Apply to Echo today
We are looking for outstanding college graduates and young adults who have a strong interest in putting their love of theology in service to the Church and world.
- Are you currently a Notre Dame/St. Mary's/Holy Cross College junior? Learn more about the opportunity to apply early to Echo as a Hesburgh-McGrath Fellow!
- Talented and interested candidates may also appy for an early admission and commitment opportunity for the class of Echo 24. Click here to learn more.
Click here to be taken to the application details page!
Hear advice from our current students about discerning Echo:
Important application dates
Major highlights:
International application deadline: November 15, 2026
(Those students not US or Canadian residents or students holding a current US student visa)
Fee Waiver Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
**$75 dollar application fee is waived if applying by this deadline**
Regular Application Deadline: January 20, 2027
******
Local South Bend candidate interviews: February 8th-12th, 2027
Non-local candidate Interview and Discernment days: Sunday, February 14th - Thursday, February 18th, 2027.
Rolling admissions decisions: March and April 2027
Orientation and Summer Begins: June 2027
Before you apply
- Prospective applicants should contact Scott Boyle before applying to the program.
- Please also review these important program documents:
Program Expectations and Opportunities
A Guide to Benefits and Costs
Application Qualifications & Requirements
- Receive a bachelor’s degree by the start of their Echo summer orientation and coursework: June 1, 2027.
- Complete six credits in theology at either the undergraduate or graduate level before entering the program.
- Please click on the following link for more complete information regarding Echo's theology prerequisite policy, including important timeline clarifications for both domestic students and international students without a current US student visa.
- Applicants without approved courses should register for two prerequisite courses offered through the McGrath Institute specifically for Echo candidates. (Contact Scott Boyle if you have any questions about credits or prerequisite requirements.)
- Earn at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in your undergraduate degree.
- Be a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church, having received all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation).
-
OPTIONAL (Applicants for the class of Echo 24/25 are not required to submit GRE scores):
- If you are going to submit your GRE scores, we do recommend intentional and thoughtful preparation for the exam. Echo's admitted candidates typically achieve at least 153 out of 170 in the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections and 4.0 out of 6.0 on the Analytic Writing sections.
- For candidates who may need extra accommodation when taking the test, you must be in contact with Educational Testing Services approximately 6 weeks in advance. More information can be found here.
- If you are going to submit your GRE scores, we do recommend intentional and thoughtful preparation for the exam. Echo's admitted candidates typically achieve at least 153 out of 170 in the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections and 4.0 out of 6.0 on the Analytic Writing sections.
In addition to the above requirements, Echo looks for applicants who:
- Have reasonable expectations of the support a graduate service and formation program can and cannot provide to its participants;
- Demonstrate the necessary maturity and personal initiative for leadership formation in parish ministry or teaching theology;
- Express willingness to serve in an assigned partner diocese that is host to a small group of other Echo apprentices and/or theology teachers;
- Commit to two years of service under the direction of an experienced, diocesan-approved parish catechetical leader or Catholic school educator; and
- Are single (unmarried), lay persons committed to living in an intentional faith community, often times with community members of the opposite gender.
Click here to see a full list of Echo's Opportunities and Expectations
We consider the entire application in our admissions decisions (GPA/transcript, ministry/work experience, resume, essays, recommendation letters, in-person interviews), and pay special attention to the essays, interview, and recommendation letters to get a sense of personal character, aptitude for rigorous academic work, and suitability for catechetical ministry. If you have concerns about meeting any of the above requirements, please talk with the Echo staff.