grad school or program is can affect its overall competitiveness and selectivity. In general, the more prestigious a program is, the more competitive it’ll be and thus the lower acceptance rate it’ll have.

An easy way to determine school or program prestige is to consult official rankings, such as those listed on  U.S. News . (Grad schools are typically ranked by field or program and   not by overall institution.)

For example, a 2017  U.S. News  list of the best political science grad programs  ranked Duke’s political science program at #7 and Northwestern’s at #23. Because both of the programs have fairly high rankings, it’s safe to assume they’re probably quite selective.

And this is true: in 2016,  Duke  reported a mere 10 percent acceptance rate to its political science doctoral program, while  Northwestern  reported a 12 percent acceptance rate.

#2: Degree Type

Another major factor is degree type. Generally,  doctoral programs tend to be more selective than master’s programs (though this isn’t always the case as I’ll explain in a moment). This trend is likely due to the fact that doctoral programs often look for higher-quality applicants with proven academic track records and more relevant experience in their fields.

For example, in 2016  University of Michigan’s math doctoral program  had a 17.2 percent acceptance rate, whereas its master’s program  had a much higher 31.8 percent rate. In this case, the doctoral program is clearly tougher to get into than the master’s program.

Still,   master’s programs can have lower acceptance rates than doctoral programs. If we were to take the University of Michigan’s grad programs in computer science and engineering, we’d find that the doctoral program has  a 15 percent acceptance rate  and the master’s  an even lower 8 percent acceptance rate .

Additionally, M.F.A. programs are particularly cutthroat. In 2015, the creative writing M.F.A. program at UT Austin’s James A. Michener Center for Writers only admitted 12 out of 678 applicants — that’s a mere 1.8 percent acceptance rate !

#3: Amount of Funding

Funding, too, plays a big role in how selective a grad program is.

Well-funded  programs typically receive more applications than those offering little to no aid, thereby raising their selectivity. Competition is especially fierce for fully funded programs — possibly because fewer people are willing to go into debt for grad school.

Compared to fully funded doctoral programs, fully funded master’s programs are somewhat rare and thus pretty competitive. UT Austin’s Creative Writing M.F.A. program, for instance, is not only a prestigious program but also one of the most well-funded Creative Writing M.F.A. programs in the country: it  offers full tuition remission and a $27,500 stipend per academic year . It’s no wonder, then, that its acceptance rate is below 2 percent!

What Are the Current Graduate School Acceptance Rates?

For this section, we’ve scoured the internet to bring you a robust assortment of acceptance rates for popular U.S. grad schools.

Before we dive in, note that not all institutions calculate grad school acceptance rates using the same methodologies. Some offer only a single acceptance rate for all of their grad schools put together, while others offer individual rates by school, field, or program.

Now, let’s see how selective these schools really are!

*Statistics for NYU are based on the number of enrolled students and not the number of admitted students. Therefore, expect actual acceptance rates to be slightly higher.

How to Find Graduate School Acceptance Rates: 4 Methods

Unfortunately, grad school admissions statistics tend to be more difficult to find than undergrad acceptance rates.  But there are ways to search for them — you just have to do a lot of digging and possibly a little reaching out.

Below are our top four methods for finding grad school acceptance rates for the programs you’re applying to.

#1: Consult School Websites

By far the most reliable resources for grad school admissions statistics are  school websites.

Start your search by consulting program and departmental pages, particularly admissions and FAQ pages. Look out for any statistics-related keywords or phrases, such as “admission(s) rates,” “acceptance rates,” “enrollment,” “facts and figures,” etc. Use ctrl+F to move swiftly through large chunks of text.

Not all schools publish grad admissions information online, and those that do don’t always report it in the same way as others. For example, Princeton offers a handy PDF  containing acceptance rates for all academic fields of study. On the other hand,  Notre Dame  gives separate admissions charts for each of its grad programs (which you can access by selecting a program and then clicking “Admissions Statistics”).

Additionally, many schools release admissions statistics without explicitly publishing acceptance rates.  In this case, it’s your job to take the statistics provided and use them to calculate an acceptance rate. To find the acceptance rate of a school or program, you’ll need the following information:

• The total number of applicants in a year
• The total number of applicants granted admission  that year

The acceptance rate equals the total number of applicants offered admission divided by the total number of applicants and then multiplied by 100, or:

$$\acceptance \rate = {\number \of \applicants \offered \admission}/{\total \number \of \applicants}100$$

Be sure to  avoid conflating the number of students who were  offered admission   with the number of students who accepted their offers of admission. These two concepts sound alike but are actually different. What you’re looking for is the first statistic — that is, the number of admitted students (regardless of whether they decided to enroll).

If you’re having trouble finding admissions statistics by browsing school websites, search on Google for “[Your School] graduate acceptance rate” and see if any relevant school pages appear. While searching for acceptance rates to use in the table above, I consistently swapped “acceptance rate” with similar phrases, such as “admission(s) rate,” “facts and figures,” “student statistics,” “admittance rates,” and “admission(s) statistics.”

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Don’t be afraid to get creative! You can also use phrases like “Ph.D. admissions statistics” or “master’s admissions statistics” to narrow your search even further. Try to think outside the box as you do your research. What are other ways people talk about acceptance rates?

#2: Check  U.S. News

If your school or program doesn’t offer any admissions statistics on its website, go to  U.S. News . This website offers official rankings of grad programs as well as lists of the most (and least) selective programs in various fields.

For example, I found a 2016 list of the most competitive online M.B.A. programs  and a 2015 list of the most competitive online graduate engineering programs .

If U.S. News doesn’t offer any relevant lists for you to use, try skimming the current grad school rankings to gauge how competitive your program is compared with others in the same field.

#3: Search Other Websites

One less reliable method for looking up grad school admissions statistics is to  look for (unofficial) websites discussing acceptance rates for your school or program.

The Grad Cafe’s  admissions results  section is a solid place to start. Here, applicants post whether they’ve been accepted, rejected, or waitlisted for grad programs.

Search for your program to get a rough feel for how many acceptances and rejections go out each year. You might notice that certain types of applicants are more active than others. Creative Writing M.F.A. applicants, for example, are prolific posters in winter and spring (during admissions season).

Occasionally, Google itself will provide you with grad school acceptance rates, but this only appears to work consistently for well-known law schools, medical schools, and business schools.

Additionally, while using Google, don’t assume that any acceptance rates that pop up are directly connected to your search terms. For example, when I searched “stanford graduate acceptance rate,” Google gave me this result:

This 4.8 percent acceptance rate is  not  the acceptance rate for Stanford’s grad programs (what I searched for) but rather the acceptance rate for undergrads. So always cross-check any statistics Google gives you.

You can also consult grad school data websites such as  Peterson’s and StartClass . Take their grad school acceptance rates with a grain of salt, though — their data isn’t always verifiable online. If possible, try to compare any data you find on these types of websites with the school websites themselves or U.S. News .

#4: Contact Schools

If the internet isn’t giving you the help you need, call or email your schools. Be polite but upfront: ask whether the school calculates acceptance rates for grad programs and where you can find this information online (if available).

If a school refuses to divulge admissions statistics or simply doesn’t report acceptance rates, see if they can give you estimates for how many applications they receive each year, or for how many acceptances they usually extend to applicants in your program.

Graduate School Acceptance: What Are Your Odds?

By this point, you might be wondering how likely it is you’ll actually get into the grad program you wish to attend. After all, acceptance rates are pretty broad — they tell you what everyone’s odds are but not your odds specifically.

Below are three easy steps for determining your odds of getting into grad school, including advice on when it’s better to go for it or choose another program.

Step 1: Check Program Requirements

First, go to your program’s website and pinpoint the admissions requirements page. Now, ask yourself:  do you meet all of the program’s basic requirements? If not, you’ll likely wind up with a rejection (and might not even be able to apply).

However, if you’re still interested in applying, contact the program and ask if they’ll make an exception for you. Your chance of getting accepted is still low, but you’ll at least have your application considered.

If your program strongly recommends qualities you lack, don’t interpret this as an automatic rejection. Sometimes, applicants can make up for deficiencies in other ways. For example, if your undergrad GPA is 3.1 and your program recommends applicants have a minimum 3.2, don’t write off the program — you might still have a shot at getting in as long as the rest of your application is solid.

On the other hand, even if you meet all of a program’s requirements, you’re not necessarily a shoo-in. Remember, all other applicants have met these requirements, too, so you’ll need to find a unique way to make your application stand out.

Step 2: Find Average GRE Scores and GPAs

Your next step is to look up your program’s average GRE scores and GPA  to see how your own scores and GPA compare with those of previously admitted applicants.

You can usually find GRE score information on admissions requirements or FAQ pages. You can also search on Google for “[Your School] [Your Program] average GRE scores.” For step-by-step instructions on how to find average GRE scores, check out  my article on average GRE scores by school .

For GPAs, you can use the same basic methodology. Check admissions requirements and FAQ pages and use ctrl+F to search for “GPA.” If GPA information is available, you’ll most likely come across minimum GPAs or average GPAs (or both). For more tips on how to find GPA information for your grad schools, read our guide .

Now, compare your own GRE scores and GPA with the averages you’ve found. Below are all possible scenarios and what they mean for you and your odds of getting into the program:

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• Your GRE scores and GPA are both  higher than your program’s averages:  Congratulations! You have an excellent chance of getting accepted, especially if the rest of your application is equally impressive. Keep up the great work!
• Your GRE scores and GPA are both  about the same as your program’s averages:  You’re doing pretty well! You are just the type of applicant your program is looking for. The only drawback is that you probably won’t stand out as much from other applicants who have similar GRE scores and GPAs. So take time to make your application sparkle (I’m looking at you, statement of purpose).
• Your GRE scores and GPA are both lower than your program’s averages (or just one of the two is lower):  It ain’t over ’til it’s over! You can still make up for your deficiencies in other ways. While you can’t change your GPA, you can retake the GRE . If your GPA is low, a great strategy for combating this is to discuss it in your statement of purpose, taking care to highlight any external factors that contributed to the low GPA as well as any attributes of yours that prove you’re indeed ready for grad school.

Step 3: Decide Whether to Apply

Now, we get to the final question: do you apply to the program or not?  This is a vague question that’s difficult to answer as is. The real questions you should be asking yourself are as follows:

• Do I meet all of the program’s basic requirements?
• Do I meet most or all of the program’s expectations of applicants (in terms of GRE scores, GPA, etc.)?
• Is the program’s acceptance rate extremely low?
• Do I really like this program?

Although acceptance rates and GRE/GPA comparisons are helpful, don’t base your decision to apply solely on how difficult the program is to get into. We can’t know for sure what kind of applicant a grad program is looking for or who they’re willing to make an exception for.

Take a moment to think deeply about how interested you are in this particular program. Be realistic about your chances of getting in — but don’t cross the line into pessimism. If you don’t meet most or all of a program’s expectations and you’re not super invested in it, consider applying elsewhere.

But if you meet some, most, or all of a program’s expectations and you’re extremely interested in enrolling, give the application a go. Remember, it’s totally normal (and even encouraged) to have a few reach schools. Plus, you’ll never get in if you don’t apply!

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Acceptance Rates

Grad school acceptance rates quantify for us the selectivity of grad schools and programs. More specifically, acceptance rates tell us  what percentage of applicants were offered admission to a particular grad school or program. 

With grad school, acceptance rates are often reported for individual schools or programs,  not  entire universities. Acceptance rates can vary widely depending on program prestige, the type of degree you’re seeking, and how much (or how little) funding a program offers.

Unlike undergrad acceptance rates, grad school acceptance rates are somewhat difficult to locate online. You can look for them using any of the following four methods:

• Peruse school websites
• Check grad school facts and lists on  U.S. News
• Browse other websites and forums such as The Grad Cafe
• Call or email your schools

When trying to determine your  odds of getting into a program, look at your program’s requirements as well as the average GPA and GRE scores of previously admitted applicants to your program. If your GRE scores and GPA are comparable to those of your program, you have a decent shot at getting accepted. If one or both are lower than your program’s averages, however, you can always try to  raise your GRE score  with a retake or address your GPA in your statement of purpose.

At the end of the day, what ultimately matters isn’t that you get accepted to a highly competitive grad program but that you make the right decision for you and you alone!

What’s Next?

Need help with your grad school application?  Learn about the most common grad school requirements  and get tips on how to write a grad school CV or resume !

Is your GPA good enough for grad school ?  Read our in-depth guide to learn how you can make up for a less-than-stellar GPA and ultimately raise your chances of getting into the school of your dreams.

Do you have to take the GRE for grad school ? When are grad school deadlines ?  Check out our guides for answers to these questions and more.

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Hannah Muniz

Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in English and East Asian languages and cultures. After graduation, she taught English in Japan for two years via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. View all posts by Hannah Muniz

University of Notre Dame: Statistics

Updated: February 29, 2024

Quick Review

University of notre dame acceptance rate and admissions statistics.

University of Notre Dame has an acceptance rate of 13% and is among the top 4% of the most difficult universities to gain admission to in the United States. The university reports the admission statistics without distinguishing between local and international students.

451 students enrolled in some distance education courses.

269 enrolled exclusively in distance education.

Among admitted applicants 731 or 36% submitted SAT

25% of them had 1450 or below

75% of them had 1550 or below

Typical SAT scores of first-years in the University of Notre Dame are 1450-1550 (middle 50% range).

Among admitted applicants 628 or 31% submitted ACT

25% of them had 32 or below

75% of them had 35 or below

Typical ACT scores of first-years in the University of Notre Dame are 32-35 (middle 50% range).

Admissions requirements

Enrollment demographics by race or ethnicity, costs per year: tuition, housing, fees.

The average net cost to attend University of Notre Dame is $28,474 per year, calculated as the sum of the average cost of tuition, room and board, books, and supplies, reduced by the amount of average financial aid received.

The final cost of attendance varies for each student based on household income, residency, program, and other factors.

Average costs by household income

Tuition and fees, room and board costs, university of notre dame majors.

University of Notre Dame has granted 2,163 bachelor's degrees across 56 programs, 1,288 master's across 54 programs, and 498 doctorate degrees across 31 programs. Below is a table with majors that lead to degrees at University of Notre Dame.

University of Notre Dame has a graduation rate of 96%, which is among the 2% highest for universities in the US.

Publications & Citations

University of Notre Dame is a world-class research university with 71,739 scientific papers published and 2,020,552 citations received. The research profile covers a range of fields, including Physics, Engineering, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Quantum and Particle physics, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Political Science, and Philosophy.

Publication / Citation count by topic

Annual publication & citation counts, university of notre dame alumni.

Amy Coney Barrett

Amy Vivian Coney Barrett is an American lawyer and jurist who serves as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. The fifth woman to serve on the court, she was nominated by President Donald Trump and has served since October 27, 2020. Barrett was a U.S. circuit judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit from 2017 to 2020.

Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice is an American diplomat and political scientist who is the current director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. A member of the Republican Party, she previously served as the 66th United States secretary of state from 2005 to 2009 and as the 19th U.S. national security advisor from 2001 to 2005. Rice was the first female African-American secretary of state and the first woman to serve as national security advisor. Until the election of Barack Obama as president in 2008, Rice and her predecessor, Colin Powell, were the highest-ranking African Americans in the history of the federal executive branch (by virtue of the secretary of state standing fourth in the presidential line of succession). At the time of her appointment as Secretary of State, Rice was the highest-ranking woman in the history of the United States to be in the presidential line of succession.

Joe Montana

Joseph Clifford Montana Jr. is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers. Nicknamed "Joe Cool" and "the Comeback Kid", Montana is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. After winning a national championship at Notre Dame, Montana began his NFL career in 1979 at San Francisco, where he played for the next 14 seasons. With the 49ers, Montana started and won four Super Bowls and was the first player to be named the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times. He also holds Super Bowl career records for most passes without an interception (122 in four games) and the all-time highest passer rating of 127.8. In 1993, Montana was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played for his last two seasons and led the franchise to its first AFC Championship Game. Montana was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Charles Sparks is an American romance novelist, screenwriter, and film producer. He has published twenty-three novels, all New York Times bestsellers, and two works of non-fiction, with over 115 million copies sold worldwide in more than 50 languages. Among his works are The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and Message in a Bottle which, along with eight other books, have been adapted as feature films.

General info

Location and contacts, university of notre dame in social media.

University of Notre Dame

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

College of Science

• Home ›
• Undergraduate ›

Career Paths

Where do you want to go.

Students choose to major in chemistry or biochemistry for a variety of reasons, but whether you foresee a future working in the chemical field or pursuing a different path, the solid foundation provided by your degree can set you up for success. The majority of our recent graduates have gone on to medical/dental school or to pursue their doctoral degree in a chemistry related field. A solid scientific background is also useful to those interested in proceeding on to law school or business school or pursuing a related professional masters degree. Three of Notre Dame’s masters level programs are particularly appealing to our students: the Engineering, Science, & Technology Entrepreneurship Excellence Master's Program (ESTEEM), the Master of Science in Global Health, and the Master of Science in Management . Not interested in advanced study? That’s fine too. Our alumni also go into teaching, service, or directly into the workforce.

How we help you get there

The programs of study for chemistry and biochemistry majors are designed to teach you how to be a scientist. The lecture curriculum provides you with a substantial knowledge base. This prepares you well for advanced courses you may encounter and results in excellent scores on admissions tests such as the MCAT or GRE. The laboratory courses will introduce you to new techniques and methodologies. As you go through the curriculum, you learn the importance of keen observation, and your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills develop. While these experiences are beneficial to those pursuing a research career, these same skills are an asset in any career field.

FAQs for graduate school

Faqs for medical school, faqs for other preprofessional programs.

• Where can I find information on what graduate programs are offered at various schools and the national rankings of these programs?
• Should I take the GRE general and/or subject test?
• To how many schools should I apply?
• I have been invited to visit a school. Is this an interview?
• How important are service and other extracurricular activities when applying to graduate school?
• What is the average GPA of a graduate school applicant?
• Is research at the undergraduate level a requirement for acceptance into graduate school?
• I have done undergraduate research but do not have any publications. Will graduate schools still consider me?
• In my personal statement, should I mention specific faculty with whom I am interested in working?
• US News & World Report
• College Factual
• Your undergraduate research advisor (most valuable). Your advisor can counsel you on your potential for acceptance to certain programs, and they may also be able to contact colleagues at other departments, which might aid your application.

Back to top

Schools generally have a $75-100 application fee, so your upper limit is determined by how much time and money you want to spend writing applications. Realistically, 6-7 applications is the average.

It depends. Most institutions extend visits after an acceptance has been offered; however, some invite students prior to extending an acceptance offer. Your letter should indicate clearly whether or not you have been accepted. If not, clarify this question before the visit. Specific schools and programs (particularly biochemistry programs) have what is essentially a conditional acceptance. In this case, you are interviewed at the visit and then get a second letter notifying you of the final decision.

If information is not provided by the school regarding what to expect during the visit, ask the undergraduate advisor for our department’s brochure for prospective graduate students visiting Notre Dame. There isn’t anything specific that you are expected to ask during the visit. However, you give a better impression if you show interest and talk to the professors. Ask them questions about how they run their group, size and makeup of group (undergrads, grad students, post docs), etc. You could also ask about what a typical graduate student project might look like for their lab. More importantly, you should be asking questions of the faculty and students about the school and program that will allow you to make an informed decision about where you want to go.

Generally, these activities are not considered in the application process. It is more important that you are prepared and committed to doing research.

Of course, the higher the GPA the better. In general, a GPA of 3.5 (out of 4) or higher will make you a viable candidate in most programs. It is also critical that the GPA in the subject area is good. Unexplained poor grades anywhere in your chemistry/biochemistry GPA are a red flag. If you had a bad semester, briefly explain any legitimate reasons (such as illness) for the discrepancy in your academic record. Finally, if you have filled your schedule with easier classes, this will be apparent on your transcript. You want to have taken challenging classes that demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have the background necessary to succeed.

No, but it helps tremendously. Better schools will expect this since it tells them that you are prepared to do research. They are looking to see that you are ready to participate in graduate-level research and are not coming in with false expectations. Most of your competition will have done summer research or will have participated in REU programs around the country, often for multiple years in a row. Some may even have publications if they have worked in a lab for several years.

Yes. Having a paper does not matter as much as a recommendation letter from your undergraduate research advisor. You want this person to provide superlatives in their recommendation. Having research experience counts, having papers counts, but the most important thing is the letter from the advisor and what it says about you. Also, keep in mind that presentation of your research at local and regional meetings looks positive to selection committees. It demonstrates that you 1) have accomplished enough to draw some reasonable conclusions from your data, and 2) have the ability to organize your work into a coherent story to share with others.

It does help the committee identify areas in which you are most interested (i.e. inorganic, organic, physical, analytical, biochemistry, etc.). It also shows that you have really looked at their program and envisioned how you would fit in there. However, there are possible drawbacks as well. If you choose faculty in widely divergent areas (for example a fundamental physical chemist and a total synthetic organic chemist), it may indicate that you don’t know what you want. If you are going to choose names, then make sure it makes logical sense (similar areas, explain interdisciplinary interests, etc.). Also, if you choose faculty who are extremely popular or won’t be accepting students in the upcoming year, you may get bypassed because the committee won’t be sure they have a place for you.

• Does a chemistry or biochemistry major prepare me for medical school?
• What is a gap year?
• When should I take the MCAT?
• Can I study abroad if I am interested in medical school?

Approximately 1/3-1/2 of our majors plan to attend medical school in the future. Those interested in medical school will find that either program of study fulfills the medical school requirements and leads to high MCAT scores. As a result, our majors experience a high acceptance rate into medical schools.

It is becoming more common for students to wait a year or two after graduation before applying to medical school. This allows students to make the most of their undergraduate education by taking advantage of opportunities such as study abroad, completing a second major/minor, etc. After graduation, students spend one or more years gaining life experiences that better prepare them for a career in medicine. Some examples of gap year activities include research, service (in the US or abroad), or working in a healthcare setting.

Yes, you can. However, there are some considerations you must keep in mind, especially if you do not want to take a gap year. First, it will be necessary for you to go to a location that will allow you to take classes that you need prior to taking the MCAT. Second, it takes a while for grades to come back from the overseas programs. Therefore, you cannot go abroad during the spring semester of your junior year if you plan to apply to medical school that summer. You will need to either plan to go abroad during the fall semester or look at the summer opportunities for international experiences. If you are planning to do a gap year, then you can go abroad either semester.

• Does a chemistry or biochemistry major prepare me for other professional programs?
• When should I take the entrance exams?

Our programs prepare students for a wide range of preprofessional programs. It is important to meet with your advisor and the advisor in the preprofessional office early in your studies as each school and program has different entrance requirements. However, students who complete the specific requirements for these programs experience a high acceptance rate for these programs.

You can take the DAT at any point after you complete the course content on the exam: two semesters each of biology and physics and four semesters of chemistry. Most veterinary programs only require the general Graduate Record Exam (GRE), which needs to be taken in August or September of the year that you plan to apply. Some veterinary programs also accept the MCAT in place of the GRE, and the premed guidelines for taking that exam should be followed. For those interested in Pharmacy programs, most programs require the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). The PCAT is taken after completion of 2 semesters of biology, 1 semester of microbiology, anatomy and physiology, 4 semesters of chemistry, and 1 semester of biochemistry. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is given four times a year, and students should complete the exam by October in the year prior to their planned start date.