How to Apply to Economics at Notre Dame: A Major in the College of Arts and Letters, With Economics and International Economics Majors, Two Concentrations and an Honors Track, Test-Optional for Fall 2027, for U.S., International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Economics at the University of Notre Dame is taught by the Department of Economics in the College of Arts and Letters. The department page says it offers two majors, Economics and International Economics, two concentrations, and a Minor in Business Economics for Arts and Letters students who major outside the department. This guide follows Notre Dame’s own pages for fall 2027 entry and speaks to U.S. applicants, international applicants (including applicants from China) and transfer applicants.

1. Programs and tracks

• Economics major: you begin with core courses in theory and research methods, then apply them in major electives. The department lists careers in data analytics, economic research, public service and law, and managerial positions in business.
• International Economics major: in addition to the economics requirements, you meet the international economics requirements in a language of your choice, combined with what the department calls advanced training in it (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish), with study abroad, overseas internships and research. Language requirements are on each language department’s site.
• Two concentrations (open to both majors, selective, usually applied for in sophomore year):
  • Financial Economics and Econometrics (CFEE): applied quantitative economic reasoning for investment management, banking, research and policy. Mendoza College of Business students cannot enroll. To apply you must major in economics or international economics and finish statistics by the end of the application semester; admission looks at overall GPA, performance in prior economics courses and mathematical background. For 2026-27 the application window is September 21 to October 21, with decisions by October 31. Requirements: the six core courses, three required concentration courses (ECON 40354 Financial Economics, ECON 40356 Asset Pricing Theory and ECON 40357 Financial Econometrics), the one-credit CFEE Enriching Experience in three of the four semesters of junior and senior year, at least two finance-related (CFEL) electives and one writing-intensive course (one course may satisfy both).
  • Evidence-Based Poverty Alleviation (EBPAC): current research on poverty and anti-poverty policy and the causal-inference methods economists use; part of the Notre Dame Poverty Initiative’s Poverty Research Fellows program. Students typically apply in the fall of sophomore year and take the first required course that spring. You must major in economics or international economics and complete Principles of Microeconomics by the end of the application semester. The fall 2026 window ran September 21 to October 21. Requirements: the six core courses, two required concentration courses (ECON 30500 The Economics of Poverty and ECON 40500 Causal Inference for Poverty Alleviation, the latter requiring Econometrics), three approved electives (one at the 40000 level and one writing-intensive) and the experiential learning requirement (two semesters of the Enriching Experience plus a third semester or one Immersive Learning Experience).
• Honors track: open to both majors, with a year-long independent research project. You apply in the spring of junior year (the page lists April 23, 2026, which is a past date; confirm the current one). The GPA condition is either an average of A- (3.667) across Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics and Econometrics, or a cumulative 3.4 at Notre Dame plus an A- (3.667) average in the six core courses. You take five electives instead of four, including the Senior Honors Workshop (ECON 43962, fall of senior year) and the Senior Honors Thesis (ECON 48600, spring), each with a B+ or higher.
• STEM designation: this is not stated in the pages I read.
• Double majors and minors: the economics FAQ discusses double majoring with ACMS, psychology, sociology and others. The Business Economics minor is only for Arts and Letters students majoring outside the department.

2. How admission works: the pages I read do not describe entry to the major in detail

• First-year application: the admissions pages say you apply to the University through the Common Application or the Coalition Application (QuestBridge is also accepted). Whether first-year applicants choose a college or major at application, or whether economics has an enrollment cap, is not stated in the admissions pages I read. The admissions pages do mention an “intended major” when describing high school math. Ask the admissions office.
• Declaring a major: the Arts and Letters page says students may declare in the spring of first year, though some wait until sophomore year, and to consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies or program manager. The economics department lists Forrest Spence as Director of Undergraduate Studies. Whether there is a GPA threshold to enter the economics major is not stated in the pages I read.
• Changing into Arts and Letters from another college: be in good academic standing (taking classes in the College while on probation is allowed) and meet an Arts and Letters advising dean for an orientation session.

3. Prerequisites and course sequence

• High school coursework (admissions): at least 16 units, including 4 of English; 3 of math (Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry, with 4 preferred); 2 of one foreign language (3–4 preferred); 2 of science; and 2 of history/social science. The strongest applicants have four units in each area at the most rigorous level offered. Another page says 3–4 units of math, with STEM, Architecture and Business intents needing 4 units including calculus. Economics is not named in the four-unit list, but a footnote says that if calculus is not offered, IB Analysis and Approaches or Pre-Calculus are good alternatives and that the University does not recommend substituting statistics for calculus for those interested in a STEM, Business or Economics major.
• Core courses (six): Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Statistics for Economics and Econometrics. The intermediate courses require Calculus B (or an equivalent such as Calc 2).
• Electives: four, of which two at the 40000 level and one writing-intensive (ECWI attribute). The department lists sample electives such as labor economics, international trade, game theory, health economics, environmental economics, law and economics and sports economics; check each term’s class search.
• Statistics substitutions: students double majoring in programs that require statistics (ACMS, psychology, sociology and others) may take introductory statistics in the other department and add an economics elective. Students with AP Statistics credit (ACMS 10091) or ACMS 10140 take the one-credit ECON 30335 Introduction to Linear Regression, and together these replace ECON 30340.
• Standard plan: first-year fall, Principles of Micro, Calc I/A and the optional one-credit Economics Proseminar (ECON 10000); first-year spring, Principles of Macro and Calc B; sophomore fall, Intermediate Micro and Statistics for Economics; sophomore spring, Intermediate Macro and Econometrics; electives in junior and senior year. Students planning a PhD should ask an advisor which math beyond two semesters of calculus is recommended.
• First-year course choices: the department gives suggested paths for nine situations based on incoming AP/IB economics and calculus credit. Students placed into Principles of Calculus push the calculus timeline back one semester.

4. AP and IB credit

• Economics FAQ: incoming students with AP AB/BC Calculus, AP Microeconomics and/or AP Macroeconomics credit may use it to waive the calculus, Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics requirements. Students with AP Statistics credit must take the one-credit ECON 30335, and the two together satisfy the economic statistics requirement.
• Admissions FAQ: credit is awarded for AP scores of 4 and 5 and IB Higher Level scores of 6 and 7; the specific exams and scores are on the First Year Advising site, which I did not read.
• A subject-by-subject conversion table is not in the pages I read.

5. Rounds, deadlines and materials (fall 2027 entry)

• Restrictive Early Action: November 1. It is non-binding, but an REA applicant may not apply to any binding Early Decision I program; Early Decision II is allowed because its deadline falls after the REA release. Decisions come in mid-December: admit, not selected, or deferral to Regular Decision. If denied in REA you cannot apply in Regular Decision. REA applicants receive priority consideration for merit scholarships.
• Regular Decision: the admissions page says January 4; the financial aid page lists January 1 for “Admission Application Due”. The two pages disagree; rely on what your application portal shows. Decisions come in mid- to late March; waitlist decisions come by mid-summer.
• Confirmation: reply and pay the $500 enrollment deposit by May 1.
• Application fee: $85, with automatic fee waivers through the Common Application and Coalition Application.
• Materials: application, the Notre Dame Writing Supplement (one required essay of up to 150 words and two short answers of 50–100 words chosen from options), high school transcript, one teacher letter from a core academic subject, and a second letter (the school counselor is strongly recommended). The university does not conduct interviews; it offers an optional paid 60–90 second video (Glimpse for U.S. high school applicants, InitialView for international high school applicants).
• Testing: the SAT or ACT is optional for fall 2027 entry. A testing requirement returns beginning with the 2027-2028 admissions cycle, so applicants for fall 2028 must submit one. If you submit, the highest score in each section is used, and the ACT science and writing sections are optional.

6. By reader

U.S. applicants

• Rounds and materials are the same as above. The admissions FAQ says Notre Dame does not use quotas by region, state or high school.
• In-state versus out-of-state tuition: the cost page lists one set of figures and does not distinguish residency.
• Admission and aid: admission is need-blind, and Notre Dame meets 100% of demonstrated need. The aid offer is made of grants and scholarships rather than student loans, though families may choose to borrow. By the aid page, most families with income up to $60,000 have tuition, fees, housing and food covered; up to $150,000, at least full tuition; up to $200,000, at least half tuition. Apply with the FAFSA (code 001840) and the CSS Profile (code 1841); priority dates are November 15 for REA and January 15 for RD.

International applicants

• English proficiency: required if your first language is not English or your secondary education was not primarily in English. Scores the university “strongly recommends”: TOEFL iBT under the pre-February 2026 scoring, 100 overall with at least 25 in Speaking; under the updated scoring, an average of 5.5 and no section below 5.0; IELTS 7.5 composite; Duolingo 125. PTE Academic is accepted. The tests are waived with an SAT EBRW of 650 or higher or an ACT English or Reading score of 26 or higher. TOEFL code 1841; the “TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition” is not accepted, and if you cannot reach a TOEFL or IELTS site you are asked to submit the Duolingo test.
• Testing exceptions: students who completed secondary education outside the U.S. and hold the IB Diploma, GCE A-Levels (at least three) or the French Baccalaureate may submit predicted results in place of SAT/ACT.
• Credentials: submit your full secondary record and national examination results; British-curriculum applicants send GCSE/IGCSE results and predicted A-Levels and are typically enrolled in at least three A-Level subjects. The pages I read name no credential evaluation service. This is not published in the pages I read.
• Aid: admission for international applicants is also need-blind. To be considered for need-based aid, submit the CSS Profile (code 1841, available October 1) and the requested family income documents (foreign tax returns or a statement of parents’ earnings). The aid page says each applicant is considered based on academic qualifications, financial need and available resources, and aid may include student employment and university scholarships.
• Entry documents: admitted students who enroll receive the Form I-20 for F-1 status.

Applicants from China

• The admissions application page, the testing page and the international applicants page do not say whether the gaokao is considered, what school-exam records to send, or give any China-specific note. This is not published in the pages I read. Ask admissions (admissions@nd.edu, +1-574-631-7505).
• The international FAQ says only that students from China are encouraged to complete an InitialView or Vericant interview; the university itself offers no alumni or on-campus interviews.

7. Costs and scholarships

• Average cost of attendance for 2026-2027 on the aid page: tuition $69,280, mandatory fees $514, housing and food $18,992, books and supplies $1,250, personal $1,200, transportation $750, total estimate $91,986.
• No separate surcharge for the economics major is listed in the pages I read.
• Scholarships: REA applicants receive priority for merit scholarships. The university says over 70% of undergraduates receive some form of aid.
• The department, with support from the BonAnno family, offers limited scholarships to economics and international economics majors enrolled in an economics course through ND Summer or Study Abroad; funding is not guaranteed. Contact department staff.

8. Internships and research

• Alumni mentoring: about 150 students a year are matched with alumni mentors at the start of the fall semester.
• Internships: the Undergraduate Career Center, the department’s internal internship list (visible only to Notre Dame students), funded Poverty Research Fellows summer internships (placements have included the economics department and the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities), and the Notre Dame Washington Program (a semester in Washington, DC with coursework and internships in government, Congress and NGOs).
• Research: an independent senior thesis (ECON 47970, a full year that counts as one elective), research fellowships, or work as a faculty research assistant; funding is available, and thesis students can present at the senior thesis symposium.
• Study abroad: the FAQ says about 70% of Notre Dame undergraduates study abroad, most in junior year. One economics elective taken abroad counts toward the major electives; the six core courses may not be taken abroad.

9. Transfer

• Eligibility: you must have completed at least one full academic year in a degree-seeking program at another college after high school; the admissions page says 24 credits and one full year of coursework at an accredited four-year institution, and dual-enrollment courses do not count.
• Apply to a specific college and major: you may list an alternate intended major. Once admitted to a major you cannot change to another without the dean’s permission. How many seats economics has is not published in the pages I read. The page names Neuroscience and Behavior, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Business Analytics and Finance as having very limited availability.
• Competitiveness: a grade of B or higher in required courses for your college; the page says recent admitted students have averaged a 3.75 GPA or higher; a personal statement explaining why you want Notre Dame.
• Deadlines: fall entry, March 15, 2027, with decisions May 20 to June 14, 2027; spring entry, October 1, 2026, with decisions December 1, 2026 to January 5, 2027.
• Testing: the SAT or ACT is optional for transfer applicants through 2026-2027; fall 2028 transfer applicants must submit one.
• Credit transfer: how Notre Dame evaluates transfer credit is not published in the pages I read.
• Aid: for fall 2027 transfers the application is due March 15, 2027 and the 2027-28 CSS Profile by May 1, 2027.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• REA November 1 or RD January 4 (the aid page says January 1; check); $85 fee; SAT/ACT optional
• Take calculus in high school; finish Calc I/A and Calc B early, since they are the prerequisite for the intermediate courses
• If you need aid, file the FAFSA and CSS Profile (priority November 15 / January 15)

International applicants (including China):

• REA November 1 or RD January 4; SAT/ACT optional; English scores at the recommended levels, or waived by SAT/ACT English scores
• If you need aid, file the CSS Profile (code 1841)
• China: gaokao and school-exam requirements are not published; ask admissions

Transfer applicants:

• Fall entry March 15; apply to a specific college and major; at least 24 credits and one full academic year; admitted students recently averaged 3.75 or higher

Sources: University of Notre Dame, Economics: undergraduate; Economics major; Major requirements; Incoming first-years; Honors track; International economics major; International economics requirements; Concentrations; CFEE concentration; EBPAC concentration; Economics FAQs; Internships and careers; Research; Arts and Letters: declaring a major; How to apply; Decision planning; Application considerations; Testing policy; Admissions FAQs; International applicants; International FAQs; Transfer applicants; Costs and affordability; First-year aid; International aid. Most deadline pages do not print a year; the aid pages list 2027-28 CSS Profile dates of November 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027, and March 15, 2027 for fall 2027 transfers. Check Notre Dame for the latest details and confirm the entry year.