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Notre Dame Essay Prompt 2 (2026-2027)
University of Notre Dame's supplemental essay 2 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.
“Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your "non-negotiable" factor(s) when searching for your future college home.”
Limit: 150 words. Deadlines: Restrictive Early Action: November 1, 2026. Regular Decision: January 4, 2027.
What Notre Dame is really asking
What do you actually need from a college, and does Notre Dame happen to be that?
The mistake most applicants make
Naming 'academic excellence' or 'strong community.' Every school claims those, so the answer says nothing about you.
Do this instead
Pick a factor that comes from your life: a faith community, a small city, a program you can only get in three places, a family reason. Explain where the need came from, then how Notre Dame meets it. The factor should sound like a person, not a ranking.
How to spend 150 words
150 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 is the one thing a college could lack that would make you say no, even if it was famous?” Answer it with Jim, free →
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What is the Notre Dame essay 2 prompt for 2026-2027?
"Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your "non-negotiable" factor(s) when searching for your future college home." The limit is 150 words.
How long should the Notre Dame essay 2 be?
150 words. 150 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.