University of Notre Dame Pre-College Programs World Politics and Power: An Introduction to International Relations

Dr. Susan Pratt-Rosato leads it. She's a member of Notre Dame's political science faculty and teaches the university's own Introduction to International Relations, along with courses on the political economy of globalization and on NGOs in international relations. Her research covers globalization, international political economy, international organizations and international relations theory.

She has previously taught at Harvard and the University of Chicago, won Harvard's Derek M. Bok Award for excellence in teaching, and in 2014 received Notre Dame's Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C. Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Notre Dame says it keeps Summer Scholars classes small, although it doesn't publish a class size.

You may receive one transferable Notre Dame credit with a Satisfactory (S) grade, as long as you complete every program requirement, and you can order a transcript from the University Registrar to show it later.

Because the grade is Satisfactory rather than a letter grade, the credit records that you finished college-level work but not how well you did, and Notre Dame doesn't say how other colleges treat it. Alongside the course, the wider program includes face-to-face Q&A sessions with Notre Dame's Office of Undergraduate Admissions and current undergraduates.

Current high school sophomores and juniors can apply, but only if they'll be at least 16 by 1 August 2027, and Notre Dame makes no exceptions, pointing to its insurance, liability and child-protection policies. Beyond that, it looks for strong academic standing, solid extracurricular activities and students who are self-motivated, self-disciplined and mature, with a sincere wish to be part of the Notre Dame community for the two weeks.

SAT, ACT or PSAT scores are encouraged but not required. Applicants who don't attend an English-speaking high school must send an English test score, and Notre Dame lists minimum scores of TOEFL 5.5, IELTS 7.5, PTE 55 and Duolingo 120. Admission decisions are made regardless of whether you've asked for financial aid.

Everything goes through Notre Dame's online application, where you can track which materials have arrived.

1. 1

   Line up your references

   Ask a teacher to recommend you, ideally one who can speak to your interest in international relations, and get their agreement before you add them. Have their email and your counselor's ready, since Notre Dame contacts both as soon as you add them.

2. 2

   Write two essays

   Notre Dame calls the essays very important and suggests having a teacher, counselor or parent proofread them. For your activities, you can use the application's activities section, upload a resume or do both.

3. 3

   Send optional test scores by 31 January 2027

   Uploading SAT, ACT or PSAT scores is your choice.

4. 4

   Submit and pay by 17 February 2027

   Your application and the $75 fee are due then, and you can't swap or add recommenders after that date.

5. 5

   Check your references arrive

   Notre Dame wants all supporting documents by 17 February 2027 too, and it's your responsibility to follow up with your counselor and teacher to make sure they've sent them.

6. 6

   If you're admitted, pay the enrollment fee by 23 April 2027

   That $300 payment secures your place, and the balance follows in May.

The program costs $5,200, and with the $75 application fee a family pays $5,275 before travel. The $5,200 covers tuition, a room on campus, meals, extracurricular activities and class field trips, and Notre Dame provides the books and class materials you need.

None of it is refundable once paid, and a student sent home for breaking the rules gets no refund while the family pays for the trip home. Getting to campus is up to you, with Notre Dame suggesting South Bend International Airport and recommending travel insurance, and parents cover any medical or mental health costs during the program.

Notre Dame offers a limited number of need-based scholarships covering part or all of tuition, but no merit aid. Indiana residents can be considered for a Lilly Endowment grant and students from the Philadelphia area for a Philadelphia Grant, each covering tuition, room and board for those who qualify. To be considered for any of these, a parent fills in the Financial Aid Request Form by 17 February 2027, and aid decisions arrive with the admission letter. Application fee waivers are granted only rarely.

Students can't leave campus except on a scheduled, supervised activity unless a Pre-College staff member or Resident Counselor goes with them, and Notre Dame sets the campus boundaries at Douglas Road, Twyckenham Drive, Napoleon Street (as far as Eddy Street Commons) and North Michigan Street. Its residence code for high school students requires them to be in their assigned hall by 11:00 PM Sunday to Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday, and in their rooms by 12:30 AM, with no visitors and no entering other halls or halls of the opposite gender.

Students can't drive, and alcohol, tobacco and vaping are banned whatever a student's age. Staff don't store or hand out medication, so students manage their own, and parents need to arrange any medical or mental health accommodations at least 30 days before the program starts. The full rules are in Notre Dame's standards and policies for pre-college students.