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Notre Dame Essay Prompt 1 (2026-2027)

University of Notre Dame's supplemental essay 1 of 4 for the 2026-2027 application: the prompt, the limit, when it is due, and how to answer it. Verified on August 7, 2026.

“Briefly share what draws you to the area(s) of study you listed.”

Limit: 100 words. Deadlines: Restrictive Early Action: November 1, 2026. Regular Decision: January 4, 2027.

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What Notre Dame is really asking

What is the pull toward this subject, in your own words, not the catalog's?

The mistake most applicants make

Describing the field instead of yourself. 'Biology is the study of life' wastes half the 100 words.

Do this instead

One moment where this subject grabbed you, then what you did next because of it. Ideally the moment connects to something elsewhere in your application, so the reader sees one person, not a list.

How to spend 100 words

100 words is one paragraph. One specific moment or detail, then what it shows about you, then the connection to this school or question. No introduction, no summary.

How to start

Jim starts by asking you: “What was the first time this subject stopped being a class and became something you thought about at home?” Answer it with Jim, free →

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FAQ

What is the Notre Dame essay 1 prompt for 2026-2027?

"Briefly share what draws you to the area(s) of study you listed." The limit is 100 words.

How long should the Notre Dame essay 1 be?

100 words. 100 words is one paragraph. One specific moment or detail, then what it shows about you, then the connection to this school or question. No introduction, no summary.

When is the Notre Dame essay due?

With the application: Restrictive Early Action: November 1, 2026. Regular Decision: January 4, 2027.

Can Jim help me write the Notre Dame essay?

Yes. Jim, the AlphaApply.ai counselor, has every Notre Dame prompt and deadline loaded. He asks the questions that surface your story and gives feedback on each draft. He never writes it for you. Free to start.

The other Notre Dame prompts

Prompt and limit for 2026-2027, verified on August 7, 2026. Always confirm on University of Notre Dame's official admissions site before submitting.