Notre Dame is a fantastic school, with a robust culture and great programs in engineering, business, and the humanities. If you’ve been waitlisted by ND, we’re sure this was not the outcome you were hoping for, but that doesn’t mean you’re done for. Take some time to have the feelings we’re pretty sure you’re having, but then come back here for some action items.
Last cycle, Notre Dame accepted 90 students off the waitlist, which was about 3%. Chances are slim, but not impossible. This blog post from ND talks about how some years, over 100 students get off the list, and some years no students get off the list. That’s just how waitlists are – but they generally accept between 20-100 students each year, which means you most likely have a shot. But you won’t have a shot if you don’t follow our guide, so let’s get into it.
Step One: Accept Your Spot
In order to be accepted off the waitlist, you need to accept a spot on the waitlist. Otherwise, they’ll assume you’re headed to another school altogether. You’ll be directed to accept your spot in your applicant portal, and now you’re officially ~on the list~. First step done! Easy!
Step Two: Secure Other Plans
It’s time to lock in a backup plan at a school where you’ve already been admitted. Getting off Notre Dame’s waitlist isn’t impossible, we’ve helped students do it before, but you want to have Plan B in action. Secure your spot by submitting a deposit to a school you’d be happy to attend; that way, no matter what happens, you’ll be heading to college this fall. ND wants you to do this, too, btw! They want you to go to college!
Step Three: Update Notre Dame
It’s time to write your letter of continued interest (LOCI)! Think of this as your final pitch—your last opportunity to make a strong, lasting impression on ND’s admissions team.
If you’ve written a deferral letter before, this will feel somewhat familiar, but the stakes are even higher now, and your approach needs to reflect that. This is your closing argument, and the tone is key. You need to be professional, confident, and self-assured – no lingering disappointment or desperation. This is about clearly demonstrating why you and Notre Dame are the perfect fit.
Opening
Start with a polished, professional greeting, such as “Dear Admissions Committee” or, if you know it, the name of your regional admissions counselor (huge plus if you’ve already talked to this person before applying). Think of this like writing to a potential employer. This is not the time for casual phrasing or a friendly, conversational tone. Treat your LOCI like the formal business letter it is.
Reinforce Interest
ND knows you’re interested—you applied, and you accepted your waitlist spot! But now’s your chance to remove any doubt that it’s your top choice. In just a few sentences, express your excitement and make it crystal clear that if offered a spot, you will absolutely enroll. Be direct. This isn’t the time for vague enthusiasm. Highlight why Notre Dame is the perfect place for you to grow academically and personally, and back it up with one or two specific reasons that connect your goals to what the university offers.
This part is very important. Schools care about their yield rate (the number of admitted students who enroll), and communicating clearly that you will attend if admitted is the best way to convince ND that you will positively impact their yield rate.
Update
Now, we’re going to tell Notre Dame what you’ve been up to since submitting your fall application. Ideally, you’ve kept your grades strong and stayed engaged in your extracurriculars.
In a concise paragraph, highlight two or so of your most significant accomplishments from the past few months. This could be earning valedictorian honors, stepping into a leadership role, receiving a prestigious award, securing a meaningful internship, or completing a major research project. This is not the place to list every activity, test score, or sports achievement; prioritize quality over quantity.
Closing
Close your letter with the same professional and polished tone you started with. Reaffirm your excitement about Notre Dame and tie it to a specific academic reason – maybe a program, course, professor, or unique academic resource that aligns with your major. This is your final opportunity to leave a strong impression, so keep it focused, sincere, and specific. And don’t be afraid to mention Notre Dame’s strong sense of community and tradition! They take great pride in it! End with a professional sign-off like “Sincerely” or “Respectfully.”
Step Four: Wait
According to ND, this needs to be submitted by April 15th for full consideration. You won’t hear back until after May 1st, but know it could be longer than that. You can have updated grades sent to ND via your school counselor, but do not send anything else (esp letters of rec).
Now, you wait. Which is annoying, but if you’ve followed our guide you’ve done everything you can, you have a backup plan in place, and you’re going to be fine. Resist that urge to bother the admissions office! Best of luck!
If you’re on a waitlist and feeling anxious, we can help! Please reach out to us today if you need help with your waitlist letter.