How GPA Works at the University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame, often simply called Notre Dame, follows a traditional 4.0 GPA scale to assess academic performance. As a student here, your GPA matters—whether it’s for maintaining scholarships, applying to grad school, or aiming for Latin honors. Let’s break down exactly how it’s calculated and what you need to know.
GPA Basics
At Notre Dame, each course you take is assigned a certain number of credit hours. Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by multiplying the grade points earned in each class by its credit hours, then dividing the total grade points by the total credit hours attempted.
Grade Scale at Notre Dame
Notre Dame uses a letter grade system with corresponding grade points. Here’s the standard conversion:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.000 |
| A- | 3.667 |
| B+ | 3.333 |
| B | 3.000 |
| B- | 2.667 |
| C+ | 2.333 |
| C | 2.000 |
| C- | 1.667 |
| D | 1.000 |
| F | 0.000 |
Grades like S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) and W (Withdrawn) do not affect your GPA.
GPA Nuances by College or Program
While the general grading policy applies university-wide, some colleges and schools within Notre Dame may have distinct policies regarding grade expectations or progression standards. Here are a few notes:
- College of Engineering: Emphasizes a strong GPA especially for progressing to upper-division courses. Some programs may require a minimum GPA in prerequisite classes.
- Mendoza College of Business: Very GPA-conscious due to competitive internships and job placements. GPA can influence eligibility for special programs and honors.
- College of Arts and Letters / Science: Honors and research opportunities may have GPA thresholds (usually 3.5+).
- First Year of Studies: Freshmen start in this division before declaring a major. GPA in the first year helps determine eligibility for preferred colleges or programs.
Always check with your academic advisor or department handbook for any additional GPA requirements.
Latin Honors at Graduation
Notre Dame awards Latin honors based on cumulative GPA at graduation:
- Summa Cum Laude: Top 5% of the graduating class
- Magna Cum Laude: Next 10%
- Cum Laude: Next 15%
There are no fixed GPA cutoffs—instead, honors are awarded based on class rank percentiles.