Apply

Your deadlines will vary depending on your application round at Northwestern: QuestBridge, Early Decision, Regular Decision, or Transfer.

*Visit the Undergraduate Financial Aid page for more information regarding 2024–25 deadlines.

Application Materials

Review our requirements.

Required Materials

First-Year Applicants, QuestBridge

First-Year Applicants, Early Decision and Regular Decision

• Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir*
• Northwestern supplement (with additional writing supplements)
• Official secondary school transcript (s) from all schools attended and school report from most recently attended school
• Counselor recommendation
• At least one teacher recommendation
• Early Decision Agreement (for Early Decision applicants)
  
• Official proof of English language proficiency (for applicants whose first/primary language is not English or whose secondary schooling has not been in English)
  
  • Accepted English proficiency exams:
    • Duolingo English Test (DET)
    • IELTS, including IELTS Indicator
    • TOEFL iBT, including TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition but not TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution

    Transfer Applicants

    • Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir (including Northwestern supplement)
    • Official university transcript(s) from all universities attended, must demonstrate at least one year of full-time undergraduate study
    • Official secondary school transcript(s) from all schools attended and final transcript noting graduation
    • College report
    • Academic evaluation
    • Non-refundable $75 application fee or fee waiver

    

    Optional and Program-Specific Materials

    First-Year Applicants

    • Interview with an alumni volunteer

    First-Year and Transfer Applicants

    • SAT and/or ACT scores
    • Program-specific applications/materials for applicants to:
      • Bienen School of Music
      • Integrated Science Program (ISP)
      • Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences (MMSS)
      • School of Communication Musical Theatre Certificate Program

      Identities and Affiliations

      Additional guidance based on your background(s).

      

      QuestBridge Applicants

      Students applying as QuestBridge Scholars

      

      International Applicants

      Students with citizenship outside the United States

      

      Transfer Students

      Students applying to transfer from a 2- or 4-year post-secondary institution

      

      FGLI Applicants

      Students who identify as first-generation college-going and/or low-income

      

      Rural and Small-Town Applicants

      Students from rural or small-town communities

      

      Chicago and Evanston Public School Students

      Students attending a public secondary school in Chicago or Evanston

      

      Undocumented and DACA

      Students identifying as undocumented and/or DACA

      

      Veteran and ROTC Applicants

      Students affiliated with the military community

      

      Homeschooled Applicants

      Students who were homeschooled all or some of their high-school years

      Questions before applying?

      Connect with our students and admission staff.

      

      Purple Preview Conversations

      Connect one-on-one with a current undergraduate

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      Ambassadors

      Connect about African-American- and Black student experiences

      

      CLAVE

      Connect about Latinx student experiences

      

      Global Wildcats

      Connect about international student experiences

      

      Native and Indigenous

      Connect about Native and Indigenous student experiences

      

      Answers to Frequent Questions

      Answers to Frequent Questions

      Preparing to Thrive.

      Read our advice on developing a foundation that will help you in college (and beyond!).

      

      The "Fit" Factor

      Learn about how we consider “fit” in the admission process.

      

      The "Fit" Factor

      Academic possibilities

      Advice on common topics relating to academic study.

      

      Your Academic Path

      Applied Learning

      Browse our YouTube series where Northwestern representatives share insights on various aspects of the college admission process.