Northwestern University Admissions
Thinking of the admission process can be a source of stress. So many forms, transcripts, and tests; the list can go longer. But applying at Northwestern University, the admission process is one of the easiest patterns.
Northwestern University (NU) ranked 9th Best National University in the country. With one of the lowest acceptance rate of 8%, the university makes it necessary for you to have an exceptionally good set of scores and a strong academic background.
It boasts of a simple online enrolment process and involves application fees. It requires transcripts like high school transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and many other transcripts to proceed with the enrollment process.
Application Process
The enrolment process here can be a quick seamless process. The university offers various programs across different fields of study for undergraduate and graduate. The process is the same for almost all undergraduate programs; however, it differs for graduate programs.
The enrolment process at Northwestern for undergraduate programs is divided into 3 easy steps:
-
Complete an Online Application Form: College allows you to apply via any of the two online platforms - Common Application and Coalition Application.
-
Submit application fee or application waiver.
-
Submit the supporting documents as specified by the program.
SAT Scores you need to get in
SAT Range
1430 - 1550
Applicants Submitting SAT
45%
SAT Reading 25th
700
SAT Math 25th
730
SAT Composite 25th
1430
SAT Reading 75th
760
SAT Math 75th
790
SAT Composite 75th
1550
Average SAT Score
1490
While making the admission decisions, Northwestern University also takes the SAT scores of the applicants into consideration. It is important for students to note that SAT scores are mandatory in order to be considered for admission at the university. The average SAT score of the candidates who get accepted to NU is 1495. However, even those applicants with SAT scores of 1440 or below could also be accepted in some cases. Around 64% of the applicants furnish their SAT scores in order to be considered for admission by the university.
ACT Scores you need to get in
ACT Range
33 - 35
Applicants Submitting ACT
65%
ACT Math 25th
NA
ACT English 25th
NA
ACT Composite 25th
33
ACT Math 75th
NA
ACT English 75th
NA
ACT Composite 75th
35
Average ACT Score
34
Coming to the ACT scores that candidates need to get accepted to Northwestern University, the latest data suggests that one requires an average ACT score of 34. Notably, the composite ACT scores of most applicants who get accepted by Northwestern University are generally within the 33-35 range. To be considered for admission by Northwestern University, one needs to have a minimum ACT composite score of 33. And, ACT scores are also compulsory for admission consideration. Around 53% of the applicants to NU submit their ACT scores for gaining admission to the university, according to the latest information.
Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Grade Points Average (GPA)
FALSE
A GPA is an extremely important factor for admissions. An exceptionally good GPA is recommended to get a call for enrollment. The average GPA is 3.92 scores is required.
Admission Requirements
What Really Matters When Applying
High School GPA
Required
High School Rank
Recommended
High School Transcript
Required
College Prep Courses
Required
SAT/ACT
Required
Recommendations
Required
With 3 campuses and 12 schools and colleges, Northwestern University (NU) has a plethora of graduate and undergraduate programs comprehensively designed for students providing them with a rigorous and empathetic academic environment.
The requirements tend to differ as per the type of applicant, that is undergraduate (first year and transfer) and graduate programs.
Apart from important transcripts, the students may get asked to submit ACT/SAT score, academic placement test score, and other documents like essays, letters of recommendations, and many more. The university also offers early admission offers that require additional materials.
The application fee for any program is $75 (non-refundable), or applicants can also opt for an application fee waiver.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Northwestern University a long list of materials to be carefully dealt with. It also offers an Early Decision option for applicants and requires submitting an additional agreement.
Following terms are needed to be fulfilled for admission:
-
Common Application or Coalition Application form.
-
Official secondary school transcript and a school report
-
Counselor recommendation
-
At least one teacher recommendation
-
SAT or ACT scores.
-
Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (Required only for international applicants whose native language is not English or whose schooling has not been in English)
-
Early Decision Agreement (only for Early Decision applicants)
-
Midyear transcript
-
Music audition (only for School of Music applicants)
-
For home-schooled applicants: 3 SAT subject tests.
-
For Transfer Applicants:
-
Official university transcript(s) from all universities attended, must demonstrate at least one year of full-time undergraduate study.
-
Official secondary school transcript noting graduation
-
College report
-
Academic evaluation
Admission requirements for programs- Music, Medical Education, Integrated Science Program (ISP), Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences (MMSS), and Home-schooled applicants require additional documents.
For more details, please visit the official link.
Graduate Admission Requirements
The Graduate programs by Northwestern University embrace multiple disciplines from Media & Communication, MBA, Educational Administration, Fine Arts, Law, Science and Engineering, and many more. Each program has certain program-specific requirements, for which you need to visit the official university website.
The common requirements for Graduate Admissions are as follows:
-
An online application form.
-
Payment of online application fee.
-
Statement of Purpose.
-
Official transcripts or academic record
The applicants are advised to visit the official website for full details. Please visit the official site.
Admission Deadlines
Application Deadline
FALSE
Application Fee
$75
Early Decision Deadline
1-Nov
Early Action Deadline
None
Offer Action Deadline
None
Offers Early Decision
Yes
Application Website
www.northwestern.edu/admissions/
Accepts Common App
Yes
Accepts Coalition App
Yes
NU acknowledges applications till January 2.
For applicants going for the Early Decision option, the deadline is November 1. Transfer students get the benefit of applying at any time during the year, owing to the rolling admissions policy of the university.
Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics
Women | Men | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Applied | 20,875 | 19,550 | 40,425 |
Accepted | 1,765 | 1,657 | 3,422 |
Acceptance Rate | 8% | 8% | 8% |
Enrolled | 1035 | 896 | 1931 |
Percentage of admitted who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 59% | 54% | 56% |
Admission Statistics
Applied
Women
20,875
Men
19,550
Total
40,425
Accepted
Women
1,765
Men
1,657
Total
3,422
Acceptance Rate
Women
8%
Men
8%
Total
8%
Enrolled
Women
1035
Men
896
Total
1931
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)
Women
59%
Men
54%
Total
56%
Credits Accepted
AP Credit
Yes
Dual Credit
NA
Credit for Life Experiences
NA
Many universities in the US incentivize students by helping them out to earn university credits by taking certain courses, which are available for them in high school. Here are the names of some of such popular programs: AP Credit, CLEP (Credit for Life Experiences), and Dual Enrollment (also known as Dual Credit). As far as policy for these credits is concerned, each university has a different one. The advantages of such programs include a shorter time to get a degree, increased chances of completing a degree, and a higher GPA. Students who want to avail CLEP and AP credits can visit the website collegeboard.org and request to submit the scores to the university of their choice.