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Application Details

Applying to Echo

Thank you for your interest in Echo! Please follow these application instructions as you work on your application. 

How to apply

The application process for both tracks of Echo (Full-Time Ministry and Teaching Theology) is shared. All applicants are considered for full-time ministry in Echo's parish and parish-related placements which include a limited number of diocesan office and high school and college campus ministry placements. Those who would also like to be considered for full-time theology teacher or dual theology teacher/campus minister positions through the Echo Teaching Theology track have the option to apply to both tracks, and can indicate their preference (and reasoning behind their preference) through the Echo Supplemental Application.

To apply for the Echo program, complete the online Notre Dame Application to the Graduate School, which includes submitting the items listed below. Please pay special attention to the required and non-required items below. What is listed here supercedes what is listed on the Graduate School Website.

A note as you complete your application: The work of growing in discipleship and conformity to Christ through service, education, and formation is the goal of Echo. To outsource any part of that work to non-sentient, AI-generated predictable outputs (e.g ChatGPT, etc.) can undermine the real work required to form the mind and heart. As such, we prohibit the use of any sort of AI assistance or generators in the formulation of your application.

As you complete the online application, you should be able to leave the application and return to work on it later, provided that you log in with the same username and pin number. The Graduate School provides helpful responses to FAQs on the Graduate School Admissions Website.

For each section, your responses are saved after you hit the continue button on the bottom of the section. To this end, you may wish to consider writing your Echo Supplemental Application answers separately to ensure your work is saved.

REQUIRED:

  1. Echo Supplemental Application. The Echo Supplemental constitutes the majority of the application process for Echo. These responses are integrated in the online application you will complete for the Graduate School.
  2. Unofficial transcripts
    1. Please make sure you have reviewed Echo's theology prerequisite policy. Reach out to Scott Boyle at sboyle2@nd.edu for any questions or clarifications. 
  3. Resume (this should communicate your most relevant work experience and education history). We do NOT need a curriculum vitae.
  4. Writing Sample
    1. Please upload an excerpt of your academic/research writing that you have produced for a 3.0 credit undergraduate or master’s course (max of 5 pages). Our preference is to receive a piece that you have produced for a theology or humanities course. It should NOT have been generated with any AI assistance.
  5. 4 Recommenders’ names and contact information. Once you enter your recommenders’ names and email addresses into your application, they will immediately receive an email prompting them to submit a letter of recommendation electronically through the Graduate School SLATE Application.
    1. Two (2) professor recommendations. Invite two professors who can speak to your suitability for graduate study in theology to write a letter for you. These must be professors who have had you in class (in which you received a letter grade) but need not be professors of theology or religious studies. Anyone who can speak to your academic aptitude and potential for graduate study will be sufficient. Send each recommender the Echo Professor Rec Instructions 2026 document that will explain the recommendation letter process. These letters must be submitted by either the December 1st or January 20th written application deadlines.
    2. Two (2) professional/ministerial recommendations. These recommenders should speak directly to your capacities for leadership, ministry, spiritual enrichment, and communal living. Ideal professional/ministerial recommenders include previous employers, community service leaders/supervisors, dorm rectors/hall directors, and campus ministry leaders; recommenders should not include family members, friends, or peers. Send your recommenders the Echo Professional/Ministerial Rec Instructions 2026 document that will explain the recommendation letter process. These letters must be submitted by either the December 1st or January 20th written application deadlines.
    3. Applicants from Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, and Holy Cross College (Notre Dame, Indiana) only: If you do not select your dorm rector to write a professional/ministerial recommendation, please request that your Rector submit the Rector Recommendation Letter. Send your rector the Echo Rector Letter – ND, SMC, HCC 2026 document and enter his/her contact information into the 5th “recommender” field of your Graduate School Application. These letters must be submitted by either the December 1st or January 20th written application deadlines.
  6. The $75 application fee (paid by cash, check, or fee waiver code–see below). However, all Echo applicants who apply by the December 1 early application deadline are eligible to have their application fee waived. Please email Scott at sboyle2@nd.edu right before you plan to submit your application and he will send you the waiver code. 

NOT REQUIRED:

  • A Statement of Intent
    • Your answers on the supplemental application are sufficient for communicating your interest in the Echo program.
  • A "Force for Good" Statement
  • GRE scores (optional).
    • Although it is not required, candidates without a strong academic record are encouraged to consider taking the GRE as a part of their application to Echo.
    • Scores should be sent directly to the University of Notre Dame Graduate School at the time the test is taken. GRE scores should also be submitted along with the Graduate School Application, and must be submitted by the December 1 or January 20 deadline, depending on your application submission date.
      Please note: There is a 10-14 day delay between when you take the GRE and when Notre Dame receives your scores. If you take the GRE after December 31, please also email your scores to echond@nd.edu.

Interviews & Admissions

Selected applicants will be invited to Notre Dame’s campus for an in-person interview. See our Admissions Timeline for specific dates. Admissions offers will be made on a rolling basis beginning in March.